Have your furry friend join you on a run to not one but three popular dog-friendly parks. Learn a few facts about these parks and a couple of things you can find within them. The route can be extended easily by running around a little extra within each park. As the route is circular, you can start at any point. Read to the end to find a couple of dog-friendly restaurants and pubs nearby.
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Route overview
Our route starts in Cannon Hill Park.
Opened in 1873, Cannon Hill Park has a long history. It was supposedly named so because, in June 1645, Royalist forces stopped there while on their way to the Battle of Naseby. Within the park lie the original features of a bandstand, which has been listed as Grade II and is set against the backdrop of a natural amphitheatre. You’ll find some memorials and historical features within the park, such as the Boer War memorial, the Scout memorial, a Japanese garden, and glacial erratic boulders indicating the park’s formation about 350,000 years ago.
Cannon Hill Park. Credit: Visit Birmingham
You may enter the park at the various entrances. But to continue along the route, find the pathway that runs along the left of the boating lake. Continue following this paved pathway that then follows the River Rea.
Part 1 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
When the path splits, turn left to cut across the grass patch, then left again to run parallel to the playing fields. At the corner, turn right to continue along to the playing fields.
Part 2 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
Continue until you reach the main road. Turn right onto Moor Green Lane, then left onto Dad’s Lane, and left again to continue on Dad’s Lane. After about 200 metres, turn right onto Derwent Road.
Part 3 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
Just before Derwent Road curves, turn left onto Dornton Road. Turn right along Greenoak Crescent, taking the second exit onto Brent Road. Turn right at the next road, Uffculme. Turn right to find the entrance to King’s Heath Park.
Part 4 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
King’s Heath Park was the first urban park in Birmingham to achieve green-flag status. You will find numerous wildlife species, including different finches, thrushes, and woodpeckers. There’s also diverse vegetation and woodland with oaks and open grass.
King’s Heath Park House. Credit: Elliott Brown
The Thrive TV Gardens started in 1972 through a partnership between the Birmingham City Council and ATV. The purpose of the garden was to showcase to viewers of Gardening Today how to design and maintain their gardens. Over time, the presenters and the show’s name changed. The purpose of the gardens also changed to a training ground for Pershore and Bournville College students. The gardens are usually open to the public between April and October. You can find out more here.
Thrive TV Gardens. Credit: Thrive Website
Leave King’s Heath Park through the same gate at Avenue Road and turn left. When the road splits with Dad’s Lane, keep right to enter Highbury Park on Loverose Way.
Part 5 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
Parts of Highbury Park were once owned by the Cadbury and Chamberlain families, the founders of the chocolate and hardware empires, respectively. Here, you will find lovely woodland walks, a fishpond, and activities like bitterly and bird counts. See their website for more about their events and their conservation efforts.
Highbury Park in all four seasons. Credit: Jo Ind
Leaving Highbury Park, follow the pathway that runs along the fish pond, then parallel to the main road. You will exit at Moor Green Lane and Yew Tree Road. Continue on Moor Green Lane, passing the cricket ground.
Part 6 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
At the roundabout, turn left onto Russell Road, and after about 750 metres, turn left to enter Cannon Hill Park through the parking lot.
Part 7 of the 7.8km Dog-friendly Three Parks Run
Nearby, you will find a couple of dog-friendly restaurants and pubs. Eat Vietnam supports local businesses when curating their menu while maintaining the authenticity of their cuisine.
Eat Vietnam logo. Credit: Eat Vietnam
One Trick Pony Club is focused on improving its environmental impact across its pubs. So by supporting them, you’re supporting the planet too!
One Trick Pony Club. Credit: Kris Davies
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Resources:
If you enjoyed this route, see our 10km Run Loop.
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Download the GPX file here.
Information is from various sources including Wikipedia