Green spaces and open places to enjoy

When people think of Longbridge, they previously conjured up an image of industry – famously over 11 miles of car assembly lines and manufacturing facilities full of thousands of workers and a general sense of production, trade and ‘busy-ness’.

Nowadays, the new businesses moving to the completely transformed Longbridge area, are housed in eco-friendly, state-of-the-art facilities that fit seamlessly alongside open green spaces and emanate a modern, clean vibe.

However, Longbridge is so much more than business. It’s a bustling community, with luxury homes, a school, shops and cafes. It’s also an area surrounded by beautiful open countryside, perched on the south Birmingham border, it shares space with the rolling hills of Worcestershire, with seemingly endless outdoor activities and cycle routes right on the doorstep. It’s a place you’re really going to want to explore…

Austin Park

Austin Park is a blissful green oasis at the core of Longbridge; a place to escape the hustle and bustle and relax amongst the wildflowers and local wildlife as the River Rea trickles gently past. The character-full green heart in the town centre offers visitors a chance to relax, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy in all of the towns amenities.

Just a few hundred yards away, Route 5 of the  National Cycle Network  provides a traffic-free pathway for cyclists and walkers to explore the River Rea and its environment.

Balaam’s Wood Local Nature Reserve

Adjacent to Longbridge, Balaam’s Wood Local Nature Reserve is made up of 6.5 acres of ancient oak woodland along with an equal amount of grassland. The River Rea runs through the reserve making it the perfect spot for a spring picnic, gentle jog or stroll with friends. Additionally, on Friday afternoons (when dry) you can join a Balaam’s Wood Tai Chi class for some gentle exercise that’s good for physical and mental wellbeing.

Cofton Park

With 135 acres of rolling fields and open grassland, Cofton Park offers visitors the opportunity to sample a variety of recreational activities and has been an integral part of local community life for more than 90 years. The land was originally purchased by Birmingham City Council in 1933 from the trustees representing well-known industrialist and manufacturer William Walter Hinder for the princely sum of £10,640 (which is equivalent to £614,000 today!) In his will, Mr Hinde left great swathes of his estate “for the purchase of land to be kept for ever as an open space for the benefit of the people of Birmingham”.

With an array of stunning oak and ash trees the massive area of greenspace is ideal for dog walkers, wildlife spotters, picnics in the Summer and, on snowy winter days, its many slopes make it perfect for sledging.

The Park is also home to Cofton Park Nursery which sells high quality plants and shrubs every week from Monday to Thursday.

Lickey Hills

Situated immediately next to Cofton Park is the Lickey Hills Country Park which is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife due to the variety of its geological features. With woodlands, heathlands and grasslands, the park offers something for everyone from family days out for walks and wildlife spotting, to school trips and sports events (it even has its own football pitch).

And coming soon…

The regeneration of Longbridge continues at pace and work is well underway on another new green way along a one-mile stretch of the River Rea on the former West Works site, allowing the river to be opened up to the public via new footpaths and cycle routes providing connections to Longbridge Town Centre and beyond.

Once the river corridor is officially open, the public will be able to enjoy interactive trail boards highlighting species of plants, animals and insects that can be spotted along the route and scannable QR codes will link to a website page with more information about each area. This trail will also be home to new public artwork from Annatomix who gains inspiration from the relationship between humanity and nature, as well as wooden sculptures and the iteration of Stephen Burke’s “This is The Spot” art installation already seen in the town centre.

So, the next time you want an outing, visit Longbridge. With all the open spaces and parks in the area, you’re really spoiled for choice of which part to explore next! What was once a place filled with the smoke and fumes of industry is today a truly biodiverse region filled with plants and insects just waiting to be spotted. Whether you’re on foot or pedalling along on your bike, look out for everything this amazing area has to offer. There really is lots going on.