Welcome
This enchanting urban green space, once used by the nearby colliery, now flourishes with wildlife.
RSPB Sandwell Valley is a fascinating mosaic of different habitats providing homes to a variety of wildlife.
Wildflower meadows bloom with colour and buzz with insect life.
Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and bathe in the woodland's relaxing atmosphere.
The scrub is ideal for nesting birds and fills with winter thrushes feasting on the winter berries.
Our wildlife garden might spark some ideas for giving nature a home in your own garden and the ponds are full of life to explore.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Reception Accessible toiletFemale and Male ToiletsMain RoomWildflower Garden and PondsThere is level access from the car park to:
Picnic Tables in the GardenHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Parking
The main car park is accessed via a 300 m tarmac road, with 4 road humps, which have lowered gaps in the centre of them. The main car park has no height restrictions, is made of rolled gravel and has 28 spaces.
It costs £3 for non-members, free for members. Payment can be made in the Visitor Centre. Members are asked to leave their membership card displayed on their dashboard.
There are 2 clearly signed blue badge parking spaces, (3.6 m by 5.6 m) situated 10m from the Visitor Centre entrance. These spaces are on tarmac.
There are 6 cycle racks immediately outside the Visitor Centre.
Arrival
Main entrance
A bowl of water for all dogs is available just outside the Centre main entrance.
Getting around inside
Ticket/ information desk
Reception
Reception is staffed during opening hours by friendly RSPB staff and volunteers, who can provide assistance if required.
A Hearing Loop is installed at reception.
Public toilet
Accessible toilet
The toilet contains a drop-down baby change facility.
It has an audio and a visual emergency alarm.
Public toilet
Female and Male Toilets
Both female and male toilet areas have:
Audio and visual emergency alarms.
Paper towels and hot air hand driers.
Basins are 750 mm from floor level and have automatic taps.
The female toilet has 4 cubicles, with inward opening doors.
There is a drop-down baby changing facility.
In the male toilets there is one urinal at 500 mm and two at 600 mm from the floor,
There are 2 cubicles with inward opening doors.
Main Room
The centre has one main room with folding walls which are used to divide it when different activities are taking place.
The doors all have 1200 mm opening width.
The floor surface throughout is step free and level with non-slip tiles.
The area is evenly and well lit with overhead lighting from halogen spotlights.
There are floor to ceiling windows facing south.
There are several tables, at 750mm height, and upright chairs without arms, all of which can be moved. Some chairs are folding and others are non-folding.
Information is available about the reserve, trails and events. There are leaflet holders, table displays and staff / volunteers are always available to assist.
There are emergency audio and visual alarms in all required areas. Emergency evacuation routes all have level exits.
Getting around outside
Lakeside Hide Trail
The main path has a maximum gradient of 1:12 and has a minimum width of 1300 mm to the boundary of the reserve. The path to the hide, is 1000 mm wide in places.
There are two benches, without arms, after 40 m and 70 m, and are 600mm from ground level. They are set back from the main path, the first is 2 m off the main path and the second is 3 m off the path
After 90 m there is the Marsh Viewpoint, off the main path, with two wooden benches 500mm from ground level. This viewpoint is 20m off the main path down a stony path or along a level ‘natural’ path, after the viewpoint. There are no more seats along this route until the hide.
Lakeside Hide
If any assistance is required please knock on the door, there is always a friendly volunteer in the hide to assist, help identify wildlife and provide information.
The floor is level, has a rubber floor and has a clear turning circle space of 1500 mm.
There is movable bench seating at a height of 500 mm and all viewing points have a recessed area under the windows for wheelchair users. There is a portable ramp should the viewing area be too high.
Binoculars may be borrowed for use in the hide.
When closed the gate to the hide path is locked.
Designated Walking Trail
Centre to South Bank Trail
There is one section 10 m long, just before the path to the Marsh Screen, that has a gradient of 1:10 with a cross fall of 1:12. The rest of the path has a maximum gradient of 1:12.
After 150 m, there is a set of 8 gravel steps to the Marsh Screen, with handrails both sides. However continuing on the main path a further 20m is a level access path to the Marsh Screen.
The Marsh Screen path is a minimum of 1100 mm wide and leads to an area with a viewing screen with multiple height viewing slots.
The main path continues level for a further 160 m and then there is a narrow, natural surface, additional path off to the Bandstand viewpoint over the Lake. This path is 400 mm wide and 70 m long. There is a seat, without arms, with a 50 mm step to it. There are 7 gravel steps, with a handrail on the right, at the end.
The main path then continues to the South Bank, a further 270 m, which is the boundary of the reserve.
At the boundary there is a seat, without arms, overlooking the lake, just below the main path.
Lakeside Hide
Picnic Area
Picnic Tables in the Garden
Wildflower Garden and Ponds
The garden is immediately outside the Visitor Centre and is 100 m long.
The main paths are rolled gravel and the maximum gradient is 1:11.
There are raised flower beds, bird feeders, insect homes and picnic tables.
There are ponds in the garden and nearby areas:
1) 50 m from the Centre, across the car park, are the 2 Lily Pad Ponds. There are 5 benches ranging in height from 330 mm to 500 mm high. In front of each pond there is a paved area, 900 mm or 1200 mm deep and a 150 mm wooden upstand.
2) 30 m from the Centre along the rolled gravel path. It has a small wall 150 mm high.
3) 70 m from the Visitor Centre and is accessed by a rolled gravel path then a 3 m grassy path, 1000mm wide. In front of the pond is a 1200 mm deep paved area and a 15 mm wooden upstand at the edge of the water.
Customer care support
Emergency evacuation procedures
There are emergency audio alarms in all required areas.
Emergency evacuation routes are all level exits.
Customer care support
The visitor centre and hide are always staffed when open and are available to assist.
Local groups of disabled people are welcome to enquire about guided visits.