Shirley Park is in Shirley, Solihull, close to a shopping area that is becoming more popular with…read morepeople from outside the Shirley area. The park provides relief to the frantic high street and is ideal for a family picnic. There are a wide range of activities in the Park, including pitch and putt, and a range of events through out the summer months. The Donkey Derby is one of my favourites. It is a large outdoor summer fair with lots of animals to interact with I was lucky enough to speak to the parks warden and he told me the Park was originally home to farmland, which was bought up in 1927. At a later stage additional features were introduced which included an ornamental garden and formal walkways. A walk through the woods of the park is especially pleasant in spring when the bluebells produce a vivid array of colours. It is also possible to view wildfowl as the pond is used on a frequent basis by birds and wildlife. Play equipment includes: - Junior & toddler swings, Junior & toddler multi play, Senior & junior mound slide, Talking flowers, Horse springers, reveloution roundabout, play car and crazy mirrors. I grew up in the area as a child and have fond memories of this park, to the extent that I visit it most weeks.

I don't use the term 'hidden gem' often, many because it's such a cliche and rarely true in these…read moredays of vapid overstatement. However, in this case it is literally true. You might never know it exists unless you're a resident of the local patch. I've lived over this side of Birmingham for over ten years and only discovered its existence a few months ago. I found it because I was trying to find Playpod (a soft play area) off the Stratford Road and stumbled upon this park by accident. There's plenty of green space surrounded by trees where you can play football or use the tennis courts if team games aren't you're thing. It's a great place for a picnic too, even though it's surrounded by busy residential streets. The play ground has swings, climbing frames, various slides, those flowers that you can talk into, a roundabout, play car andfunny mirrors. Everything is in pretty good condition too. There's also a skate park and even pitch and putt (though you have to take your own clubs and balls if you want to play.) I don't remember seeing any toilets because for once we didn't need to use them, but I'm sure there must be some nearby. If you want snacks and drinks, the shops on the high street are a few minutes away.

Hartshill Hayes is set in a wonderful woodland area. It has been for many years our family's…read morefavourite walking area around Nuneaton. The woods are very well managed and retain the right balance of managed and wild areas. This is a mature forest,with a large variety of native trees, woodland plants and wildlife. We never fail to go when the bluebells are flowering as they cover the undergrowth in a rich deep carpet. It truly is a superb sight. It is a wonderful place to go and unwind, sit quietly on a bench, watch and listen to the birds. Children of all ages love exploring and will also like the play area. Adults are sometimes spotted on the rope and tyre swings. The terrain is hilly in most places, but nothing too challenging. There are several options of walks and paths to follow, including the easy path, which is handy for weelchairs and pushchairs. This path in particular will take you on the more scenic part of the park. On a clear day you can see the steam rising from the power station in Burton-on-Trent. There are a few picnic tables and it makes for a lovely day out when the weather is nice. Few people realise how beautiful the woods can be when it is raining, as long as you are well covered! Parking is cheap £1.50 a day, we buy the season ticket and come on the drop of a hat.

We love taking our dog here, it's great to walk through the woods and admire the scenery and we…read moreeven bought a 12 month parking permit.

Swanshurst Park is, to me, one of Birmingham's best parks. For these reasons:…read more 1) There are not one, but two large pools. A lot of parks in this neck of the woods are sadly lacking in water features, and Swanshurst has two. The larger of the two - Moseley Pool - is really beautiful, and surrounded, when I went there last week, with brilliant Spring flowers. It's an important site for various wildfowl too. 2) There is a car park. A good sized, easy accessible, free car park 3) There is a children's play area. This is near the car park so a) little legs don't have to walk far and b) if you fancy a more 'adult' stroll it's easy to get away into the wide yonder, beyond the shrieks of children. 4) It has a lovely combination of wide expanse and heath type landscapes, so you get that relieving feeling of space but there are also little pockets of heath to explore. For me, the greatest thing that this park offers is that expansive sense of space - much welcomed amongst the suburbs of south Birmingham.

People often say that birmingham lacks green space and is some sort of concrete…read morejungle......wrong....I actually have no idea where people get this stuff! Yet another great park space for walking yourself or the dogs, picnics in the warmer months, cycling or that outdoor meditation vibe you saw on YouTube and Connor wait to try. This is not one of those destination parks where I would say travel from far and wide to marvel at its beauty......more a local vibe that gives the area a little something more than just grey and dull suburban vibes.

One of my favourite books when I was younger was the Secret Garden where 3 children found a key to…read morea hidden garden which became their secret retreat. Moseley Park and Pool kind of reminds of this as its very easy to miss it due to the fact it's tucked away down a tiny path that runs between O'Neills and Dixons and you need to be a key holder to gain entry to this gem. This park is a calm haven amongst the hustle and bustle of city living. I love coming here in the summer for a picnic as its a private park there is plenty of space to sit and it's always tidy and well maintained. To become a key holder for a year you need to head to Moseley Travel and pay £40. Well worth chipping in with friends/ housemates. If you'd like to try before you buy then there are free open days or visit one various festivals held here such as Moseley Folk.

Moseley Park and Pool is one of those little secrets you only share with people you really like…read more Set off Moseley's main strip you really wouldn't know it was there unless you'd been tipped off in advance. There is a tiny path that goes between Dixon's and Oneills. Once through the gate you take short amble through the trees and past a tennis court or two to finally open out into the park proper. The space isn't huge but is a real oasis in a city like Birmingham. There are two large fields and then best of all a lake that you can walk around. So what's the catch? Is a private park for keyholders only. Annual membership is not expensive though at £40. However, a first visit might be best kept for a free open day or really treat yourself and grab a ticket for the annual Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul or Moseley Folk Festivals.

