The borough of Solihull’s motto is ‘Urbs in rure’, which is Latin for ‘town in the country’.
It aims to reflect the fact that Solihull boasts a lot of green space - something it is very proud of. Not only that but it borders the Warwickshire and Worcestershire countryside.
The borough boasts a hosts of great parks which are looked after by Solihull Council and all have their individual character and merits. Some really stand out though and arguably one of them is head and shoulders above the rest - in our opinion anyway.
This is by no means a list of all the borough’s parks but we have picked some of the best and our particular favourite:
1. Elmdon Park
Let’s cut to the chase, this is the Solihull Park that really is the pick of the bunch - for lots of reasons. Put simply it’s the sort of park it’s possible to get lost in. You could literally walk around it all day and still not have covered all of it. Its origins lie in a country estate that was once home to Elmdon Hall. The land was bought by a wealthy Birmingham banker named Abraham Spooner in 1760 and he set about building a grand residence in the shape of Elmdon Hall. The hall was actually finished by his son Isaac in 1795. Isaac’s daughter Barbara married the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce and this union is recognised in a local road name - Wilberforce Way. The estate came under the ownership of Solihull Urban District Council in 1944 and Elmdon Hall was used by the Home Guard during the Second World War. Sadly it fell into disrepair sometime after and was demolished in 1956. Elmdon Park even has its own church - St Nicholas’ Church. As well as being a great place for dog walking, Elmdon Park also has a children’s play area and next to that is a selection of adventure play equipment. It has a lake and one of its greatest features is a nature reserve run by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. There are miles and miles of pathways and many go through woodland. It’s also great for cycling. In the event of snowfall Elmdon Park becomes a mecca for sledging - it’s one of the few areas in the borough to feature a long and relatively steep slope. Despite its vastness and the ability to lose oneself in it, there are also reminders of civilisation nearby. These come in the shape of the huge Jaguar Land Rover factory, which is literally next door and Birmingham Airport - just across the road at the southern edge of the park. You can also play tennis for free in the park’s tennis courts (booking is required) and a heritage trail takes in the history of St Nicholas’ Church and Elmdon Hall. Location: Tanhouse Farm Road and Damson Parkway
2. Malvern and Brueton Parks
A close runner-up to Elmdon Park and we appreciate this will be the favourite of many Silhillians - for lots of reasons. Two parks for the price of one essentially, which can be accessed via free car parks off Warwick Road and New Road. These parks are beautifully landscaped and laid out it’s fair to say and also offer extremely easy access from Solihull town centre. Great for picnics there are also tennis courts (free to play but booking required) and a children’s play area. You can also enjoy a stop at the Parkridge Visitor Centre run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, which has an excellent cafe. The Brueton Tree Trail is a popular feature, which is home to a number of special trees such as English oak, giant redwood, maidenhair and Indian bean tree. For heritage lovers the park is great too, with a highlight being the Prancing Horse and Man statue. It was donated in 1944 by Oliver Bird of Bird’s Custard fame and created by the eminent Victorian sculptor, Sir Joseph Edgar Boehm. The park also hosts some fantastic events through the year, including Shakespeare in the Park and Carols in the Park. And for the energetic among you it hosts the Solihull Parkrun every Saturday morning. Location: Warwick Road and New Road
3. Lavender Hall Park
This park in Balsall Common is one of Solihull’s newest open spaces and has much to recommend it. With Green Flag Park status it aims to offer a green haven for both the residents of Balsall Common and people further afield. Features include a playground a football pitch, Katherine’s Wood and a skate park It also has Local Nature Reserve status and hosts events throughout the year, including a Kite Flying Festival.
4. Dorridge Park
Dorridge Park and Dorridge Wood Local Nature Reserve is a Green Flag Park, which among other things is renowned for its play area which was refurbished as part of the Playbuilder project Woodland is a predominant feature with ancient ash, beech and oak and you really are on the edge of the countryside. Access via public transport is very good with Dorridge railway station close by. There’s also a Dorridge Park walking trail organised by Solihull Active. There are many park events through the year, including the annual Dorridge Day, as well as walks and conservation days. Location: Grange Road Dorridge