A really very large, and well kept pool. Always full of all sorts of waterbirds, it's lined with…read morebenches along the one short edge next to the leisure centre, it's pleasant for cold sunsets and sitting and eating a sandwich. Plenty of ducks to feed as well.

Loads of ducks, geese, swans, moor hens, water fowl of all kinds they are just waiting there for…read moreyou to lean over the railings and drop tasty morcels onto their expectant heads, a right feathery scrummage resulting. These little (and not so little) webby characters are quite tame and look for visitors to swim towards. The pool is large but really only accessible from the frontage along the short roadway from Sommerville Road, right next to Windley Leisure Centre (where humans can go swimming). There is some parking, so really this is the best pool for any one that wants to drive right up to the waters edge and not even get out of the car to take in the watery scene. Originally built as a mediaeval fish pond, anglers are not permitted unfortunately, but definitely worth a trip down to see it on a nice summer evening.

In the land-locked West Midlands, you'd hardly think there would be a demand for a scuba diving and…read moresnorkeling shop. We're pretty far from any vast bodies of water and the wildlife in the seas around England isn't exactly exotic. But sure enough here is Scuba Pursuits who sell shallow-water and deep-water diving gear and who run recreational, professional and technical diving courses. I'm not after a diving course, but I need a new snorkel mask. I'm a bit weird in that I feel more confident when swimming in open water in a snorkel mask, and after swimming in the river Lug a few weeks ago I noticed that my mask had become a bit tired looking. I'm taken through the various masks that they have in stock. 'Did you want a purge valve on it?', asks the man. This is new to me. He explains that if water gets into the mask that the purge valve means you can breathe the water out of the mask by an exhalation through you nose. (He puts it a bit more graphically that that!) Water can seep in sometimes and its often a panicky and claustrophobic moment, so I'm taken with this device. So, I'm £22 quid lighter, and I've got a mask, a new snorkel tube and a handy bag. I've got no need for a diving course, but if you do then Scuba Pursuits training courses are held in swimming pools in Birmingham and Staffordshire.

It's very rare that you see extremely specialised shops outside of city centres these days thanks…read moreto the influence of the internet driving most of these stores out of business, unless they see a high volume of customers. Hence my surprise when I first saw a dedicated scuba shop on the Stratford road in Shirley, Solihull, but on closer inspection, there's no real surprise that Scuba + Outdoor Pursuit Centre has weathered the internet storm with such ease, as it's an absolutely fantastic shop. It has literally everything you could possibly need for a scuba trip, regardless if you're a novice looking for all the basics or a seasoned pro just trying to upgrade a piece of equipment. I'd imagine that the reason a scuba shop is able to survive whilst other businesses haven't is partly due to those looking to get into diving wanting professional advice from real life experts and not just people over the internet, and the shop doesn't disappoint in that department, with all the staff helpful, friendly, and clearly passionate about diving. An excellent choice for scuba enthusiasts everywhere.

Smaller pool, hidden away in a little valley up from the Information centre end of the Park and…read moreMain Gate. Easy to get to along tarmc path, but a bit more hilly and twisty walk deeper into the darker, spookier side of the woods. There used to be a Lido here, but it burnt down, which is a shame. There are fish in there, believe me, and water birds, which you can see for yourself. Again, the sun sets at the far end, opposite a great little bench seat where you can sit and contemplate. Keeper's Pool was originally built as a fish pond within the mediaeval deer park. The name of the pool suggests that a park keeper's lodge was nearby when the pool was built. The pool dates back to the 15th century and was formed by the damming of a stream. As it's on a main track-way through the centre of the Park, there're always plenty of passers bye, joggers, walkers, cyclists and the like. Well recommended for a quick visit.

Barr Beacon park is the highest point in the West Midlands. On a clear day you can look all around…read moreyou and see views of Shropshire, the Black Country, Birmingham, Staffordshire and Cannock Chase. It`s landmark is the bandstand. The park has some nice walks, but sadly lacks a playground for the children as the existing one was taken out, and recent plans for a visiter center on the park have been shelved. It is also, sadly, popular with a certain canine hobby of some people in the car park! This place is in desperate need of some money put into it, as it is a really beautiful spot.

