Warley Woods, Smethwick - A wonderful open space!

The area now known as Warley Woods was originally part of the township of Warley Salop, itself part of the manor of Halas / Hales at the time of the Norman conquest in 1066.


The Warley Woods is located near Bearwood, in Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands.

Warley Woods

Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is on Lightwoods Hill, close to Lightwoods Park. Also surrounded by Harborne Road, Abbey Road and Barclay Road.

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Noticeboard and welcome sign at the Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is a large open field, that is good for picnics and playing football, or letting your dog run around off the leash!

Warley Woods

Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

You can find Warley Woods Golf Course here. With The Pavilion.

Warley Woods

The Pavilion at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of the Warley Woods

The area now known as Warley Woods was originally part of the township of Warley Salop, itself part of the manor of Halas / Hales at the time of the Norman conquest in 1066. Although it was never located in Birmingham, the Warley Woods was opened as a Birmingham public park in 1906. At the opening ceremony Chance (Lord Mayor of Birmingham) said: ‘I want it to be known as the People’s Park, for never was there a park in the Midlands before that was paid for directly by the money of the people’.

Warley Woods

Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Warley Woods (sometimes also known as Warley Park or Warley Woods Park) is a public park in the Warley district of Smethwick, Sandwell. It was originally laid out by Humphry Repton. The estate which now forms the park was purchased by Samuel Galton, Jr. in the 1790s, at the time it was in Worcestershire. He commissioned Humphry Repton to landscape the fields and the building of the house. The house was occupied by his son Hubert in 1819. The land was purchased by Birmingham City Council in 1902 and opened as a park in 1906. The house known locally as "Warley Abbey" was demolished in 1957. The park is now managed by the Warley Woods Community Trust who lease the land from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council who themselves lease it from Birmingham City Council.

Warley Woods

Golf Course at Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Drinking Fountain

The drinking fountain dates to 1907 and was restored in 2009.

Warley Woods

Drinking Fountain at Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Warley Woods Golf Course

There is also a nine hole golf course in the parkland.

Warley Woods

Golf Course at the Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Warley Woods

Golf Course at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

In the summer of 2017, if you headed to Warley Woods from Lightwoods Park in Bearwood, you could look for one of The Big Sleuth bears. You would find Bentley the Bearwood Bear by the artist Rebecca Cresswell working with PAID (Positive Activities Innovative Development) and it was funded by PAID and Sandwell Council. After the trail ended, it was moved to Lightwoods Park in front of Lightwoods House (it was not sold at auction but is now owned by Lightwoods Park & House).

Warley Woods

Bentley the Bearwood Bear (by artist Rebecca Cresswell) at Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

NHS Rainbow Doors

During the Coronavirus pandemic, local school children painted these at home, and they were placed at the foot of various trees around the woods, and could be seen in the summer of 2020.

Rainbow doors Warley Woods

Stay Safe, Stay Home, Save Lives, Thank You NHS - Rainbow door at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Rainbow doors Warley Woods

Knock - Rainbow door at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

08 Apr 2020 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Photography, Environment & green action
People & community, Green open spaces

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

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Green open spaces
08 Sep 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Return to the Warley Woods in June 2020

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At the beginning of June 2020, we had a walk around Lightwoods Park which continued into the Warley Woods. This time I had a full walk around the woods. Even passed the Visitor Centre (it reopened in late May 2020). But plenty of people out getting their daily exercise. Or looking for those rainbow doors. The golf course was open again as well.

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Return to the Warley Woods in June 2020





At the beginning of June 2020, we had a walk around Lightwoods Park which continued into the Warley Woods. This time I had a full walk around the woods. Even passed the Visitor Centre (it reopened in late May 2020). But plenty of people out getting their daily exercise. Or looking for those rainbow doors. The golf course was open again as well.


Warley Woods

Previous posts from the Warley Woods:

 

Heading up a path from Lightwoods Park towards Lightwoods Hill. We entered the Warley Woods for the next part of this walk. It was early June 2020. First was a walk around the woods going in a anti-clockwise direction. Then crossing through the large open field. After that following the perimeter paths around the golf course (which was open again and members were playing golf once more). There was also some sculptures to see in the woods and I also found the Visitor Centre.

 

First view of the Warley Woods this time from Lightwoods Hill before entering the gate.

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Proceeding to walk in the woods off the paths.

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Tall trees everywhere.

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Back onto the path.

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The wide open field. People were either sitting on the grass or having fun.

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The gates to the Abbey Road entrance.

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Some sculpted wood that looked like sarcophagus's.

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Now onto the path that goes around the golf course.

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A pair of yellow flags on the Warley Woods Golf Course.

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By early June some lockdown restrictions had been eased, this probably included playing golf.

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Later saw this Sidewinder lawnmower.

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The Visitor Centre near the car park. Both of which are near Lightwoods Hill.

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A bench near the golf course, which was close to the Visitor Centre.

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The Visitor Centre and shop were reopened on the 21st May 2020.

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One last walk into the woods to see some sculptures.

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There was these carved stone sculptures to see in the Warley Woods.

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Also this area with picnic benches. There was bear sculptures to the back, maybe it was a crazy golf course for kids?

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Another set of sculptures, more like carved wooden sculptures.

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Another look at the drinking fountain.

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Back on the path walking to the exit.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

 

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Art; Culture & creativity
22 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Rainbow doors around the Warley Woods

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We went back to the Warley Woods on the 2nd June 2020 for a daily walk. This time a full walk around. While there, I noticed these painted doors at the bottom of trees all around the woods. Of course I didn't take all of them as there was too many to see. So here is a gallery of the ones that I did see. Painted by local children. Like those NHS rainbows in the windows of peoples homes.

