Read time: 8 mins.
With over 8,000 acres of open space and parks, Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK, making it the perfect place to enjoy a summer picnic!
To help you decide where to set up, we’ve put together a list of the best picnic spots near Birmingham and within the city itself.
So, get your snacks and picnic blanket at the ready and make the most of the sunny days whilst they last.
Get your picnic basket ready or pick up a picnic to go before heading out to one of Birmingham’s picnic spots.
Here are our top 10 Birmingham picnic spots:
1. Picnics in Cannock Chase Forest
Best picnic spot for: wildlife spotting.
Within this extensive pine forest north of Birmingham lies Pingle Slade, a large open area that’s perfect for picnics.
The park covers 3000 acres, making it one of the largest country parks in England. There are plenty of woodland walks, perfect for deer spotting and enjoying outdoor activities with the family.
Things to do nearby:
- Take a walk along the stream and cross the stepping stones at Sher Brook.
- Hire a bike and ride the Follow the Dog or Monkey trails.
- Hop on a Forest Segway for some off-road fun in the Go Ape forests.
- Challenge yourself with the Gruffalo orienteering course. Navigate the woods to find the 12 hidden Gruffalo markers.
Nearest car park: Marquis Drive or Milford Common car parks (rates from £1 for up to 3 hours).
The forest is home to wild Fallow, Red and Muntjac Deer. Photo by Rebecca Prest on Unsplash.
2. Picnics along the Canal Old Main Line.
Best picnic spot for: a view of the city’s canals.
Did you know that Birmingham has more canals than Venice? In fact, it has more than 35 miles of them!
Tuck into your picnic with a view of The Old Main Line canal on the benches outside the ICC before wandering down the canal’s 6.6 miles of navigable walkways.
Things to do nearby:
- Hop on the ‘Ariel’ water bus from Sherborne Wharf and discover an alternate view of the city.
- Still feeling peckish post picnic? Pop to the bars and restaurants of Brindleyplace to refuel.
- Visit the UK’s only 360˚ Ocean Tunnel at the National Sea Life Centre Birmingham.
Nearest car park: Paradise Circus, Q-Park Brindleyplace and Arena Central Car Park are all within walking distance of this part of the canal.
Birmingham is home to more canals than Venice. Photo by Elliott Brown via Creative Commons.
3. Picnics in the Malvern Hills
Best picnic spot for: epic views across the countryside.
Make sure to bring plenty to drink as you trek this miniature mountain range in search of a picnic spot. Covering more than 3,000 acres, there are plenty of picnic spots to choose from.
We recommend a steady hike up to the top of the Beacon for views across the countryside whilst enjoying your picnic.
Things to do nearby:
- Learn about the prehistoric history of Malvern at the Malvern museum.
- Sample some English wines at Coddington Vineyard and Garden.
- Relax and unwind at The Malvern Spa.
- Get active with a family activity day at Boundless Outdoors.
Nearest car park: Upper Beacon Road (£4.80 per day).