Wintery walks to warm your heart in Birmingham, Brierley Hill, Sandwell, Stourbridge, Clun and Cannock
07:19, 24 Dec 2025
When you've overindulged over the festive season, there is nothing better than getting outside into the bracing fresh air.
We are so lucky to have so many stunning landscapes around Birmingham and the West Midlands, and they become even more beautiful in the winter light and with a scattering of gentle frost twinkling on the grass.
Pull on your coats, hats and scarves, gather friends and family and meet at some of the prettiest places in our area.
Your body will thank you as soon as you step outside.
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This guide has been compiled with the help of parents on our Brummie Mummies Facebook page, who told us where they love to go with their kids.
It includes places that are within a couple of miles of the city centre and some that involve a nice drive out into the countryside.
Saltwells Nature Reserve walks
This park is actually one of the UK's largest urban nature reserves but it's easy to miss it.
Really close to Merry Hill, so ideal after shopping, it's full of ancient woodland, ponds and wetlands to explore, making it hard to believe you're so near to bustling Brierley Hill.
There's a huge sculpture park and well-marked trails can be downloaded from the council website. Parking is easy and the reserve is great for kids.
Saltwells Lane, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill DY2 0AP
Clent Hills
Feel on top of the world just 10 miles from Birmingham city centre.
The views from the Clent Hills can be nothing short of breathtaking on a clear winter's day. Look at the map at the top to see views of the Shropshire hills, the Cotswolds and out to the Welsh borders.
There are miles of footpaths, bridleways and easy access trails for all abilities, and a lovely natural play area for children.
Head to the top to see The Four Stones. There are plenty of routes to choose from and even a wheelchair accessible path to the summit.
Hagley Wood Lane, near Stourbridge, DY9 9JR
Clun Valley walks
This is a place that's well worth a drive out when you want to get away from it all.
Poet A.E Housman once described Clun as 'the quietest place under the sun' and the views from the top of the hills are sure to take your breath away on a clear day.
With the highest concentration of watercourses in the Shropshire Hills, head to the Unk, Kemp and Redlake for pretty waterside walks.
Clun, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 8JQ
Kingsbury Water Park walks
There's something particularly special about lakeside walks in winter.
And there are 15 magnificent lakes to discover at Kingsbury Water Park plus a large children’s play area and miniature railway.
Set in more than 600 acres of countryside, it's only 15 miles out of Birmingham city centre and has plenty of way-marked routes and surfaced paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Parking charges apply.
Bodymoor Heath Lane, Sutton Coldfield, B76 0DY
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Waseley Hills Country Park walks
Try the waymarked Rabbit Trail here and you'll be rewarded with views stretching across Birmingham and the Black Country and, on a clear day, right the way to mid Wales.
It's three miles long so, if that's a bit too much, you might want to check out the more gentle Skylark Trail.
Waymarked again, it's just half a mile, making it ideal for little legs and those not wanting to be out in the cold for too long.
Gannow Green Lane, Rubery, Birmingham, B45 9AT
Offchurch walks
Head into picturesque Warwickshire for a walk that feels like stepping back in time.
There is a lovely walk through Greenway and Newbold Comyn, which is around four miles long.
Starting in Radford, Leamington, this route links both town and country, goes along a canal towpath and the Greenway cycle path returning through the Leam Valley and Newbold Comyn park.
Offchurch, CV33 9AQ
Sutton Park walks
As you probably know, Sutton Park is huge, spanning over 2,000 acres, making it the seventh largest urban park in Europe.
Being in Sutton Coldfield, it's easily accessible without having to drive miles out of the city and there's plenty of parking.
From here, you can choose your walk from one of the many routes suggested, taking in lakes and playgrounds on the way.
If you're quiet, you might even spot deer or wild ponies in this semi-urban setting.
Blackroot Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2YU
Woodgate Valley Country Park walks
This 450 acre park has the Bourn Brook river running through it and you can wander through mature hedgerows, meadows, woodland and small ponds.
It's ideal for a shorter walk for those on tighter timescales.
There's a small playground and a visitor centre plus an urban farm where you can see sheep, pigs, goats and rabbits for a small admission fee. Check farm opening times to avoid disappointment.
Clapgate Lane, Bartley Green, B32 3DS
Sandwell Valley Country Park walks
Parents love Sandwell Valley Country Park because there's so much to do - and it's only 20 minutes from Birmingham city centre.
Walk through the woods, past pools and streams and download trail maps here to find your way around the 660 acres of parkland.
There's a big adventure playground, an RSPB centre and cycle route too.
Many of the footpaths are surfaced, providing access for all, though lots are left as natural tracks to provide a sense of a real countryside.
Tanhouse Avenue, West Bromwich, B43 5AGThere are 660 acres of woods and farmland to explore in the Sandwell Valley Country Park.
Cannock Chase walks
For walks to suit all ages, Cannock Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that offers something for everyone.
There are Fairy Trees, a Gruffalo Sculpture, an adventure playground and open spaces for games.
Try the Ladyhill Trail if you have wheelchairs and pushchairs as its an easy route and circular.
Another circular route is The Fairoak Trail, which is around two and a half miles long. It starts in the forest then opens out into the Fairoak valley and pools.
For the more adventurous, there's also the 10 mile linear trail that links Rugeley, Hednesford and Cannock.
Camp Road, Cannock Chase, WS12 4PT
Lickey Hills
A guide to winter walks around Birmingham wouldn't be complete without including the glorious Lickey Hills.
This country park has plenty of walking trails - you can get a great walks booklet from the visitor centre.
There's also a children's adventure playground and plenty of grassy areas plus a mini castle rampart to climb up which then adds a few feet to your elevation.
The view from Beacon Hill is incredible - go see for yourself.
Warren Lane, Rednal, Birmingham B45 8ER
Kinver walks
Another location which offers spectacular views is Kinver Edge, near Stourbridge.
There are miles of footpaths to explore here, with walks suitable for all ages and abilities.
You can choose to go on a short, gentle walk up to the Hillfort or a longer ramble to find Nanny's Rock in the woods - both provide great vistas.
The walks are clearly way-marked with coloured arrows, and they take in the key features of the varied habitats and views.
Hill Farm House, Sandy Lane, Kinver, Stourbridge DY7 6HX