I don't know why I didn't come here sooner. Only discovered this place last month, its like a…read morehidden gem. A very massive park with a beautiful lake. I went about 4ish, was quite hot still, people were still coming in and out. Picked a rather nice spot just near the lake and took in the ever changing scenary. Quite a relaxed park, do as you please within caution, of course. Oh and this is a great spot for you all Pokemon go players!!! Watched the sunset was just mesmerising, shall be returning soon.

Nice place for walks. There are several lakes to occupy your time and the swans are even friendly!read more

Earlswood Lakes is the name given to three reservoirs (Engine Pool, Windmill Pool and Terry's Pool)…read moreoriginally built in 1820, but that with the time which became also a popular destination for walking, fishing and sailing too. As a perfect spot to spending the day, The Earlswood Lakes is a very bucolic place next to the Village of Earlswood and just 30 minutes far from the city centre. You can bring your own food and have a picnic in the fishing decks, which I highly recommend, or if you are not afraid of some walking, just explore the village cafes and pubs. The Earlswood Lakes has inviting pathways that help you to experience the wildlife in this fabulous site. You can also get there by car for the M42, getting the junction A34 towards Birmingham and Shirley.

I absolutely love Earlswood Lakes, it's one of those places everybody should visit. We are really…read morelucky to live so close to such a glistening collection of pools. It's not far to drive to at all. I come here every summer to get some fresh air and to take in the relaxed surroundings. There's even a bridge for cars to drive over, so if you were feeling lazy, you don't even have to get out of your vehicle to experience Earlswood's wonders. There's lots of different walking pathways to take, and I don't think I've ever done them all myself. I often walk down the one side of the lakes, just to be envious of the humongous houses and land that people own. I usually imagine celebrities to live in some of the places, but I'm probably building my hopes up a little too much! I've also been to the Lakes during December when they are completely frozen over. It's a truly magical sight, with the pathways and trees coated in a white blanket. Earlswood Lakes is an amazing place to visit, whether it be in the summer or the winter.

Willen lake is a beautiful place to visit in the summer and in the winter. it gives you a good walk…read moreand lot of fresh air. There are many ducks and swans to feed and there is a bird watching hut around the back somewhere. The lake offers different watersports, a tree tops assault course and there is also a temple and playground. The restaurant on the lake is excellent value for money, offering two meals for the price of one. Willen lake is a great place for a simple walf or even a whole day out! A great place to visit.

Willen lake is amazing to visit in the summer aswell as any time of year but summer is the best but…read moreis more crowded. They have many bars and restuarants situated all around the lake including a gym. There is a big park area for children to play in, they even have water activities it really is a family day out. They have the miniture train that takes you for an adventure around the lake. You will find plenty of runners around the lake if you wanted to get a bit of exercise this is probably the best place and best of all its free to run around, they also have obstacle courses you can do as you are running around the lake. Definately recommended for the summer months as a great day out and for exercise.

What a fabulous day out!! If you're into waterfowl, ponds and beautiful gardens then this is the…read moreplace to be. You need to check up on opening times because it only opens on Bank Hols, NOT Public Hols or weekends, (check out the website for August opening times). Well worth the wait in between though. Beautiful plummage and foliage set beside a Doric Temple, Gothick Boathouse, an old stone Coach house and rustic bridges, the list is endless in this country paradiseum. Without doubt you will need your camera. Free parking ands with an entry price of £6.50.(£5 for us old 'uns), I think it's excellent value.

Yay! I love coming here! Its always such fun for us and the kids!…read more There is a very big childrens park made out of wood and rope. Swings, climbing frames, slides, steps its all here! And there are toilets nearby. For the adults and bigger teens, there is a big assault course a short walk away. There is so much I havent seen at Stanwick Lakes as Ive been limited by the children but Im very pleased by what I have seen! I think parking is £1-£2 depending on the season.

lovely walks, all landscaped out of the former gravel pits alongside the A45 between Wellingborough…read more& Raunds the play area built from wood is great for kids & 'big kids' there's a really interesting interactive water feature also built from wood in the same area it is exposed to the elements, so wouldn't be much fun if the weather was bad

If you want some fresh air, or even fish and chips overlooking a lake - then here is your spot…read more Here is some information regarding this lake - About the reserve Breeding birds include great crested and little grebe, gadwall, tufted duck, shoveler and pochard. Hobbies often feed over the area in late summer. When the water level falls, the mud attracts waders such as dunlin, ringed plover and green sandpipers. Summer sees large populations of dragonflies hunting over the water. These include ruddy darters and, later in the summer, migrant hawkers. Wintering wildfowl include important numbers of shoveler, gadwall, teal and tufted duck. Goosander, great crested grebe and cormorant also occur in large amounts. The reedbeds are a vital autumn feeding station for reed and sedge warblers prior to their migration. The winter gull roost is a spectacular sight with up to 50,000 or more, mostly of black-headed, common and Mediterranean gull. Chew Valley Lake often attracts rare birds, including osprey, the scarcer grebes, and an American wader or duck appears most years. There is a visitor centre and cafe run by Bristol Water at the picnic site near the dam. The Chew Valley Lake Birding website contains frequently updated news and information on its birds and wildlife, access, maps, and the definitive Chew bird list

Chew Valley Lake is a large reservoir that was created to provide water for Bristol, but is also a…read morepopular recreation area in the Chew Valley just outside the city. It's a great spot for picnics, easy walks, and bird-watching. My only niggle is that you can't actually get down to the lakeside (unless you have a fishing permit, perhaps) - you can only get teasingly close along a parallel pathway. Far busier during the summer (or at weekends and during school holidays), if you venture to the lake on most weekdays you'll find you've got the place virtually to yourself, bar a few retired dog walkers. The lake is a protected area and a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest' because it's home to so many different species and important habitats - including more than 280 species of birds at the last count. There are two well-kept lakeside nature trails. The Grebe Trail is the most accessible of the two, with a hard surface suitable for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs, starting and ending at the wooded picnic area. The Bittern Trail (1 mile circuit), on the other hand, can get a bit muddy in parts in wet weather, although some of it is a raised board walk - and there's a bird hide where you can sit and watch the wildlife over the lake. You can take your dog to some areas, too - although there are lots of ducks around so if it's got the chase instinct (like mine has!) you'll need to keep it on the lead. Back at the car parking areas you'll find a landscaped picnic area and a café with indoor and outdoor seating areas. The café isn't great but it isn't bad either - serving up the usual hot and cold drinks plus snacks, basic meals and cakes. Car parks (free over the winter from October until April - then £1.50 throughout the summer, I believe) close at dusk, so don't get caught out and locked in! Note also that dring the winter the Lake is only open until 4:30pm.

Whilst scouring Google maps for a 5k route to run, I spotted a patch of blue surrounded by…read moregreenery. I thought I would pay it a wee visit. Merecroft Pool, is a very tranquil and hidden spot in the Kings Norton area. Whilst it's not huge, I found myself sitting for over an hour looking across the water. It's hard to believe that in the middle of the suburbs that a little gem like this is right on my doorstep. Pay it a visit, a nice spot to clear your head and have a relaxing "you" hour.

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.