The Shire Country Park runs south from Small Heath towards Yardley Wood, and also has sections in Billesley.

There is multiple satellite parks in the Shire Country Park including Billesley Common, Greet Mill Meadow, John Morris Jones Walkway, The Dingles, Chinn Brook Meadows and the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve plus some other sections. It passes through Small Heath, Sparkhill, Hall Green, Yardley Wood and Billesley along the River Cole. While other parts have their own brooks.

 

Billesley Common

It is in Billesley near Yardley Wood Road, Haunch Lane, and Hollybank Road. The Haunch Brook flows through the common. Also home to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club.

Billesley Common (October 2016). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Hollybank Spinney

This path is off Hollybank Road near Kings Heath, follows the Haunch Brook Pathways along the Haunch Brook. Also called the Hollie Lucas Memorial.

Hollybank Spinney (July 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Chinn Brook Nature Reserve

This is between Warstock Lane, Haunch Lane and Yardley Wood Road in Yardley Wood. The Chinn Brook and Haunch Brook flow through here. The Stratford-on-Avon Canal is to the southern edge of the nature reserve.

Chinn Brook Nature Reserve (April 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Chinn Brook Meadows

This area is also Chinn Brook Recreation Ground. It runs from the Yardley Wood Road towards Priory Road, Highfield Road and Trittiford Road in Yardley Wood. The Chinn Brook flows through as well. A Play Area is near the Chinn Brook Road corner with Trittiford Road.

Chinn Brook Meadows (October 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Scribers Lane SINC

Located in Hall Green, it follows the River Cole from Scribers Lane, towards Slade Lane and beyond to the Birmingham / Solihull border, near some stepping stones (over to Nethercote Gardens in Shirley).

Scribers Lane SINC (May 2016). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Trittiford Mill Pool

The Trittiford Mill Pool is located in Yardley Wood near Highfield Road, Priory Road, and runs down to Scribers Lane. The River Coles flows through on the eastern side of the mill pool.

Trittiford Mill Pool (November 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

The Dingles

This parkland is located in Yardley Wood, between Highfield Road and Robin Hood Lane. The Chinn Brook and River Cole dissects the area. There is a good path for cycling.

The Dingles (March 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

The John Morris Jones Walkway

This path follows the River Cole in Hall Green from Cole Bank Road towards Robin Hood Lane. There is also a field that is sometimes used for Tolkien events.

The John Morris Jones Walkway (April 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground

The recreation ground if located in Hall Green near Sarehole Mill. Starting at Sarehole Mill Car Park on Cole Bank Road towards Green Road. The River Cole flows along the eastern side of the area.

Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground (May 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

The ford on Green Road

This is between the Sarehole Mill Recreation Ground and Greet Mill Meadow in Hall Green. The road here regularly floods, but there is a footbridge for pedestrians to cross. Cars sometimes get stuck if the river level is too high.

The ford at Green Road (February 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Greet Mill Meadow

This area is in Hall Green, and follows the River Cole from Green Road towards the Stratford Road. At certain points, there is stepping stones in the river that you could cross if you wanted to (and are not too wet). Best to stick to the main path though.

Greet Mill Meadow (May 2020). Photography courtesty of Elliott Brown

 

Blackberry Way

This part starts from the Stratford Road in Sparkhill and goes towards Formans Road, alongside the River Cole.

Blackberry Way (May 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Burbury Brickworks Nature Reserve

This part starts from Formans Road in Sparkhill and follows the River Cole towards Westwood Avenue at the Cole Valley Business Park. Beyond here is Battery Way and the Warwick Road in Greet. The site of a former brickworks. There is also a small pool of water.

Burbury Brickworks Nature Reserve (May 2020). Photography courtesy of Elliott Brown

 

Beyond the Warwick Road is The Ackers. Moseley Bog and Swanshurst Park are nearby.