Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham (8 Attractions & Fun Activities)

ExperiWise

Birmingham

Situated in South Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park (also known as Cannon Hill Fields) is a large open space perfect for picnics and sports or even participating in wildlife conservation. 

The park comprises 80 acres of formal parkland, flowerbeds, lakes, ornamental ponds, an art centre, and 120 acres of conservation and woodland plantation.

Let’s discover all the fun things you can do at Cannon Hill Park.

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8 Interesting Things To Do At Cannon Hill Park

Cannon Hill Park offers plenty of activities and experiences for wildlife enthusiasts, cyclists, art lovers and more. Here are some ideas of things to do: 

1. Visit The Midlands Arts Centre

The West Midland Arts Centre at Cannon Hill Park is a great place for all ages to immerse themselves in a broad range of contemporary art from established and emerging artists. 

Surrounded by beautiful ornamental ponds, it features four performance auditoria, rehearsal and media studios, a cinema, a visual art gallery, a cafe, and a bar. 

Fun Fact: The ground on which this West Midland Arts Centre now stands used to be a large open-air public swimming pool. 

Opening hours: Mon to Sun, 7am – 11:30pm

Parking fees: 

  • Up to 4 hours at £2.20 
  • Up to 16.5 hours at £3.30 
  • Buses and Coaches up to 16.5 hours at £16.50

2. Go Fishing At Cannon Hill Common Lake

The Cannon Hill Common Lake features a club fishery with floating islands and platforms, water lilies, and an aerator to help fish survive when oxygen levels are low. 

The lake has relatively calm waters and plenty of hungry fish, making it the perfect place for novice anglers. You can participate in events organised by the club or indulge in pleasure angling on a season ticket.

Membership fees: 

  • Up to age 17: Free
  • Annual senior membership: £25
  • Disabled/OAP annual membership: £20

3. Enjoy A Game At The Golden Putter Mini Golf Course

The Golden Putter is a 36-hole mini golf course in Cannon Hill Park. This crazy golf course features unusual twists and turns, is suitable for all ages and has wheelchair access, ensuring everyone can have fun. 

Operating hours: Mon to Sun, 10am – 6pm

Pricing:

  • Up to age 5: £4.50 (18-hole), £6.90 (36-hole)
  • Up to age 16: £6.50 (18-hole), £10.40 (36-hole)
  • Adults: £7.50 (18-hole), £11.90 (36-hole)
  • Senior citizens: £4.50 (18-hole), £6.90 (36-hole)
  • Family (2 adults and 2 children): £25 (18-hole), £41.50 (36-hole)
  • Group of 4: £27 (18-hole), £43.50 (36-hole)

4. Take A Trip Out In A Swan Pedal Boat

A swan pedal boating trip down the lake is a fantastic way to explore the beautiful surroundings of Cannon Hill Park. You could hire a two-seater for a romantic skim over the waters or a four-seater for a little family adventure. 

Pricing:

  • Two-seater pedal boat: £10 (30 mins)
  • Four-seater pedal boat: £15 (30 mins)

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5. Play A Game Of Tennis For Free At Cannon Hill Park

With five all-weather tarmac tennis courts (two of which are floodlit tennis courts), you can play tennis for free at Cannon Hill Park all year long, day or night. You can also receive coaching, play in social events or compete at the Birmingham Park Tennis Singles League. 

Operating hours: Mon to Sun, 8am – 9pm

6. Go Cycling Or Running Along The Scenic River Rea Route

Cannon Hill Park is among the most popular running parks in Birmingham city. The 3-mile-long path is reliably flat and pleasant, swerving alongside the beautiful River Rea and the Boating Lake. The park is also home to a popular park run event and a community cycling club that gets together every week. 

Contact information:

7. Plan A Fun Day Out For The Kids

The Fun Park at Cannon Hill offers games, rides (including a Land Train), and activities for toddlers to ten-year-olds, like the Spinning Coaster, Mini Miami Ride, and more. Have a picnic in one of the many picnic areas, or book the Fun Park and their event room for your toddler’s birthday party or any other event. 

