Natural England - Visiting the region
Visiting the region
Rural recreation and tourism activities are clearly dependent on a high quality environment and the West Midlands region has much to offer.
The region’s countryside makes a significant contribution to access and recreation for the whole West Midlands population. Being at the heart of the motorway network also makes our countryside accessible from those living outside the region.
Recreational use of the countryside has increased considerably in recent years, with expenditure generated by trips to the countryside and rural tourism contributing significantly to rural businesses and local employment.
The West Midlands has a well developed network, totaling 22,345 kms, of footpaths, bridleways and byways across the region, supplemented by over 400 miles of canal towpaths. It offers a unique way for people to enjoy and experience the countryside and is an important recreational asset to the region. In some places access routes are also important as a means to making local journeys to shops, school and work. There are several dedicated cycleways, part of the National Cycle Network and numerous well-promoted walking routes, both long and short.
Popular destinations include country parks, for example Sutton Park, which has drawn 2 million visitors a year, Kingsbury Water Park and Lickey Hills. Other visitor attractions in the region include historic parks and gardens like Weston Park, Hawkstone, Coombe Park and Alton Towers. The key recreational role of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty like Cannock Chase (1 million visitors annually) and the Malverns, presents resource, visitor and traffic management issues which can be seen as a threat as well as an opportunity.
You can also find out about our National Nature reserves in the West Midlands.
Visiting the West Midlands region
