One of the largest urban parks in Europe boasts a large selection of sporting and recreational activities alongside ancient Roman sites.
Situated 10 kilometres north of Birmingham city centre and spread over 900 hectares, Sutton Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, attracting over 2 million visitors every year. Parts of the park date back to AD 80 and you can still visit archaeological sites here dating back to the Roman era.br />There is also a golf course and a Flying Field next to Boldmere Gate where enthusiasts fly their model aircraft. Younger visitors will enjoy the playgrounds and pony rides.The park also has seven purpose-built lakes. The largest, Powell’s Pool, was built in 1730. Fishing is popular in the lakes although you will need to purchase a licence from the visitor centre as well as bring your own gear. Alternatively, sit back and watch the various breeds of water birds as they come and go. Grebes, ducks and coots are regularly seen here.Download a trail map from the Sutton Park website and follow one of the five designated walking trails. Walkers will delight in the ancient oak woodland and the sight of grazing cattle and wild ponies. Further information is also available from the park’s visitor centre. The Visitor Centre is the perfect place to discover more about the history of the park and there is plenty of literature available offering a guide to the various archaeological sites. Amongst these is a stretch of Roman road dating back from the 1st Century and well preserved here.Why not pack a picnic and spend some time here. Simply pick a space by the ponds or in the flower gardens and relax for a while. Alternatively, there is also a good selection of cafés and restaurants in the park. Sutton Park is situated in the suburb of Sutton Coldfield which is a 20-minute drive from Birmingham city centre. There is a charge to park in the car park that applies from Easter until early September, and on Sundays and public holidays. The rest of the year, parking is free. The nearest train station, Sutton Coldfield, is a five-minute walk from the Town Gate entrance to the park. The park is open daily.
