Sutton Coldfield - A Complete Guide

The areas of Sutton Coldfield have grown up around the fringes of Sutton Park and this can be best appreciated at altitude - following a northern approach to Birmingham airport. Alternatively, a glance at a map can provide the same information and also confirm that Sutton Park is one of the largest urban parks in Europe and the largest outside a capital city. It covers 900.1 hectares (2224.2 acres / 9.0 km²), with a mix of heath land, wetlands and marshes, seven lakes and extensive ancient woodlands.

The land that is now Sutton Park was originally recorded as part of the Royal Forest of Mercia in the 9th century. Later in time, the land for Sutton Park was given to the people of Sutton Coldfield by King Henry VIII in the year 1528 after a friend of the King, Bishop John Vesey asked for it on their behalf as a gift.

As cars are not allowed inside Sutton Park it is an exceptionally safe place for all ages to pursue their interests. Sutton Park itself is used by nearly 2 million people every year and visitors travel from far and wide to enjoy the open space for their chosen pastime. The Park is a Mecca for sports enthusiasts, whether playing golf, walking, cycling or riding a horse; one will always be able to find some spectacular scenery in Sutton Park, particularly as the seasons change.

There are seven lakes in Sutton Park and most weekends of the year one can find people fishing, sailing and canoeing on the given lakes. The one activity that one might not expect to find is swimming; especially since the outdoor lido was removed a few years ago. Nevertheless for some Sutton Coldfield die-hards, it has become a local tradition that on Christmas morning Keepers Pool is invaded by keen swimmers raising money for charity. In years gone by it has been necessary to break the ice on the surface of the pool in order to actually enter it!

Flying over the park is certainly the best way to appreciate Sutton Coldfield and the expanse of Sutton Park, but not many urban parks can boast a landing strip inside its borders! Sutton Park certainly can and keen enthusiasts can be found flying their model aircraft most weekends when the visibility is good.

For the less energetic amongst us Sutton Park offers a handful of quality restaurants: Miller and Carter overlooking Powell's Pool is a great place to enjoy contemporary cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. The Boathouse Restaurant (so called because it was Henry VIII's boathouse no less), is arguably one of the finest restaurants in Sutton Coldfield. It has outstanding views over Bracebridge Pool and an outstanding menu to match. The Park House is a more traditional pub offering typical pub fare inside Town Gate, and the latest addition is The Blackroot Bistro which has been a bit of a local's secret ever since it opened a few years ago.

Sutton Park makes for a fantastic outdoor destination whatever your interest, whatever the season and whatever the weather.

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