Operating hours: Mon to Sun, 11am – 7pm

Pricing:  

  • Fun pass: £1 refundable deposit
  • Fun pass bundles: 
    £14 (14 credits + 2 bonus credits) 
    £24 (24 credits + 6 bonus credits) 
    £44 (44 credits + 16 bonus credits)
  • Party package: £10 per child (minimum 10 children, additional £50 for party room)

Note: There’s no additional cost for using the picnic areas. 

8. Explore The Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park

The Wildlife Conservation Park on Pershore Road offers wildlife enthusiasts an exciting opportunity to get up close with a unique collection of endangered species. The Birmingham City Council owns and manages this park and regularly conducts educational talks to raise awareness about these magnificent animals and their habitats. 

If you’re looking to get more involved, the park has many volunteering opportunities for United Kingdom residents and visitors.

Operating hours: 

  • October to April: Mon to Sun, 10am – 4pm (last admission at 3pm)
  • April to October: Mon to Sun, 10am – 5pm (last admission at 4pm)

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A Brief History Of Cannon Hill Park

Cannon Hill Park was once part of the Ryland family estate. In 1873, Miss Louisa Ryland donated a large open space from the family estate to the Birmingham Corporation as a philanthropic gesture. 

To help create a health and recreation park, Louisa Ryland engaged John Gibson – a top landscape designer who also designed Battersea Park, among other parks. Miss Louisa Ryland also hired local botanist Joseph Oliver to oversee the planting of Kew plants. 

Apart from exotic wildlife, a 36-hole crazy golf course, and other fun activities, Cannon Hill Fields is home to several memorials and historical features, including the following: 

  • The Boer War memorial (made by Albert Toft) 
  • The Scout memorial
  • A scale model of the Elan Valley Reservoirs
  • Glacial erratic boulders
  • The Red Carriage Bridge
  • The Bandstand
  • Cannon Hill House (A listed Grade II Historic England site) 

Important Visitor Information

Ready to plan your trip to this magnificent South Birmingham park? 

Here’s all the information you need: 

1. Contact Details

2. Operating Hours

Mon to Sun: 7.30am – 11.30pm

3. Admission Costs

Free 

4. Parking Fees

There are three parking facilities within proximity — these car parks are the: 

  • Wildlife Park Car Park (accessible from the Pershore Road entrance)
  • Russell Road East Side Car Park
  • A large car park off Edgbaston Road. 

Here’s what the parking fees look like: 

  • Up to 4 hours: £2.80
  • Up to 16.5 hours: £4.20
  • Buses and coaches: £21.00 (up to 16.5 hours)
  • Blue badge: Free with no time limits

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How Do I Get To Cannon Hill Park?

Whether you’re travelling from Birmingham New Street or Birmingham City Centre, here are the best ways to get to Cannon Hill Park:

  • By road: Cannon Hill Park is accessible via the M5, M6, M40 and M42 motorways. Follow the Cannon Hill Park signs throughout the city — the parks main entrance is located on Edgbaston Rd right opposite the Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
  • By bus: Here are all the buses you can take to get to Cannon Hill Park:
    • Bus No. 1: You can take this bus from Five Ways, Edgbaston, Moseley, Springfield, Hall Green and Acocks Green. It stops right outside the park entrance on Edgbaston Rd.
    • Bus No. 35: This bus is available from Birmingham City Centre, Balsall Heath, Moseley, Kings Heath and Hawkesley. It stops on Willows Road, just around the corner from Edgbaston Road, close to Edgbaston Cricket Ground.
    • Bus No. 61: This bus stops on Bristol Road, a five-minute walk from the park. It’s available from Birmingham City Centre, Selly Oak, Northfield, Longbridge, Rubery and Frankley. 
  • By train: Birmingham New Street (17 min walk), Selly Oak (27 min walk), Five Ways (36 min walk)

Attractions Near Cannon Hill Park To Explore

Many popular Birmingham attractions are close to Cannon Hill Park, including museums, art galleries, and more. 

If you’re done exploring the 80 acres of formal parkland or indulging in the activities at Cannon Hill Park, here are some of our favourite spots to check out: 

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