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St Mary's Church

WildlifeBirdsFamily
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • 🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
  • ☀️Summer family visits work well here — arrive early and plan for a longer stay
  • The Tasty Café — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

  • £Free to visit — no entry charge
  • 🐕Dogs welcome
Bike parkingCaféParking· Free

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Grey Wagtail, Teal, Mute Swan +60 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Grey Wagtail, Teal, Mute Swan +60 more · last seen 2025

Free

Family friendly

café

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed with public access

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Vine Weevil · last seen 2025; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Vine Weevil · last seen 2025

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 1 public path nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Grand Union Canal WalkWalking route234 km

Birmingham to Napton section

Named routeLength 234 kmRegional walking route
Rail Trail: Widney Manor > DorridgeWalking route4.4 km

A 2.75-mile easy walk through Solihull’s suburbia and countryside between two stations, crossing the M42 and the river Blythe. Duration: 1.5 hours Distance: 2.75 miles

Named routeRef rtWMLength 4.4 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Rail Trail: Birmingham International > Marston GreenWalking route6.4 km

A 4-mile walk discovering wildflower meadows, oak woodland and parkland along Low Brook on an easy route to Marston Green. Plane spotting optional! Duration: 1.5 hours Distance: 4 miles

Named routeRef rtBIALength 6.4 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Rail Trail: Olton > ShirleyWalking route12.5 km

An 8-mile longer meander along the banks of the Grand Union Canal and the River Cole, through the heart of Tolkein Country! Duration: 3.5 hours Distance: 8 miles

Named routeRef rtOltLength 12.5 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
Rail Trail: Shirley > The LakesWalking route8 km

A 3-mile trail following the towpath along the Stratford-upon-Avon canal, across Christmas tree plantations, farmland and forests to reach Earlswood Lakes. Duration: 3 hours Distance: 5 miles

Named routeRef rtShiLength 8 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

9 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Solihull-KnowleCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Cole Valley RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Billesley & Shire Country Park CircularCycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
3 Parks Cycle Route- Silver Route (Airport Viewing Area to Meriden Park)Cycling route2.7 km

The all-weather route follows the valley of the Hatchford, Westley and Kingshurst Brooks whilst passing through an attractive mixture of formal parkland, wooded areas and open grassland.

Named routeRef 3PSLength 2.7 kmPoint-to-pointLocal cycle route
Ward End RouteCycling route

Signposted as 'Ward End Route'.

Named routeLocal cycle route
A45 Pop Up Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef Pop UpLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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