Activities in Sutton Park

Angling | Cycling | Golfing | ModelAircraft | Orienteering | Playgrounds | Riding | Running&Jogging | Walking | WaterSports | Map

Angling

With some 58 acres (23 hectares) of water open to angling, and a range of fish species, Sutton Park is an attractive place for anglers. However, it is important that some rules and regulations are followed, so that anglers can enjoy their sport, while at the same time ensuring the minimum conflict with other park users and with the wildlife of the area.

Information here may become out of date, so always check the Birmingham City website.

Blackroot, Bracebridge, Powells and Keepers Pools. A close season operates from 15 March to 15June due to the park's status as a National Nature Reserve.

Pools where angling is allowed are: Powell's Pool, Keeper's Pool, Bracebridge Pool and Blackroot Pool. See the activities map for the location of each pool.

Requirements: contact the Visitor Centre for details. A close season operates from 15 March to 15 June due to the Park's status as a National Nature Reserve.

The main composition of species for each pool is as follows:

Pool	Approx. size	Main species
Blackroot	12 acres (5 hectares)	Bream, Roach, Carp, Pike
Bracebridge	16 acres (6 hectares)	Roach, Tench, Pike
Powell's	28 acres (11 hectares)	Bream, Bream, Pike
Keeper's	2 acres (1 hectare)	Perch, Roach

See also the of the fish recorded in the park.

Cycling

Follow these simple guidelines to enjoy cycling in the countryside of Sutton Park safely, without damaging the environment or causing a nuisance to other visitors.

Always wear a protective helmet (manufactured to British Safety Standards).

Make sure that your cycle is safe and roadworthy condition.

Be considerate to other park visitors -- cycle safely and carefully along the routes marked in dark green on the cycling and riding routes map.

Protect the park's wildlife by not cycling in the areas marked in paler green on the cycling and riding routes map.

Thank you for helping the rangers to conserve the plants and wildlife in this historic country park.

A leaflet containing information for cyclists is available from the Visitor Centre.

Golfing

There are two golf courses in or adjoining the park. Sutton Coldfield Golf Club has its club house on Thornhill Road, opposite the park. The greens are within the park itself, to the north west. Boldmere Golf Club lies to the south of the park proper, below Longmoor Pool and Powell's Pool. See the 'golf flags' on the activities map.

Golf Practice In the interest of public safety and the enjoyment of Sutton Park by other park users, golf practice is not allowed outside the area occupied by the golf courses.

Model Aircraft

Sutton Park boasts a model aircraft Flying Field. The field is accessed from the Boldmere Gate. Follow the road up a gentle hill until a crossroads is reached, and then turn left and go down the hill; the field is located on the right hand side. There are restrictions in place which must to adhered to by all flyers, who must be members of the Sutton Park Model Aero Club. The rules for flying will be found on their web site.

Orienteering

Two orienteering courses are established in the park. Although they are designed for more advanced orienteers, they are used by people at all levels of proficiency. A closed season operates for organized orienteering events between 1 April and 1 September, to prevent any undue disturbance to wildlife.

Orienteering maps are available from the Visitor Centre.

Playgrounds

Children's playgrounds can be found at the Town Gate entrance and the Banner's Gate entrance. The latter has been greatly improved since 2002, when funding was obtained to upgrade it.

Riding

Horse and pony riding is available to individual riders or to riding club members. The park has regulations in force to control horse and pony riding, as follows:

1. All riders must carry third party insurance cover.
2. Hard hats are to be worn at all times.
3. All horses and ponies are to be fully saddled and harnessed.
4. All riders must be competent and in control of their mounts at all times.
5. No horse or pony is to be ridden in such a manner that could pose danger to other park users or cause physical damage to Sutton Park.
6. All riders must be in possession of an up-to-date park map which indicates the main bridle routes and areas of the park which are out of bounds to riders. (See the cycling and riding routes map.)
7. When ground conditions are unfavourable all routes must be chosen to cause the minimum physical damage.
8. The jumping of fences, gates and other structures is not permitted.
9. Horse boxes may only be parked at locations indicated on the cycling and riding routes map.

For further information contact the Visitor Centre on 0121 355 6370.

Running & Jogging

There are running and jogging clubs at the Wyndley Leisure Centre which is located outside the park, on Clifton Road. These clubs use Sutton Park for jogging and running in. For further information contact the Wyndley Leisure Centre on 0121 464 7742.

Watersports and Boating

Although sailing is not an activity open to the public, it is available through various clubs and organizations based at Powell's Pool next to Boldmere Gate. For further information, contact the Visitor Centre.

Activities Map