Hazelwell Park is a funny little park. It's on a slope, which makes it frequently a bit…read morewater-logged at the lower end. It's also not actually all that little - it's deceptively large. Part of the Rea Valley cycle route runs through it and it backs almost onto the Pershore Road, which makes it that nice mix of green space and inner city. It never looks particularly neat or landscaped - however a good deal of thought seems to have gone into the children's play area, which they seem to be continually developing - adding the occasional swing or climbing frame. Due to this, its relative peace and quiet and easy accessibility to the good folk of Stichley, it's quite popular with locals with little ones in tow. Even though you always have to wear your wellies, almost year round. Apart from the children's play area the park consists of a large area of open space and the banks of the River Rea; which suggests something for everyone. It's still a pretty well-kept secret, as far as Birmingham parks are concerned.

This is one of the best parks in Brum to get up close and personal with the River Rea, which runs…read moredirectly through it. During summer months the river bank is alive with nature and it's a great spot to take the kids to pick wildflowers and mess about in the water. Aside from the river bank it's a fairly standard park. There is a pretty good children's play area with swings and such that is well maintained and safe and there is a small football goal if you want a kickabout - although the sloping nature of the park, and the fact that there is only 1 goal means it isn't great for a 'proper' game. When this place comes into it's own is during a winter snowfall, hence the 4 stars. At the rear of the park, just by the allotments, there is a BMX cycle track that has a fairly decent hill. This makes for an ideal sledging venue that gives a pretty decent run with a few bumps provided by the covered BMX track. Remember this place next time it snows!

Great place, skate boarding, climbing wall, bmx bike riding, loads of good courses. Friendly atmos…read more Well recomended.

This place is ideal for families or just younge or old adults who like to be active, a lot of…read morepeople bring their skat boards or roller blades and skate on the ramp, which is wacthed by many people and many are welcome to go and wacth, they also have rock climbing for begginers and for the advanced, you can also get food and drinks here and listen to music, it is just full of options.

Park is undergoing a huge renovation on the house, the bandstand, and play areas which is due to…read morefinish in summer 2016 - it's going to be a great place to go to. Currently they have a circus show there, which hasn't happened ever before in the park since i can remember. This is a new venture to attract more people to use the new public space. This park is good as they are trying to host some really good events on for the locals. Last year in May, they had a may day extravaganza which was also good fun. Looking forward to seeing the finished park and heritage house, just need to hurry up and get it finished the scafolding has been up for years now...

This park is massive. It runs alongside a significant length of the Hagley Road. Taking you from…read morenear Quinton down to Bearwood. The Quinton end is a large and grassy playing field space, whilst the Bearwood ends has a playground, skate park, bandstand and a sad looking ruin of a manor house. The park is always busy with local young folk, especially around the skate ramps. The upper end makes prime picnic destination on lazy summer days (there is an Ember Inn pub/restaurant for when you can't be bothered to pack the hamper). The park is under the stewardship of Sandwell Council, who have made it a pleasant place to be.

Visited Handsworth Carnival here for a few hours on Saturday afternoon and was surprised just how…read moremuch the event has changed! Gone are the days of jerk chicken being served on every street corner and road blocks caused by giant sound systems....now this is an alltoether more tame experience....even family fun. The event was previously free and the organisers have also started charging £5 in. There is a festival style stage with a few stalls but overall I was pretty unimpressed with both the quality of the site and also the lack of diversity with the musical offerings. It was nice to eat some chicken in the sun with my brother and a mate but I think this will be the last year I go to Handsworth Carnival. Wait for Notting Hill......its stupidly good, huge and so much more interesting.