I like Kings Heath park, it's got a lot going for it. First…read moreoff, it's a like a park of two halfs, oh and it's massive. It's like maybe two, three or even four parks in one. You've got the footpath that leads all the way around the park, which is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists. This path will lead you from one of the three entrances right down to where the park edges alongside the trainline. How many miles this walkway is I don't know, but it's a good walk to take it all in. The path snakes in around the parks water feature which is really quite beautiful and is popular with ducks. There is also a tea room, tennis courts, a bowling green, basketball hoops, and two childrens playgrounds. This is a supreme park with large open grass spaces to boot. Kings Heath park is a great asset to the south of Birmingham and has a great deal to offer visitors.

Kings Heath park is absolutely huge. It's great to have picnics at, go for walks, have colour…read morefights (as my friends and I did ) , walk the dogs and even entertain the kids. Everytime I go there are always various clubs going on which is great to have something to occupy time with! Additionally, it has very quiet areas, especially by the pond , and I usually take work and do it there. It's a great park!

A beautiful and huge park - one of the largest urban parks in the UK in fact. There are wild…read moreponies, free range cows and plenty of other wildlife you can spot at various times of the year. There are frequent ice cream vans dotted about near the scouts jamboree stone and lots of pay2ride bike docks around the edge of the park including e-bikes (run by beryl) in my experience the normal bikes are well maintained and not very expensive if you use them properly and dock them after each use - you get charged an extra fee if you leave it non-docked and another fee if you leave it outside the beryl zone but this is clearly demarcated in the beryl app. It's a beautiful place to go especially with family. The only detraction is that some of the paths and tracks are a bit muddy and unstable so if you're really having a hike like I do it's best to go in strong sturdy boots with good grip. There is an information centre located near the Sutton Coldfield town centre entrance of the park and a gym and swimming pool called wyndley right near the park. Fishing is allowed within certain seasons but you will need a licence and I'm not sure if there are any other requirements as I've not done it yet in this park. You will enjoy coming here, even in winter. Just bring appropriate clothing and shoes!

Henry VIII hunting ground, and the reason why Sutton received the royal charter since he had such a…read morefabulous time... It's bigger than most urban parks, and spans both further than you would expect, and less, as it goes on so much further than most city/town parks (you do genuinely get to points where you can here no traffic nor see no houses quite quickly), it almost makes it feel more like an estate park- which of course it is smaller than, but I'd probably say not by much for many. There are quite a few little pockets of the park, so you can take in as little or as much of it as you like. There is plenty of wildlife, pools, paths and impressive large trees in ancient woodlands. It tends to get quite busy, but it's large enough for you to never feel cramped, and people tend to cheerfully be saying good morning.

This park is massive. It runs alongside a significant length of the Hagley Road. Taking you from…read morenear Quinton down to Bearwood. The Quinton end is a large and grassy playing field space, whilst the Bearwood ends has a playground, skate park, bandstand and a sad looking ruin of a manor house. The park is always busy with local young folk, especially around the skate ramps. The upper end makes prime picnic destination on lazy summer days (there is an Ember Inn pub/restaurant for when you can't be bothered to pack the hamper). The park is under the stewardship of Sandwell Council, who have made it a pleasant place to be.

Park is undergoing a huge renovation on the house, the bandstand, and play areas which is due to…read morefinish in summer 2016 - it's going to be a great place to go to. Currently they have a circus show there, which hasn't happened ever before in the park since i can remember. This is a new venture to attract more people to use the new public space. This park is good as they are trying to host some really good events on for the locals. Last year in May, they had a may day extravaganza which was also good fun. Looking forward to seeing the finished park and heritage house, just need to hurry up and get it finished the scafolding has been up for years now...

Ever since I was a wee gal I've been coming to Lickey Hills park - from school geography trips to…read morehuge picnics , it has something for everyone. As soon as you come in, theres a huge park for kids which is actually great fun for the big kids too ;) take my advice for it! And as you go deeper into the park, you realise what an incredible sigh of relief this park is as it gives you a break from the busy, industrial city ; instead offering you serenity and beauty. You wouldn't even think it's in Birmingham! Rolling hills, towering trees and a blanket of green surrounding you; each area is beautiful. Even if you do get drenched by the rain like I did, it's definitely worth it! A must for those seeking an escape!

If you're looking for the best views of Birmingham, Lickey Hills Country Park is the place you…read moreshould go! This very popular landscape, placed between Rednal and Barnt Green areas, is a 524 acres park with a visitor centre, golf, tennis and bowls and also a wonderful view provided from the top of the Beacon Hill, the highest point of Lickey Hills. It's a huge public space that is perfect for walkers not afraid of a bit of adventure and also families that can have a good use of its recreation park. There is a cafe nearby the recreation area and you may need some food and drinks after walking through the park. I have been to Lickey Hills with a group of very enthusiastic friends and I can tell that in the end of the journey to Beacon Hill we were all tired but happy because the perspective we have of some parts of Birmingham from that point is quite impressive. If you thinking about making some walking, make sure you have plenty of water and comfortable trainers to face this hilly walk. We had a lovely picnic up there and it was really a good idea to have some food to compensate all energy spent during the journey. We worth it! There is a free car parking at Lickey Hills. The bus number 62 service from the city centre and the Barn Green train station are the other options to get there.