Discover the Best Places to Visit in Solihull — Top Attractions & Hidden Gems

Located in the West Midlands, Solihull is a town that combines green spaces, heritage and modern leisure. You may be on a day out, on a weekend outing, or just out to explore the area. This guide will tell you the best places to go Solihull – whether it is relaxing in a quiet park or shopping and sightseeing in a bustling marketplace and a historic village. One of the destinations has something to do with: history, nature, family fun, or retail therapy.

Explore the Town Centre via the Heritage Trail

In case you want to immerse yourself in the history of Solihull, a good starting point would be the Solihull Town Centre Heritage Trail. It is a roughly 3 km circular walk through the historical centre of the town, between the Square and the High Street, to historic buildings and a green environment.

On the route, you will see sights like St Alphege Church (established circa 1180) and The George Hotel, a grade II-listed former coaching inn. The stroll finally flows into green areas such as Malvern Park, which was once the Malvern Hall estate deer park, and provides a mixture of history and nature.

It is an ideal path, which an individual would like to use as a leisurely walk with a feel, or a person who would like to familiarise him or herself with the spirit of the old village of Solihull.

Go to the Iconic Shopping and Leisure Centre -Touchwood

Touchwood is a good choice for a modern and lively day out. It is a one-stop shopping centre with over 80 outlets, a big departmental store, restaurants, and a movie theatre.

But Touchwood is not only a shopping place. On their What’s New page, it can be seen that they have a calendar of seasonal events and pop-ups, as well as family-friendly activities – including a festive celebration, workshops, and live events.

Touchwood will always be one of the places to go Solihull when you are window shopping, having dinner with friends, watching movies, or just appreciating a cosy interior atmosphere.

Immerse in Nature at Elmdon Park

Elmdon Park is a jewel in case you want peace, nature, and a slice of history. It covers about 11 acres and lies on a hill at about 120 meters above the ordnance datum, offering a lovely view of the surrounding landscape.

The park has a historic walking trail that captures the remains of old hall grounds, a walled garden, meadowland, woodland, and ponds, all of which are managed as local nature reserves. For individuals who value wildlife and leisure walks, Elmdon Park offers a rejuvenating experience, blending heritage and nature.

Water and Woodland Relaxation at Hillfield Park

Hillfield Park was the site of a former landfill turned into a lovely community green space and is an ideal place to walk casually, play and take lakeside walks. The park is larger than two acres with a lake and walking paths that circle around it, providing a peaceful atmosphere within Monkspath.

The park is especially child-friendly with its newly refurbished children’s playground, activity trails and natural play opportunities (such as willow arches and sensory planting).

Explore the Hospitality of the Varied Pastimes, Knowle and Dorridge

Knowle and the surrounding villages of Dorridge are also worth a visit by anyone with a historical nature and local flavour. Knowle is a pleasant town with quaint, timber-framed Tudor buildings that impress with a cosy high street with independent shops, cafes, and pubs.

You are looking to have a quiet afternoon, heritage complete architecture or a canal side walk, these villages have a unique imprint on the places to go Solihull.

Green Space and Water Babbs Mill Lake and Local Nature Reserve

A less urban escape can be found in Babbs Mill Lake, which is a section of the larger reserve site to the north of Solihull, providing a relaxing lakeside atmosphere and recollection of the green heritage of the town.

The lake is a flood-balancing attribute formed along the River Cole and is currently utilised as a walking and bird-watching area and for local recreation.

Visit the National Motorcycle Museum — A Must for Bike and History Enthusiasts

This is one of the rarest attractions that should not be overlooked by motorcycle enthusiasts and interested visitors alike. The world’s most extensive collection of British motorcycles, over 1,000 machines, is contained in the National Motorcycle Museum, spanning over 100 years of motorcycle-making.

The museum consists of a large eight-acre plot and also has conference and event facilities, and is not only a cultural landmark but a lively tourism and events venue in Solihull.

Combine the Nature and Leisure in Malvern and Brueton Park

Even a short stroll or picnic in green surroundings will constantly refresh. This is what Malvern and Brueton Park provide to the people of Solihull – a combination of woods, lakes, ornamental and rose gardens.

The park is particularly family-friendly, and one that is interested in a serene, picturesque experience, without having a far distance to the amenities that the town centre can provide.

Visitors’ Practical Tips for Visiting Solihull

1. Mix & match: To make this day complete, alternate between indoor and outdoor locations – e.g. begin with shopping at Touchwood, and then walk through Malvern and Bruente Park or Elmdon Park.
2. Historic + scenic: The Town Centre Heritage Trail, then Packwood House or Baddesley Clinton are all worth a visit to fill you with heritage and a serene atmosphere.
3. Family friendly: A combination of the Museum and a visit to Knowle village, parks like Hillfield or Babbs Mill Lake will be good and offer diversity to all.
4. Busiest season: Weekends are busier, particularly in shopping centres. To make some quieter walks in parks or heritage trails, it is better to use early mornings or working days.
5. Access: Public transport to most of the places is possible, and at bigger venues, such as Touchwood or the National Motorcycle Museum, parking is available.

Conclusion

Solihull has a remarkable range of attractions – both leafy parks and historical heritage walks, shopping malls and quaint museums. This town offers everything to everyone, whether you are a resident taking a sightseeing tour of the area or a visitor seeking a good mix of relaxation and culture.

From relaxed strolls at Elmdon or Hillfield Park to retail therapy at Touchwood, heritage walks through the town centre, or delving into history at Packwood House or the National Motorcycle Museum, Solihull is richer than it might first appear.