13 Outdoors- Other to Explore in West Midlands

Edgbaston Reservoir, originally known as Rotton Park Reservoir and referred to in some early maps as Rock Pool Reservoir, is a canal feeder reservoir in Birmingham, England, maintained by the Canal & River Trust. It is situated close to Birmingham City Centre and is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. The reservoir is surrounded by woodland and grassland. Walkers and joggers can enjoy the approximately 2.8 km path around the reservoir.

Elmdon Park is a park and local nature reserve in Elmdon, Solihull, West Midlands. It was established in 1944 when the house and grounds of the derelict Elmdon Hall were bought up by the then Solihull Urban District Council. This is a quite mature woodland, but it is well visited. The woods themselves are split in two by a beautiful open parkland with 2 pools at the bottom of the hill.

Forge Mill Farm is one of two farm visitor centres within Sandwell Valley Country Park. It is a working dairy farm where the main attraction is the dairy and other things. Here you can meet the animals, the kids can enjoy the sand pit and they can join in with craft activities. The farm is open most days throughout the year. There is a small charge to enter.

The Leasowes is a historic landscape, listed as Grade I on the English Heritage list of parks and Gardens of historic interest in England. The land consists of steeply wooded hillsides, scenic rolling grasslands, small clear lakes and streams intersecting 2 narrow valleys. This cherished public space is a little bit of wilderness in a heavily industrialised area, a much used and loved place for family recreation.

Moseley Bog was the childhood playground of The Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, who lived nearby. It is made up of both wet and dry woodland together with patches of fen vegetation which has developed on the site of an old millpond. It's home to a wide range of animals, plants and insects, though the gnarled old trees and bluebell displays tend to stand out more than anything else.

Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve is a nature reserve, run by the RSPB, in Sandwell Valley, to the north of West Bromwich, in the Sandwell borough of West Midlands in England. It is adjacent to, and shares its main lake with, Sandwell Valley Country Park and near the settlement of Hamstead. The reserve is located around the eastern and northern edges of the Forge Mill Lake, a storm water retention basin within a meander of the River Tame.

Saltwells Nature Reserve is one of the largest urban nature reserves in the UK. It is home to ancient bluebell woods, dragonfly filled wetlands and orchid covered grasslands making it well worth exploring. The reserve, created in 1981, covers 247 acres and includes Saltwells Wood and part of Netherton Hill within its boundaries. The reserve encloses two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one scheduled ancient monument.

Sandwell Park Farm is a historical restored working farm. Grazing meadows, a traditional farmyard, walled kitchen gardens, Grade II listed buildings, a small museum and award-winning tea rooms provide a perfect day out. It is a venue for rare breed animals and is a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Sheldon Country Park covers an area of just over 300 acres. It is made up of open grassland, wetlands, old hedgerows and some mature woodland. The park's other attractions include three football pitches, a children's play area and a viewing platform for the nearby Birmingham International airport. A small dairy farm dating from the 17th century, the Old Rectory, is located near the main entrance. The farm was home to the celebrated clergyman Thomas Bray between 1690 and 1721.

Walsall Arboretum is a Victorian public park located close to Walsall town centre in the West Midlands of England. Part of the park and surrounding housing are covered by the Arboretum conservation area. The Arboretum is also the venue for a wide range of events and activities many staged and run by local community groups / small charities while the park also attracts travelling circuses and fairs.

Warley Woods is a 100-acre public park in the Warley district of Smethwick, in Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. It was a a mix of woodland, open meadow and a nine hole golf course. The small stream which once ran through the site is now filled in. The park holds a Green Flag Award. The site has been managed since 2004 by Warley Woods Community Trust which is committed to its long term improvement and maintenance.

Woodgate Valley Country Park is a 450 acre area of countryside in the centre of Bartley Green and Quinton. There are many mixed, mature hedgerows, meadows, woodland, and small ponds. The Bournbrook runs through the park. It is a place where visitors to go for a leisurely walk, observe wildlife, walk the dog or ride horses. Visitors can also get away from the noise, traffic and buildings of the city.

The Wren's Nest is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Dudley Metropolitan Borough, north west of the town centre of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. It is one of the most important geological locations in Britain. The site is home to a number of species of birds and locally rare flora, such as Scabiosa columbaria, milkwort and quaking grass. The caverns are also a nationally important hibernation site for seven different species of bat.