Walsall’s Arboretum adds a botanical touch. Walsall Arboretum opened in 1874 and is home to more than 10,000 different species of trees and shrubs. You can go for a walk there. The wide variety of species makes it a botanical stroll among a broad range of woody plants.
Green spaces with different focuses
Park Lime Pits offers a different nature-focused experience. It is home to more than 300 plant species and 100 different bird species. A circular path runs around the nature reserve; a specially built platform is used for pond dipping. The two options draw attention to different scales: the path takes in the nature reserve, while the platform offers a specific activity at the pond.
The other natural areas also each have their own character. Merrion's Wood is a Local Nature Reserve with numerous paths. The paths in Goscote Valley are surfaced. Barr Beacon offers views from one of the highest points in the West Midlands. This makes a practical difference when choosing where to go: paths in a nature reserve, surfaced paths, or views from a high point.
Paths and water
The paths can also be compared by their layout. At Park Lime Pits, the circular path runs around the nature reserve. From the Arboretum, the towpath extends to Alexander Stadium and beyond; you can skate, walk or cycle there. One path forms a loop, while the other leads to a named destination and continues beyond it.
Walsall Canal offers moorings for boaters and is increasingly becoming an example of the revitalisation of an urban waterway. Along the canal, you can experience both a specific facility for boaters and a changing urban environment.
Art and city history
Art is another focus. The New Art Gallery Walsall presents, collects and interprets historical, modern and contemporary art. The Garman Ryan Collection includes works from Europe and regions beyond Europe. The gallery’s offerings thus bring together different periods and a collection with geographical breadth. The New Art Gallery is within easy walking distance of Walsall railway station and bus station.
The city’s history also has specific points of reference. St Matthew's Church contains a 13th-century crypt. A market has been held on the High Street since around 1220. The crypt is a built remnant of the Middle Ages; the market connects the High Street with a long market tradition. Here, you can encounter different traces of history: part of a church and a market associated with a named street.
Discover more destinations: Walsall, Aldridge, Solihull, County Of Herefordshire, Dudley, Stoke-On-Trent, Sandwell, Telford And Wrekin.
For the broader travel overview: West Midlands.
