The 'stunning' West Midlands park named among the UK's top 10 perfect for a summer day out

Sutton Park in Birmingham has been named one of the best in the UK in a new study.

As summer nears and the days stretch longer, many of us are itching to get outside, breathe in the fresh air, and bathe in every sun-soaked moment.

The experts at idealo have analysed over 50 parks across the UK, using key metrics such as park ratings, monthly Google searches, and the number of Instagram and TikTok posts to reveal the nation’s most popular green spaces.

What makes the perfect picnic destination - sunny weather, lush green spaces, or simply a safe, peaceful spot to unwind? The study looks at all these factors to uncover which UK cities offer the ideal conditions for a blissful picnic experience.

Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield, north Birmingham, has been ranked among the top 10 best parks in the UK, coming in at 9th place. It has an overall rating of 4.6 on Google, as well as more than 63,000 Instagram posts.

Sutton Park is the biggest park in Birmingham and one of the biggest urban parks in Europe and its massive size offers heathland, woodland, and wetland, as well as both marshes and seven separate lakes.

It is a 2,400 acres National Nature Reserve located 6 miles north of the city centre. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Claiming the top spot as the most popular park in the UK, Richmond Park is a true gem within London’s limited 22.3% of green space. While the capital may be short on expansive natural areas, the parks it does have are nothing short of iconic, and Richmond Park leads the way.

As the largest of London’s Royal Parks, it has over 2,500 acres of open grassland, ancient woodlands, and serene ponds, providing plenty of space to find a peaceful picnic spot away from the crowds. With an average rating of 4.7 out of 5, it’s clear visitors love what this vast park has to offer.