Pooley Country Park

I agree with Jeff Bryan about signposting etc. However, having talked to the lady in the visitor centre/cafe (who seems to be doing it all on her own and is brilliant) I bought the map, which was very useful. The Golden Tower of Leaves is interesting, at the top of an old slag heap, but not particularly noticeable or publicised, even though the council apparently spent £100k having it erected. Great views from up there on the hill. Nice walks through the wood and by the canal. Well worth a visit. A bit of extra funding would really help.

There is a great walk to do along the canal and depending which way you go will take you to a pub. We went to the Samuel Barlow which was fabulous and dog friendly. At the park there is a small play area, toilets and it's only £2.50 al day to park.

Nice place for a walk. Car park not too expensive and there is a nice coffee shop

I was over at Pooley Country Park (just outside Tamworth) last week dropping someone off, and as it was a nice day I took the opportunity to have a little wander around.

There are several miles of woodsy pathways, small pools, and canal-side walks around this nature reserve that has been reclaimed from an old disused mining site. Even the old slag-heap has been recaptured by nature and now has a gently winding path up the outside and a golden monument at the top. At the far end of the park is a working canal boatyard and the remains of Alvecote Priory. It's all self-guided, but there are some map signs dotted around.

It's council-owned and run by the same team that operate Kingsbury Water Park. Free to enter, but there's a small daily parking charge. There's a nice little Tea Room for drinks, ice creams, and a few light snacks that normally opens 11-3 on weekends plus seasonally during the week in school holidays. There's a small display of artefacts and the history of the industrial heritage inside, plus local info and maps.

The one downside is that the M42 bisects the site, and the West Coast Main Line railway runs nearby. But once you have walked a few hundred yards past the motorway bridge (which leads from the tea room/parking area into the main park) the traffic noise fades away into the distance and it's remarkably peaceful and rarely crowded as very few people seem to even know it's there. It's not a very commercialised site, you just explore on your own, so check the map before setting off from the car park. Excellent for dog walkers.

Great place for a walk during the day. Anytime of the year. Love an evening stroll round here too, so quiet. If you can get up to the golden post great for a sunset. We sometimes take a flask and sit down and watch the world go by.

Kids love visiting the park as they get it all to themselves.

Having lived near Pooley Park before it was converted, I am so very impressed with how this place has been made into a lovely area.
There are trees,toadstools and just a lovely atmosphere. 🌳🌲🍃
There is now a safe way to climb the mound, unless you want to get your heart pumping.
The views from the top are stunning. Plus there is now a mountain biking course for all you daredevils 🚲
The little playpark is brilliant - surrounded by trees, the kids can have a fab time.
And a shoutout to the little cafe - although not serving hot food, tea & snacks were available and I was served by a lovely lady.

All in all, this place is great for kids to wander safely and take in a natural environment. It's so wonderful to see the potential for an ex-mining eyesore become an excellent place to visit.

This was an absolute gem for walking and views... Had a stroll along the Canal looking at all the barges moored to the side. Loads of different paths and a place where cyclists tackle the difference levels of bike trails. Don't hesitate... Go and see.

Good country park for a walk! Play area and tea rooms near car park. Parking is a flat £3.00 but machine only accepts card payments for parking, it does not take cash/ change. There is a hill (old mining spill heap I think) with paths to the summit of varying steepness. Lots of flat paths in the woods round the base of the hill. Also mountain bike trails on the hill of different difficulty levels. We go there with our children -- 3, 7 and 10 and their cousins 13 and 15 and all enjoy the park!