Mill Lodge Park not far from Shirley Station

There is a small park not too far from Shirley Station. Called either Mill Lodge Park (according to Google Maps) or the Colebrook Recreation Ground. Located on Green Lane and Aqueduct Road in Solihull. The River Cole flows through the park. To the north is the Aqueduct Road Meadow Local Wildlife Site. Beyond that you can walk into the Shire Country Park on the Birmingham Solihull border.

Mill Lodge Park

Mill Lodge Park is quite close to Mill Lodge Primary School and the Coronation Youth and Community Centre. It is on Green Lane and Aqueduct Road in Shirley, Solihull. It is also known as the Colebrook Recreation Ground. The River Cole flows through the park, and it is a short walk away from Shirley Station, which is on Haslucks Green Road. The Aqueduct Road Meadow Local Wildlife Site is to the north and runs towards Colebrook Road.

Beyond the park you can walk up Nethercote Gardens. If you cross over some stepping stones on a stream, you leave Solihull and enter Birmingham, and will then be in the Scribers Lane SINC of the Shire Country Park. This follows the route of the River Cole as well.

2017

A look at Mill Lodge Park during April 2017 from the Green Lane entrance. Also the entrance to the car park from the right.

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A look at the River Cole from the bridge on Green Lane.

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The grass was mown short and was wooden bollards near here. I entered the park at the time from the Aqueduct Road entrance.

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The path heading towards the Aqueduct Road Meadow.

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Getting close to the footbridge that crosses the River Cole. The Aqueduct Road Meadow is to the left of here.

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There is sign all about the Aqeuduct Road Meadow Local Wildlife Site. Love Nature.

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About to cross the footbridge over the River Cole.

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A look at the River Cole on the side of Mill Lodge Park.

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Also the other side of the River Cole on the side of the Aqueduct Road Meadow. Towards Colebrook Road.

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First look at the Colebrook Recreation Ground Play Area.

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Some kind of tyre swing on a steel bar.

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2020

Popped back into Mill Lodge Park back in January 2020, after I went to find the pond at Priory Fields. Entering the park again from Aqueduct Road.

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Different conditions to my last visit here when I crossed the footbridge over the River Cole. It was winter, the trees were bare and the grass was different near the river banks.

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The path into Mill Lodge Park alongside the River Cole.

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A look at the playground again.

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Some kind of peddle bike that kids can go round in circle on.

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Seesaw, swings and a slide in the play area.

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It was a bit wet and soggy at the time. But this was back when it was still OK to use playgrounds.

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The bridge on Green Lane over the River Cole looking towards the new housing estate off Aqueduct Road.

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Also a look at the car park to Mill Lodge Park from Green Lane.

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Went back for a lockdown walk in May 2020. Starting at Mill Lodge Park and following the River Cole towards the Scribers Lane SINC in the Shire Country Park and back. First up a look at the River Cole from the lower path in the park.

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There is two paths here. The path on the left that I was on is near the River Cole. The path on the right was close to the playing field. Some people were playing football or sitting on the grass.

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Over the great lockdown, there had been a lot of growth in the parkland all over the West Midlands. And at Mill Lodge Park that was no exception. Cow parsley seen growing near the River Cole and the Aqueduct Road Meadow.

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The scene had changed a lot in the months since I was last here. This River Cole view of the Aqueduct Road Meadow towards Colebrook Road.

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River Cole view with the footbridge towards the football field.

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Now on the path toward Colebrook Road in the Aqueduct Road Meadow area.

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About halfway to Colebrook Road.

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Getting close to Colebrook Road. After this we would cross over the road onto Nethercote Gardens and continue the walk into the Scribers Lane SINC (over some stepping stones). You have to remember that May was hot and sunny all month long, and very dry.

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Later back to Colebrook Road and a look at the River Cole with all those trees. Just before going back onto the path alongside the Aqueduct Road Meadow.

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Now back on the path in the Aqueduct Road Meadow. Some cow parsley on both sides.

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Was still people playing football in the field over there.

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Back in the car park before we left Mill Lodge Park. A wonderful blue sky and sunshine. Why didn't May's weather stay into June and July?

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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