The benefits of spending time in the great outdoors among nature has been wideley researched. From relieving stress to physical fitness, it can do wonders for us. Big open green spaces are also great for walking our four-legged friends and hosting picnics with friends and family in Birmingham.
Located on the outskirts of the city, the country parks are hundreds of acres in size. Some have additional facilities like tea rooms, working farms and more. There's nothing like a nice autumnal walk to beat the blues, with the beautiful golden colours filling our open spaces it's a perfect opportunity to explore the outdoors and have fun soaking up some fresh air.
We’ve taken a look at all the country parks in Birmingham to discover how people that use them are rating them. Those who have visited the country parks have reviewed them on Google and we have ranked the country parks in Birmingham according to the number of stars they have received. So, here are the six country parks in Birmingham ranked, according to Google reviews:
1. Lickey Hills Country Park
Lickey Hills Country Park covers 524 acres. It is rated 4.6 stars from 1,775 Google reviews. Lickey Hills has a Green Flag Award and is designated as a Country Park. It is a great place for family days out, to spot wildlife, for sport, school trips, or maybe just for the views and a cup of tea. It has a complex and interesting geology which has created a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, heathland and grassland, which are home to an incredibly diverse wildlife.
2. Woodgate Valley Country Park, Bartley Green
This park is rated 4.3 stars from 2,431 Google reviews - which shows how popular it is. This is a 450 acre area of countryside in the centre of Bartley Green and Quinton. There are many mixed, mature hedgerows, meadows, woodland, and small ponds. The Bournbrook runs through the park, which has over 250 species of plants. It is great for a day out with family, watching wildlife and more.
3. Sheldon Country Park
This country park is rated 4.6 stars from 1,399 Google reviews. An example of countryside in the city, there are trees, flowers and a farm right next to a busy airport. The 300 acre park contains grassland, wetland, old hedgerows and mature woodland. It has a unique feature as well. The seventeenth century Old Rectory Farm, a former dairy farm within the park, has been restored and now functions as a Demonstration Farm showcasing traditional methods of farming. (Photo - Carl Baker / Entrance to Sheldon Country Park / CC BY-SA 2.0)
4. Shire Country Park, Moseley
Located in south Birmingham, the country park takes its name from Tolkien’s The Shire. It is rated 4.3 stars from 170 Google reviews. It follows the River Cole Valley for four miles and crosses one of the few remaining fords in the city. The Park contains wetlands, grasslands, woodland and heath, which all support a wealth of animal and plant life. (Photo - CC BY 2.0/Elliot Brown)