Now that summer is over, it is finally time to swap our shorts and vests for jeans and jumpers and settle in for the cooler weather. And with the change in seasons comes the return of fallen leaves, earlier sunsets, and crisp air, all of which are best enjoyed on a walk through beautiful locations.
Whether you like picnics or just taking a stroll through the green areas of the city, there are many spots in and around Birmingham to visit with friends and family. From the hidden-gem Harborne Walkway to the well-loved Bourneville Green, there is much that Birmingham offers - even if it used to be known as an industrial town.
The green spaces of Birmingham are so inspiring that JRR Tolkein based his magnum opus - The Lord of the Rings - on locations in Edgbaston, Moseley, and beyond.
If you are a fan of all things Brum, here are the best palces to enjoy your autumn stroll:
1. Warley Woods
Surrounded by houses and schools, Warley Woods is the park of choice for all those who live in and around Smethwick. Run and funded by a Trust, and a dedicated group of donors and volunteers, the wood has won the Green Flag Award for 14 years running, so you know it’s a great place to be. It has a large, natural woodland, a open green space, and an area called “The Wilderness”, which is full of diverse plant and insect life as well as a small pond. Popular among dog walkers, the Woods is a welcoming place with something for everyone. They regularly host themed walks (such as the bat walk and tree identification walk), with a special Halloween Spooky Trail being organised for this October. (Credit - Brianboru100 CC BY-SA 3.0)
2. Edgbaston Pool
Not to be confused with the larger Edgbaston Reservoir, the Pool is a small lake with a section of woodland. Although the Reservoir is the better known location, the Pool offers a secluded oasis of calm. It backs on to Winterbourne House and Gardens (itself a fantastic little spot for an autumn stroll), and can be accessed through a old gate on its grounds, hidden behind a thicket of trees and bushes. When you pass through the gate, you can walk along the south side of the Pool, usually with no other people in sight. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it is almost untouched, and is also a great, peaceful place to go birdwatching. (Credit - Hugo.arg CC BY-SA 4.0)
3. Bourneville Village Green
There are few parts of Bournville that aren’t picturesque, but when it comes to the best places to visit, the streets along the Village Green triangle and Rowheath Park have to be some of the best. With the former, the Green itself offers a slice of nature complete with the historic Rest House, over 100 years old, in the centre. On the other side, you will see quaint, traditional English buildings housing a few shops and cafés to pop into if it starts to drizzle. Walking in Rowheath, with the park on one side and playing fields on the other, feels like walking down a country road. And there’s nothing to stop you from visiting the park itself, complete with pond and pavilion. (Credit - Elliott Brown CC BY 2.0)
4. Sutton Park
Covering 2,400 acres, it is the largest park in Birmingham, and one of the largest urban parks in Europe, so you might want to wear sturdy shoes for this one. The land itself has been well managed to remain as natural as possible after thousands of years. With such a vast size and long history, you can expect a variable landscape, and Sutton does not disappoint. The land has heathland, woodland, and wetland, marshes and seven separate lakes, all of which are home to their own diverse ecosystems. On your stroll you may even run into some of the animals which roam free across the landscape, including cattle and deer, as well as the odd rabbit. (Credit - xlibber CC by 2.0)