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Sheldon Country Park and Old Rectory Farm

4.6

·2k reviews·, United Kingdom

A vibrant park offering thrilling plane spotting, farm animals, and open spaces for family fun and relaxation.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekends, daytime

Best for plane spotting action

CrowdMedium

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Sheldon Country Park and Old Rectory Farm

Best Time

Weekends, daytime

Best for plane spotting action

CrowdMedium

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant park offering thrilling plane spotting, farm animals, and open spaces for family fun and relaxation.

4.6

(2k reviews)

"Absolutely incredible place to spot for aviation lovers, great for departures and arrivals!"

TIP

🎯 Best Plane Spotting Spot

Head towards Hazeldene Road for the best views of planes taking off and landing.

🐾 Dog-Friendly Walks

Plenty of space and paths for walking dogs, a great spot for pups to explore.

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 1,858 reviews

Type

Park

Address

Sheldon Country Park, Ragley Dr, Church Rd, Birmingham B26 3TU, UK

Website

birmingham.gov.uk/sheldonpark

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Runway Views

Near Hazeldene Road

Witness planes up close as they take off and land at Birmingham Airport. Hear the engines roar!

Old Rectory Farm Animals

Within the park

A charming small farm with various animals, perfect for a relaxed stroll and for children to enjoy.

Spacious Greenery

Throughout the park

Ample open space for picnics, dog walks, and simply enjoying the outdoors.

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Planning Your Visit

Plane Spotting Hotspot

Sheldon Country Park is a prime location for plane spotting, offering incredible views of aircraft taking off and landing at Birmingham Airport. Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially on weekends.

Park Access & Amenities

While the park offers open spaces, a playground, and farm animals, some visitors note that certain areas, like the gate on Hazeldene Road, may have temporary closures. Check local updates before your visit.

Best Times

When

Weekends, daytime

Why

Best for plane spotting action

Crowd

Medium

When

Weekday mornings

Why

Quieter atmosphere

Crowd

Low

When

Sunny afternoons

Why

Ideal for family outings

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

sheldon country park #Family #birmingham #birminghamairport #donkeys #sheldon

@sa7861993

8 likes • 172 views

🎯 Best Plane Spotting Spot

Head towards Hazeldene Road for the best views of planes taking off and landing.

🐾 Dog-Friendly Walks

Plenty of space and paths for walking dogs, a great spot for pups to explore.

📍Sheldon country park, Birmingham ✈️✈️📍 #sheldoncountrypark #sheldoncountryfarm #sheldoncountryparkgate #sheldonbirmingham #planespotting #planes #toddlerdaysout

@tamzinphilpott

31 likes • 789 views

My Beautiful #sheldoncountrypark #bbcmidlands #birminghamphotographer #birminghamlife #spring #springtime #bnwphotography #bnw #bnwportrait #bnwmood #bnw_planet #bnw_lovers #bnw_life_shots #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite_art #blackandwhiteuniverse #thoughts #powerofthought #lifethoughts #art #artsy #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #artlovers #artistic #digitalart #expressi...

cyprusuk.life

38 likes • 0 views

🧺 Picnic Paradise

Bring a picnic to enjoy in the open spaces while watching the planes.

🚗 Parking Advice

Parking is available, but can get busy. Consider Marston Green train station for a short walk.

#lovemakingvideos #reelsoftheday #photocourtesy📷@anstagram007 #sheldonairplanespottingarea

dr.shibinaansar

22 likes • 300 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Best Plane Spotting Spot

Head towards Hazeldene Road for the best views of planes taking off and landing.

🐾 Dog-Friendly Walks

Plenty of space and paths for walking dogs, a great spot for pups to explore.

🧺 Picnic Paradise

Bring a picnic to enjoy in the open spaces while watching the planes.

🚗 Parking Advice

Parking is available, but can get busy. Consider Marston Green train station for a short walk.

✈️ Flight Schedule

Check flight schedules for Birmingham Airport to time your visit for specific aircraft.

What Travellers Say

4.6

(2k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Sheldon Country Park is highly praised as an excellent spot for plane spotting, offering close-up views of aircraft and the thrill of engine sounds. It's also appreciated for its family-friendly amenities, including a playground and farm animals, set within spacious, accessible grounds. While generally well-regarded, occasional temporary closures of specific access points have been noted.

"Absolutely incredible place to spot for aviation lovers. Great for departures out of 33 or arrivals into 15. Lots of open space so you can get a good view. Have experienced Sheldon both completely empty and full but you get a great view either way. Easy access, especially from Marston Green train station which is just a few minutes walk away."

Jack Phillips

"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sheldon Country Park is a really lovely place to visit! It’s perfect for plane spotting – you can see everything up close and really hear the engines roaring, which is amazing. There’s also a small play area for the kids, a few animals to look at, and plenty of open space to enjoy. It has a bit of everything, making it a great spot for families or anyone who just wants a nice day out."

Aaqib Ali

"We love coming to sheldon for walks with the pups and to chill and watch the planes go by ❤️🫶🏼 theirs a whole load of space to walk around and paths on paths to explore, theirs animals too and a picnic area, it's nice to go and relax and chill out for a few hours 🌳🌷🐾 and let the dogs walk off their energy x"

Agnetha Greenhalgh

What People Like

Incredible plane spotting views

Family-friendly atmosphere

Spacious open grounds

What People Dislike

Occasional access point closures

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Sheldon Country Park is accessible by car, with parking available. For plane spotting, driving towards Hazeldene Road is recommended. It's also a short walk from Marston Green train station.

Yes, there is parking available within the park. It can get busy, especially on weekends, so arriving early is advised.

While not directly adjacent, Marston Green train station is a short walk from the park, and it's a few stops from the airport.

Many visitors suggest heading towards Hazeldene Road for the prime viewing spots.

Yes, Marston Green train station is within walking distance, making it accessible via public transport.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Sheldon Country Park is free to enter, making it a great budget-friendly option for a day out. +1

The park generally offers open access, but specific car park hours might vary. It's best to check for any seasonal or temporary closures.

No, tickets are not required as entry to Sheldon Country Park is free.

While the park itself is generally accessible, it's advisable to check for any specific restrictions on car park access, especially in the evenings.

Yes, you can enjoy a quick visit for plane spotting or a short walk, or spend a longer time picnicking and exploring.

🎫 ✈️ Plane Spotting

Weekends during the day offer the most activity. For specific aircraft like the Emirates A380, check flight schedules. +1

Absolutely! You can witness both departures from runway 33 and arrivals into runway 15, with planes flying overhead.

You can see a variety of commercial aircraft, including large jets like the Emirates A380 and Qatar Airways 787. +2

Yes, the roar of the engines can be quite loud when planes are taking off or landing, which many aviation enthusiasts find thrilling.

While there aren't formal viewing platforms, the open space provides excellent, unobstructed views of the runway.

🎫 🌳 Onsite Experience

The park features open green spaces, a children's play area, a small farm with animals, and picnic spots.

Yes, there is a play area in the main car park that is popular with children.

The park has a small farm area with various animals, including cows and other farmyard creatures. +1

Absolutely! There are plenty of open spaces and designated picnic areas perfect for a family meal.

Yes, the park offers numerous paths for walking, making it ideal for strolls with family, friends, or pets.

📸 📸 Photography

The areas near Hazeldene Road offer fantastic opportunities for capturing aircraft in flight. +1

Yes, the park provides excellent vantage points for photographing planes during takeoff.

The farm area offers charming opportunities to photograph the animals. +1

Plane spotting photography is very popular, capturing aircraft against the sky. +1

The open space allows for unobstructed views, making it easier to get clear shots of the aircraft.