Glade
← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

The Black Patch Recreation Ground

2 ha

📷 Alan Murray-Rust · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome2 ha

Getting here

52.49690, -1.94357

Open directionsv
Google Maps↗Driving directionsApple Maps↗Driving directionsWaze↗Live driving navigationGoogle Transit↗Bus, rail or tramApple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

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
  • 🐕Early mornings are best for dog walks in summer — visit before 9am to avoid the heat and find quieter trails
  • 📍Open access throughout summer — no booking required

Good to know

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird +54 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Woodpigeon, Magpie, Blackbird +54 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Common Red Soldier Beetle +87 more · last seen 2026; Insects — 7-spot Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, Common Red Soldier Beetle +87 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic; Plants — Common Nettle, Hawthorn, Raspberry +1 more foraging species

Varies

Cycling

Named cycling route nearby: National Cycle Network Route 5

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

35 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Monarch's WayWalking route990 km

approximate route of Charles II's escape

Named routeRef MWLength 990 kmRegional walking route
Grand Union Canal WalkWalking route234 km

Birmingham to Napton section

Named routeLength 234 kmRegional walking route
Balsall Heath Tree Trail EastWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
Balsall Heath Tree Trail WestWalking route
Named routeLocal walking route
West Bromwich to Oldbury Health WalkWalking route2.5 km

Self-guided health walk through Black Country Millenium Urban Forest sites. Route passes 500+yr old Oak House and along the banks of the River Tame. Difficulty: Easy Duration: 45-60 mins

Named routeRef HW2 WB/OLength 2.5 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

160 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
National Cycle Network 5 DiversionCycling route
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
Rea Valley RouteCycling route

NCN 5 section of Rea Valley Route

Named routeRef Rea Valley
[PROPOSED]Starley Regional Cycle NetworkCycling route804 km

Starley (TfWM) Regional Cycle Network (Proposed route)

Named routeRef Starley NetworkLength 804 kmRegional cycle route
Jewellery Quarter Pop Up Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef Pop UpLocal cycle route
SCWIP Cycle Route 1Cycling route
Named routeRef SCWIP CR1Local cycle route
SCWIP Cycle Route 2Cycling route
Named routeRef SCWIP CR2Local cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

Black Patch Park, Smethwick

📷 Alan Murray-Rust · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Black Patch Park, Smethwick

1 / 22

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Dartmouth ParkUrban park3.7 km→🌱Barnford Hill ParkUrban park4.4 km→🌱Victoria ParkUrban park1.6 km→🌱Victoria ParkUrban park1.6 km→🌱West Smethwick ParkUrban park3.2 km→🌱Dartmouth ParkUrban park3.7 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 509d58f7-676d-4cff-877b-fa1f9710c0ce