Escaping the city to explore the countryside is something I'm keen to do more of, even as the weather gets colder. I struggle with feeling glum during winter, and getting outside in nature as often as possible is part of the cure.
Only 11 miles from Birmingham's centre is Lickey Hills Country Park, 525 acres of woodland and rolling hills. We visited on a warm day, after a long night of rain, keen to see what mushrooms we could find.
Exploring the Lickey Hills is possible whether you're an adventurous hiker or a walker with mobility issues as there are numerous trails to follow. We didn't follow a set route, and instead let ourselves wander aimlessly through the sprawling woodland.
Even if you stray off the paths (which we did often) you'll easily find your way back. The Lickey Hills are well sign posted with clear trails to follow. We started at the visitor centre and took off towards Cofton Hill.
The ground was crunchy under foot from the fallen branches and giant ferns that were dying off. We looked for mushrooms hidden in the leaves, and climbing over trees. Adventuring off the path, down to the stream, and looping back to the main trail.
Despite being late autumn, the weather had been warm. Although much of the foliage was browned and leaves had fallen, Lickey Hills was still a joy to explore. The colours of autumn were everywhere, and mushrooms were abundant.
For those of us with dogs, Lickey Hills is ideal. You can ramble here for miles enjoying the peaceful countryside. If you avoid the children's play areas, that is. It's important to be aware that some of the trails lead towards open busy roads. So if your dog is off-leash, be careful with the route you take.
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