Elmdon Park is a park and
local nature reserve in
Elmdon,
Solihull
Solihull (, or ) is a market town and the administrative centre of the wider Metropolitan Borough of Solihull in West Midlands County, England. The town had a population of 126,577 at the 2021 Census. Solihull is situated on the River Blyth ...
,
West Midlands
West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sun sets on the Earth.
Etymology
The word "west" is a Germanic word passed into some ...
. It was established in 1944 when the house and grounds of the derelict Elmdon Hall were bought up by the then Solihull Urban District Council. The house was used by the Home Guard during the war years, but the building subsequently became derelict, suffering from a rotten staircase and roof, and was demolished in 1956.
Description
The park is described as being unique amongst Solihull's parks, in that it is located on and around a hill of approximately 120m AOD, thus providing fine views across the surrounding landscape. There is a perimeter walk, which encompasses the lakes, landscape and stream that meanders through the Park. There is also a heritage trail, created by ''The Friends of Elmdon'', which provides historic details and facts relating to the remains of Elmdon Hall, St Nicolas's Church, the old walled garden, and associated buildings. The walled garden is now a
local nature reserve managed by the
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a Wildlife Trust and Registered Charity covering the county of Warwickshire and Solihull and Coventry in the county of West Midlands, England. The Trust aims to protect and enhance wildlife, natural habitats and g ...
.
Aside from the old walled garden, there is also a meadow, woodland and ponds. The woodland and park areas benefit from a wide variety of native trees and provide homes for many bird species such as
nuthatch
The nuthatches () constitute a genus, ''Sitta'', of small passerine birds belonging to the family Sittidae. Characterised by large heads, short tails, and powerful bills and feet, nuthatches advertise their territory using loud, simple songs. M ...
,
parakeet
A parakeet is any one of many small to medium-sized species of parrot, in multiple genera, that generally has long tail feathers.
Etymology and naming
The name ''parakeet'' is derived from the French wor''perroquet'' which is reflected in ...
s,
goldcrest
The goldcrest (''Regulus regulus'') is a very small passerine bird in the kinglet family. Its colourful golden crest feathers, as well as being called the "king of the birds" in European folklore, gives rise to its English and scientific ...
s and
Warbler
Various Passeriformes (perching birds) are commonly referred to as warblers. They are not necessarily closely related to one another, but share some characteristics, such as being fairly small, vocal, and insectivorous.
Sylvioid warblers
Th ...
s and some unusual naturalised garden species.
Other facilities within the park include football pitches, tennis courts, and a children's play area.
See also
*
List of local nature reserves in England
This is a list of local nature reserves in England. This list is as at 30 July 2013. It is updated as sites are added and removed. Each local nature reserve is designated by a local authority called the 'declaring authority'.
Sites
References ...
References
External links
Elmdon Park Support GroupWarwickshire Wildlife Trust: Elmdon Park
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Elmdon Park
Local Nature Reserves in the West Midlands (county)
Country parks in the West Midlands (county)
Solihull
Protected areas established in 1944
Buildings and structures demolished in 1956