Beautiful views. good parking, wonderful hidden park on a hill…read more Can be plenty of people up here as well, lacks any real facilities on the site.

Play area has been widely improved in recent years as has the parking area giving the park a much…read moremore family feel to it. Ideal green space for walking dogs or teaching kids to ride their bikes in summer. Towards the back of the park there is a small skate ramp area and the network of foot paths leads you around the park.

A great place to walk the dog, and a nice piece of the countryside in a town area. Worth a visit.read more

You could be forgiven for not knowing about Martineau Gardens…read more Rather inconspicuous, it sits alongside a busy junction in the Edgbaston area and doesn't warrant much attention from the road. Once through the gates you find yourself in amongst fruit trees and carefully nurtured plants and flowers, on this occasion we didn't venture past the club house but had already witnessed an almost surreal scene of classes being given on the lawn with a tree being the focus of the lesson, needless to say the world of traffic noise and commuter squabble is soon forgotten. The staff were friendly when approached and assisted with our guesswork as to exactly which fruits blossomed within the protective netting of various beds. Martineau Gardens is a welcoming place and offers a great deal for anyone interested in the simple joys of gardening. Events are held regularly and more information can be found at their website: http://www.martineau-gardens.org.uk/visitor-information/plants-produce/

An oasis of calm just set back from busy Edgbaston roads…read more Volunteer gardeners are friendly and always willing to help. Produce and plants are also often for sale (wood chips, seasonal vegetables and fruit and preserves) There are always interesting things growing and it's good for a look around any time of year. They even have a mulberry tree, not many of those in the area. Their events are worth visiting as there's always a lot going on (from Seed swaps to Apple Days)There's also a great play area with large wooden ship for the tiddlywinks to have a play on.

This is one of several parks in the area and possibly the least interesting one, but that's not to…read moresay it's not a good park. It's really just a large, open, square grassy area surrounded on three of its four sides by roads. I tend to walk my dogs over there when it's quiet as they can have a good old scarper about. There are three football pitches that dominate the space - two full size and one smaller, kids pitch. During the winter months there are goal posts erected by the council and on Sunday mornings there are usually one or two games going on. In the summer months it becomes extremely popular with students and gets invaded by literally hundreds of people enjoying BBQs, games and drinks. In fairness to those people they generally clean up after themselves and the park doesn't resemble Glastonbury festival the next morning. Recently some gym equipment has been installed in the park and, so far at least, this has remained intact and hasn't been vandalised, which I suppose tells you something about the area. As such it's popular with joggers who break up their runs with a few exercises.

Selly Park is a large, spacious area of parkland, and makes for one of the main University of…read moreBirmingham student hang-outs during the summer months. The park is a very good size, meaning that there's enough room for defacto areas to emerge daily for those wanting to play football or with a Frisbee, and those who just want to sit on the grass and soak up the sun. The park caters for all, being a perfect flat site for joggers and runners to loop around, and there's a well-equipped play park for young children that should keep them entertained for a good while. Recently, there has been some outdoor cross trainer exercise machines installed at various points around the perimeter for those wishing to break up their rigorous exercise regimes with... more exercise. The centre of the park lacks much identity, but large trees line the outside, making it a pleasant location.

For a little place, they've actually got quite a lot on here…read more The pool, it's small, but you don't need a huge one if you're just doing lengths (and the number of lengths you do always sounds more impressive with less effort, haha!) it has lessons, scuba and snorkelling sessions, adult only swims, women only swims, early birds, aquarobics and the ability for kids parties, with or without the big inflatable. The changing rooms have recently been redone, which is far better. In the main building, there is a reasonably sized sports hall, a reasonably kitted out gym, a toning suite, and a spin room. The gym kit is nicely varied, the only thing they really lack as with most small gyms is the heavier weights. The sports hall hosts classes such as circuits, pilates, yoga, martial arts etc etc. You can have a membership, or pay for one off entries and classes.