The best parks in and around Birmingham for nature walks

Last Updated on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 by Lavania Oluban

When you’re half way into the holidays and running out of ideas for things to do then a trip to the local park is the easiest thing to organise. Take a backpack with your lunch and some water, pop the bike or scooter in the car boot and away you go. You can keep kids amused for hours outdoors, especially if there’s a play area but we enjoy going a little off the beaten track and finding places to explore nature, and of course to feed the ducks. 

I’ve collated a list of our favourite places to visit and I’ve printed off a selection of RSPB resources from twinkl.com which we use on our adventures, usually scavenger hunts and bird spotting sheets work best but you can find practically anything to suit your trip, we can spend all day outdoors in summer and a good couple of hours in the winter too – most of the time Arlo doesn’t want to come home. 

I’ve created a list of some of the best parks in Birmingham which is full of hidden green spaces if you know where to look. You can have a grand outdoor adventure in the middle of the city, its not just about feeding the ducks.

Whilst I’m here, bread isn’t the greatest thing for ducks so stick to small quantities and try taking out oats with you instead. I always keep a box in my car boot so we can take a pit stop whenever we pass a duck pond.

Without further a do, here’s our top parks in and around Birmingham for you to explore:

1. The Leasowes

Postcode: B62 8DH

Free parking here on site, with a small play area and plenty of open space to explore. Woodlands, grasslands, streams and lakes. This site is a designated site of scientific interest and a must visit. No toilet facilities are available. A lovely water pool in the middle of this park is the highlight.

2. Sutton Park

Postcode: B74 2YT

Parking is free (various sites)

Sutton Park is a huge National nature reserve and you could live in Birmingham your whole life and still not have the chance to explore it all. Feeding the ducks is great fun but if you’re lucky you might spot wild grazing horses too. They’re a bit of a myth / local legend but we have spotted them more than once by pure chance. Our favourite place to walk is the Bracebridge pool, parking is close by and the fabulous Sip and Slice is great for a warm drink and a snack. Arlo likes their toast!! You can wander in the trails around the pool in the wooded area and feel like you’ve wandered miles away from civilisation in a short distance.

3. Cannon Hill Park

Postcode: B13 8RD

Car park: fees charged (pay via RingGo app)

This park in central Birmingham is easily accessible via public transport and home to two pools, with swan boats for hire. There are play areas and other paid for activities such as mini golf, a fun fair and a train. This spot in the middle of the city is a green haven and beautiful at all times of year.

The MAC is on site with a cafe and toilet facilities for users.

4. Edgbaston Reservoir

Postcode: B16 9EE

Car parking is free on site.

There’s a surfaced 2k route around making this ideal for scooters and pushchairs. The Edgbaston Watersports Activity centre is on site for more high octane adventures. Look out for the newish Birmingham Settlement area about half way around. A lovely little spot with a cafe and lots of activities focused on wellbeing.

5. Earlswood Lakes

Postcode: B94 5RZ

These are for more of a natural experience, the trails around the lake can be quite uneven and muddy but here is the place to spot a greater variety of wetland birds and take great photographs. We love visiting all year round to see how things change. Arlo has become more confident on his bike and so this one is great for a ride out. If you want to treat yourself the Hickory’s smokehouse is just around the corner and has some mouthwatering dishes

6. Chase Water

Postcode: WS8 7NL

An environmentally friendly attraction that includes a visitor centre, lakeside cafe, activities such as wake-boarding, sailing, water skiing, nature walks and nearby heritage steam railway. This one is stunning during the autumn when the seasonal rainbow of leaves start to change.

7. Rowheath Pavillion

Postcode: B30 1HH

Parking free.

One of our favourite local parks with a beautiful small pool to wander around and an expansive lawn behind the pavilion for picnics. They have a natural woodland themed play area which is great for clambering on. Most weekends you can find street food vendors serving an array of treats, and there’s a licenced bar and cafe on site too. Toilet facilities are available in the sports block. The water here has a paved path all the way around which is perfect for scooters and pushchairs.

8. Bittell Reservoir

Postcode: B45 8BH

On street parking (please respect the local community). It’s easier to start a walk from Barnt Green station and follow the North Worcestershire Path. This is a country route and not suitable for prams and can get very muddy. This reservoir is the home of the Barnt Green Sailing club and there’s public walkways around one side of the reservoir and then up and around country trails. You’re out on your own here with no toilet facilities etc so plan ahead. It’s worth the effort for the views and the wildlife. Read our walkthrough here. We like to visit at least once every season and in spring we keep an eye out for the swan family who return every year, and watch the nest. It’s always a treat to see the cygnets appear for the first time.

9. The canals

The network of canals throughout Birmingham provides ample opportunity to find ducks and maybe even go fishing – it’s a different way to get from one place to another and see the city wandering along the towpaths. You could try going from the Mailbox to Broadstreet right in the City Centre, or head out to places like Alvechurch Marina. Some areas are nicer than others, plan your routes ahead.

10. Arrow Valley

Postcode: B98 OLJ

Parking is free. This park in Redditch added a new play area a couple of years ago which Arlo loves. There’s also gym/exercise equipment and fabulous trails around the lake to enjoy a leisurely stroll or a fast paced jog. The park often hosts funfairs and other events too. There’s a cafe and toilet facilities on site.

11. Sanders Park

Postcode: B61 7JP

Bromsgroves most beautiful park, with a great play area, duck pond and skate park plus cafe and toilet facilities. There’s a bandstand which often hosts events, a bowling green and tennis courts available to hire too.

