On a visit to my parent’s this summer, we decided to go for a stroll. We settled on a lovely little spot, tucked away in the River Tame Valley on the Staffordshire and Warwickshire border, called RSPB Middleton Lakes. Once a bustling gravel quarry, this 160-hectare site has been beautifully reclaimed by nature by filling in the pits with water, and today it stands as a premier wetlands reserve. It’s a great example of re-wilding, and offers a peaceful escape for serious birdwatchers and casual walkers like me!
My parents live quite close by, and I grew up living only 40 minutes away, but had never visited before – so this June on a lovely little weekend visit, it was time to put that right.
Walking Trails at Middleton Lakes
Middleton Lakes features a brilliant network of well marked trails that cater to all walking abilities. There are three main trails, and we covered all 3 during our visit.
- The Wetland Trail: Best for birdwatching. This loop takes you deep into the heart of the reedbeds and lakes. It leads directly to The Lookout, a sturdy brick hide offering 180-degree views over the water. Keep your eyes peeled for avocets, lapwings, and various wading birds.
- The Woodland & Meadow Trail: Best for a peaceful stroll. Wander through pockets of ancient woodland and open meadows. In spring, this area comes alive with the songs of migrant warblers and the drumming of woodpeckers. The woodland is also filled with amazing trees; we found lots of beautiful big oak trees.
- The Canal Path: Best for a longer walk. The reserve borders the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. You can easily extend your walk by dropping down on to the towpath from one of the RSPB Reserve’s bridges, to enjoy watching the narrowboats glide past.
Top Tip: If you want to experience a bit of everything, try the popular RSPB Middleton Lakes Circular (an easy 5.6km walk) and paths running alongside the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
We actually did an 11km walk, which took us about 3 hours and took in all of the main trails in a nice round circular from the car park, which on Komoot is called “Drayton Gothic Footbridge to Fisher’s Mill Bridge from RSPB Middleton Lakes”.
Wildlife at Middleton Lakes
The diversity of habitats means there is always something to see, no matter the season. We saw lots of lovely wildlife – gulls, terns, grebes, swans, butterflies and dragonflies. It was lovely to be out in nature.
- The Heronry: Located at Heron Corner near the reserve entrance, this accessible boardwalk offers a front-row seat to a bustling colony of grey herons. In spring, you can see up to 100 herons nesting and raising their chicks.
- Kingfishers are a regular highlight here. Watch for a sudden flash of electric blue darting across the pools.
- The reserve is also highly regarded for sightings of Avocets, Lapwings, and various warblers. Rare highlights include the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker.
- As you walk, you might spot herds of Konik ponies or Longhorn cattle. These animals are used for conservation grazing, naturally managing the landscape to keep it perfect for nesting birds.
- The Lookout Hide: A sturdy brick hide offering 180-degree views over the reedbeds and central pools.
Middleton Lakes Visitor Information
- Admission: Entry to the reserve is free.
- Parking: Located off Bodymoor Heath Road (shared with the Aston Villa FC training ground entrance, and a bit of an odd drive down past the football facilities). Parking is £4 for non-members and free for RSPB members. Use postcode B78 2BB for your sat-nav.
- Opening Hours: The reserve paths are open daily from dawn until dusk. The car park closes at 4pm in winter (Nov–Feb) and 5pm in summer (Mar–Oct).
- Facilities: There are no toilets or cafes directly on the reserve paths. However, full facilities, independent shops, and a courtyard cafe are located just 200 metres away at the adjacent Middleton Hall & Gardens.
- Dog Policy: Dogs are welcome on leads along public rights of way and specified tracks, but are prohibited from the play meadow and core wetland trail loops to protect nesting wildlife.
- For Families: Middleton Lakes is incredibly family-friendly. Unlike many strict nature reserves, it features a dedicated Play Meadow designed to get children interacting with the great outdoors.
Important Note: The ticket machine is a bit temperamental if you’re using an RSPB card – make sure you hold it a decent distance below the scanner so it gets your QR code properly.
Things to do near Middleton Lakes
While the RSPB reserve itself is all about the nature, you’ll need to re-fuel after your hike. There are a couple of really great options nearby.
Just a 200-metre walk from the reserve trails sits Middleton Hall & Gardens, an independent historic manor house. Here, you will find a charming courtyard cafe serving hot drinks, light lunches, and homemade cakes. The courtyard also hosts a lovely cluster of independent craft shops.
Alternatively you could head to The Coppice, a lifestyle destination just down the road which is home to a delicious restaurant called The Fig & Olive, a deli, a garden centre, and lots of shops (from clothes, to hairdressers, to trinkets – you can easily spend a few hours here). The food at Fig & Olive was absolutely delicious and good value.
So there you have it! We had an absolutely lovely day out at Middleton Lakes, and it was so nice to do a long walk with my Mum and Dad and get away from the laptop screen after a long week of work. We spotted lots of birds and enjoyed the greenery everywhere. We would all highly recommend it if you’re looking for a lovely walk in The Midlands!
This post also concludes my English summer series – so we’re back to overseas posts for the remainder of 2026!
Stay safe and happy travelling.
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