We visit the highest rated Birmingham park for a gorgeous autumn walk full of nature

Birmingham has a certain reputation for concrete monstrosities with its ring roads and brutalist architecture in the city centre.

But you don’t have to travel far out of town to escape the emerging skyscrapers and cranes and enjoy a multitude of green spaces.

The city is home to 591 parks and open areas totalling over 3,400 hectares (14 sq miles) - more than any other equivalent sized European city.

And its top rated park is Rowheath in Bournville, resplendent with its notable Italianate Pavilion, gaining 4.7 stars on Google. Like many areas in Bournville, you’ll be unsurprised to hear that Rowheath has a strong connection to the Cadbury family.

The chocolate entrepreneurs transformed the former 75 acre farm into a sports ground for its workers, with the grand opening taking place in 1924. It has hosted dinners, balls and musical performances - and, of course, sports over the years.

And these days, in addition to its fabulous sports pitches, Rowheath remains a fabulous spot for families and friends to gather and spend quality time together.

The sweeping trees, calming waters of the pool and open spaces make it a perfect place for winter walk. The golden leaves of the trees glimmered in the sunlight as we strolled through the park on a Sunday afternoon.

Squirrels scurried along the bushes while ducks gracefully glided through the waters as children played and dogs walked nearby - all under the supervision of their owners, we’re pleased to say.

There are plenty of benches surrounding the pool where you can relax and rewind and let your cares and worries drift away. Sometimes there are people fishing around the pool, with designated areas for those interested in the pastime. It’s just one of many activities people enjoy in Rowheath Park.

There are playing fields across the road for football, rugby, hockey and more, and in the park itself you will see people enjoying sports together too, including the odd croquet match. There’s a fantastic play area for children, including a wonderful woodland trail complementing the rustic scenery and adding a touch of adventure for youngsters. You’ll find a table tennis area for older children and adults next to this.

Rowheath Park hosts a wealth of community activities. There’s a noticeboard choc-a-bloc with events. One of the key enterprises is the community garden where you can learn how to grow your own food - all for free. In addition to the outdoor activities that are available at Rowheath Park, there is also a splendid selection of food and drink outlets.

Rowheath Pavilion has a cafe offering a variety of hot and cold drinks and cakes and sandwiches. Some of Birmingham’s best street food vendors regularly visit too. And even though we’re in Bournville, there’s a bar serving a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, with a pleasant undercover, outdoor seating area.

So if you fancy spending some quality time with nature without leaving Birmingham, take a trip to Rowheath Park, Rowheath Pavilion, Birmingham B30 1HH. Take a look around the park here: