Best places to go for a walk in the West Midlands this spring

Flowers are beginning to bloom across the West Midlands and the sky is clear, so it is time for us to get our walking boots on and go out for a hike before the clouds turn grey. 

So, whether you're a fan of fauna or just fond of family time, we have put together a list of the most beautiful areas in our region to take a walk, enjoy the sun and embrace the colourful views. 

Here are 10 of the best spring walks in the region as well as parking information and facilities.

Sandwell Valley Country Park, West Bromwich

Salter’s Lane, West Bromwich B71 4BG

The country park is a firm favourite and people travel from far and wide to enjoy the 660 acres of woods and farmland, lakes, walking trails and bike tracks.

Sandwell Valley also boasts a huge playground which the little ones are sure to love - especially the hamster wheel. As well as that, there is a splash pad (open during the warmer school holidays), three golf courses, paved walking routes, food and drink vendors, and an RSPB nature reserve, meaning your walk is likely to be filled with the sound of birdsong. Look out for lapwings, grey herons, kingfishers, skylarks and goldfinches.

Parking is available at:

• Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre Main car park, Pavilion car park and overflow car parks - Lodge Hill Road, via Salter’s lane B71 4BG

• Dartmouth Park car park - Lodge Hill Road, via Salter’s lane B71 4BG.

• Forge Mill Farm & Lake car park - Forge Lane, B71 3SZ

• Swan Pool car park - Park Lane, B71 3SZ

Kinver Edge, near Stourbridge

Warden's Lodge, Comber Road, Kinver, Staffordshire DY7 6HU

The beautiful village of Kinver is just five minutes' drive away from Stourbridge, and famous for its high sandstone ridge and hill fort overlooking the rock houses. Visitors can park up then climb to the top of Kinver Edge to take in views that stretch all the way across the Midlands and beyond.

Enjoy one of the walking trails; the circular heathland trail walk takes around 45 minutes to an hour. Start at the old Warden's Lodge, then follow the red arrows that waymark the route through rare heathland up to sweeping vistas. 

The Rock House café, run by National Trust, serves everything from light bites to sandwiches and soup, all in a unique rock-cut setting. 

Parking is free lay-by parking on Compton Road for the Rock Houses that are also run by National Trust, or on Comber Road for the wider countryside of the Edge.

Sat Nav: Use postcode DY7 6DL to arrive at the Rock Houses

Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield

Park Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2YT

Sutton Park is one of the most diverse and stunning natural areas in the region. Spanning 2000-acres, it has a donkey sanctuary, two playgrounds, five lakes, a pub, two cafes and even a mini beach.

There are dozens of paths and bridleways running across the park, making it easy to explore. 

Cycling and horse riding are allowed on the bridleways, and sailing and canoeing can be enjoyed on Powell's Pool with the Sutton Sailing Club. You can kayak and canoe at Blackroot Pool with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Canoe Club. 

There are a number of car parks in Sutton Park at Streetly Gate, Four Oaks Gate, Town Gate, Boldmere Gate, Banners Gate. The full map can be seen here. 

Cotwall End Valley, Dudley

The Alley, Dudley DY3 2UL

This picturesque park is home to walk trails, pools, brooks and natural springs. It has some important wildlife with nationally rare flora and fauna including several species of orchid and the endangered Great Crested Newt.

Go for a stroll through the woodland and enjoy the green leaves, before heading to Brockswood sanctuary and meet the animals.

Free parking and toilets are available at the animal sanctuary at Catholic Ln, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 3YE.

More information can be found at dudley.gov.uk.

Bunkers Hill, Stourbridge

Kinver, Stourbridge DY7 6PQ

Bunkers Hill in Stourbridge is over 100 acres of beautiful woodlands, treating visitors to views of Kinver Edge to the west and countryside stretching towards Stourbridge and Birmingham to the east. 

There are a number of trails and terrains for all - perfect for a spring walk. 

Parking is available at the main entrance off Whittington Hall Lane. Find out more at woodlandtrust.org.uk. 

Merrion's Wood, Walsall

Birmingham Road / Skip Lane, Walsall, B43 7AN

Near the town centre is a 20 acre secret garden made of oak and beech woodland that blossoms with bluebells in the spring.

The main path leads to a woodland pool and bridge as well as a playing field for picnics and games.

There is parking on-site, and more information can be found at go.walsall.gov.uk.

Alder Coppice Woods

Northway, Dudley DY3 3RF

The local nature reserve is 25 acres of ancient woodland between Northway and Pennwood Farm in Sedgley. The bluebells and woodland flowers in spring create a wonderful display. 

Within the woodland there are three way marked pathways, yellow, red and blue which represents short, medium and long routes. 

The paths are mostly wood chipped and well maintained, and seats are dotted about the wood in the form of upturned tree trunks and benches.

The woodland has a range of wildlife such as woodpeckers, Muntjack and Roe deer, foxes and badgers, and the woods are packed with all sorts of wild flowers. 

There is no parking on the site. 

Highgate Common, near Wombourne

Highgate Common, Wombourne, Staffordshire, DY7 5BS

Highgate Common is a small remnant of an ancient lowland heath, a fantastic habitat for wildlife. However since the 1800's the UK has lost 80 per cent of its open heathland and it is now rarer than rainforest. 

Friends of Highgate Common are carefully restoring the heathland by encouraging heather to regenerate, which will make for some wonderful colours in the spring and summer months/ 

It is also home to some peculiar creepy crawlies. Walk along any of the sandy paths on Highgate Common and you'll see countless small holes - these holes are made by ground nesting solitary bees and wasps. The Common is one of the best places in the country to spot these fascinating insects, whose stings over time have become extremely small.

It is well worth a visit in the springtime to experience the birdsong echoing over the Common.

Parking is available at Highgate Common car park, Birches Coppice car park and Moddlers car park. More information can be found at staffs-wildlife.org.uk.

Clent Hills, Hagley 

Hagley, Stourbridge B62 0NL

The landscape across the Clent Hills is both golden and colourful in the springtime with the fields of rapeseed and wildflowers.

It has good car parking (National Trust charges apply), a café and natural playground too, and the walk to the top of hills is fairly accessible. The easy access path from Nimmings Wood car park (Hagley Wood Lane) will be the best route if you have a pushchair or wheelchair, this path is also red sandstone (compacted gravel). 

From the top you can enjoy stunning panoramic views stretching out to the Welsh borders, taking in the Cotswolds and the Shropshire Hills on the way.

Parking charges apply at Nimmings Wood car park off Hagley Wood Lane at £4.80 per day, but free for National Trust members when you scan your membership card at the machine by the café.

Baggeridge Country Park, South Staffordshire

Baggeridge Country Park, Gospel End, Sedgley, DY3 4HB  

The 152-acre Green Flag Park lies just on the edge of the Black Country and has so much to offer - a tea room, miniature railway, children's play area, challenge academy (High Ropes), walking trails – both independent and instructor led - and toilets. 

There is also a good network of surfaced paths allowing access around the park and to Himley Hall and Park. 

There is a car park on-site, with all day tickets costing £3.50. More information can be found on the South Staffordshire Council's website.