One of Birmingham's lesser known parks, and all the better for it, if you ask me! We really are…read moreblessed / spoiled over in the south of the city when it comes to parks - there seems to be one every few hundred yards - from large, countryside-equse open spaces like Warley Woods and the Lickeys, to ornate urban parks like Cannon Hill Park. This place is a little of both - the large open space that dominates it provides a lovely respite from the bustle of Harborne, and the gardens that border it are well kept and a legacy of the park's Victorian roots. A great little park - much recommended!

Queens Park is one of Birmingham's best parks in my opinion, its very secluded and not very known…read moreabout and all the better for it! We don't have many great outdoor spaces in Harborne so its a great place for young children, teenagers and adults too. Its has a great open large space, people come here to play football, tennis (has 2 tennis courts), basketball (has a basketball court). Has a playground area for young children. Very popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. Ive been here day and night and never had any trouble, the gardens are well kept and very pretty in every season. There is 2 car parks available on site which is free, space available for disabled vehicles too. A great little park!

I don't know if you are aware, but Birmingham is now classed as a "Global Green City"…read more(http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2014/apr/03/birmingham-san-francisco-oslo-global-green-biophilic-cities-club). This is largely down to the City making investments in lovely spaces such as Eastside park. This side of the City had largely been neglected for a long time before the investment into Birmingham City University and Millennium Point last year. Instead of wasteland and out of use car parks, this area has had tree's, sculpture and a water feature added to it as part of the development. Largely used by Students in the summer, this is a lovely area of the City where you can enjoy some greenery (there is actual grass in amongst the concrete!) and take in the sunshine. There are normally people playing sport, sitting and chatting and generally just chilling out here now (where previously it was an area you wouldn't have wanted to stop in). The Eastside Park has meant lots of new development in the area and there is now a great indie coffee shop (as regularly used by Dave P.), the listed public house is now back in action and the addition of the huge University building has really lifted this section of the City. This area also harbours the "Giant Screen" Cinema and a number of tourist attractions (such as Thinktank), making it a nice place to stop by and visit. The Science garden of Thinktank is free to visit (it's designed for Children, unfortunately for us "Older" science fans), so if you haven't popped by and checked it out; I recommend you pack a picnic and mooch down.

Did you know, Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in EUROPE? Well, it is. Boosted by Paskside…read moreCity Park, which was the first city park in more than 130 years and it's lovely. Especially a year or so on since the greenery has really settled in and he park is being used by different people of all ages. It's a great social space. Perfect for a picnic with friends as the sun stays on this park well into the late afternoon. There is plenty of grass as well as lots of varied and interesting seating. There also an array of water fountains, ones that spurt from the ground (which children cannot help run into) and ones that line Millennium Point as they shoot into a large stretch of water. There is also the science park run by Millennium Point for children to play around in and do science with wind, water etc BCU is a prominent neighbour as well as The Woodman pub and the old Curzon St station, soon to be used as a temporary art gallery. There's two convenience stores nearby (One is a Spar) to purchase nibbles and drink if you run low on supplies too. Get yourself down there and bask in the summer sun.

Edgbaston Resorvoir is another of those urban idyls that take away the sometimes claustrophobic…read morefeelings of city living. Looking out over the flat waterway can be an incredibly calming feeling, and sometimes even dramatic if the wind is up. A walk around the resorvoir is a good way to get an idea of it's size and allows you to really take in it's serene beauty. The footpath is frequented by dog walkers, joggers and people just out on a stroll. Whether you're out to burn off calories or just fancy sitting and watching the world go by, Edgbaston Resorvoir offers a scenic setting in which to ponder the greater mysteries of life or simply stare out over the water.

There's two miles of pathway around the reservoir making it a popular place for joggers,…read moredog-walkers and people out for a gentle stroll. This is a fabulous facility that I've used over the years. Sadly, these days I feel it's under used. I remember when each weekend there was something going on, on the water. These days, however, to see a single boat on the lake is a rarity. That said, it's home to The Midland Sailing Club and Sea Cadet Centre and The Birmingham Rowing Club. It's still one of my favourite places to relax. The council and ranger service do a great job with its upkeep. It's also a popular place for fishing. It's a stones throw from Birmingham city centre and parking is free. It could do with a cafe actually within the reservoir but there is one just at the entrance.

