Kings Heath Park is located on Vicarage Road and Avenue Road in Kings Heath, next door to King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys & Girls.

Kings Heath Park (September 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The park is centred on a house, built in 1832 and covers around 35 acres. It was the first urban park in Birmingham to achieve Green Flag status.

Horticultural Centre and a pond at Kings Heath Park (February 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is two play areas, a bolwing green and tennis courts.

Basketball Court at Kings Heath Park (November 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It is on the 11A, 11C, 27, 35 and 76 bus routes from National Express West Midlands.

The 27 from the 11C on Vicarage Road, turning into Avenue Road near Kings Heath Park (April 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The TV Garden

The TV Garden was usually opened to the public once a month on a Sunday afternoon. It had been used in the past for ATV or Central for a programme called Gardening Today. On the days when it is not open, you can peak at it through the locked gate.

TV Garden at Kings Heath Park (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of Kings Heath Park

The park was originally called Victoria Park is centred on a house, built in 1832. In 1880 the house was bought by John Cartland, a wealthy industrialist. From 1909-1911 the house was used as a school.  In 1911 Kings Heath and the park was incorporated into the city of Birmingham.  

Kings Heath Park (February 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Kings Heath House

A house on this site was burnt down during the Birmingham 'Church and King' Riots in 1791, on land belonging to John Harwood, the original house was burnt down. It was rebuilt in the early 19th Century, and this is the Grade II listed building we see today. Stuccoed with a slate roof. The council bought the parkland and house in 1908, and from 1952 it became the Birmingham Horticultural Training School. Also called the School of Horticultural Training. There is now a tea room here which can be accessed through the doors in the middle, this is the Cartland Tea Rooms.

The House at Kings Heath Park (November 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Cartland Tea Rooms

Facilities include a tea room, bowling green, plant nursery and two playgrounds.

Cartland Tea Rooms at Kings Heath Park. Photography by Christine Wright

 

The Lodge at King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools

Near the Vicarage Road main entrance to King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools (for both the Boys and Girls schools) is The Lodge. It is a Grade II listed building dating to the early 19th Century and can be seen from Kings Heath Park. It is possible that is used to be the lodge or gatehouse to Kings Heath House.

The Lodge at King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools from Kings Heath Park (February 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A day out at Kings Heath Park

The park holds Ranger led events and activities for schools.

Tree planting in Kings Heath Park.

Tree Planting at Kings Heath Park. Photography by Christine Wright

 

Plenty of places to just relax.

Bench to sit on at Kings Heath Park. Photography by Christine Wright

 

Path and trees in Kings Heath Park. Photography by Christine Wright

 

More trees and paths in Kings Heath Park. Photography by Christine Wright

 

Events over the years in Kings Heath Park

There has been a variety of events held at Kings Heath Park over the years from The Big Hoot, to the Free Radio Walkathon to the Magical Lantern Festival.

Free Radio Walkathon

This walk around Birmingham's Outer Ring Road, was last held by Free Radio in May 2013. Walkers could stop or start at Kings Heath Park as they walked all the way around the Outer Circle for charity.

Free Radio Walkathon at Kings Heath Park (May 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

There was about three big painted owls around Kings Heath as part of The Big Hoot. Plus the Little Hoot owls to find in shop windows. At Kings Heath Park there was one owl outside in the summer of 2015. The trail lasted for 10 weeks before being auctioned for charity.

Blodeuwedd by the artist Guy McKinley. The sponsor was Wild in Art.

Blodeuwedd (by artist Guy McKinley) in Kings Heath Park (August 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Magical Lantern Festival

The Magical Lantern Festival was at Kings Heath Park during the Christmas season in 2017. Free to visit until 5pm, but you had to buy tickets if you wanted to see it after dark.

Magical Lantern Festival at Kings Heath Park (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown