As UK coronavirus (covid-19) lockdown measures continue, here are some walks and trails showcasing Birmingham’s green spaces, heritage and even geology. We hope it adds a new dimension to the daily exercise you are taking in your neighbourhood, and/or you learn something new about the city from your home.
Quick caveat – some of the trails are a year or two old and so some routes and information may have changed a little. Some also include a quick look inside places which, in line with government guidelines, are currently shut. But there is still plenty the trails can offer so give them a go and discover more about your neighbourhood.
Please remember the government guidelines advise going out for one form of exercise a day (e.g. a run, walk or cycle), either alone or with members of your household. When out, always keep two metres apart from others outside your household.
Neighbourhood Walks
City Centre and Jewellery Quarter
- James Watt City Centre Walk and Guide to Georgian Birmingham
- Birmingham Civic Society City Heritage Trail
- For a completely different perspective on Birmingham’s buildings try the building stone trails from the Black Country Geological Society, and discover the geology of Birmingham’s prominent, city centre buildings.
- The Jewellery Quarter Heritage Trail has information on over a dozen sites of interest in the area.
For something completely different, Birmingham Cathedral have produced this very beautiful, short film tour of the churchyard, revealing much about this well-known space. This complements a downloadable trail to the churchyard.
Handsworth
Legacy WM have produced a leaflet that accompanies their four Handsworth heritage tours (provided in normal circumstances) and can be easily used during a walk around the area.
Harborne
The six interpretation boards around the Moor Pool Estate lead walkers around the neighbourhood. Start at Moor Pool Hall.
Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Hall Green
The Stratford Road Heritage Trail provides a “contemporary history of Sparkbrook, Sparkhill and Hall Green”
Stirchley
With the Exploring Hidden Stirchley trail you can take a “short stroll around Stirchley and discover some of its heritage secrets”
Parks and Nature Areas
Castle Vale
The Tame Valley Wetlands discovery leaflet takes in some of the wider Birmingham area with details of different sites such as Castle Vale Conservation area.
Our Birmingham Trees for Life colleagues have provided details of tree trails they and other groups have developed. Use these three to discover more about trees in your local park.
Moseley/Edgbaston
Birmingham Trees for Life tree trail leaflet for Cannon Hill Park and for Highbury Park
Ward End/Saltley/Stechford
Birmingham Trees for Life tree trail leaflet for Ward End Park.
Blue Plaques
Edgbaston
Four blue plaque walks have been developed by Calthorpe Residents Society for exploration around Edgbaston.
And don’t forget our very own Birmingham Civic Society’s Blue Plaque map where you can discover plaques that tell the story of Birmingham’s people and places right on your doorstep.
If you’ve got any other walks or trails we’ve missed then let us know and we’ll update this list.