Credit: Martineau Gardens
Believe it or not, but Birmingham has more green spaces than any other major European city. That being said, it’s still a hustling and bustling city full of skyscrapers and surrounded by motorways. Luckily, we’ve discovered a tranquil retreat in the heart of the Second City, Martineau Gardens, where you can get back to nature.
Tucked away in Edgbaston, off the busy Priory Road, this therapeutic community garden offers two and a half acres of serene escape. As one of Birmingham’s longest-running community gardens, you’ll find a nature haven thriving with flora and fauna—with volunteers managing the site since 1997.
What can I find at Martineau Gardens? 
Credit: Martineau Gardens
Inside, discover a small but mighty world of a wildlife area, formal gardens, a vegetable plot, an orchard and herb beds. Martineau Gardens’ aim is to inspire its visitors through these environments—with everything from volunteering opportunities to educational activities.
Just one stroll will be enough to inspire activists and artists alike. Discover the orchard growing figs, mulberries, grapes and apples; a woodland home to Pipistrelle bats, badgers and birds; and a children’s ‘shipwreck’ play area for little ones to enjoy. You can even buy homemade jams made from the fruits of the garden!
From beehives to ponds and a wildflower meadow, Martineau Gardens is a hive of activity (much like the city you’ve come here to escape), but take your time to soak it all in and relax among the always breathtaking, often unusual, trees and plants on display. It’s a therapeutic garden, after all!
How do I get involved?
Martineau Gardens is always looking for more volunteers, from those who maintain the gardens for the people of Birmingham to those who welcome visitors for special events. To learn more about volunteering opportunities, as well as the charity aims of Martineau Gardens, head here.
📅 Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm (closed on public holidays)
📍 27 Priory Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, West Midlands, B5 7UG