Moseley Bog
This local nature reserve in the Moseley area of Birmingham is a nice place for an easy stroll in the city. There's ancient woodland, ponds and lots of wildlife to look out for at the site. The area is also notable as being Tolkien's inspiration for the ancient forests in the famous The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit books.
Just to the east you can visit Sarehole Mill. There's some fine trails along the River Cole around the 16th century mill which is notable as Birmingham's last surviving water mill. You can also pick up the River Cole Valley Walk and visit Kingfisher Country Park at the mill.
To the south is Swanshurst Park where there's a short circular footpath around a pretty lake.
Moseley Bog Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Moseley Bog Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Moseley Bog OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Moseley Bog Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To the north you can pick up the Grand Union Canal Walk and enjoy more waterside walking along the towpath to Solihull.
For more walking ideas in the area see the West Midlands Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Moseley Bog. Moseley Bog, a Local Nature Reserve, is an area of ancient woodland near Moseley, Birmingham, and close to Sarehole Mill. Moseley Bog lies approximately 3 miles south of Birmingham City Centre. This is a woodland explored by Tolkien during the few years he lived in the area as a young child. It is made up of both wet and dry woodland together with patches of fen vegetation which has developed on the site of an old millpond. There is also an area of secondary woodland, which has developed on the old gardens along the eastern boundary.
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This is Moseley Bog and Joy's Wood Local Nature Reserve. JRR Tolkien lived near here as a child. It might have been the inspiration for the ancient forests in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. New sculpture gates from Yardley Wood Road are pictured here. The gates and height barrier designed by Adrian Moakes in 2012.
Wood Sculpture
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I've noticed this Lord of the Rings mural on Hall Green Library from the bus, so decided to take photos of it. JRR Tolkien lived down the road in Sarehole as a boy near Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill. The nearby park is called the Shire Country Park
Swanshurst Park and Lake. This lake is located just a stone's throw from the bog.
Moseley New Pool