Events at Sandwell Valley
Discover exciting events at Sandwell Valley. Join us for group activities, guided walks, bird watching for beginners and more.
We have lots of resources to help you plan and lead a day of learning on our nature reserve.
Wildfire risk
With wildfire risk currently extremely high, we urge visitors to take extra care by avoiding any activity that could start a fire and immediately reporting any signs of smoke or fire to 999 to help protect people and wildlife. Please note, some of our nature reserves are closed due to wildfires, please check before you travel.
Advice on wildfire preventionThu 30 July 2026 12:00 Days out
Sandwell Valley
HamsteadOpenSee opening timesStep into an oasis of green where wildlife thrives. This is a place to explore buzzing wildflower meadows, lakes, marshes and sun dappled woodland.
About
Get close to nature at Sandwell Valley, just a stone's throw from Birmingham. Enjoy a relaxing stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city, take in the view at the Visitor Centre while having a cuppa and a chat. There are wild play activities around the trails for the little ones to have some messy fun. Sandwell Valley is the perfect place to enjoy wildlife, have fun and relax outdoors.
With a rich variety of natural habitats, Sandwell Valley is home to a huge array of wildlife. In spring and summer, warblers and Reed Buntings nest around our lake. Fluffy Lapwing chicks make an appearance, while bees and butterflies make the most of the flowers in the wildlife garden.
By autumn and winter, many different types of thrush feast on berries in our scrubland. Waders and ducks forage on the pools and lakes, and our feeding stations are always busy with finches, woodpeckers and many more. Plus, meet the winter stars of our wildlife garden and get some hints and tips on how to attract nature into your own outdoor space.
At a glance
28 spaces - 2 Blue Badge spaces.
The route from the car park to the visitor centre is mainly tarmac with some rolled gravel and slope of 1:11 for 10m.
Pedestrians can stay on the tarmac road, if needed, but taking care as it is a road.
The parking spaces are 300m from the main car park. The main car park is level and made of rolled gravel.
The clearly signed blue badge spaces are situated 10m from the Visitor Centre entrance. They are on tarmac.
Visitors can be dropped off and collected from outside the visitor centre, although caution is needed as delivery vehicles and pedestrians use this area.
The main car park has no height restriction barrier.
Payment can be made in the Visitor Centre.
There is a large notice board in the car park which provides information about the opening times, nature trails and wildlife at the reserve.
No overnight parking or camping.
Six bicycle racks available outside the Visitor Centre.
Open Tuesday-Sunday at the following times:
April - September: 10am-4.30pm.
October - March: 10am-4pm.
They are located in the visitor centre.
There is one unisex accessible toilet, which has level entry and baby changing facilities. All toilet areas have audio and visual emergency alarms.
They are located in the visitor centre.
The paths around the reserve are a wonderful place for a stroll in nature with a pushchair.
You and the little ones can spot ducks and geese on the lake, taking in the stunning views across the reserve and fresh air as you go.
The trails are surfaced with rolled gravel and in parts 'natural' surface, that can be muddy if there has been recent rain. There are no stiles, kissing gates, or barriers across the paths.
Open Tuesday-Sunday at the following times:
April - September: 10am - 4.30pm.
October - March: 10am - 4pm.
They are located in the visitor centre.
BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.
Dogs on leads are welcome on the paths around the nature reserve.
Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.
Dog water bowls are available at the back of the visitor centre. Dogs are permitted in the visitor centre on leads.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.
See what’s here
Plan your visit
Sandwell Valley offers schools free self-led visits
Contact Sandwell Valley
sandwellvalley@rspb.org.uk RSPB Sandwell Valley, Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 5AG 0121 357 7395