The best walks in and around Birmingham – with a pub to match!

Fresh air, lovely views, and a pint at the end. Is there anything better than a pub walk?

Here at Greene King, it’s a tradition we take as seriously as the roast dinner. So when visitors come in and ask us where the best walks around are, we know exactly where they should start. And exactly where they should end. 

So with that said, here are the best walks in Birmingham – with a pub to match! 

Walk 1: Cannon Hill

Fun fact: Cannon Hill Park was actually designed by TJ Gibson, who is responsible for Battersea Park in London – so you know it’s going to be a good ’un. But the reason we love it so much is because the park was gifted to Birmingham in 1873, as a place for us locals to enjoy the outdoors – which is exactly what we continue to do. 

And with 80 acres of formal gardens, as well as 120 acres of conservation and woodland, you can imagine it’s full of wonderful walks. 

Best pub to visit near Cannon Hill

Walk 2: Lickey Hills Country Park

Located just 10 miles from the city, Lickey Hills is one of the best walks near Birmingham. Just 520 acres of sprawling parkland, full to the Lickey brim of trails and routes, so you can take your pick. 

Although, make sure to pick the trail that takes you to Beach View; the highest point in the park, with a view over the whole of Birmingham. Or the trail that takes you to the Lickey Ridge, which is made of 570-million-year-old quartzite. Oh, and whichever route goes to the Lickey Warren, the home to an underground city of rabbits. Actually, just do them all. 

Best pub to visit near Lickey Hills Country Park

Walk 3: Moseley Old Hall

Obligatory National Trust walk incoming. Located outside the city in nearby Wolverhampton is Moseley Old Hall; a historic Elizabethan timber-framed house that provided a hiding place for Charles II during his escape following the Battle of Worcester in 1651. But that’s for another blog. 

Our focus is on the walk from Northycote Farm past Moseley Old Hall, which traces the footsteps of the king over three miles of woods and parkland. A fascinating and beautiful stroll that offers something a little different and a lot more memorable. 

Best pub to visit near Moseley Old Hall

Walk 4: Shire Country Park

Ring a bell? Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien spent his childhood in Birmingham, and many locations in and around the city inspired the landscapes of his fictional Middle Earth. 
They also inspired ‘The Tolkien Trail’, which includes 10 locations spread across the city that have links to the famous author and his work. 

One of those is Sarehole Mill, located in Shire Country Park. From here, you can take a 5km circular walk that will bring you to Moseley Bog and its two burnt mounds dating back to the Bronze Age, a location that was inspirational to a young Tolkien and that may well inspire your own tales as you explore. 

Best pub to visit near Shire Country Park

We’ve chosen the Old House at Home for a number of reasons. One, the name sounds like something Tolkien would write. Two, it’s a short drive away from the park. Three, it’s famous for its classic carvery and we all know how much hobbits love food (and multiple servings). And four, it is particularly spectacular in the summer. So much so that had Tolkien visited us during the season, we may just have found ourselves written into a book! 

Walk 5: Sutton Park

Sutton Park is a 2,400-acre national nature reserve located six miles north of the city centre, and one of the largest urban parks in Europe. It’s also designated as a site of special scientific interest, as well as a scheduled ancient monument – so needless to say, it’s pretty amazing.

With open heathland, woodland, wetlands, marshes, and seven lakes, you’ll feel as if you’re wandering through the English countryside rather than a city park. We’d recommend doing the 5km circular route, which is the best way to explore everything it has to offer. 

Best pub to visit near Sutton Park

After all that wandering, you’ll want to put your feet up and there’s no better place to do it than Manor Farm. With a menu full of family-favourites, homemade cakes for dessert, and a free indoor play area for the kids, it makes for a lovely end to a lovely walk. Plus, it always has some sort of deal or offer on, giving you the perfect excuse to stop off for a pint or two.