Moseley Bog, is a beautiful local nature reserve and little known area of natural woodland outside of Birmingham.  Here it was that J.R.R. Tolkien and his brother played and explored as children.  Visitors find it is easy to imagine a child's mind absorbing the atmospheric surroundings of an area that still has signs of ancient activity centred around the bronze age burnt mounds amidst the wetland and trees that surround them.

The Shire Country Park is a local nature reserve lying south of Birmingham city centre within Hall Green, Moseley and Springfield.  It is an outstanding area of natural beauty and historical intrest that follows the River Cole, a green walk covering four miles and crossing one of the few remaining fords in the city.  It is so named to honour the life and work of J.R.R. Tolkien who lived within its borders as a young child over the road from Sarehole Mill.

Via the Rangers there are many activities, conservation work and events that take place within its borders, through the four seasons. Click on map for details of the area covered.

Located within the Shire Country Park is Sarehole Mill one of the community museums managed by Birmingham City Council.  It is one of only two surviving examples of the many water mills which once existed in and around Birmingham fuelling the industry that gave Birmingham its nickname of a city of a thousand trades.   It will be open to the public from April 9th this year until the end of October from Tuesday to Sunday and bank holidays. .  There is now a courtyard tea room serving light refreshments. Telephone: 0121 777 6612 or visit www.bmag.org.uk