12. The Vale

A small pond nestled amongst the student Village in Edgbaston, on Edgbaston Park Rd. There’s no designated parking but if you’re local or happen to be visiting the city this is a nice outdoor space to explore, and there’s a local flock of wild parakeets who have made this park their home so you might get lucky and find some more tropical birds to add to your nature spotting lists.

13. Edgbaston pools

Postcode: B15 2RT

Accessible via paid entry to WinterBourne House and Gardens, so this isn’t a free day out but a nice trip to take, maybe with grandparents who would enjoy the beautiful gardens too, it’s one of those spots that most people don’t realise exists and it’s breathtaking to walk along the path and turn around a corner to see the view across the water for the first time. A real haven of tranquility.

14. Bournville Boating Pond

Postcode: B30 1QS

On street parking available. This small pond is home to the local model boat sailing club which meets most Sunday’s and its a sight to behold. A great spot to pause and feed the ducks, and have a stretch of the legs especially if you’re visiting nearby Cadbury World. If you’re around in the evening you might spot the local herons too. It’s a small spot but I’ve spotted people pause here for the May blossoms doing photo shoots and with a short walk to the village green with a variety of shops for drinks and treats it’s a lovely little walk.

15. Sandwell Valley

Postcode: B71 4BG

Parking: small charge

This vast expanse of woodland offers plenty to explore, with lakes perfect for spotting nesting herons in the spring if you head off the beaten track. There’s Forge Mill Farm on site along with huge play areas, a splash pad and plenty of activities to enjoy. No matter the time of year this place can be a full day out.

16. Kingsbury Water Park

Postcode: B76 0DY

Parking: £4.50 all day

A vast area of multiple lakes to explore – to get around I recommend hiring bicycles which are great fun. There’s the Echills Wood Railway, two huge play areas and a visitor centre and cafe with toilets on site too. I love that in summer people rock up with their camper vans and stay for the whole day. During autumn it tends to be quieter but the scenery is beautiful and worth a visit.

17. Lickey Hills, Warren Lane

Postcode: B45 8ER

Birmingham’s finest! Are you even a Brummie if you haven’t been to the lickeys? The visitor centre feels like it hasn’t changed in years, it’s quite nostalgic to walk in. They have a small cafe which is cash only and toilets, but then once you walk out to the woodlands you’re on your own. No matter how many times I’ve visited I still manage to get myself lost in nature and find a new trail. We quite like rummaging around to tick of nature scavenger style hunts here. There’s great places to find wild mushrooms and build dens and just stomp around in the woods – perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

18. Kings Heath Park, Vicarage Rd

Postcode: B14 7TQ

Another fabulous park not too far from the high street. This is our favourite place to play Pokemon Go – because yes that is still a thing and we often bump in to others, especially on community days. Again with paths all the way around it’s a great place for kids to cycle or scoot and you’ve got so many options for food nearby, from the onsite cafe to the Red Lion over the road and the various different indie coffee shops and cafes around the high street.

Other places to explore in and around Birmingham are:

• Cofton Reservoir, Cofton Hackett, B45 8GW
• Thimblemill Pool, Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 5RG
• River Rea, Mill Lane, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2RT
• Moor Pool, Moor Pool Ave, Birmingham B17 9HN
• Shard End Lake in Norman Chamberlain Playing Fields, Kendrick Ave, Shard End B34 7SA
• Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Hall Green B13 0BD
• Valley Parkway, Bournville Ln, Birmingham B30 2HP
• Frankley Reservoir, Birmingham B32 4BN
• Beacon Park, Swan Road, Lichfield WS13 6QZ
• Swan Pool, West Bromwich B71 4BQ
• Fradley Pool Nature Reserve, Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 7DN
• Ryton Pools Country Park, Ryton Rd, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3BH
• Holly Wood Nature Reserve near Great Barr, B43 6EA
• Meriden Park, Moorend Ave, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5TB
• Malvern and Bruetons Park, Warwick Rd, B91 3HA
• Elmdon Park, Tanhouse Farm Road, Solihull, B92 9EY
• Bourne Pool, Wheats Garden Centre, Chester Rd, WS9 0PW
• New Hall Valley Country Park, Wilde Green Rd, B76 1NL
• Plantsbrook Local Nature Reserve, Eachelhurst Rd, B76 1DZ
• Witton Lakes Park, Gipsy Lane, B23 7AS
• Swanshurst Park, Yardley Wood Rd, B13 0TB
• Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground, Yardley Green Rd.
• Kingfisher Country Park, Cole Valley Rd, B28 0DG
• Ward End Park, Ward End Park Rd, B8 3PH
• Trittiford Park, Priory Rd, B28 0TB
• Moseley Bog, Wake Green Rd, B13 9YP
• Moseley Park, Alcester Rd, B13 8HJ
• Pype Hayes Park, Chester Rd, B24 0NR
• Grove Park, Harbourne Park Rd, B17 0BJ
• Handsworth Park, Holly Rd, B20 2BY
• Perry Park, Perry Avenue, B42 1RP
• Kings Norton Park, Pershore Rd South
• Small Heath Park, Coventry Rd, B10 0PL
• Manor Farm Park, Bristol Rd South, B31 2AB
• Brookvale Park, Park Rd, B23 7YT
• Lifford Reservoir (off tunnel lane) B30
• Salford Park, Lichfield Rd, B6 7SS
• Shenley Fields, Shenley Fields Rd, B29 5AL