New Hall Valley Country Park: From Sutton Coldfield Town Centre towards Pype Hayes Park (January 2019)

I initially became aware of New Hall Valley Country Park during the Christmas Day 2018 walk up from Pype Hayes Park along the Plants Brook. So a month later in January 2019, got a bus up to Sutton Coldfield Town Centre, and made my way to the park. And walked down the path. Passing the New Hall Water Mill and Walmley Golf Club. Eventually back on the same paths I was on the month before.

A walk through New Hall Valley Country Park during January 2019. Starting from Sutton Coldfield Town Centre and heading in the direction of Pype Hayes Park.

First up some information taken from the Wikipedia page (link above). It is a country park located in the New Hall Valley between Walmley and Wylde Green in the Sutton Coldfield. Birmingham City Council created the park in 2005. The land was formerly part of the New Hall Manor Estate. There is ancient woodland, historic wetland grazing meadows, former farmland, and part of Plants Brook within the country park. There is also a 17th Century listed watermill called New Hall Mill.

 

During a Christmas Day 2018 walk from Pype Hayes Park (link to the post is above), on a path along the Plants Brook, I got to this point where I saw a fingerpost for the New Hall Valley Country Park. Making a mental note about this park at the time. It was just beyond the railway line for the Sutton Park Line. We turned back in the direction of Pype Hayes Park from near here. I would be back a month later.

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In January 2019, I ended up getting a National Express West Midlands Platinum bus all the way to Sutton Coldfield Town Centre. After a coffee stop, I started my walk to the park. These fingerposts were on the South Parade near Lower Queen Street.

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Some more signs on the National Cycle Network route 534. Seen on Ebrook Road. I was only about a quarter of a mile away from the Newhall Valley Country Park (seems to be two spellings). Sutton Coldfield Town Centre was three quarters of a mile in the other direction.

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I got into the park at Ebrook Road from this path near the Plants Brook.

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Below the bridge on Ebrook Road was what looked like a small waterfall.

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The path towards the Sutton Park Line Tunnel. The former railway line crosses over the Plants Brook at this point.

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From the other side of the Sutton Park Line Tunnel. Graffiti on this side.

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A look back down the path along the Plants Brook towards the tunnel.

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Heading forward saw this footbridge cross the Plants Brook.

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Saw an electricity pylon to the left of the path.

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Checking out this wooden decking. Looked quite icy on the grass and on the decking so wasn't on here for long.

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A no cycling sign. The path to the right is a bit too muddy, so cyclists should stick to the main path. But it's suitable for walking (if you want to get mud on your shoes etc).

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Another footbridge over the Plants Brook.

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The Plants Brook was looking quite calm from this side of the footbridge.

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Back to the main path, as I followed the Plants Brook in the direction of the mill.

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First glimpse of the New Hall Water Mill. Trees in the way.

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Another view of the mill. Would try and get better views when I shortly after this walked up a path towards it.

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The path and the Plants Brook close to Wylde Green Road.

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Saw this stone house near Wylde Green Road. It is time to get a proper look at the nearby mill.

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Close to the end of the path as the Wylde Green Road Bridge was straight ahead over the Plants Brook.

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Bollards for New Hall Valley at Wylde Green Road. Before I continued, I turned left to check out the mill.

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On the way to the road to the mill, I went past this gate for Wincelle House.

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Wincelle House is a Grade II Listed Building dating from the early 15th century. It is a timber framed building, which was removed from Wishaw in 1910.

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Continuing on, saw this sign for New Hall Hotel & Spa. B76 1PH. The sign was for the Emergency Access to New Hall Health Club & Spa.

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Side view of Wincelle House from a nearby field as I headed to see New Hall Mill.

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First proper look at New Hall Mill, without too many trees in the way.

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New Hall Water Mill is a Grade II* Listed Building. It dates to the 18th century.

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As it was during winter though, the mill was not open. I think it is open on open days, but it is quite a distance to travel back  there to properly explore this mill.

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Fingerpost for visitors to use. You can go on the Tree Trail, go to the Cart Shed and more.

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One more view of the mill. A bit hard to see behind the trees. But now it was time to resume the walk towards Pype Hayes Park.

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Back to Wylde Green Road for the last leg of the walk in the New Hall Valley Country Park. Another pair of bollards.

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Fingerpost near the Wylde Green Road entrance. Sutton Park and Coleshill Road to the left. Walmley to the right.

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Saw this Birmingham City Council map of New Hall Valley Country Park. Was looking a bit dirty.

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Another bridge crossing the Plants Brook, this one with yellow railings.

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A look down the Plants Brook. Appeared to be a bricked channel of water on the left near the path.

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Better view of the Plants Brook not obscured by the trees.

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At the end of the New Hall Valley Country Park near near the Plants Brook walk. Another part of the old Sutton Park railway line passes by near here.

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Fingerpost near the Plants Brook walk just outside of the Country Park. Sutton Coldfield was not a mile and a half away on foot and on a bike.

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Passing through these gates as I exited the New Hall Valley Country Park and followed the Plants Brook back to Pype Hayes Park. On a path I had walked on the month before.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020