Public parks emerged in the 1830s to improve the health of the working classes living in the over-crowded conditions of the rapidly growing industrial town. It was hoped that parks would reduce disease, crime, and social unrest, as well as providing “green lungs” for the city and areas for recreation.

Birmingham is extremely proud of its parks and its open spaces.

With 571 parks covering a combined area of 14 square miles, this is more green open space than any other equivalent sized European city including Paris. 15 of Birmingham’s parks have received the prestigious Green Flag Award.

 

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

Cannon Hill Park is the most popular park in Birmingham covering 250 acres. It consists of formal, conservation, woodland and sports areas and was opened to visitors in 1873.

Cannon Hill Park. Photography by Karl Newton

Cannon Hill Park. Photography by Daniel Sturley

Winter at Cannon Hill Park. Photography by Pete Davies

 

Handsworth Park, Birmingham

Handsworth Park is a lovely open space comprising 63 acres of landscaped grass slopes, including a large boating lake and a smaller pond fed by the Farcroft and Grove Brooks.

The Boating Lake at Handsworth Park (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Victorian Drinking Fountain Canopy at Handsworth Park (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Lickey Hills Country Park, Birmingham

Lickey Hills has a complex and interesting geology which has created a variety of habitats. These include woodlands, heathland and grassland, which are home to an incredible diversity of wildlife.

Beacon Wood Nature Reserve, Lickey Hills. Photography by Jay Mason-Burns

 

Lickey Hills Photography by Chris Fletcher

 

Cotteridge Park, Birmingham

Cotteridge Park is one of the Victorian parks in the city, set in 22 acres, it has the Green Flag award. There's a 2 kilometre walking route through the park.

Squirrel at Cotteridge Park  (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Play Area, Skate Park and Tennis Courts at Cotteridge Park (September 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Sunset & Moonlit Parks, Birmingham

They were designed as part of a local regeneration project. There is Moonlit Park this is home to a play area for children and has a wildflower meadow, while Sunset Park has an outdoor events space.

Sunset & Moonlit Park (July 2019). Photography by Karl Newton

Moonlit Park (July 2019). Photography by Karl Newton

 

 Kings Heath Park, Birmingham 

The park was originally called Victoria Park is centred on a house, built in 1832. In 1880 the house was bought by John Cartland, a wealthy industrialist.

Cycling in Kings Heath Park  with Dad.  Photography by Christine Wright

 

Kings Heath Park (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Bench to sit on at Kings Heath Park . Photography by Christine Wright

 

Fox Hollies Park, Birmingham

The Fox Hollies is named after the Fox Hollies Hall. There's a 2 kilometre walking route & 40 acres of beautiful park land. There is also a lake where fishing is available.

Fox Hollies Park. Photography by Tammie Naughton

 

Fox Hollies Park on the path towards Gospel Lane (April 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Knowle Park, Solihull

The park was once the grounds of Longdon Hall, and is located close to the historic Knowle Village. This area was once part of the Forest of Arden in medieval times.

Daffodils at Knowle Park (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Vale Village, University of Birmingham

The Vale Village is part of the University of Birmingham, it is set in a relaxing conservation area with its own lake. A beautiful spot.

Beautiful scene at The Vale.  Photography by Peter Leadbetter. 

 

Chamberlain Hall (formerly High Hall) from Church Road (November 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Leasowes Park, Halesowen

Leasowes Park is a historic landscape. It was designed by the poet William Shenstone between 1743 and 1763.

Priory Pool at Leasowes Park (February 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Leasowes Park (February 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winterbourne House & Gardens, Birmingham

Winterbourne House is one of Birmingham's great Gems. It was originally built as the family home of John & Margaret Nettlefold from 1903.

The Beautiful Winterbourne House and Gardens. Photography by Barry Whitehead

 

Winterbourne House and Gardens (Winter 2017/18). Photography by Peter Leadbetter

 

Winterbourne House and Gardens looking majestic (October 2019). Photography by Damien Walmsley

 

Manor Farm Park, Birmingham

Manor Farm park was opened to the public in 1951, it was once the home of George & Elizabeth Cadbury who lived at Northfield Manor House.

The lake at Manor Farm Park (November 2018). Photography by Jay Mason-Burns

 

The wooden barn at Manor Farm Park (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Edgbaston Reservoir, Birmingham

The Reservoir is a popular spot for walkers, joggers and is host to boat clubs and other water sports.Edgbaston Reservoir was built in 1827 by Thomas Telford as a top up for the Birmingham canal system and is still used for that purpose today.

Edgbaston Edgbaston Reservoir  (June 2019). Photography by Karl Newton

 

Edgbaston Reservoir  (May 2017). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Edgbaston Reservoir (Winter 2017/18). Photography by Peter Leadbetter

 

Botanical Gardens, Birmingham

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens opened to the public in 1832.  The gardens are Grade II listed and is the home to the Birmingham Botanical and Horticultural Society which was founded in 1829.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens in September 2016 - Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Botanical Gardens in Spring (April 2018). Photography by Christine Wright

 

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens  - Photography by Tammie Naughton

 

Sutton Park, Birmingham, West Midlands

The heathland in Sutton Park has existed since at least since Roman times. The park is a National Nature Reserve and is one of the largest urban parks in the United Kingdom.  Most of Sutton Park is a National Nature Reserve and is one of the largest urban parks in the United Kingdom.

  Autumn reflections, Sutton Park. Photography by Chris Fletcher

Fly past in Sutton Park on a very cold morning walk. Photography by Barry Whitehead

Sutton Park from Flybe coming into land at Birmingham Airport (June 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Swanshurst Park, Birmingham

Most of Swanshurst Park is a natural heathland, making the park an important nature conservation habitat for the city. The council bought the fields in 1922 to lay out the park. They were from Ivyhouse Farm and Swanshurst Pool.

Moseley New Pool in Swanshurst Park (November 2019). Photography by Karl Newton

 

Towards the Moseley New Pool at Swanshurst Park (November 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Holders Lane Woods, Birmingham

Holders Lane Woods is to be found in Selly Park and Moseley. The route along the Rea Valley and the River Rea runs alongside the wonderful open space and dog owners delight.

Holders Lane Woods (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Holders Lane Woods (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Holders Lane Woods (August 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

                                       Selly Oak Park, Birmingham

It was developed under the Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council. Land was donated in February 1899 by members of the Gibbins family. The park was opened in April 1899 on Easter Monday. In 1911 the park was taken over by Birmingham City Council when Selly Oak became part of the city

 

Selly Oak Park (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Lapal Canal at Selly Oak Park (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

                             Moseley Bog, Birmingham - A hidden Gem!

Moseley Bog is a local nature reserve located in the Moseley area of Birmingham. It was formerly called The Dell. There are burnt mounds that run alongside the Coldbath Brook that flows through the Bog, dating to the Bronze Age, and they are Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

Moseley Bog - Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Algae in the bog at Moseley Bog (September 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Joy's Wood at Moseley Bog (August 2018). Photography by Peter Leadbetter

 

 Highbury Park, Birmingham

Highbury Park is a beautiful open green space, is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species and has the largest variety of trees of any park in Birmingham.

 

Willow tree Highbury Park (Summer 2018). Photography by Christine Wright

 

Chamberlain's Gardens in Highbury Park  (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Lodge at Highbury Park   (December 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Enjoy our freature including links to maps, trails, a wonderful gallery of photography, articles from our community and so much more.  See why Birmingham is so proud of its parks and open spaces.