The Warley Woods is located near Bearwood, in Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands.

Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is on Lightwoods Hill, close to Lightwoods Park. Also surrounded by Harborne Road, Abbey Road and Barclay Road.

Noticeboard and welcome sign at the Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is a large open field, that is good for picnics and playing football, or letting your dog run around off the leash!

Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

You can find Warley Woods Golf Course here. With The Pavilion.

The Pavilion at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of the Warley Woods

The area now known as Warley Woods was originally part of the township of Warley Salop, itself part of the manor of Halas / Hales at the time of the Norman conquest in 1066. Although it was never located in Birmingham, the Warley Woods was opened as a Birmingham public park in 1906. At the opening ceremony Chance (Lord Mayor of Birmingham) said: ‘I want it to be known as the People’s Park, for never was there a park in the Midlands before that was paid for directly by the money of the people’.

Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Warley Woods (sometimes also known as Warley Park or Warley Woods Park) is a public park in the Warley district of Smethwick, Sandwell. It was originally laid out by Humphry Repton. The estate which now forms the park was purchased by Samuel Galton, Jr. in the 1790s, at the time it was in Worcestershire. He commissioned Humphry Repton to landscape the fields and the building of the house. The house was occupied by his son Hubert in 1819. The land was purchased by Birmingham City Council in 1902 and opened as a park in 1906. The house known locally as "Warley Abbey" was demolished in 1957. The park is now managed by the Warley Woods Community Trust who lease the land from Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council who themselves lease it from Birmingham City Council.

Golf Course at Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Drinking Fountain

The drinking fountain dates to 1907 and was restored in 2009.

Drinking Fountain at Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Warley Woods Golf Course

There is also a nine hole golf course in the parkland.

Golf Course at the Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Golf Course at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

In the summer of 2017, if you headed to Warley Woods from Lightwoods Park in Bearwood, you could look for one of The Big Sleuth bears. You would find Bentley the Bearwood Bear by the artist Rebecca Cresswell working with PAID (Positive Activities Innovative Development) and it was funded by PAID and Sandwell Council. After the trail ended, it was moved to Lightwoods Park in front of Lightwoods House (it was not sold at auction but is now owned by Lightwoods Park & House).

Bentley the Bearwood Bear (by artist Rebecca Cresswell) at Warley Woods (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

NHS Rainbow Doors

During the Coronavirus pandemic, local school children painted these at home, and they were placed at the foot of various trees around the woods, and could be seen in the summer of 2020.

Stay Safe, Stay Home, Save Lives, Thank You NHS - Rainbow door at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Knock - Rainbow door at the Warley Woods (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown