In Yardley Wood there is two areas named after the Chinn Brook. The Chinn Brook Meadows (also called the Chinn Brook Recreation Ground) and the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve. I've been to both a couple of times (usually walking from one part into the next). In this post though we will take a look at the Chinn Brook Meadows. From Trittiford Road / Highfield Road to Yardley Wood Road.

View feature View community

Chinn Brook Meadows in the Shire Country Park


Chinn Brook Meadows in the Shire Country Park


In Yardley Wood there is two areas named after the Chinn Brook. The Chinn Brook Meadows (also called the Chinn Brook Recreation Ground) and the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve. I've been to both a couple of times (usually walking from one part into the next). In this post though we will take a look at the Chinn Brook Meadows. From Trittiford Road / Highfield Road to Yardley Wood Road.


Chinn Brook Meadows

The Chinn Brook Meadows is one of the satellite parks of the Shire Country Park. Many locals in Yardley Wood still refer it to as the Chinn Brook Recreation Ground (and is labelled as that on Google Maps). The Chinn Brook Meadows is a 34 Acre site that stretches from Yardley Wood Road to the west, towards Trittiford Road and Highfield Road to the East. To the north is Chinn Brook Road and Glastonbury Road is to the south. The Chinn Brook flows through the Recreation Ground, where it joins up with the River Cole in The Dingles. Also nearby is the Trittiford Mill Pool to the east. The site was renamed in 2010 from the Chinn Brook Recreation Ground to the Chinn Brook Meadows, as it was thought that Meadows better reflects it's character.

 

I've had at least two full walks through the Chinn Brook Meadows. In December 2014 on Christmas Day and in April 2020 on a lockdown walk.

2014

For a Christmas Day morning walk on the 25th December 2014, we started our walk in the Chinn Brook Meadows. Getting in from the main entrance on Trittiford Road. There was this information sign and map, although vandals had tagged it at the time.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A look at the Chinn Brook from the bridge on Trittiford Road in Yardley Wood.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The fingerpost in the Chinn Brook Meadows was looking relatively new at the time. Directions to The Dingles, Trittiford Mill Pool and the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The playground / play area that is close to Trittiford Road. There is also an entrance to it from Chinn Brook Road.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

S bend in the Chinn Brook.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the footbridges over the Chinn Brook.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a nice sunny morning at the time, as I had a look over the footbridge. Bollards at both ends.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The path in the Chinn Brook Meadows goes past the field, that most people still call The Rec.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

But it's what was growing alongside the path and the Chinn Brook that got it renamed to Chinn Brook Meadows.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More of the same near the Chinn Brook.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Trees not far from the houses on Chinn Brook Road.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The path curving to the right.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of The Rec section before you walk down a path to Yardley Wood Road.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A couple take their dog for a walk.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The gate at the end of the path near Yardley Wood Road. Exit here and cross over the road to enter the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2014) (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

In January 2017, I saw this carved wooden sculpture close to Highfield Road in Yardley Wood. It was probably done by local Birmingham based carver, Graham Jones. You can find his work in other parks and green spaces around Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Jan 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It had various carvings around it, such as birds and flowers.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Jan 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some details at the bottom including a swan.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Jan 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later that year in December 2017, while it was snowing in Yardley Wood, I walked down to the Trittiford Mill Pool. While there I got these snowy views towards the Chinn Brook Meadows.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2017) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The roads around it had been gritted by the council, but looks quite slushy and dirty.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2017) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This side was closer to The Dingles, but was the view in the direction of the Chinn Brook Meadows. Not seen snow around there since then.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (Dec 2017) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2020

In April 2020 we had a lockdown walk through the Chinn Brook Meadows before heading into the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve. Parking on Chinn Brook Road, we passed the playground / play area which of course (at the time) was closed due to the pandemic / lockdown. So no child on the swings or slides until the beginning of July.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking through the swings to the slide from Chinn Brook Road.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Notices from the Council, to not enter the play area. Then again, some people ignored these, and hoped over the gate.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Chinn Brook Meadows fingerpost from Chinn Brook Road, near the entrance to the play area.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look at the equipment that children couldn't use from about late March until early July 2020.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Surprisingly, there was a lot of families out in the Recreation Ground for a walk and exercise (more than my previous visit). At the time, getting out for your one form of daily exercise was allowed (apart from getting essentials from the shops).

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a nice blue sky as we walked up the path towards Yardley Wood Road. Grass nice and short.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As before, the path curves around to the right. People taking their dogs for a walk and having fun in the Chinn Brook to the left.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Plenty of space here to have a game of football, although at the time that kind of activity was not allowed under the restrictions.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Nearing the end of the path close to The Rec.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The path to Yardley Wood Road was a bit narrower, and the leaves on the trees hadn't fully grown back.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bluebells growing close to the path. When you couldn't go far at the time, your local green spaces was the only place to see them.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Such a short period of time to see the bluebells in flower.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This sign close to the Yardley Wood Road exit reminds you that this area is part of the Millstream Way. Also that it is illegal to access and ride with off-road motorcycles within the City Council parkland. But idiot youths keep ignoring this. And they spray painted over the West Midlands Police logo!

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later on the walk back from the Chinn Brook Nature Reserve down Chinn Brook Road. This was another one of the entrances. Such bright sunshine from that side.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Yellow flowers growing near the gate on Chinn Brook Road. According to Google Lens, they are called Gorse.

dndimg alt="Chinn Brook Meadows" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chinn Brook Meadows SCP (April 2020) (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.