Tudor Grange Park

Park

Explorer Tom

Tudor Grange Park sits beside Solihull town centre, where a lake, a stream and a cycle track make a splendid case for abandoning your shopping list. I reckon the old Bird’s Custard family land still expects everyone to behave with proper pudding-faced dignity, but the skateboarders appear to have missed that particular memo. The park grew from land once belonging to the Bird’s Custard family, and now has a lively playground. There are play facilities for children of different ages and abilities, plus a skate park and space for a slower wander. Follow the water when the ramps seem too ambitious; the lake and stream give you a gentler rhythm. Solihull Council calls it a Green Flag park, which sounds suspiciously like a royal warrant for grass. If you brought a bicycle, look for the one-kilometre figure-of-eight track, developed with Solihull Cycling Club and British Cycling. The council says it is free to use, though you should check whether an event has claimed it before turning up. The idea came from Olympic silver medallist Harry Reynolds. I suspect the ducks still beat most cyclists. The park is at Monkspath Hall Road and is open day and night. Solihull railway station is less than half a mile away, buses stop nearby, and parking is available near Tudor Grange Leisure Centre. Park events sometimes take over parts of the grounds, so check the council page for event details. Otherwise, pick a path, give the skate park a nod, and let the custard dynasty wonder where you disappeared to.