Parks & Nature

Warwickshire’s Premier Waterside Country Park

Spanning 600 acres with 15 beautiful lakes, Kingsbury Water Park is one of the region's best-loved outdoor destinations. Whether you want a gentle stroll, a family adventure, or a spot of birdwatching, there is something here for everyone.

🚶 Activities & Highlights

Walking & Cycling: Miles of surfaced, flat paths wind around the lakes, making it perfect for pushchairs, wheelchairs, and easy cycling.

Echills Wood Railway: A wonderful 7.25-inch gauge miniature railway that runs through the park. A must-do for families! (Check seasonal operating days).

Bird Watching: Numerous bird hides are dotted around the lakes. Keep an eye out for kingfishers, grebes, and seasonal migratory birds.

Play Areas: There are two large adventure play areas to keep the children entertained.

On the Water: Depending on the season, you can find pedal boats, powerboating, and sailing clubs in action. Note: Swimming in the lakes is strictly prohibited for safety.

☕ Food & Drink

The Old Barn Coffee Shop: Located near the main entrance, serving hot meals, snacks, and cakes.

Picnic Areas: There are dozens of scenic spots with benches if you prefer to bring your own lunch.

🐕 Dog Owners

Kingsbury is a dog-friendly park, but please follow these rules:

Dogs must be kept on a lead in the Visitor Centre courtyards, car parks, and designated picnic areas.

In other areas, dogs must be kept under close control.

Please be mindful of the wildlife and cyclists on the shared paths.

🚗 Essential Information

Parking: There is a large pay-and-display car park.

Tip: Most machines are card-only.

Parking charges apply all day (typically around £4.50 for a full day).

Opening Times: The park generally opens at 8:00 AM (or earlier in summer). Closing times vary by month (e.g., 4:00 PM in winter, up to 8:00 PM in high summer).

Visitor Centre: A great first stop for maps and information on the various waymarked trails.

📍 Getting There

Address: Bodymoor Heath Lane, Bodymoor Heath, Sutton Coldfield, B76 0DY.

Distance from Springfield House: It is approximately a 10-15 minute drive.

Local Tip: If you’re visiting on a Saturday morning, the park hosts a very popular Parkrun at 9:00 AM. It’s a great atmosphere but can be quite busy during that time!

A "wilder" escape into wetlands and woodland

For guests who want to step away from the more manicured park feel of Kingsbury, Middleton Lakes offers 400 acres of tranquil, diverse habitats. It is a premier spot for birdwatching and photography, but also features a fantastic "nature-play" area for families.

🚗 Getting There from Springfield House

Distance: Approximately 5 miles.

Travel Time: A 10–12 minute drive.

Route: Head north out of Coleshill on the A446, follow signs toward Bodymoor Heath, and look for the RSPB signs past the Aston Villa training ground.

Parking: On-site parking is available. It is Free for RSPB members or approximately £3.00 for non-members (prices subject to seasonal change).

🚶 The Experience

The Trails: There are four main signposted trails ranging from 1km to 3km. Most are flat, but be aware that paths are a mix of gravel and grass; they can become quite muddy and boggy in wet weather, so bring your walking boots!

Birdwatching: The reserve is home to Grey Herons, Kingfishers, and Lapwings. There are several viewing screens and the Lookout Hide, which offers a panoramic view over the north lake.

The Play Meadow: A standout for families. It’s a "wild" playground designed for exploration—think mud kitchens, den building, a giant climbing mound with a slide, and pond dipping (kits available for hire at the Welcome Hub).

☕ Facilities (Important Note)

Toilets: There are no toilets on the reserve itself. However, the public toilets at the adjacent Middleton Hall Courtyard are available (usually 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, closed Tuesdays).

Food: The RSPB "Welcome Hub" sells ice cream, cold drinks, and light snacks. For a full lunch or coffee, we recommend the café in the Middleton Hall Courtyard next door.

