The 10 Most Beautiful Spots In Birmingham England

Birmingham may feel like a concrete jungle at times, but it’s also home to some areas of natural outstanding beauty. Here are 10 of the most beautiful spots in Birmingham, perfect for when you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Birmingham canals

Often referred to as the epicentre of the country’s canal network, Birmingham’s canals are a thing of beauty. Particularly Gas Street Basin – an area flanked by popular entertainment hubs of Brindleyplace, Broad Street and the Mailbox. Need a pitstop? Take respite at the James Brindley inspired Canal House pub, or the Canalside Cafe just across the water.

Gas Street Basin, Birmingham, England

Canal House pub, 12 Bridge St, Birmingham B1 2JR, England, +44 121 643 8829

Canalside Café, Gas St, Birmingham B1 2JU, England, +44 121 643 3170

Cannon Hill Park

Park

Way more than just your bog-standard city park, Cannon Hill is a day out for the entire family. Home to five tennis courts, outdoor mini golf, pedalo boats, children’s play areas, picnic areas, a funfair in summer months, the Wildlife Conservation Park – where you’ll find lynx, red pandas and wallabies – and the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), it’s the ideal destination to spend the day.

Lickey Hills Country Park

Park

Perhaps one of the most spectacular vantage points around the city, Lickey Hills is a country park with a difference. Beacon Hill, the park’s highest point, rises to a point of around 975 feet and on a clear day, up to 13 surrounding counties can be seen from it. Perfect for a winter’s walk, this place is well worth the drive.

Sutton Park

Park

Boasting more than 2,000 acres of open land, Sutton Park attracts two million visitors each year. This breathtaking area of natural beauty lies just six miles north of the city centre and is home to a rare multitude of wild animals and plants.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Theater

Perfect for garden lovers, Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens has 15 acres of green tranquillity. You’ll find some of the most rare and exotic plants in the Midlands in this suburban oasis in Edgbaston, just a few minutes’ drive from the city centre.

Woodgate Valley Country Park

Park

Set across more than 450 acres of unspoilt greenlands, Woodgate Valley really is a retreat from the city. Perfect for family walks with the dog and nature spotting, this country park boasts an urban farm, pony trekking centre, café and kids’ play area, with Bourn Brook running through its heart.

Aston Hall and Gardens

Villa

Aston Hall in Birmingham © Birmingham News Room Flickr

Aston Hall is one of the more grandiose examples of architecture in Birmingham. This superb 17th century red-brick Jacobean mansion was once the former home of Thomas Holte and the famous engineer, James Watt. Grade II listed, this building and its gardens are a wonder to explore and overlook Aston Villa’s football stadium, Villa Park.

Winterbourne House and Garden

Historical Landmark

You wouldn’t believe this gorgeous house and gardens are in Birmingham! Built for industrialist John Nettlefold in the early 1900s, Winterbourne House and Garden is a brilliant example of Edwardian life both inside the house and outside. Why not take a walk through the various exhibition rooms before stopping off for a spot of afternoon tea in the terrace tea room?

Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill

Moseley Bog is a lot better than it sounds, honest! This Site of Importance for Nature Conservation – and inspiration for the ancient forests in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings – is located just around the corner from Sarehole Mill, which hosts regular LOTR-themed events. Both of which form part of the Tolkien Trail, a self-led walking route which takes in the areas of Birmingham that all provided inspiration for the famous author.

Edgbaston Reservoir

If green spaces and flowers aren’t for you, Birmingham has a reservoir not too far from the city centre. Perfect in summer months, Edgbaston Reservoir offers a 2km walking and running route around its circumference, as well as rowing and sailing opportunities.

About the author

Richard Franks

Freelance Travel and Music Writer

Proudly born and bred in Birmingham, UK, Richard is passionate about all things travel and music. Having founded the regional online music magazine Counteract in early 2010, Richard has enjoyed a versatile writing career and writes for a number of publications, including The Telegraph, The Guardian, The Independent, Metro and others. If he's not travelling around Europe, you'll often find him supporting his football team, Aston Villa.