Birmingham's Best Dog Walks!

As dog owners there are few things better than a long stroll in a beautiful location where your dog can run free safely. We are lucky that Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in Europe so wherever you are you're never far from a park. It's one of the reasons we choose to move here.

So in no particular order here are our recommendations for parks to enjoy with your four legged friend!

Cannon Hill Park
Depending on what you want from your park you can find playgrounds, mini theme parks, lakes, rivers and mini golf! One park combining it all is just outside the city centre and is called Cannon Hill park. Complete with a cafe and plenty of space for dogs to run free or chase squirrels this park is family friendly and great on warm summer days.

The MAC is an activity centre that holds art and music fairs on a regular basis and there are tennis courts if you fancy trying your hand. Plus it has a cafe and toilets so you can spend the day in the park and have everything you need.

Or if you feel even more energetic Cannon Hill also does park runs at the weekend! Turn up at the wrong time and you could well find yourself swept up in a crowd of joggers.

The only downside is you have to pay for parking (£2 for 4 hours or £3 all day - at time of publishing).

If you want more info and location details all park related activities and details can be found here.


Kings Heath Park
Not far from Cannon Hill is Kings Heath Park. This park has the added benefit of a garden centre if you time it just right - it seems to open odd hours but mostly during the week. You can also find puppy schools and dog socialising classes. The reason we love Kings Heath park is an area towards the back of the park, there is a mix of woods and a sunken garden space. It's the perfect spot to let dogs wear themselves out. Every single time we've been we have met lovely dog owners who have had the same idea. It's a safe, enclosed area that means you can easily keep an eye on even the most energetic dog.

Car parking is free but is often busy but you can park on the street near by.

All park details can be found here.

Warley Wood
Our recent favourite discovery is Warley Wood. A green flag park and one of the UK's current top 10 parks this area has a history that you can explore inside the grounds. With trails for Halloween, dog socialising events and plenty of other activities this park has a lot to offer. There's even a golf course!

The signs tell you the history of the park and the fact that it goes back over 500 years. Originally it had Warley Abbey within the 100 acres but only the gardens still exist. (Some of us were more interested in the signs than other...Bisbee!)

Located at the end of an urban area of Bearwood in the area of Smethwick we spent the drive up convinced the Sat Nav had the wrong place. Thankfully it didn't and the unfolding green space provides the much needed breath of fresh air.

We parked in the street but there is a car park.

The area is one third woodland and with 450 million leaves falling in the park each autumn it's the perfect location for dogs who loves leaves or just for autumnal strolls. However if your dog is an all out runner the slight hill that leads up to the woods is a perfect place to wear them out.

The circular routes around the park take less than an hour so it's great for an easy walk but still offers the variety of scenery you'd get to enjoy from the bigger parks.

You can even find fairy doors on some of the trees....this puppy was happy about that!

All details can be found here.

Wasley Hills Country Park
A long time favourite park of ours is Waseley Hills Country Park near Rubery. As the name suggests the area is hilly but it is beautiful. Voted the number one dog park in Birmingham we tried it out over a year ago and have taken everyone we know, and their dogs there. The park has a small cafe and toilets but after you head through the first gate you are in the country.

Highlights for us include the wood that fills with bluebells in spring and the hilltop views over the Cotswold's and Malverns. You also get a great view of Birmingham city if you follow the suggested loop. There are actually a few trails you can follow but we have learnt to go our own way. It's hard to get lost.

We've bumped into cows grazing and have often taken picnics to sit and enjoy the view. We have watched Bisbee run up and down the hills until she's laying out huffed and puffed and we managed to walk 5 miles without noticing. It really is a great location to stretch your legs.

With 150 aches in total this area has plenty to explore.

We do suggest taking at least a drink but a picnic is always appreciated after the hill walking. It's also a good idea to take stuff you can carry easily as there is a lack of bins.

It's also worth noting that you have to pay for the car park. It's not much but does require change and there is no cash point for miles!

All details about the park can be found here.



Clent Hills
10 miles south of Birmingham and technically in Worcestershire are the stunning Clent Hills. Owned by the National Trust this beautiful park has plenty to over - especially if you have 4 legs! Although for those of us on two the views alone are worth the walk.

The National Trust has put in an accessible path meaning those with buggy's or that struggle with uneven surfaces can get to the main vantage point. You know when you get there because of the Clent stones.

Although if you fancy a more adventurous ascent try the horses mane - starting from the road this route is steep and under the cover of trees. Bisbee loved it as there were plenty of squirrels to chase and trees to runaround. We liked it because it was shaded from the sun.

From the top of the hill you can make your way down into woodland towards an abandoned tower or through into open fields. Like the Wasley Hills you are surrounded with great views - the Cotswold's, Malverns and Birmingham are all visible on a clear day. There are also plenty of suggested trails to follow.

This park also has toilets and a cafe. If you are a National Trust member the car park is free, if you aren't you do have to pay. Or there is plenty of road parking.

You can find all the details here.

Have we missed any?

Happy Autumn