Quietly magnificent parks and nature spots show why Birmingham is one of the greenest cities

Birmingham often surprises people who expect concrete and traffic, but its green spaces tell a very different story.

The Second city was recognised as the UK's first official Nature City by a group including the National Trust and Natural England earlier this year.

Tucked between neighbourhoods and suburbs are parks, woodlands and waterways that feel calm, expansive and quietly magnificent.

Sutton Park stretches for miles with wild ponies, heathland and pools that change character with the seasons.

Cannon Hill Park blends formal gardens with open space, offering a peaceful pause just minutes from the city centre. Along the canals, nature has reclaimed old industrial routes, creating corridors where swans glide past joggers and cyclists.

Lickey Hills Country Park rises above the city with sweeping views and winding forest paths, while Moseley Bog feels almost untouched, its wetlands rich with birdsong and history.

These places don’t shout for attention. They simply exist, proving Birmingham’s reputation as one of the greenest cities isn’t a boast, but a fact discovered slowly, step by step.

Here are our top 10 best-rated parks and green spaces in Birmingham and beyond: