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← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

The Shire Country Park

3 ha
WildlifeBirdsInsects
Public accessFree entryDogs welcome3 ha

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

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

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

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Robin +59 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Robin +59 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Beautiful Demoiselle, Western Honey Bee, Common Carder Bee +111 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Beautiful Demoiselle, Western Honey Bee, Common Carder Bee +111 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Foraging

Deciduous woodland — fungi, berries and wild garlic

Varies

Forest walks

Public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

12 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths
Grand Union Canal WalkWalking route234 km

Birmingham to Napton section

Named routeLength 234 kmRegional 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: The Lakes > EarlswoodWalking route6.3 km

A 3-mile trail tranquil and easy route, circumnavigating Earlswood Lakes before heading into the leafy shade of Clowes Wood en-route to Earlswood. Duration: 2 hours Distance: 4 miles

Named routeRef rtTLaLength 6.3 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
Rail Trail: Wythall > ShirleyWalking route4.8 km

A 3-mile wander through the pasture and meadows around the outer Shirley suburbs of Major’s Green and Hollywood. Eyes peeled for the Iron Age hillfort! Duration: 1.5 hours Distance: 3 miles

Named routeRef rtWytLength 4.8 kmPoint-to-pointLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

36 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Route 55Cycling route
Named routeRef 55Regional cycle route
Birmingham Local Cycle NetworkCycling route

Birmingham Local Cycle Network

Named routeLocal cycle route
National Cycle Network Route 5Cycling route
Named routeRef 5National Cycle Network
Cole Valley RouteCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route
Billesley & Shire Country Park CircularCycling route
Named routeRef 4Local cycle route
A38 Bristol Road CyclewayCycling route
Named routeLocal cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

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