About Sutton Park Nnr
The official page of Sutton Park.
Sutton Ranger Hub
Covering Sutton Coldfield and Erdington Constituencies
Based at The Visitor Centre, Sutton Park National Nature Reserve
Park Road
Sutton Coldfield
Birmingham
B74 2YT
Sutton Park Nnr Description
A working landscape steeped in history, covered by fantastic habitats and surrounded by city. A real jewel in Birmingham's crown. Delivering a sense of wilderness within an urban environment, visitors to Sutton Park can enjoy the captivating scenery, using an accessible network of paths.
There are opportunities to enjoy walking, jogging, angling, nature watching, orienteering, picnic and play areas, restaurants and use bridle paths and cycling routes in the Park. Car parks are located at all the main entrances and the Park is linked to a variety of public transport routes.
Sutton Park is an historic landscape that covers an area of over 2, 000 acres and attracts over two million visitors every year.
The Visitor Centre has displays and exhibitions based on nature conservation , information on nature trails, guided walks, and events. These activities are organised by the Sutton Park Rangers who are part of the Birmingham Parks Ranger Service. In addition, the Rangers offer a range of curriculum based activities for schools.
Reviews
This months HAT session (History and Archeology Task-force) took place in Gumslade and focused around clearing and recording a previously unrecorded archeological feature. Within minutes of finishing the clearance work some of our Exmoor ponies arrived and, as usual when presented with a pile of freshly cut holly, began eating; nothing but bare stems left after 30 minutes! If you are interested in helping to discover, record, and preserve the archeology of Sutton Park the HAT sessions take place on the first Saturday of every month, meeting at 11:00 at the Visitor Centre Town Gate; don’t forget a packed lunch!
The very familiar Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is not, despite the commonly held belief, the smallest bird in the British Isles! Slightly smaller is the elusive Firecrest (Regulus ignicapilla) and smaller still, with an average weight of around 5 grams (the same weight as a 20p coin), is the beautiful little Goldcrest! A common sight throughout the year in woodlands across Sutton Park their scientific name, Regulus regulus, means "king of the birds"! Ever on the move they flit from bramble to bush in an unceasing search for insects; easy to spot but troublesome to photograph! A huge thank you to David Reynolds for taking up a recent challenge set by us to photograph a Goldcrest in the park. CHALLENGE COMPLETE!
Views through and to Queen’s Coppice above Longmoor Valley @suttonparknnr @ Sutton Park NNR
Wyndley Pool on a cool February afternoon @suttonparknnr @ Sutton Park NNR
Native daffodils quietly reminding us that the Park is slowly waking from her winter-time slumber!
Moonrise over Longmoor Pool @suttonparknnr with first full moon of 2020. #lunar
Rangifer tarandus - Reindeer (or Caribou) is a species of deer with a wide circumpolar distribution containing 15 subspecies and a number of local ecotypes. Reindeer are the only species of true deer (cervids) in which both sexes develop antlers. Reindeer have a highly specialised nose that acts as both a heat exchange and water condenser! This physiological and anatomical adaptation allows inspired cold air to be both warmed and moistened before entering the lungs. The word Reindeer derives from the Old Norse word "hreinn" meaning "horned" whilst Caribou comes via French from the Mi'kmaq word "Qalipu" meaning "snow shoveler".
15 trees left! We have harvested the last trees for the year so if you still need a tree drop by the Visitors Centre and take a look; you won’t pay more than £20! All of our trees are produced as a result of conservation work carried out across our heathlands and seldom drop a needle!
Did you pick one of our trees to stand in your house this year at Christmas? We would love to see some of our trees in all their festive splendor! To start here is a picture of a Sutton Park Christmas tree beautifully decorated by the custodians of Holy Trinity Church!
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas.
A beautiful winters sunset!
***** CHRISTMAS TREES *****
Sutton Park Christmas trees will be on sale from Sunday 1st December from the Visitor Centre 10am - 4.30pm. Prices start at £10; holly and pine branches also available. All of our trees are produced as part of our heathland conservation work and are individually unique; perfect for proper tinsel loops!
35 years ago today the park roared with the sound of the internal combustion engine as a stage of the Lombard RAC Rally passed through. Taking part was legendary British driver Roger Clark MBE with his co-driver Ian Grindrod. Driving car #31, a Porsche 911 SC RS, for the Rothmans Porsche Rally Team they completed the 5.9km course without incident and went on to place 11th overall in that years competition. The hosting of such an event today would be unlikely due to the parks ...subsequent designation as a SAM (Scheduled Ancient Monument). This designation protects both the physical and cultural structure of the park and prohibits any activity likely to damage or destroy archaeological features. In several areas the rally passed within inches of archaeological features dating from the Tudor period, the medieval period, as well as features that pre-date the earliest history of the park; the risk of damage to such features from cars leaving the course would be deemed too high!
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