Woodgate Valley Park

Location: Woodgate Valley Park, Clapgate Ln, Birmingham B32 3DS
Opening Times: 10:30am – 4pm
Website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/wvcp

Earlier this week, me and the girls met up with their God Parents for a picnic and exploration of Woodgate Valley Country Park. None of us had been before, so it was somewhere new for all of us.

If like me, you knew nothing of this park before this post, it is a 450 acre area of countryside in the centre of Bartley Green and Quinton. There’s a visitors centre by the main car park where you can get a map to follow one of the three routes highlighted by the centre, with various lengths.

According to the Visitor Centre there are many mixed, mature hedgerows, meadows, woodland, and small ponds within this park. The Bournbrook runs through the park. We didn’t get that far in the park to see the bournbrook, but we did get to see lots of blackberry bushes (Jemima enjoyed eating these. So much that I half expected to be taking her home resembling a blackberry), many horses (of various colours and sizes), a playground and a small farm.

According to the website, there are over 250 species of plants at Woodgate Valley, the damp meadow areas being especially rich and producing wonderful displays of wild flowers in spring and summer. The meadows also attract many kinds of butterflies and over 90 species of birds have been recorded in the park. This would be a perfect place to visit as a photographer or bird spotter.

The Playground

The playground was just the right size to keep children happy and entertained. Not too big and not too small. It had a climbing frame section with tunnels and a tube slide. There were two swing nets (do they have a proper name?) a bouncing animal and a bouncy car.

After enjoying the playground, we headed off to explore the country park.

Country Park

After running up and down the grassy hill by the playground (where Jemima got a nice muddy bum), we walked down the main path into the main part of the park, stopping to wave at and stroke the horses.

Jemima really enjoyed picking the blackberries. And there were loads. Matilda joined in too and by the time they finished, they had red hands.

Soon enough the girls were ready for the picnic so we headed over to the picnic tables by the playground and visitor centre. Not long after opening all the food, we were soon greeted by some wasps who appeared very hungry. After about 8 decided to set up a space at the table, we headed to the Visitor centre who kindly let us sit inside at their cafe tables (we did purchase some drinks and ice creams). And we enjoyed our picnic wasp free.

Visitor Centre

Inside the visitor centre was a reasonably priced cafe with everything from snacks to hot food. There were ice creams and various drinks to choose from.

They had toilets including baby changing facilities.

And a third of the centre was full of information on the park and local surroundings.

After our picnic we headed out to find Woodgate Valley Urban Farm which was the other side of the playground.

Woodgate Valley Urban Farm

The farm had an honesty box to enter. £1 per adult. Children free.

It was a lovely space. Not massive, but great for little ones to see a few animals close up. And for only £1 for an adult, you can’t complain.

The children loved looking at the pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, sheep, rabbits and cow.

Inside the Urban Farm is a little second hand shop. Jemima found a monkey that she liked, but we didn’t get him as the urban farm takes cash only (no cards) and we had spent ours already.

Before leaving the farm, we washed our hands at the handwashing station in the farm and headed off to explore some more.

Next door to the Urban Farm, was the riding school.

Hole Farm Trekking Centre

www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/403/hole_farm_trekking_centre/1

We popped into Hole Farm Trekking Centre where they have 30 horses, to check out what they do. They do riding lessons but also 30 minute trekking sessions across the Valley for children aged 4 and above and for anyone over that age who weighs less that 11 and a half stone.

I’ll definitely bring the girls to do that together once Jemima is 4.

What did we think?

Overall we had a great day out. There’s so much to do here and we didn’t even get it all done.

Worth a visit with the children. For one of those days out that doesn’t have to cost much money. Perfect now we are reaching the end of the school summer holidays.

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