There is an abundance of nature and countryside throughout the Black Country and yet more stunning countryside on our doorstep.
Much of our countryside can be seen from the canals – but if you are after something a little more exotic then Dudley is home to its own zoo – Dudley Zoological Gardens.
Narrowboat hire and boat trips are available throughout the Black Country with varied scenery to tempt you to explore the busy routes as well as the backwaters. Dudley Canal Trust operates electrically powered narrowboats taking visitors into the ‘singing cavern', a disused limestone mine reached by new tunnels in 1984 and 1989.
Despite its abundant industrial heritage the Black Country is surprisingly a peaceful haven for walkers. Just 15 minutes from Halesowen Town Centre are The Leasowes, one of the first natural landscape gardens in England, ranking alongside Blenheim and Stowe in significance. Saltwells Lodge Nature Reserve, also in the borough of Dudley is home to numerous species of birds including Treecreepers, Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
If you are geologically inclined Wren's Nest Nature Reserve is a relic from a time when shallow tropical seas, dense with coral reefs covered Dudley 425 million years ago.
Walsall has many good walks including a signposted medium distance footpath, the Beacon Way, which stretches from Chasewater to Sandwell Valley. Alternatively trace King Charles II' s escape route following the Battle of Worcester in 1651 on The Monarch's Way, a circular walk encompassing parts of the Black Country. Alternatively if you need a tranquil moment amidst the hustle and bustle of the town centre, Walsall Arboretum is just minutes away.
- Dudley Zoological Gardens
- Dudley Zoo, set in the grounds of Dudley Castle, has something to offer all ages. Meet your favourite animal from lions and tigers to snakes and spiders. Join 'Dr Dudley' to learn all about the animals and watch keepers feed some of the rarest animals. Discover the magic of lemurs as they roam freely around a one-acre walk-through wood. Get up close with ring-tailed black and white lemurs in their new home.
- Forge Mill Farm
- Modern dairy farm with a herd of pedigree Jersey cows. Watch milking in the observation gallery, feed the goats, chickens and hens or take a walk around the farm trail.
- Northycote Farm & Country Park
- With it's historic farmhouse and it's varied selection of animals, Northycote Farm is well worth a visit. There are many informal walks through the Country Park, where a wide variety of wildlife can be seen throughout the year.
- Saltwells Local Nature Reserve
- One of the UK's largest urban nature reserves, covering 100 hectares. Wide range of habitats including woodlands, grasslands, heath land, wetlands, nature trail and sculpture trail.
- Sandwell Park Farm
- Rare breeds farm with walled kitchen garden, blacksmiths and wheelwrights shops.
- Sandwell Valley Country Park
- 2000 acres of lakes, woodland and farms with hidden pools, wildlife refuges and the remains of an old Benedictine monastery.
- The Leasowes
- Designed by the poet William Shenstone, the Leasowes is a diverse landscape of Woodland Valleys, open grassland, lakes and streams. Today the Leasowes is of major historic significance being listed as Grade I on the English Heritage 'Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England'.
- Walsall Countryside Services
- Walsall Countryside Services look after Walsall's countryside for wildlife and visitors' enjoyment. Countryside rangers carry out practical conservation tasks. A varied programme of events is available all year round.
- Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve
- Internationally important geological nature reserve. One of the most notable geological locations in the UK and the first geological NNR to be declared. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2006.
