Living in a city has its benefits. It's easier to live spontaneously as there's always something to do at the last minute. The downside is often the lack of accessible green spaces.
Although Birmingham is well-known for its industrial past. It might be surprising to learn that the city is also one of the greenest in the UK. It has more than 8000 acres of green spaces, including parks, botanical gardens and wildlife sites.
Within the city centre there are plenty of walking trails along the historic canals and into well-kept cemeteries. But venturing further afield will reward you with woodlands, county parks, and National Trust properties.
These are the best woodland walks near Birmingham within an hour's drive from the city.
Lickey Hills
Lickey Hills Country Park is only 11 miles south of Birmingham's city centre yet offers 525 acres of woodlands, heathlands, and grasslands. It's one of Birmingham's most varied parks due to its complex geology. This has created a variety of habitats, attracting adiverse range of wildlife.
The on-site facilities at Lickey Hills make it a great family-friendly place to enjoy nature. There is a café with accessible toilets, and a children's play area. The woodland trails are well-signposted with routes that are easily accessible.
Kinver Edge
Kinver Edge and its rock houses is on the border between Worcestershire and Staffordshire. With miles of open countryside, trails, and footpaths to explore, this is the ideal place for a long walk.
The three main trails are diverse in terrain meaning some are more accessible than others. Each one guides you through the heathland habitat, towards the Iron Age hillfort, or into the woodlands.
Cattle graze here so dogs must be under close control if allowed off leash. Dogs are also not allowed in Kinver's Rock Houses but there's nothing much inside that would interest them anyway! Outside you can discover natural caverns, empty caves, and overgrown homes hidden away in the woods.
Attingham Park
Attingham Park has over 200 acres of parkland. It's an 18th-century estate with a Georgian Mansion, two-acre orchard, historic pleasure grounds, and restored Walled Garden. There are numerous walking routes that wind through woodland and across a 400 acre deer park.
If you're looking for dog-friendly woodland walks, Attingham Park is one of the best. Although dogs aren't allowed inside the cafe or shops, there are 'paw-friendly' toilets and water bowls for your companion. There are miles of trails to follow including dog-friendly walking routes with designated off-lead areas.
Wyre Forest
This ancient wood used to stretch from Severn Valley to Worcester. But all that's left now is just over 10 square miles. It remains the largest native woodland and and National Nature Reserve in England. As a result, many of the trails are quite long and not always well signposted.
Along with the usual facilities including Forest Café, child's play area, and accessible toilets. There is a designated dog-friendly area with wash basin and water bowls. The cafe stocks dog chews, ice-cream and sausages too, making Wyre Forest one of the best places for dog-friendly walks.
Dudmaston Estate
The working estate of Dudmaston Estate has over 3,000 acres of woodland. There are multiple access points for joining the trails, including a circular walk that takes you through the Dingle and up into the woods. The main circular trail is short and sweet, with terrain that includes steep inclines, small hills, wooden bridges, and stepping stones.
The Dudmaston Estate is one of the more beautiful locations on this list, with plenty of wildlife to spot on the lake and in the woods. Energetic dogs will love the adventurous terrain and freedom of being off-leash. The hall, orchard, gardens, courtyard, and indoor spaces are off-limits though.
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