I’m not sure why the Second City still has a bad reputation as a ‘concrete jungle’. Anyone who lives here knows how far from the truth that is. It’s believed that Birmingham has more green spaces and parks than any other European city—8,000 acres, in fact, made up of around 600 parks—with 15 parks having received a prestigious Green Flag Award. Still, there are plenty of green spaces in Birmingham that even surprise locals, so let’s take a closer look!
1. Sutton Park
It’s likely you already know about Sutton Park, but as one of the largest urban parks in Europe, it’s always worth talking about. This National Nature Reserve, about six miles north of Birmingham city centre, offers over 2,400 acres of diverse landscapes—including heathland, woodlands, lakes, wetlands, and marshes, each with its own variety of plants and wildlife—so there’s always something surprising to discover. It makes for a great dog-walking park too.
Sutton Park Nature Reserve, Park Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham B74 2YT
2. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Intended as a space for scientific study as well as public enjoyment, Birmingham Botanical Gardens opened in 1832 thanks to renowned horticulturist J.C. Loudon. It’s now one of the UK’s most historic botanical spaces and Birmingham’s best green spaces—with 15 acres of curated gardens and historic Victorian glasshouses to explore. Discover over 7,000 plants, including those native to tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean, and arid climates, as well as picturesque gardens, like the Japanese garden, a rock garden, and a butterfly house.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Birmingham B15 3TR
3. Moseley Park and Pool
Look, unless you’re a local willing to part with £60 a year for a membership, your chances of visiting Moseley Park and Pool are limited. But it’s always worth it. The park is open to everybody every Wednesday, as well as on Farmers’ Market Days (the last Saturday of the month), and one-off open days.
Inside, discover a hidden gem of a historic park in the heart of Moseley—with 11 acres of parkland, meadows and woodland, surrounding a beautiful lake. Moseley Park and Pool was originally a major part of the gardens of the Moseley Hall estate, designed by the famous landscape gardener Humphry Repton, and it is worth skipping school for.
Moseley Park and Pool, 93B Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8DD
4. Winterbourne House & Garden
Tucked away in leafy Edgbaston, the Edwardian Winterbourne House remains open to the public all year round. Employing the Arts and Craft-style (think William Morris and Birmingham’s Edward Burne-Jones) in its design, the home is full of interactive displays and hands-on exhibits. It’s the magnificent seven-acre botanical gardens, designed by Margaret Nettlefold, that we care most about, though—discover over 6,000 different rare and exotic plant species.
Winterbourne House and Gardens, 58 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham B15 2RT
5. Library of Birmingham
Yes, really. While the Library of Birmingham is most famous as the largest public library in Europe—with a book collection that would stretch from Birmingham to Edinburgh—it also has two often overlooked outdoor terraces. The Level 3 terrace is the better-known of the two, with views over Centenary Square, while the Level 7 secret garden offers a much quieter atmosphere.
Library of Birmingham, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2ND
6. Moseley Bog
When imagining the epic fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, few think of Birmingham. But from its industrial streets to its idyllic green spaces, this city hugely influenced the author. In particular, Tolkien’s childhood home at 264 Wake Green Road is only a short walk from Moseley Bog.
Describing it as a “kind of lost paradise,” Tolkien drew on this dark and tangled, ancient woodland to create The Old Forest, which we first encounter in The Fellowship of the Ring. The hobbits are fearful of travelling through, believing it to be “awake”, and are even trapped by Old Man Willow before being rescued by the whimsical Tom Bombadil.
Moseley Bog, Yardley Wood Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9JX
7. Martineau Gardens
Martineau Gardens has to be one of the most peaceful green spaces in all of Birmingham. The Edgbaston community garden is two and a half acres of tranquillity—and completely free to visit. From the orchard to the vegetable and herb beds, children’s ‘shipwreck’ play area and a wildflower meadow, as well as ponds, beehives and woodland homes for bats, badgers and birds, there’s much to discover.
Martineau Gardens, 27 Priory Rd, Birmingham B5 7UG
8. Selly Manor Museum
Selly Manor Museum’s Tudor garden gives a glimpse into the past, while still reflecting its continued use in Bournville. It’s not the biggest of green spaces in Birmingham, but features a historical ornamental garden (The Parterre), a kitchen garden—full of fruit, vegetables and herbs—a wildflower garden and fruit trees. You are more than welcome to enjoy a picnic in the grounds on sunny days too.
Selly Manor Museum, Maple Rd, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2AE
9. Lickey Hills
Lickey Hills is one of Birmingham’s most varied parks—whether it’s for wildlife spotting, a family picnic, or a round of golf, there’s something for everyone in these 524 acres of woodlands, heathland and grassland.
Lickey Hills Country Park, Warren Lane, Lickey, Birmingham B45 8ER
10. Aston Hall
It must be said that the grounds of Aston Hall are as noteworthy as the Jacobean mansion itself. While only a remnant of a once 934-acre deer park, this historic 17th-century park is still ideal for an all-year-round stroll. In particular, Lady Holte’s Garden, on the south side of the house, is noted for its peace and tranquillity, colour and fragrance. And don’t overlook the cricket and football pitches, walking trail, ot children’s play area.
Aston Park, Trinity Road, Aston, Birmingham, B6 6JD
11. Edgbaston Reservoir
With 70 acres of open water, Edgbaston Reservoir is more of a blue space than a green space, but it’s still surrounded by woodland and grassland. Both runners and nature lovers can get as much out of it as sailors and rowers, as you follow the 2.8 km (1.75 miles) path around the edge of the reservoir—which supports a huge variety of birdlife.
Edgbaston Reservoir, 115 Reservoir Road, Ladywood, Birmingham, B16 9EE
12. Cannon Hill Park
If nothing else, Cannon Hill Park is home to one of Birmingham’s best galleries-cum-cinemas, Midlands Arts Centre. But with over 250 acres consisting of everything from the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park (home to reptiles, birds, monkeys and red pandas) to a children’s theme park and boating lake, there’s an endless amount of activities to discover. Plus, it even has a Green Flag Award!
Cannon Hill Park, Russell Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8RD