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John Morris Jones Walkway

Address

Cole Bank Rd, Birmingham B28 8HG

Plan your journey

How to get there and parking

Entrances off Cole Bank Road (B4146) and Brook Lane (A4040).

Bus stops:

  • near the northern entrance on Cole Bank Road
  • on Robin Hood Lane for the southern entrance, which is off Brook Lane
About the park

This scenic green space and wooded area by the banks of the River Cole is named after the late headmaster and writer John Morris Jones.

He wrote extensively about the local history of the south Birmingham area, particularly Yardley, Hall Green and Sarehole.

After his death in 1986 his widow donated all his booklets, writings and maps to the local studies section of Birmingham Central Library. The works known as the John Morris Jones Collection remain an important reference to the area.

In recognition of his dedication, when this nature walk was opened to the public it was named after him.

This section of green space forms part of the Shire Country Park, which follows the River Cole Valley for around four miles. It was named to honour the life and work of author J.R.R. Tolkien who lived within its borders as a young child. Tolkien's childhood adventures in the park are said to have inspired some of his later works.

Visitors walking this section or passing through as part of a longer walk through the park will experience woodland, open grassland and wetlands around the river.

There is plenty of wildlife to spot and wildflowers are in abundance in many sections.

Curved path through grass and trees. Bench on the left of the path.
Video introduction

Facilities at the park
  • Large green open space
Toilets
There are no toilets on site.
Points of interest
  • River Cole – rich in fish and a food source for otters
  • Part of the Shire Country Park
Other features
  • Wildlife – including kingfishers, woodpeckers and sparrowhawks.
  • Woodland – variety of trees and wild flowers
Park friends group

The Shire Country Park Friends.

This active Friends group is interested in the land alongside the River Cole between Yardley Wood and Tysley.

For further information, or to get involved, visit the group's Facebook page.

Parks friends group activities

Activities include:

  • helping to raise awareness of events taking place in the park, including Ranger walks and activities
  • litter pick and clean up sessions
  • work with Birmingham Park Ranger Service to maintain and conserve the park
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