The Sheldon Country Park is located in Sheldon, with several entrances on the Coventry Road.

Coventry Road to Church Road at Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It covers an area of just over 300 acres. It is made up of open grassland, wetlands, old hedgerows and some mature woodland. The Parks Ranger Service is based at Old Rectory Farm, a 17th Century dairy farm, which is situated on the main entrance to the park.

Sheep at Old Rectory Farm at the Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It starts from several entrances on the Coventry Road, and heads towards Marston Green.

Sheldon Country Park sign at Coventry Road (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The first section goes from the Coventry Road towards Church Road. This is near Barrows Lane and Common Lane. The Westley Brook flows through this section.

Coventry Road to Church Road at Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

From Church Road, you can continue to follow the Westley Brook all the way to the boundary fences of Birmingham Airport.

Westley Brook near the football field at the Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Beyond the Airport viewing area, one path takes you under a railway viaduct along the Hatchford Brook towards Holly Lane.

Railway Viaduct along side the Hatchford Brook in the Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Another path takes you towards Marston Green Station, alongside Birmingham Airport, if you want to catch a train to Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry or London Euston.

Path to Marston Green Station alongside the perimeter fence of Birmingham Airport at the Sheldon Country Park (February 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Another Coventry Road entrance to the east, follows the Hatchford Brook, past Hatchford Brook Golf Club towards the Airport perimeter fences.

Hatchford Brook from the Sheldon Country Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Visitors to the park must stick to the paths, only authorised personnel are allowed to open the gates along here for emergency reasons only. This is also a no drone zone area.

Birmingham Airport perimeter fence from the Sheldon Country Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Airport Viewing Area

There is an Airport viewing area in the country park close runway 15 of Birmingham Airport.

Airport viewing area at the Sheldon Country Park (March 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains can be caught to and from Marston Green Station, at the Marston Green Interchange. The path takes you out of the park, and there is two footbridges at the station.

Airport viewing area at the Sheldon Country Park (November 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

If you sit on the left hand side of the train going to Birmingham New Street, after boarding from Marston Green, you get this view of the park, and Airport viewing area.

View from the train of the Sheldon Country Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Arrival of the Emirates Airbus A380

The Easter Sunday in March 2016 was busy as everyone was aware that the Emirates Airbus A380 plane was landing at the airport for the first time from Dubai, UAE.

Emirates Airbus A380 comes into land at Birmingham Airport over the Sheldon Country Park (March 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There must have been representatives in the Sheldon Country Park giving out Emirates baseball caps that day, as this couple had them on at Marston Green Station.

London Midland 350 260 arrives at Marston Green Station (March 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Chinese State Circus

This was held in the Sheldon Country Park during May 2017, in a field close to the Coventry Road.

Chinese State Circus at the Sheldon Country Park (May 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown