What’s winter without stumbling around through nature for a couple of hours before trying to warm up by a fireplace with a nice mulled wine or pint of ale? Yes, there’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but not a lot else, so gather your friends and family for a winter walk around Lickey Hills before heading to the pub.
Just 10 miles south-west of the city centre, Lickey Hills Country Park is one of Birmingham’s most interesting parks—covering 524 acres of diverse habitats, including woodlands, heathland and grassland. Wildlife and activities are abundant here, but plenty of quiet (perfect for a cup of tea with a view) to be found too.
What to do and see at Lickey Hills?
The aim of every new visitor to Lickey Hills should be to climb up Beacon Hill. This legendary viewpoint rises to 297m above sea level, with expansive views stretching as far as Sugar Loaf in Wales. There’s a toposcope in a small “castle” on the top of the hill (a popular site for UFO hunters) that even points out notable landscape features.
Beyond that, Lickey Hills has something for everyone. Be it grassy areas for kite flying, an 18-hole golf course, or a series of bridleways for horse riders and off-road cyclists. Families can also take advantage of a children’s adventure playground near the Visitor Centre and a ‘mini’, tri-golf course close to the clubhouse.
There’s also a handful of circular walk routes around the country park—ranging from 1.5 to 5.6 miles. For the shortest, and probably most popular, follow the green posts from Visitor Centre to Beacon View, the Lickey Ridge, Narborough’s Field and back around, taking in a range of landscapes, from heathland to forests. You may even spot rabbits along the way!
What about the pub?
After all your hard work walking, it’s time to celebrate with a drink. There’s no better drinking hole in the area than The Oak Tree, about a mile from the Visitor Centre, in Rednal, which underwent a £240k refurbishment last year. This dog and family-friendly pub boasts a fireplace, cask ales and a hearty Sunday lunch. What more could you ask for?