Local Explorer Route

Inspired by Birmingham hosting the European Athletics Championships in August 2026 we have created some great local explorer routes so you can have fun discovering Birmingham. Building on our 69wards by bike or foot maps, the routes are mostly traffic free and suitable for all abilities. There are walking and cycling routes for each of the 10 Birmingham constituencies, helping you get outside and discover local greenspaces, hidden gems, heritage sites and cool places to visit.   

All the routes are designed to be self-guided, easy to follow and achievable in one day. Alternatively, you can choose one or two places along the routes to visit and use the route to help plan your journey. 

🚶 Hall Green & Moseley –  Cannon Hill Explorer 

This is a great walk or cycle from Cannon Hill Park, there’s so much to see and do, from art, heritage and entertainment to wild trails, nature and community. Starting at the Midlands Art Centre (MAC) you’ll see the many in-park attractions featuring an art gallery, tennis courts, crazy golf, swan pedal boats and more. Heading to the smaller of the two lakes look out for the scale model of the Elan Valley reservoirs before looping around the lovely park grounds to the Infinite Wave memorial and joining the shared Rea Valley path to the nature haven of Holder Lane Woods. Away from the hustle and bustle of the busy park enjoy the quiet and views across the park and Pebble Mill Fields. The route also passes by a community orchard project – Fruit & Nut Village’s Forest Garden – before returning to the MAC for a well-earned coffee, ice cream or picnic beside the lake.

Notes 

• Suitable for walking or cycling

• Some unsurfaced paths/trails through Holder Lane Woods, these may get muddy after rain 

Cafés / Pitstops 

• Midlands Arts Centre – KILN – inside the MAC building 

• The Garden Tearoom – Cannon Hill Park 

Points of Interest 

• Golden Lion 16th Century Inn (currently being renovated) 

• A scale model of the Elan Valley Reservoirs 

• Grade II-listed historic bandstand and bridge 

• Infinite Wave memorial sculpture 

• Pebble Mill Fields community orchard project by Fruit & Nut Village 

• River Rea – Running through Cannon Hill Park is the river on which Birmingham was founded in the 7th century by the Beorma tribe 

Green Spaces 

Cannon Hill Park – Large city park with a range of things to see and do   

• Walking, jogging and cycling routes  

• Parkrun every Saturday morning 

• 2-kilometre children’s parkrun every Sunday  

• 2 children’s play areas 

• Floodlit tennis courts 

• Tearoom 

• Activities (fees apply) 

• Land train 

• Fun park 

• Swan Lake boating 

• 36-hole mini putting golf course 

• Home to Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), which features art galleries and exhibitions, cinema, theatre, dance and craft workshops throughout the year 

• Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park – fees apply 

• Toilets – at the MAC and tearooms  

Holders Lane Woods  – A small, wooded area and nature conservation area south of Cannon Hill Park, a peaceful nature spot not far from the city centre 

Pebble Mill Recreation Ground – an extended green space alongside the River Rea with community orchard, large open greenspace and football pitches 

• Friends of Holders Lane and Pebble Mill Fields 

Public Transport Links  

• Bus Number 1, 1S, 41 stopping at Edgbaston Road / Midland Arts Centre 

• Five Ways Train Station (1.7 miles) 

• University Train Station (1.8 miles) 

A few things to remember while you are out exploring these routes: 

• Be prepared – ensure you are wearing suitable shoes and clothing for your activity. Dress for the weather and take water/snacks. 

• If cycling, make sure your bike is in good working order and safe to ride – Do a quick bike check before heading out.

• Please be extra careful when near open water. 

• When cycling always follow the Highway Code.  

• Be courteous to others, particularly on towpaths and shared paths. 

• Most of all, have fun! 

ENJOY exploring your chosen route. We’d love to see what you get up to and hear what you think of the routes so remember to tag @ecobirmingham when sharing your adventures on social media or send us a quick message.  

The development of this route and activities in Birmingham has been supported by: