Tudor Grange Park, Solihull - A wonderful open space!

Tudor Grange Park is situated in Solihull, West Midlands. Near the Blossomfield Road. Formerly the estate of the Bird Family, of Bird's Custard fame. There is a leisure centre here.


Where is Tudor Grange Park?

Tudor Grange Park is situated between Blossomfield Road, B91 1NB and Monkpath Hall Road,  B91 3LU in Solihull Town Centre.

Tudor Grange ParkCycle track map at Tudor Grange Park (May 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In brief

Tudor Grange Park is a public park in Solihull Town Centre, near Solihull College & University Centre. Including Tudor Grange Leisure Centre. It is Green Flag Park. Was formerly part of the Bird Family Estate (who founded Bird's Custard in Digbeth, Birmingham).

Tudor Grange ParkTudor Grange Park, Solihull (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Park entrances

With entrances on Blossomfield Road (near Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and Solihull College) and Monkspath Hall Road. You can also get in via path starting from Homer Road, that goes under Prince's Way and the Chiltern Main Line.

Tudor Grange Park

Path from Homer Road going under Prince's Way and the Chiltern Main Line towards Tudor Grange Park (February 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tudor Grange Leisure Centre

The park is home to Tudor Grange Leisure Centre, and Solihull and Small Heath Athletic Club. The leisure centre can be accessed from Blossomfield Road, and there is a car park on site, also used by coaches.

Tudor Grange ParkTudor Grange Leisure Centre at Tudor Grange Park (May 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tudor Grange ParkTudor Grange Leisure Centre at Tudor Grange Park, Solihull (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The lake at Tudor Grange Park

There is a small lake near the leisure centre. With a variety of birds, such as the usual ducks and geese.

Tudor Grange ParkLake at Tudor Grange Park (Janaury 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tudor Grange ParkThe lake at Tudor Grange Park, Solihull (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Alder Brook

The Alder Brook flows through the park. It gave it's name to the nearby Alderbrook School.

Tudor Grange Park

The Alder Brook at Tudor Grange Park (November 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Children's Play Area

There is a large Children's Play Area in the park.

Tudor Grange Park

Play Area at Tudor Grange Park (February 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tudor Grange Skate Park

There is a Skate Park and a Figure of Eight BMX track.

Tudor Grange Park

Skate Park at Tudor Grange Park (February 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Transport

Trains from the nearby Solihull Station. Buses include the 6, 49, 76 and other routes. Solihull Town Centre is about 10 minutes walk away. Car parks from Blossomfield Road (Tudor Grange Leisure Centre Car Park) and Monkspath Hall Road (Monkspath Hall Road Car Park). New for 2021 is West Midlands Cycle Hire. Find the bike dock on Blossomfield Road, near the bus stop and outside of the leisure centre.

Tudor Grange ParkWest Midlands Cycle Hire at Tudor Grange Park, Solihull (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of Tudor Grange Park

The Park was bought by the Council in 1946, formerly being farmland belonging to the Bird Family, of Bird's Custard, who lived at Tudor Grange, which is now part of the adjacent Soihull College. The park has a green flag award. A Children's Play Area and Skate Park were built in the park in 2003. There was a number of improvements to the park in 2008, including a Cycle Track. Other improvements including landscaping and new paths, outdoor gym equipment. Plus improvements to the stream and lake, including new bridges.

Tudor Grange Park

The 2008 improvements seen at Tudor Grange Park (May 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Tudor Grange House

While the house is not part of the park now, it used to include the parkland when the Bird Family lived there. It is a Grade II* listed building off Blossomfield Road. Designed and built in 1887 in a loose Jacobean style by Thomas Henry Mansell of Birmingham for the industrialist Alfred Lovekin with panelling by Plunketts of Smith Street, Warwick. The house is of red brick with ashlar dressings. Tudor Grange was built for Alfred Lovekin of Adie & Lovekin, jewellers and silversmiths in 1887. After Lovekin's wife died in 1900, the house was sold to Alfred Frederick Bird in 1901 (he was the son of the founder of Bird's Custard Factory, Alfred Bird). Alfred F. Bird became MP for Wolverhampton West in 1910, was knighted in 1920 and made a baronet in 1922 (the year of his death). His widow lived on at Tudor Grange until her death in 1943. The Statue of a Horse and Horse Tamer used to be in the grounds of Tudor Grange, but was sold by Oliver Bird in 1944 (after his mothers death) to Solihull Council (who received it in 1953). It is now in Malvern Park. The house was used as a Red Crosss auxiliary hospital during and after the Second World War. In 1946 the house was bought by Warwickshire County Council and became a school for children with special needs until 1976 when it became part of Solihull Technical College. As of 2020-21, Tudor Grange is being renovated into Retirement homes from Octopus Homes.

Tudor Grange House

Tudor Grange House (May 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at Tudor Grange Park

Tudor Grange Park

Snow at Tudor Grange Park (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at Tudor Grange Park

Tudor Grange Park

Bluebell wood at Tudor Grange Park (May 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at Tudor Grange Park

Tudor Grange ParkLake decking at Tudor Grange Park, Solihull (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn at Tudor Grange Park

Tudor Grange ParkAutumnal trees at Tudor Grange Park (November 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Solihull College

What is now called Solihull College & University Centre is close to the entrance of Tudor Grange Park on Blossomfield Road. It is build on the land of the former Tudor Grange estate, which was previously owned by the Bird family from 1901 to 1946. It was established here in 1954. The modern extensions for the new University part built around 2008 to 2009. There is sports grounds to the back of the college. There is several schools nearby, including Alderbrook School, Tudor Grange School (now called Tudor Grange Academy), St Augustine's Catholic Primary School and St Peter's Catholic School.

Solihull CollegeSolihull College & University Centre (December 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

During the Summer of 2017, for around 10 weeks, there was one of the painted bears outside of Solihull College (near Tudor Grange Park, but not in the park). It was called The Gas Street Bearsin, by the artist Megan Heather Evans. The sponsor was Solihull College & University Centre. Was named after / inspired after Gas Street Basin.

The Big Sleuth Solihull College

The Gas Street Bearsin (by artist Megan Heather Evans) at Solihull College & University Centre (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Project dates

07 Oct 2019 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Photography, Environment & green action
People & community, Rivers, lakes & canals, Green open spaces

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com