Parks & Nature

Country parks, lakes and nature reserves in Warwickshire

You do not need to drive far for fresh air. Shustoke Reservoir is around 5 minutes from Springfield House, Kingsbury Water Park around 10 minutes, and RSPB Middleton Lakes the same — plus farm footpaths and a Wildlife Trust reserve on the Tame Valley fringe. Our Walking guide covers routes that start from the B&B or link to these spots.

Planning tips

Parking: Shustoke and Kingsbury use pay-and-display — Shustoke machines are often cash-only; Kingsbury is mostly card-only.
Dogs: Welcome at Shustoke, Kingsbury, Middleton Lakes (on leads), and Southfields Farm footpaths — not at Whitacre Heath (assistance dogs only).
After your walk: The Plough at Shustoke (closest to the reservoir), The Swan at Whitacre Heath, and Coleshill High Street pubs are easy stops — see our Pubs guide .
Running: Shustoke and Kingsbury are popular with joggers — see our Running guide for 5k loops and Saturday Parkrun.

Suggested outings

Morning at Shustoke

Flat 2-mile loop around the reservoir, then lunch at The Plough on The Green in Shustoke village — a short walk from the car park.

Family day at Kingsbury

Half a day at Kingsbury Water Park — lakeside paths, play areas, and the Old Barn Coffee Shop — around 10 minutes north on the A446.

Birdwatching double

RSPB Middleton Lakes in the morning, Whitacre Heath hides in the afternoon — two contrasting wetland reserves within 10 minutes of Coleshill.

Closest to Springfield House

Shustoke Reservoir

Google Maps

Shustoke Reservoir is the local favourite — a calm, paved 2-mile loop managed by Severn Trent Water, just north of Coleshill.

The walk

Flat, surfaced path circles the lower reservoir — exactly 2 miles (3.2 km)
Excellent for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams year-round
Watch the Shustoke Sailing Club dinghies against Warwickshire countryside

Wildlife

Cowslips, lady's smock, and orchids on the embankments in spring and summer
Overwintering wildfowl — great crested grebes and various gulls and ducks

Good to know

Around 5 minutes' drive from Springfield House via the B4114 toward Shustoke
Pay-and-display car park — machines are often cash-only (around £1.50 for 2 hours)
Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times; waste bins around the perimeter
No toilets or café on site — The Plough Inn on The Green, Shustoke, is a short walk from the car park
Open dawn to dusk; car park gates locked in the evening
Cross the road from the car park for the wilder Upper Shustoke extension

Kingsbury Water Park

Google Maps Warwickshire Country Parks ↗

Spanning 600 acres with 15 lakes, Kingsbury Water Park is Warwickshire's best-loved waterside country park — ideal for a gentle stroll, family day out, or birdwatching afternoon.

Highlights

Miles of surfaced, flat paths — suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and easy cycling
Echills Wood Railway — a 7.25-inch gauge miniature railway (check seasonal operating days)
Bird hides around the lakes — look for kingfishers, grebes, and migratory species
Two adventure play areas and seasonal pedal boats and sailing on the water
Swimming in the lakes is not permitted

Food and drink

The Old Barn Coffee Shop near the main entrance serves hot meals, snacks, and cakes
Dozens of picnic spots with benches if you bring your own lunch

Good to know

Dog-friendly, but keep dogs on a lead in car parks, courtyards, and picnic areas
Pay-and-display parking — most machines are card-only (around £4.50 for a full day)
Open from 8am; closing times vary seasonally (4pm in winter, up to 8pm in summer)
Visitor Centre for maps and waymarked trails
Popular Parkrun at 9am on Saturdays — busy but great atmosphere

Around 10 minutes' drive from Springfield House.

RSPB Middleton Lakes

Google Maps RSPB reserve page ↗

Middleton Lakes offers 400 acres of wetlands and woodland — a wilder alternative to Kingsbury, with outstanding birdwatching and a nature-play area for families.

Getting there

Head north from Coleshill on the A446 toward Bodymoor Heath — follow RSPB signs past the Aston Villa training ground
Around 10 minutes' drive from Springfield House
Parking free for RSPB members, or around £3 for non-members

The experience

Four signposted trails from 1km to 3km — mostly flat, but paths can be muddy after rain
Grey herons, kingfishers, and lapwings; viewing screens and the Lookout Hide over the north lake
Play Meadow — mud kitchens, den building, climbing mound, and pond dipping (kits at the Welcome Hub)

Facilities

No toilets on the reserve — use Middleton Hall Courtyard toilets nearby (usually 10am–4:30pm, closed Tuesdays)
Welcome Hub sells ice cream, drinks, and snacks; Middleton Hall Courtyard café for a full lunch
Sheltered picnic area near the car park

Good to know

Dogs welcome on leads on public rights of way; some wetland trails and the Play Meadow are off-limits to protect nesting birds
No dog waste bins on site — please take waste away with you
Reserve open dawn to dusk; car park typically 8:30am–4pm (winter) or 8am–5pm (summer)
Combine with a visit to Middleton Hall and Gardens next door

Southfields Farm

Google Maps Website ↗ Farm walk route

Southfields is a family-run working farm on the edge of Coleshill, farmed by the Plumb family since 1938 — with public footpaths and permissive routes through rolling fields toward the Tame Valley.

Visiting

Enter via the main farm drive — signs show public footpath routes
No general public parking at the farm; walk from Coleshill (see our Walking guide for the Southfields Farm trail)
Permissive paths marked with purple dots allow a circular farm walk — check Facebook for grazing closures

Good to know

Working farm with sheep, cattle, and seasonal educational visits
Dogs must be kept on a short lead; stick to marked paths to protect livestock and nesting birds
Follow the Countryside Code — leave gates as found, take litter home, stay on paths
southfieldsfarm.uk for visits and path updates

Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve

Google Maps Website ↗

Whitacre Heath is a 44-hectare Warwickshire Wildlife Trust reserve — open water, marsh, and wet woodland in the Tame Valley, and one of the Midlands' most important sites for migrating birds.

The experience

Waymarked Red and Green trails through grass paths, boardwalks, and occasional mud
Four bird hides around the pools — quiet spots for kingfishers and little grebes
Brass rubbing discs on waymarker posts — bring paper and crayons for a family activity

Wildlife

Southern marsh orchid and blue fleabane in spring and summer; emperor dragonflies on the pools
Winter visitors include snipe and woodcock in damp woodland

Good to know

Around 7 minutes' drive from Springfield House via the B4114 through Nether Whitacre
Car park for Wildlife Trust members (code access); pedestrian gate for walkers from nearby parking
No dogs permitted (assistance dogs only) — try Shustoke Reservoir or Southfields Farm footpaths instead
No toilets, café, or bins on site — The Swan Inn at Whitacre Heath is around a mile away
Open dawn to dusk; visit early for the best chance of fox or otter sightings
warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/WhitacreHeath

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