This often "overlooked" green space in the City is actually one of my favourites. Located behind…read morethe new Library, it's not a huge space, but is well cared for and has lots of seating available. As Carl has already said, don't expect Central Park. It's a lovely green space surrounded by a path and a range of trees with a well kept "lawn" area in the middle, but that's it. There isn't a playpark for the kids or borders filled with colourful flowers, but it's still a nice space to take your lunch or grab a five minute breather from the hustle and bustle of the City. I'm not sure that all that many people know it's there, so I would class it as one of the hidden gems of the City Centre. It has lots of bins, so there is always minimal litter (adding to the serenity of the space) and there is always a quiet spot to sit and contemplate. If you ever find yourself by the Library and you've got five mins, why not pop on in through one of the arches and transport yourself away for a few in Birmingham's lovely City Centre Gardens?

Hidden away from the main drag and hustle & bustle of of the city lies a small patch of…read moretranquillity. Admittedly it is certainly not the largest or the most grandiose of Birmingham's parks, but it is probably the most central. It is for this reason that that I frequent City Centre Gardens. Don't expect swings or long walks through fields, if you're expecting Birmingham's answer to New York's 'Central Park', you will be sorely disappointed. City Centre Gardens is merely a plot of grass surrounded by shrubbery a few trees on the borders. I would talk more about the plant life but I'm afraid it's not my strong point of knowledge. There are plenty of benches dotted around and a bandstand in the middle. Although I don't think the latter gets much use. What makes the Gardens so useful is when one has a picnic or prefers to get a 'meal deal' than heading for a sit down lunch. City Centre Gardens offers a quiet space in central surroundings. Even when the much loved and hated 'Frankfurt Christmas Market', one can escape the crowds and relax in the relative quietness, even though it's situated directly behind Birmingham's new central library. Whilst Birmingham has 571 parks, 3,500 hectares of public accessible space and 250 miles of urban brooks and streams, I do find the can be a lack of open green space in the centre. The cathedral grounds or 'Pigeon Park' (as it's affectionately known) gets very busy, and feels more like a throughfare; with people walking in all directions to and from Snow Hill station and Colmore Row. If like me, you feel to old to hang around with the emo kids in Pigeon Park these days, I suggest walking down to the back of the library. It's quieter, prettier and the grass is better maintained (as it's not trodden on so much).

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!

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.

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I dont remember Cannon Hill park being so beautiful! Visited here recently as part of a food…read morefestival and was taken back by just how lovely the place is! Now my lack of realisation was probably due to the fact I was trying to avoid being bitten by the aggressive ducks that used to roll round the pond like a carte when I was a child.....but i was young.....and about half the size so they seemed a lot more intimidating at the time. I am happy to confirm I walked past them with ease this time around and had more time to enjoy the picturesque surroundings! The park is pretty huge and boasts a nice pond complete with fountain/water feature to impress even the Charlie Dimmock types....swan boats, a theatre, crazy golf and many walkways and paths to enjoy. Perfect for a day out with the kids....or to keep that inner child satisfied. You will find me here a fair bit over the summer I think....get me to the ice cream van...now!

This is a lovely and peaceful park, which I enjoy cycling to when I have the time. I like to come…read morehere with a book and some snacks and just chill out under one of the many beautiful trees. It is very green and also has a stream running through the centre of it. There is also a path that goes through the park and so it is easy for those on bikes, those with wheelchairs and those with pushchairs to venture through. It is great for children to come and play in here and I have often seen kids in the summer playing in the stream. There are a couple of benches situated in the park too, although I think that it is great to bring your own blanket and choose your own place to sit in the park. It is a tranquil and pretty place to come and chill out in.