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Rainbow doors around the Warley Woods





We went back to the Warley Woods on the 2nd June 2020 for a daily walk. This time a full walk around. While there, I noticed these painted doors at the bottom of trees all around the woods. Of course I didn't take all of them as there was too many to see. So here is a gallery of the ones that I did see. Painted by local children. Like those NHS rainbows in the windows of peoples homes.


If you go to the woods today your sure of a big surprise! (from the Teddy Bears Picnic).

No you wont find teddy bears in the Warley Woods, but you might find these painted doors around the woods. My walk on the 2nd June 2020 around the Warley Woods, and while there noticed these doors painted on wood by school children (at home). To help and thank the NHS & Key Workers.

Go find them out yourselves (if they are still there). There was more than just these ones (below). So take your kids out rainbow door hunting!

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I might next cover the full walk around the Warley Woods from the beginning of June 2020 next. So watch this space!

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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01 May 2020 - Elliott Brown
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Into the Warley Woods from a July 2017 visit

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Back in July 2017 when I was on the Big Sleuth bear hunt, one of the bears would be in the Warley Woods. So I popped in there after Lightwoods Park to see Bentley the Bearwood Bear, before leaving to catch my next bus to Dudley (and later West Bromwich) for more bears in the Black Country. While there I passed a golf course. Plenty of history going back to the 18th century on this land.

Related

Into the Warley Woods from a July 2017 visit





Back in July 2017 when I was on the Big Sleuth bear hunt, one of the bears would be in the Warley Woods. So I popped in there after Lightwoods Park to see Bentley the Bearwood Bear, before leaving to catch my next bus to Dudley (and later West Bromwich) for more bears in the Black Country. While there I passed a golf course. Plenty of history going back to the 18th century on this land.


Welcome to the ... Warley Woods

 

My visit to the Warley Woods was during late July 2017. That day I was going on another Big Sleuth bear hunt around the Black Country, meaning I had to catch quite a lot of buses. My first two buses to Bearwood for Lightwoods Park. Then after I left the Warley Woods, another bus to Dudley, then later another bus to West Bromwich for the final bears I could find (and then a couple of more buses back home to Birmingham - it was a long day).

Now we will have a look back on my visit to the Warley Woods. But first some history (taken from Wikipedia).

The Warley Woods (sometimes also known as Warley Park or Warley Woods Park) is a public park in the Warley district of Smethwick, Sandwell. It was originally laid out by Humphry Repton. The estate which now forms the park was purchased by Samuel Galton, Jr. in the 1790s, at the time it was in Worcestershire. He commissioned Humphry Repton to landscape the fields and the building of the house. The house was occupied by his son Hubert in 1819.

The land was purchased by Birmingham City Council in 1902 and opened as a park in 1906. The house known locally as "Warley Abbey" was demolished in 1957. The park is now managed by the Warley Woods Community Trust who lease the land from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council who themselves lease it from Birmingham City Council.

The drinking fountain dates to 1907 and was restored in 2009. There is also a nine hole golf course in the parkland.

 

Onto my actual visit to the Warley Woods from July 2017. The entrance gate at Lightwoods Hill and Barclay Road. Once you open the gate, close it behind you.

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A notice board from the Warley Woods Community Trust and to the right was a map. Welcome to Warley Woods The Peoples Park.

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Heading up the path amongst the trees.

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Not much grass under the trees, there was some, but was mostly just soil.

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So many trees in the woods, you wouldn't know that you were in the urban Sandwell. Could be the countryside. But then again it was in the late 18th century when this was in Worcestershire.

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Getting close to the Big Sleuth bear I was looking for. The wooded part near the corner of Lightwoods Hill and Barclay Road gives way to a large field.

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Here it is. The Big Sleuth bear I was looking for. Bentley the Bearwood Bear by the artist Rebecca Cresswell working with PAID (Positive Activities Innovative Development) and it was funded by PAID and Sandwell Council.

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The back of Bentley the Bearwood Bear. It would later end up in Lightwoods Park in front of Lightwoods House (see my Lightwoods House post). I saw it again in November 2017.

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To see Bentley the Bearwood Bear outside his new home check out this post: The restoration of Lightwoods House in Lightwoods Park.

A look at the Drinking Fountain. It was made in 1906 and 1907 and was restored in 2009. There is a similar drinking fountain in Lightwoods Park.

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Heading onto the next path after the Big Sleuth bear, this path leads to the golf course.

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The path actually goes through the golf course. But you have to stick to the perimeter. I can't recall if any games of golf were being played at the time I was there.

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One of the sandpits in Warley Woods Golf Course. With a yellow flagpole in the hole.

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Another yellow flagpole in a golf hole, was slightly hilly there.

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One last look at the golf course before I exited the Warley Woods.

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The gate from Harborne Road just before I headed to get my next bus to Dudley. As before when you open the gate, close it behind you. The bus stop I needed would be on the Wolverhampton Road.

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Follow Warley Woods on Twitter.

 

I've got plenty more photos from other parks around the Black Country, and hopefully will be doing posts on those as and when the projects are set up for me.

Not too far from here is Leasowes Park in Halesowen. Which I visited in February 2018. Other recent parks I found include Mary Stevens Park in Stourbridge (July 2019 visit) and West Park in Wolverhampton (which I found in March 2019).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at more than 1,120 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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