Woodgate Valley Country Park near Quinton

We go back to October 2018 for this visit to Woodgate Valley Country Park, which is near Quinton in South West Birmingham. Getting the no 24 bus from Harborne, was hard to find a way into the park until I got in from Barn Piece. I followed the paths as far as the exit on West Boulevard. The route mostly followed the Bourn Brook.

Woodgate Valley Country Park is a country park located between Bartley Green and Quinton in South West Birmingham. It is the third largest country park after Sutton Park and the Lickey Hills Country Park in Birmingham. It was set up in 1984. Having previously been rural land and small holdings.

Back in October 2018, I got the no 24 bus from Harborne. Had to keep checking Google Maps until I found an entrance at Barn Piece. I followed the main path towards an exit at West Boulevard. The Bournbrook Walkway goes through this park. Good for walkers, cyclists and dog walkers. I think I later got a no 23 bus back in the direction of Harborne from Northfield Road near California Way (the Bournbrook Walkway continues beyond the park).

I initially got close to Woodgate Valley Country Park in December 2016 after my walk around Senneleys Park when I was on Barnes Hill in Bartley Green (close to Weoley Castle), but didn't get around to heading back for an actual walk in the park until about October 2018. It's quite far to travel on a couple of buses. I had previously saw a sign to Woodgate Valley after a walk in December 2015 to see the Weoley Castle ruins.

Getting of the no 24 bus in Quinton, I think around Dwellings Lane off Quinton Road West, it was a bit hard to find a way into the park. I kept checking Google Maps until I found a way in at a cul-de-sac called Barn Piece. This is one of the maps of the Woodgate Country Park. There was a "You are here" red dot near the top left corner of the map.

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This was the gate to the country park from Barn Piece. Make sure to close it as you go in.

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Heading from the path from Barn Piece to the main path, saw this leaf basin. The main path goes to the left.

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Onto the main path. Long and straight until it curves to the right.

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A crossroads of paths. I took the path towards West Boulevard. Meaning that there was a part of the park I never saw (I missed the Woodgate Valley Urban Farm and the Woodgate Valley County Park Visitors Centre). I have not been back since this visit, and with the current situation in the world, I wont be coming back here any time soon.

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This view of the Bourn Brook seen from the path. There is the main path and another path that runs on the other side of the Bourn Brook.

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A newly laid surface suitable for cyclists, dog walkers, joggers and walkers. And photographers, not forgetting us! Hold on to the railings if you want to. Or lean your bike on it.

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One of the many footbridges over the Bourn Brook. There was also a path on the right that went into the brook.

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In this view of the Bourn Brook from the footbridge, there is also a path that goes through the brook. Possibly for horse riders or those on dirt bikes (or normal bicycles).

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After crossing over the first footbridge over the Bourn Brook,  I followed a section of the dirt path through this canopy of trees. Still with green leaves in October.

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But there was yellow and brown leaves fallen on the dirt path. The Bourn Brook was now to the right.

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Another footbridge over the Bourn Brook, of the same design as the other one. Crossing back from the dirth path back to the main path.

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As with the other footbridge on the Bourn Brook this one also had a track going into the brook, but on the other side of the bridge. This view of the Bourn Brook with the main path on the left.

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Back on the main path now, and saw this area with a bench to the back. Surrounded by trees. Bit like a camp site. Leaves all over the ground. Very autumnal. A woodland area.

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A look at the Bourn Brook and the trees all around it.

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On the main path to West Boulevard, saw this tree hanging over the path. The leaves here at the time made it look quite autumnal.

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Back on the path now heading towards West Boulevard. As you can see it is suitable for all those cyclists that ride their bikes in here.

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Another view of the Bourn Brook.

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First glimpse of West Boulevard behind this gate. Close to the end of this walk now. Although I didn't exit from this gate.

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The exit to West Boulevard. I crossed over at the lights and continued on the next section of the Bourn Brook Walkway. It only took me about 25 minutes to walk from one end of the park to this end.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020