Solihull: Park Trails, Gardens and Motorcycle History

The Solihull Green Man Trail links the borough’s urban and rural areas via more than 21 miles of public footpaths. The trail also features Green Man figures created through partnerships between schools in the borough and the Solihull Neighbourhood Rangers. Nature and local involvement meet here along the same route.

Parks and trails

The Malvern and Brueton Parks are located in the heart of the town centre and both hold Green Flag status. The Brueton Tree Trail focuses on the diversity of trees: species listed there include English oaks, giant sequoias, ginkgos and Indian bean trees. If you plan to visit the parks, consider bus routes 5, 5A and 899 when planning your journey. Check the latest route information before you travel.

Elmdon Nature Park, a Green Flag park and local nature reserve, lies on the outskirts of Solihull. Its features include a lake and walking trails, as well as rolling terrain and views across the region. Compared with the two parks in the town centre, Elmdon offers a different kind of landscape. The Malvern and Brueton Parks have a named tree trail; at Elmdon Nature Park, the lake, trails and changes in elevation take centre stage.

Another option for a walk is the Solihull Town Centre Heritage Trail: the 3 km circular route passes through the historic centre of the old village of Solihull. Its length and circular shape set it apart clearly from the borough-wide Green Man Trail. Check the route before setting out, as infrastructure changes may affect it.

Culture, technology and history

The National Motorcycle Museum explores British motorcycle history through a collection ranging from a pioneering machine dating from 1898 to modern British superbikes. The collection comprises more than 1,000 fully restored motorcycles, with over 850 on display at any one time. The 171 marques are spread across five exhibition halls. The collection thus spans everything from early machines to more recent superbikes, while the halls provide space for the different marques and eras.

The history of Berkswell Windmill also spans several building phases. The windmill, also known as Balsall Windmill, was built in 1826 on the site of an earlier post mill dating from 1706. It is considered the most complete tower mill in the Midlands. The two dates mark different mills on the same site, not two construction dates for the same windmill.

At Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens, garden and landscape history come together: thirty acres of the former estate parkland surrounding the gardens are now a local nature reserve. Visitor facilities include an open-air courtyard café. It serves homemade cakes as well as locally produced savoury dishes and snacks; the selection may change.

Experiences and entertainment

Land Rover Experience Solihull offers a range of experiences. Three-hour sessions include driving over rocky terrain and through water under expert guidance. There are also Range Rover experiences featuring steep climbs, water crossings and specially constructed obstacles. Guided Range Rover factory tours are also available at the original Land Rover production plant, where you can watch vehicles being assembled. Check the availability of tours and experiences before your trip.

The Core Theatre Solihull adds a varied programme of professional and amateur events to the area’s attractions. The offerings include music, drama and comedy, and the programme changes seasonally. If you are planning a hotel stay, you can arrange your travel dates around the trails, collections or events that interest you. The bus routes listed above provide a practical guide for visiting the parks; for experiences with guided tours, it is worth checking availability in advance.

Discover more destinations: Hockley Heath, Solihull, Birmingham, County Of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Stoke-On-Trent.

View the main travel overview: West Midlands.