Birmingham - Handsworth Park

By bus: From Bull Street, Birmingham catch the 74 or 75 bus which stops in Soho Hill. Walk for a short distance away from the City reaching the start point on the left.

By tram: Leave the tram at Benson Road. Cross Park Road into Factory Road which becomes St. Michaels Hill. Take the right hand pavement and join the walk as it crosses Soho Hill for the first time. The walk from the Tarm stop is about half a mile.

By car: Soho Hill is on the A41 and can be accessed from J1 of the M5 and from Birmingham City Centre. Travelling from Birmingham pass over an elevated road (Hockley Flyover), through one set of traffic lights and the start point is on the left. Travelling from the direction of the motorway after about 3 miles pass a large temple on the left, through the next set of traffic lights and the start point is on the right. Some parking is available on side roads. 

Route developed by: Fred Willits and Tony Holmes

[1]  Come out of the centre and turn left along Soho Hill. Cross Soho Hill using the pedestrian crossing and then go left to cross Villa Road, again using the pedestrian crossing. Go into Rose Hill Road, heading over to the left hand pavement when safe to do so.

[2] Go left at the garages and keep ahead until you reach the junction with Broughton Road. Go straight across and follow the road to Holly Road. Turn left, cross the railway bridge and then Holly Road to enter Handsworth Park (A). 

Handsworth Park was originally known as Victoria Park. It was opened in two sections, the first in 1888 and the second in 1895. Over the next century the park became increasingly neglected until it became the recipient of a £9million restoration scheme. The park re-opened in 2006 fully restored to its Victorian glory.

[3] Walk straight ahead along the wide tarmac drive. Continue across a path crossing, then go right to pass over the railway line via the wide bridge. You can now choose to walk around the pool in either direction. You may want to feed the ducks, or just enjoy the scenery!

[4] On completing your circuit of the lake head back over the railway bridge. Ignoring the paths off to the left and right, go straight ahead along the narrower tree-lined path. Walk past the sunken garden. You will soon come to Handsworth Leisure Centre. The centre has a café and toilets open to the public.

[5] Keep straight on, heading back towards the park entrance you came through initially. Go across Holly Lane to walk along Thornhill Road, passing the police station on your right. Turn left when you reach the main road to reach the pedestrian crossing. Cross here and then go left, across St Michaels Road to return to the starting point.

Photo - Handsworth Park © (Michael Westley) / CC BY-SA 2.0