Picnics: There is a sheltered picnic area near the car park with benches.

🐕 Dog Owners

Dogs are welcome on leads on all public rights of way.

Please note that certain areas, such as the Play Meadow and specific wetland trails, are off-limits to dogs to protect the sensitive nesting wildlife.

Note: There are no dog waste bins on the reserve, so please be prepared to take waste away with you.

🕒 Opening Times

The Reserve: Open daily from dawn until dusk.

Car Park: Typically 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter) or 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Summer).

Local Tip: If you have time, visit Middleton Hall & Gardens while you are there. It is a stunning historic manor with independent shops and a lovely traditional tea room.

The Perfect 2-Mile Circular Stroll

Just a stone’s throw from Coleshill, Shustoke Reservoir is a beautifully calm spot managed by Severn Trent Water. It’s the "go-to" for locals who want a reliable, mud-free walk with great views and plenty of fresh air.

🚗 Getting There from Springfield House

Distance: Approximately 2.5 miles.

Travel Time: A very quick 5–7 minute drive.

Route: Head north-east out of Coleshill on the B4114 (Birmingham Road) towards Shustoke. The entrance to the car park is on your right, just before you reach the village.

Parking: There is a dedicated pay-and-display car park.

Tip: The machines are often cash-only (around £1.50 for 2 hours), so keep some change in the glove box!

🚶 The Walk

The Route: A flat, surfaced path circles the entire lower reservoir. It is exactly 2 miles (3.2km) long.

Accessibility: Because the path is paved, it is excellent for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and double prams, even in the depths of winter.

Visuals: You’ll share the water with the Shustoke Sailing Club. Watching the dinghies catch the wind against the backdrop of the Warwickshire countryside is incredibly relaxing.

🌿 Nature & Wildlife

Wildflowers: In the spring and summer, the embankments are a riot of color. Look out for Cowslips, Lady’s Smock, and Orchid species.

Birdlife: It’s a significant site for overwintering wildfowl. Bring binoculars to spot Great Crested Grebes (famous for their "dancing" courtship in spring) and various species of gulls and ducks.

🐕 Dog Owners

Leads are Mandatory: To protect the wildlife and respect other walkers, dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times.

Cleanup: There are dog waste bins located near the entrance and at key points around the perimeter.

☕ Facilities (Important Note)

Toilets: There are no public toilets at the reservoir itself.

Food & Drink: There is no café on-site, but you are less than a mile from The Griffin Inn in Shustoke—a fantastic spot for a post-walk lunch or a local ale.

🕒 Opening Times

Generally open from dawn until dusk. The car park gates are locked in the evening (times are posted on the entrance gate and change seasonally).

Local Tip: If you fancy a slightly longer adventure, you can cross the road from the car park to access the Upper Shustoke area. It’s a bit more "wild" and less paved, but offers a lovely extension to your walk.

Welcome to Southfields Farm

“We plant, but God makes it grow.”

Welcome to our family-run working farm! The Plumb family has been farming this land since 1938, and we are delighted to share this beautiful corner of Coleshill with you. Whether you are here for an educational visit, a peaceful walk, or to learn about sustainable agriculture, we hope you enjoy the fresh air and the rhythm of farm life.

🚜 About the Farm

Southfields is a busy, working farm where soil health and environmental stewardship are at the heart of everything we do. We manage the land with a "nature-first" approach, ensuring there is as much life below the soil as there is above it.

📍 Arrival & Access

Entrance: Please enter via the main farm drive. You will see a large sign at the entrance which clearly displays the routes for public footpaths.

Parking: Please note that there is no general public parking available at the farm itself. We recommend parking in Coleshill and enjoying the walk up to us.

Footpaths: You are very welcome to use the public footpaths. We have also created Permissive Paths (marked with purple dots on our maps) to allow for a lovely circular walk around the farm.

Note: These may occasionally be closed for sheep grazing—please check our Facebook page for daily updates.

🐏 For Our Educational Visitors

If you are joining us for a school trip or group visit, our facilities include:

The School Room: Our indoor hub for activities and lunch.

Hand Washing Stations: Located near the animal enclosures for your safety.

Tractor & Trailer Rides: We have both open-air and undercover trailers (with wheelchair access and seatbelts) to take you out into the fields.

Animal Encounters: Get ready to meet our sheep, goats, chickens, and donkeys!

🐕 Dog Owners

We love dogs, but as this is a working farm with livestock:

Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times.

Please stick strictly to the marked footpaths to avoid disturbing nesting birds or grazing sheep.

Always "bag it and bin it"—help us keep our pastures clean for our animals.

🌿 Countryside Code

To help us look after the farm, please remember:

Leave gates as you find them (usually closed!).

Protect plants and animals.

Take your litter home with you.

Stay on the marked paths to protect our crops and soil health.

📞 Contact & Socials

If you have any questions during your visit or want to see what’s happening on the farm today:

Website: www.southfieldsfarm.uk

Facebook: Search for "Southfields Farm" for the latest path closures and farm news.

Enjoy your time in the great outdoors!

A Hidden Sanctuary in the Tame Valley

If you are looking to escape the crowds, Whitacre Heath is the perfect choice. This 44-hectare SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) is a mosaic of open water, marsh, and wet woodland. It is one of the most important wildlife sites in the Midlands, serving as a vital "refuelling station" for migrating birds.

🚗 Getting There from Springfield House

Distance: Approximately 3 miles.

Travel Time: A 7–9 minute drive.

Route: Head north-east out of Coleshill via the B4114. Continue through the village of Nether Whitacre toward Lea Marston. The entrance is a small gate on the right-hand side of the road.

Parking: There is a medium-sized car park on-site.

Note: The car park is technically for Warwickshire Wildlife Trust members (accessible via a code), but there is a pedestrian gate for those arriving on foot or parking nearby.

🚶 The Experience

The Trails: There are several waymarked routes, including a Red Trail (leading to a viewpoint of the River Tame) and a Green Circular Trail.

Rugged Beauty: Unlike Shustoke, the paths here are more natural—expect grass, boardwalks, and occasional mud. It feels like a true wilderness.

Bird Hides: There are four bird hides tucked away around the pools. They are fantastic spots to sit in total silence and wait for a Kingfisher or a Little Grebe to appear.

Family Fun: Look out for the brass rubbing discs on the waymarker posts! Bring some paper and crayons so the kids can collect the "badges" of the animals found on the reserve.

🌿 What to Look For

Spring/Summer: Look for the Southern Marsh Orchid and the rare Blue Fleabane. In mid-summer, you’ll see impressive Emperor Dragonflies patrolling the pools.

Winter: A great time for spotting elusive "visitors" like Snipe and Woodcock in the damp woodland areas.

🐕 Dog Owners (Strict Policy)

No Dogs Permitted: To protect the highly sensitive ground-nesting birds and grazing livestock, dogs are not allowed on this reserve (assistance dogs only).

Alternative: If you have your dog with you, we recommend Shustoke Reservoir or the public footpaths surrounding Southfields Farm instead.

☕ Facilities

The "Wild" Experience: There are no toilets, cafes, or bins at this reserve.

Refreshments: The nearby Swan Inn at Whitacre Heath (1 mile away) is a lovely traditional pub for a post-walk drink or meal.

🕒 Opening Times

Open daily from dawn until dusk.

Official Reserve Page: Warwickshire Wildlife Trust - Whitacre Heath

The "Wild Walk" Guide: Whitacre Heath Trail & Activities (Great for guests with kids who want to do the brass rubbings).

Local Tip: This is a very quiet site. If you visit early in the morning, you have a much higher chance of spotting a fox or even an otter near the river boundaries.