Sutton Park, North Birmingham

[Boddie]

I have recently taken to walking and cycling this fabulous oasis so close to the city centre. I live on the edge of the park but have only just started to explore its virtues. Of a weekend the park is full of kite flyers, ball kickers and remote controlled plane enthusiasts but all enthuse a cordial atmosphere. The environment is well kempt and those that enjoy it seem to respect its beauty. It is unlittered and is varied in its flora and fauna. Wild horses graze and seem unaffected by the passers by, as are the golfers whose course disects the park. I would urge all of those local to the park to explore its charm. 250 metres into the park its quietness is deafening. You are overloaded with a massive amount of cultures and it has a calming effect. I will download some photos soon.

Thanks for the opportunity to share my experiences.

Yours

Boddie

[jvh100]

There are also woodlands, grasslands, hundreds of acres of just heather and gorse, seven lakes, (some huge and with islands), streams, cycle and walking routes, tarmac roads, cattle grazing, sailing and boating facilities, fishing, horse riding, golfing, sail boarding facilities etc. it totals to about 2,400 acres so its BIG. there is also a visitor center.

More info at Sutton Park

[ChasCreek]

Sutton Park was a favourite childhood haunt of mine from going with my parents for a picnic and to feed the ducks to college days when I would wander down their during my free periods.

It still is and I get there whenever I can there is such a range of habitats and if you go off the tracks and soon find yourself alone which is something being in the middle of an urban area and not that far from Birmingham.

I recently did a little research into the park for a recording I was doing and although I already knew of it being part of a much larger ancient woodland, the Royal links and the supposed links with Highway men, I didn't know about a lot of it's history and uses over the years.

I was surprised to find out that it was used for tank testing, army camps and even as a POW camp at one time. I also wasn't aware that in I guess late Victorian times it had a crystal palace and that donkey rides were all the rage there.

Of course the history goes way back with the remains of the Roman Road running through it.
Shakespeare also makes mention of the park, although I which play now escapes me.

[peppermint]

Sutton park is a great place to go, yes it is huge. I grew up in Birmingham and was a memeber of a running club. I participated in numerous cross country races there ...........the memories

[parsleythelion]

i volunteer twice a month at sutton park, we always need more volunteers. check out the friends of sutton park association on the web for details.

[hannahpanda]

My OH lives in Sutton Coldfield so i go Sutton Park quite regularly and feed the birds and watch the black rabbits run around.
Noticed a little chick last year following a female duck, who kept turning around and attacking it