I love walking along the canals and waterways based in the city centre…read more The locations you can end up at are never ending, and span off in all directions, 360 degrees. It's great to go jogging along here, a walk after a meal, or just to get out in the sun and get your boost of vitamin D. I started a walk from here with friends, at the back of the Mailbox, and we headed passed the Cube, and eventually through the University of Birmingham and then onto Cannon Hill park. The walk is quite substantial, and puts you in the mood for a light workout. But it's not heavy, and the ground is just pretty much flat all the way. Just one tip, be mindful of the fact that you do get bikes coming passed ever so often. It's nice to get a view of the barges as they steer past. They British Waterways who own and administer these canals also have a Visitor Centre located centrally at Cambrian Wharf, where you can also find more information on all the different routes that are available etc. This is a gem to have in the city! and the great benefit is it's totally free.

Without the canals and waterways in the city centre, I think it wouldn't look the same and people…read morewouldn't appreciate that part of the city as much. The canals/Midlands waterways are an iconic part of the city and when you're walking through the city- it's actually quite relaxing. I normally start my walk from the Symphony Hall, walk through the ICC towards the back entrance of the ICC and then walk on the bridge towards Brindley Place. It's normally because I'm making my way to eat at one of the restaurants located in Brindley place or have a drink at one of the local bars. I once did a full walk past the canals towards the Mailbox when I was drunk which I now look back at and think it was a bad idea because we were messing about near the canal and could have literally fallen in there. Apart from that little incident it's a great walking experience, do try it but not while your drunk, lol!!

I really love this park, It offers FREE parking too, on certain days Run Birmingham offer a free…read morerunning scheme called 'Couch to 5k' a 9 week program free to attend and gives you confidence to meet other fellow runners. Beautiful surrounding, come with kids to feed the wild life duckies in the large pond. Big area to ride your bike too with a number of facilities to park your bike. Kids can also have fun on the pay area too, with swings and a large climb rack. On my daily walks to the park I've even found wild black berries and bamboo being grown in the woodland area. There's a Cadbury Bournville house that has been derelict for quite a few years now, for such a great location I've always hoped that the council would invest money in this great location and maybe convert it into a little café? That would be perfect in my opinion. Have a good day everyone, thanks a bunch for reading

The Birmingham Back to Backs is a National Trust property which were rescued from destruction a few…read moreyears ago. They had been turned into shops and this is why these are the only remaining back to backs that have survived in Birmingham. The national trust have worked very hard and are still working on census records so these buildings can be brought back to the living standards of the time. There are 3 houses to see, all set in different times from the mid 19th century to the 1950's. Visits are by guided tour only and have to be booked. I am afraid that I cannot remember our guide's name, but she was a local lady as she said her parents had been born in back to back property and she also lived in one up until 1990's and she was a brilliant tour guide. We have no idea just how bad the living conditions were at the time and he really brought the the place and the era to life. You can even touch things as you time travel though not in the tailors shop! I can certainly recommend this place as being one of the best properties in the National Trust, but do take heed of what they say regarding access. I cannot recommend a visit highly enough, but be warned - although you will be under cover for most of the time, the tour starts and ends out in the (uncovered) yard, so bring a brolly in case it is raining. You will need comfortable shoes, as although there is not a lot of walking, there is a lot of standing around and few seats for visitors. And finally, allow nearly 2 hours - there is a lot to see.

As I was planning my first trip to Birmingham, I kept seeing the Back to Backs tour pop up at the…read moretop of lists and decided to give it a try. I am very happy that I did! Tickets can be purchased in the little, clearly marked shop. Next, you'll head to the corner to await your tour guide. Our group's leader was Les and he was amazing; insightful, engaging, knowledgeable and funny. He led us quickly from place to place during the nearly 2 hour tour with interesting stories about the lives of the skilled tradesmen and their families who lived in the homes as well as asked thought-provoking questions about many of the features that made me think about what it must have been like to live during the decades covered by the tour and how differently our lives are today. The Back To Backs is an excellent, affordable tour that you can't get almost anywhere else. If you enjoy history, you'll love it.