The Kingfisher Country Park was declared in 2004 and was a project between Birmingham City Council and Solihull Metropolian Borough Council.

It starts in the west from Yardley, and heads north towards Hodge Hill, then east towards Shard End. It crosses the Birmingham / Solihull border into Kingshurst near Babbs Mill Lake. It ends in Chelmsley Wood. The River Cole flows through the entire country park.

 

East Birmingham

In Yardley, the Kingfisher Country Park consists of: Hay Barn Recreation Ground, Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground, Sycamores Recreation Ground and Batchelors Farm (aka Bordesley Green Recreation Ground).

 

Hay Barn Recreation Ground

Starting at the Coventry Road in Hay Mills (near Small Heath) is the Hay Barn Recreation Ground. The Cole Valley Route heads through here alongside the River Cole. It ends at Hob Moor Road. There is also a footbridge about halfway along that leads to Dale Walk and Berkeley Road, nearby is the Berkeley Play Park.

Hay Barn Recreation Ground at the Kingfisher Country Park (April 2021). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground

Starting from Hob Moor Road, the Newbridge Farm Recreation Ground continues on the Cole Valley Route towards Yardley Green Road. Heading towards Bordesley Green.

Newbridge Recreation Ground at the Kingfisher Country Park (April 2021). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Sycamores Recreation Ground

Starting from Yardley Green Road in Bordesley Green, the Sycamores Recreation Ground continues along the Cole Valley Route towards Bordesley Green East. This is the western section. The eastern section of this recreation ground is on the other side of the River Cole.

Sycamores Recreation Ground at the Kingfisher Country Park (April 2021). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground

From Bordesley Green East is the Bordesley Green Recreation Ground. Formerly the site of Batchelors Farm. It leads towards Stechford and Eastfield Road. You might see trains heading past on the West Coast Mainline from Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern Railway. Stechford Station is nearby.

Bordesley Green Recreation Ground at the Kingfisher Country Park (April 2021). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

In Hodge Hill it includes: Gumbleberrys Ponds, Fairground Site, Colebourne Meadow and Glebe Farm Recreation Ground.

 

In Shard End it includes: Cole Hall Farm, Brook Meadow and the Norman Chamberlain Local Nature Reserve.

 

Norman Chamberlain Local Nature Reserve

This area starts in Shard End near Packington Avenue. On one side is the Norman Chamberlain Playing Fields. On the other side of the path is the Lee Ford Playing Fields. This is followed by the Shard End Public Space, which is close to the Birmingham and Solihull border. Shard End Lake can also be found in this nature reserve by diverting off the main path.

Grey Heron spotted from the Cole Valley Route in Shard End (December 2020). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

North Solihull

In Kingshurst it includes: Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve (which includes Babbs Mill Lake and Babbs Mill Jubilee Park) and York Wood Local Nature Reserve.

 

Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve

In Solihull is Babbs Mill Lake, which is within the Babbs Mill Local Nature Reserve. Also nearby is Babbs Mill Jubilee Park. Babbs Mill Public Open Space is to the west of the lake.

Babbs Mill Lake in Kingshurst, Solihull (December 2020). Photo by Elliott Brown

 

In Chelmsley Wood it includes: Meriden Park and Cole Bank Park Local Nature Reserve.