Summer is here! The beautiful June weather offers another reason to get out and about, and what better way to explore a new city than to enjoy a picturesque afternoon with a picnic and a view you’ve never experienced before. Birmingham is thriving city with plenty to explore and its parks are no exception. There are over 500 parks across the city, from premier parks and nature reserves to its very own Botanical Gardens, there is a plethora of fantastic outdoor spaces for guests to explore. Take a look below for Leonardo hotel’s picks of Best Picnic Parks in Birmingham..
As one of Birmingham’s ‘Premier Parks’, Cannon Hill Park is a popular spot to spend a summer day. There is plenty to do with tennis courts and a mini-golf course, and on weekends, a mini fun-fair. There is an abundance of space for a picnic and family outdoor games, and in summer if the weather permits, Pedalo boats operate on the main lake. To add to the plethora of activities available at Canon Hill, the park also offers a 2k or 5k walking route for the adventurous, as well as two onsite play areas for the kids.
This park has toilet facilities as well as Garden Tea Rooms should you want a hot drink or an ice cream! Canon Hill Park is just a ten minute drive, or 23 minute bus ride from Leonardo Hotel Birmingham.
Petals in the Fountain by Jo-Marshall / CC BY (image size has been modified)
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a truly fantastic day out with nature. The site offers four glasshouses, each offering a range of plants and vegetation from different climates from Tropical to Mediterranean. There are further gardens – the ‘Pleasure Gardens’, the ‘Japanese and Bonsai Garden’, ‘The Shrubbery’, ‘From Past to Present’, and more, making this a varied and exciting garden to explore. Connect with nature, discover more about wildlife and enjoy a picnic in the pleasure gardens- the Birmingham Botanical Gardens offer a great summer day out for all.
There are various facilities at the botanical garden, including the Pavilion Tea Rooms, The Shop at the Gardens, The Gallery, and The Library. There is also excellent wheelchair access throughout the site.
The gardens are open from 10am and close between 5pm and 6pm depending on the time of year. A family ticket costs £22 (2 adults and 3 children), however children under 5 enter for free. The Botanical Gardens are either a leisurely 30 minute walk, or a 12 minute bus ride from our Birmingham hotel.
Edgbaston Reservoir by Antonio Roberts / Creative Commons(image size has been modified)
Edgbaston Reservoir is a fantastic Birmingham hot spot to enjoy a summer picnic and a walk around the open water! The walking route is roughly 2.8km around the reservoir, with plenty of green areas to stop for your picnic. For those a little more adventurous, there are a range of watersport activities to get stuck in with, including canoeing and kayaking.
Our Leonardo Hotel in Birmingham is just a ten minute drive or a leisurely 25 minute walk from Edgbaston Reservoir.
Woodgate Valley Country Park is a fantastic 450 acre park that offers wetlands, woodlands and spacious meadows. This park is ideal for enjoying a fun-filled day of delicious picnic food and outdoor games, whether assembling the greatest football team or partaking in ultimate Frisbee! If you want to learn a little more information about the history of the park, there is a visitor centre packed with facts about this park’s journey over time. There is also a play area for children outside the visitor centre and a fantastic urban farm with a range of animals for kids to discover!
Woodgate Valley Country Park is open 10am every day and closes at 4.30pm in winter and 7pm in summer, and is a 23 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Birmingham.
Sutton Park-7 by Andrew Callow / Creative Commons(image size has been modified)
A short drive outside of Birmingham’s city centre is Sutton Park National Nature Reserve. This incredible park offers over 2,000 acres of beautiful landscape for visitors to explore. With seven lakes, woodlands, wetlands, marshes and plenty of open space, there is a plethora of wildlife and nature to immerse yourself in. There are various areas ideal for a picnic, but we recommend choosing a spot by one of the lakes for the fantastic view. However, if you want to play some outdoor games, a waterfront location may not be ideal. There are various restaurants around the park if further replenishment is required!
The park is open from 9am all year round and closes in line with dusk, which varies between 5pm and 10pm depending on the time of year. Sutton Park National Nature Reserve is a 30 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Birmingham.
When you are looking for some unique locations to visit in 2018, consider taking...
MORE +
