5 Best Free Places For A Picnic Within A 30 minute Drive

Courtesy of Kelly from the Small House Big Trips blog, a one stop review site of great days out in the West Midlands, check out these 5 best free places for a picnic within a 30 minute drive.

RSPB Sandwell Valley, B43 5AG – If you’re looking for a picnic spot where you may just see a parakeet, then this is the place for you. With an array of wildlife and picturesque views, den building area for kids, a herb garden, ponds for pond dipping (you can hire sets from the centre to do this although check before going if they are still able to do this), there are bird spotting shelters and a lovely lake to walk around.

sandwell valley

Perry Hall Park, B42 1RS – The River Tame runs through Perry Hall Park, providing a great platform for pooh sticks. There’s cute little bridges, lots of trees to climb on or walk the plank on, a play park for children and a great big green space to run around. I’m told they have a sensory garden for you to look round too and a bike track, but I missed these on our last visit. Be sure not to have your picnic on goose island (by the car park), where you will find some very hungry geese.

perry hall park

Sutton Park, B74 2YR – Everyone’s favourite for a picnic. Will you park up via Bracebridge gate where you can see the wild ponies and get a drink and lunch from Bracebridge Terrace Kiosk to take away with you, or even Blackroot Bistro? Admire the pools whilst sat having your picnic or will you enter the park via Banners Gate entrance where the children can play on the children’s play area, get an ice cream and have a picnic by one of the nearby streams? There are so many areas to explore in Sutton Park, that it is the perfect place for a picnic. Did you know you can now hire adult bikes from the park too? Located for collection from Banners Gate and Boldmere Gate.

sutton park

The Green Fairy Trail at Heart of The Country, Lichfield – With Free Parking and Free Entry, the woods of the Fairy Trail are the perfect picnic spot for those with little ones. Picnic tables are available within the trail, or you could bring a picnic blanket to sit on the grass on the side of the car park. Fairy doors and little town fairy scenes, Worry Remover, mud kitchen and a place for little ones to bring their dummy to leave and say goodbye to it. This is a magical experience for children. You might even get to see the two pigs that live on the trail.

green fairy trail

Middleton Lakes RSPB, B78 2AE – A 160 Hectares Nature Reserve nestled in the beautiful Tame Valley on the edge of Tamworth. Perfect for not only seeing fields of bluebells but also the array of wildlife. I’m told they even have otters in the water, although haven’t spotted them myself yet. There are stepping stones, bridges, benches and different areas to explore. A lovely trip out, that you could combine with a visit to Middleton Hall or Coppice Garden Centre if you wanted a longer day out.

sandwell valley

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