Waseley Hills Country Park, Birmingham - A wonderful open space!

Waseley Hills Country Park is near south west Birmingham in Worcestershire. Main entrance from Gannow Green Lane, Rubery.


The Waseley Hills Country Park is located in Worcestershire close to south west Birmingham.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is located on Gannow Green Lane, Rubery. It can be seen on a clear day from Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is good for walks, such as on the Skylark Trail.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Two hills here: Windmill Hill and Waseley Hill. On one hill you can see cattle grazing. It can get quite windy up here.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Windmill Hill at Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hill at Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

History of the Wasley Hills Country Park

The name Waseley comes from the Anglo Saxon word 'waer' meaning sheep and 'ley' meaning field. Hence waer-ley or sheep field. This shows that the site has been grazed for hundreds of years. The park contains the source of the River Rea.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Source of the River Rea

The River Rea starts here at the Waseley Hills before it heads into Birmingham, just as a trickle. The River Rea starts from the source and flows for some 15 miles north east until it joins the River Tame near Spaghetti Junction. Only a trickle of water at this point, but over 20 miles from here there used to mills all along the Rea Valley. Many used to grind corn and the earliest dated to the 13th century. In the English Civil War, the mills along the Rea were used to make sword blades for the Parliamentary army. The same mills in the 19th century provided water power for the expansion of Birmingham's metal working industry during the Industrial Revolution. Sadly none of these mills survive today. Many were demolished in the late 19th or early 20th century.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Source of the River Rea at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Waseley Hills Country Park

Source of the River Rea at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Visitor Centre

The park has an information centre and cafe in a timber-framed barn. You can get a takeaway coffee here, and sit on the picnic benches outside.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Visitor Centre at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The public toilets is to the right, with street art painted by Birmingham street artist Newso. There is also a bowl for dogs to drink water out of.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Visitor Centre at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Views of the Birmingham Skyline

If you go up the hill past the Source of the River Rea, you get a distant view of the Birmingham Skyline.

 

Old Joe at the University of Birmingham.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Old Joe from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Longbridge Town Centre.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Longbridge Town Centre from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Birmingham skyline behind the fields and trees from the Waseley Hills Country Park.

Waseley Hills Country Park

Distant Birmingham skyline from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A small wood in front of the Birmingham skyline.

Birmingham Skyline Waseley Hills

Distant Birmingham skyline from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

23 Jun 2020 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Photography, Environment & green action
People & community, Rivers, lakes & canals, Green open spaces

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com