Birmingham's Beautiful Country Parks

If you're heading on holiday to Birmingham and you're a fan of escaping the city every now and then to enjoy some greenery, you're in luck: Birmingham is packed with a variety of fantastic country parks that provide a welcoming respite from city life.

No matter where you're staying in the sprawling city of Birmingham, and for whatever reason, the chances are that there's a gorgeous country park close by that will really provide a relaxing boost to your holiday. If you have a car, you'll be able to benefit from the ability to drive a little way out of town to get to some of them, for example Bilberry Hill, which is 10 miles southwest of Birmingham but well worth a visit. Comprising of three hilltops known as The Lickeys, Bilberry Hill is ideal for walking and hiking, as well as simply getting out there to enjoy the scenery.

Woodgate Valley Country Park also may require a car to get to as it's in the Bartley Green and Quinton areas of Birmingham, but public transport will suffice. This part is fantastic for kids and nature lovers alike, because it is maintained as a wildlife habitat, meaning your chances of spotting some fascinating creatures in their natural habitat is fairly high. The park also has a collection of farm animals with an education centre for children, so they can learn all about farmyard creatures.

As for parks inside Birmingham itself, Cannon Hill Park is a gorgeous park that includes a variety of sporting and leisure facilities as well as beautiful green spaces. You can take the kids to Cannon Hill Park to enjoy the children's playgrounds or, if they're a little older, a game of tennis on one of the park's two tennis courts. There are also lakes with ducks, geese and swans, so don't forget to bring a loaf of bread!

These are just some of the fantastic Birmingham parks. There is also Kingfisher Country Park - a 1000 acre expanse of woodland and greenery, including nature reserves - Sutton Park, which is packed with wildlife, lakes, woods and fantastic views of beautiful countryside, and Shire Country Park, which is a must for all Lord of the Rings fans as it takes its name after the famous residence of the book's main characters.

You'll be able to access many of these excellent parks with ease from hotels in Birmingham - just ask at the front desk or tourist information if you're unsure.