Despite getting international recognition through the widespread acclaim of reggae band Steel…read morePulse's album Handsworth Revolution in the late Seventies, much of the area can feel neglected, with investment going to other parts of the city. I am happy to report that Handsworth Park bucks that trend. A large, lush park with rolling hills and a big lake, vast amounts of effort and money has gone into restoring it in recent years, making it into one of the best parks in Birmingham. I got to know it through the Simmer Down Festival, a free, day long, outdoor event celebrating the local area's Caribbean heritage. I was not expecting to find such a beautiful park when I got there. There's a boathouse cafe with boats available for the sea worthy. There's also a leisure centre situated within the grounds and a children's play area so this is probably a good day out for families. Definitely recommended, and I hope this park eventually becomes as well known as it deserves to be.

been here twice now for a run, it is a typical large park with road track for people go to the…read moreother end or for jogging. there are many kids play and also sports arena like cricket and volley. It is occasionally use for carnival on weekend this is the only decent running park in the area unfortunately running is not popular around this area (Washwood Heath, Small Heath, Saltley). I guess it's true when they say there were very few runner in Birmingham. the pond is nice with ducks floating or resting on the track-side but it is so dirty filled with dirt and bottles. It really needs some cleaning

This is a large park to come to for all sorts of activities. It has a steep hill/slope leading to…read moreits lower ground (at one point of entry) there is swings and climbing frames here, climbing the spider web to the top can reveal some of Birmingham beauties like the city centre and beyond. There is also a small basket ball/football enclosure there for the adults/kids to play. Right next to that is the community youth centre. At the upper part of the park is a huge divided into two parts of land, both sides are where sporting activities mainly take place like football and cricket. This is also where joggers and dog owners go to leisurely. There is also a medium sized pond at the bottom of the upper part of the part where there is ducks and fishes. Fishermen are there sometimes. Right beside the pond is the tennis court which is of a decnt size.

You can get to the farm from main sandwell valley site. You can take the one mile woodland walk…read morethere. This route is not suitable for people who have difficulties walking. Alternativly you can drive around to there which is much quicker. You first see a a small childrens playground and there are a few pinic benches there. Then there is a shop which sells fresh barn eggs and all of your snacks. Also all of your merchandise.Animal food is there to buy to. Then you come into the courtyard and there are goats infront of you and to your left are ponies and chickens. You then move into the farm a bit and there are loads of cows where you can feed an there are chickens that you can feed. Thats about it. Then there is the walkway to the main site There is plenty parking at the park and the farm. Parking is also free. There is no bus link or anything like that, that takes you directly to the park or farm. To get to the park take a bus and get off on the main road and its a short walk from there (sorry I cant be anymore accurate) Its free to get in and drinks and snacks cheap and animal food is 15p. ***** Suitable for toddlers and very young children and it will only pass an hour away if you decide to only visit the farm. A no no if you are looking for a good day out. *IMPORTANT :: This review is about the farm not the main site. This farm may not appeal to older children but if you go to Sandwell valley park. There is more to do.

Sandwell Valley Country Park is made up of lots of different areas and activities. It is also…read moreattached to Dartmouth Park, so it is easy to wander between the two. Where to begin? Well, there are two farms: Sandwell Park Farm and Forge Mill Farm (worthy of reviews in their own right). Then there is the nature reserve and RSPB bird reserve. There's an awesome adventure playground and a Close to the Edge aerial assault course (which looks, frankly, terrifying). I love how there is a little vintage double decker bus that gives rides around the showground area. Last time I was there, a guy was training an owl and doing a bit of an impromptu falconry demonstration. The woodland areas are beautiful and very peaceful to walk around, although I still get spooked out by the stories of the Sandwell Valley witches and ghost monks that I got told when I was a kid!

I had an hour or two (or three!) to kill while Mrs G gets her new braids etc done here in…read moreBirmingham (about an hour and 10 minutes from home) so I looked for places where I can walk with Ricky Martin our gorgeous little 11 year old Jack Russell/Chihuahua. Sadly there aren't any off leash dog parks in the UK (one thing both he and I miss from the US!). All of the above said, this is a large, well maintained, safe park that is pleasant to explore with your dog (or without!). It is open and airy and I am sure that it is nice park to watch cricket matches when they are scheduled. Also from the signs and the preparation work in progress I can see that they have a variety of different events, some at least involving music. People in the park seem friendly and I love the diversity here.

You would neber guess you were in Handsworth! This beautifl park runs around an expansive lake,…read morewhich provides a great circuit for runners, and there are quite a few recognised tracks which run around it. Many people can be found running/walking around, particulary during the venings/weekends/mornings, and epecially in the early weeks of Jan/Feb! (All you New Years Resolution Holders out there) But it provides a great relaxing break from the industrial Handsworth, and is well worth a pleasant walk to take your mind off things!

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.