The Waseley Hills Country Park is located in Worcestershire close to south west Birmingham.
Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
It is located on Gannow Green Lane, Rubery. It can be seen on a clear day from Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park.
Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
It is good for walks, such as on the Skylark Trail.
Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Two hills here: Windmill Hill and Waseley Hill. On one hill you can see cattle grazing. It can get quite windy up here.
Windmill Hill at Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Waseley Hill at Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
History of the Wasley Hills Country Park
The name Waseley comes from the Anglo Saxon word 'waer' meaning sheep and 'ley' meaning field. Hence waer-ley or sheep field. This shows that the site has been grazed for hundreds of years. The park contains the source of the River Rea.
Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Source of the River Rea
The River Rea starts here at the Waseley Hills before it heads into Birmingham, just as a trickle. The River Rea starts from the source and flows for some 15 miles north east until it joins the River Tame near Spaghetti Junction. Only a trickle of water at this point, but over 20 miles from here there used to mills all along the Rea Valley. Many used to grind corn and the earliest dated to the 13th century. In the English Civil War, the mills along the Rea were used to make sword blades for the Parliamentary army. The same mills in the 19th century provided water power for the expansion of Birmingham's metal working industry during the Industrial Revolution. Sadly none of these mills survive today. Many were demolished in the late 19th or early 20th century.
Source of the River Rea at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Source of the River Rea at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Visitor Centre
The park has an information centre and cafe in a timber-framed barn. You can get a takeaway coffee here, and sit on the picnic benches outside.
Visitor Centre at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
The public toilets is to the right, with street art painted by Birmingham street artist Newso. There is also a bowl for dogs to drink water out of.
Visitor Centre at the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Views of the Birmingham Skyline
If you go up the hill past the Source of the River Rea, you get a distant view of the Birmingham Skyline.
Old Joe at the University of Birmingham.
Old Joe from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Longbridge Town Centre.
Longbridge Town Centre from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
Birmingham skyline behind the fields and trees from the Waseley Hills Country Park.
Distant Birmingham skyline from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown
A small wood in front of the Birmingham skyline.
Distant Birmingham skyline from the Waseley Hills Country Park (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown