Contents
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Lickey Hills Country Park
- Forge Mill Lake
- Sutton Park
- Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood
- Kings Heath Park
- Warstone Lane Cemetery
- Edgbaston Reservoir
- Harborne Railway Walkway
- Livery Street Bridge to the Mailbox
- Explore the Gardens with our map
As winter overtakes autumn in the seasonal race, the thought of venturing into the chilly outdoors might make your teeth chatter.
With the inviting hug of Christmas just a few weeks away, who can blame you?
But before you reject the idea of leaving your house for unessential trips to work or the shops, take a moment to check out the many walking trails and routes on the Gardens’ doorstep.
We promise you won’t regret stepping out into the fresh air.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Of course, we couldn’t mention winter walks in Birmingham without spotlighting the opportunity for undisturbed meandering at the Gardens.
The 10-acre site is your walking oyster, a chance to follow our winter walk and admire the alphabetic paradise of plants along the way.
Whether you’re meandering through the tropical foliage of the glasshouses or braving the cold outdoors to explore our Alpine Garden, the wide range of botanical fayre will continue to surprise you throughout the winter months.
And you can enjoy our seasonal walks all year round with a Gardens membership!
Lickey Hills Country Park
Seeking a mindful, natural experience to immerse yourself within?
Make sure you add Lickey Hills Country Park to your list of winter walks in Birmingham.
Spanning across 524 acres of complex woodland, grassland and heathland, this outdoor odyssey is an intriguing composition of different habitats, views and natural features.
The site is host to an equally fascinating history and is said to have been first settled in the Stone Age, evidenced by a 4,000-year-old, neolithic arrowhead discovered on Rednal Hill.
This location is clearly a historical hotspot – a Roman dupondius coin was also found on the hill in the 1960s, a tiny reminder of the goods route built by the Romans on Lickey Hills approximately 2,000 years ago.
Perfect for a brief stroll or a long trek with family and friends in any season, Lickey Hills Country Park is a mysterious treasure trove waiting for you to investigate.
Forge Mill Lake
Decorated by colourful flashes of kingfishers, the 1.6km trail which encircles Forge Mill Lake is a short but sweet walk, suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
Located within the tranquil Sandwell Valley Country Park, the surfaced route is connected to surrounding grassland areas and young woodland via several pathways, a bridleway and cycleway.
And if bird-watching is your bag you will not be left disappointed. Boasting a diverse wealth of environments, the walkway is well-placed for you to observe the avian locals; from goosanders and lapwings to wigeons and water rail, the location’s winter inhabitants are a fascinating bunch to behold.
For those feeling the frost, the warmth of Forge Mill’s farm shop provides a welcome shelter for visitors to browse local produce with a hot coffee after your walk.
Sutton Park
Home to a menagerie of cattle, wild ponies and more character than you can shake a stick at, Sutton Park is a popular visitor attraction located north of Birmingham city centre.
The 2,400-acre nature reserve boasts seven lakes, a donkey sanctuary, playgrounds and a 5km circular route which can be experienced from three different starting points.
No two visits to Sutton Park are the same; with such resplendent landscapes, trees and animals for walkers to breathe in, it’s a place that keeps on giving to its visitors.
Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood
Allegedly Tolkien’s childhood inspiration for the Old Forest in The Lord of the Rings, Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood is a nature reserve rich in historical value and biodiversity.
Previously known as The Dell, the old mill pond is home to several burnt mounds, an archaeological term for the remains of charcoal and shattered stones which are usually found opposite an old hearth and trough.
Natural opulence is also evident in Moseley Bog and Joy’s Wood, a wilderness of woodland, fens and lowland meadow where lucky visitors might spot a great spotted woodpecker or buzzard swooping through the greenery.
With pathways laid out across the 12 acre-site, you can navigate this magical realm in less than 60 minutes.
And who knows, perhaps you’ll encounter Sam and Frodo whilst you’re there.
Kings Heath Park
As the first of Birmingham’s urban parks to achieve a Green Flag status, it comes as no surprise that Kings Heath Park is a radiant exhibition of green space, herbaceous borders and beautiful trees.
Set across 35 acres, this park is ideal for families with accessible sloping paths that make for smooth exploration.
If you’re looking for a smaller trail, an amble around this park is perfect and can be extended into the neighbouring Highbury Park for those who want to travel further.
Make sure you keep an eye out for fairies in Kings Heath too – they like to build their homes in the trees!
Warstone Lane Cemetery
If you’re looking for a slightly spookier setting for your winter walk in Birmingham, look no further than the Jewellery Quarter’s Warstone Lane Cemetery.
Dating back to 1847, the large graveyard is a fascinating pocket of history and allegedly haunted by some of its residents – we’ll leave that for you to decide.
Adding to its creepy allure, the cemetery even features a tiered catacombs within which lies the inventors of Baskerville typeface and lawn tennis.
Not quite the subterranean experience of Paris’ skull-packed catacombs, but an interesting visit all the same.
Wrap up warm before you venture into this spooky corner of Brum – there’s a chill in the air for sure.
Edgbaston Reservoir
Despite Birmingham’s landlocked location, it is still possible for walking enthusiasts to enjoy a large body of water whilst out on their expeditions.
One such place is Edgbaston Reservoir around which is a 2.8km path that switches up the pastoral scenes of other trails around Birmingham.
Constructed in 1827 by Thomas Telford to top up the city’s canal system, the reservoir now facilitates a hub of biodiversity, supporting local birdlife, newts and bats to name a few.
Taking the average walker about 40 minutes to complete, the trail is ideal for people wanting to stretch their legs.
Harborne Railway Walkway
Stretching from Harborne into the splendid Summerfield Park, Harborne Railway Walk follows a disused train line for 2.4km through wooded areas, under bridges and via the canal system.
The original railway was open to passengers from 1874 to 1934, taking them from harborne into the city centre.
Now a paved trail, the route epitomises the often overlooked natural beauty of the city and provides a secret escape from the busy streets around it.
Snow Hill Bridge to the Mailbox
Incorporated into Birmingham’s extensive canal system, there is a super speedy, one mile walkway for those who want to see the city from a different angle.
Starting at the Snow Hill Bridge, the route stretches past the historical Gas Street Basin and ends at the Mailbox.
Sights along the way include the Old Turn Junction and the National SEA LIFE Centre, overlooked by Birmingham’s growing skyline.
Even if your visit is brief, the canals are well worth checking out.
Explore the Gardens with our map
Keen to discover new areas of the Gardens you’ve never experienced before?
Check out our online map to plan your next visit!