It’s been years since I last drove down the road to Sutton Park that leads to Bracebridge Pool. As I followed the signs warning of roaming Exmoor ponies deeper into the historic park, I fell in love all over again with one of Birmingham’s most beautiful green spaces.
It’s a small area of charming countryside just 10 miles north of the city centre. Perfect for a walk with friends, a romantic walk in the fresh air, or for me a solo walk on a cloudy day.
It may have been gray overhead, but nothing could dampen my mood as I approached the Bracebridge restaurant. The soon-to-reopen restaurant, under the direction of Chef Andrew Sheridan, has some of the best views of any restaurant in the city.
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I was there to try the new bakery across the street, Sip and Slice, a former kiosk in Bracebridge reborn. Now open seven days a week, he still has a week before the restaurant welcomes its first guests.
Eventually the bakery will expand into a barn and offer wood-fired pizza, but for now all you can expect is coffee and a few cakes. However, don’t underestimate it. Both are great.
I ordered a cappuccino, a single-origin coffee from Birmingham’s Quarter Horse roastery, for £3.50, and a fairly pricey but very attractive boxed Planet Donuts ice ring for £4.25. The hole was filled with gooey caramel, and topped with the toppings on the box. I was told it was the last Rolo. It was a Valentine’s Day present to myself.
The donuts are made in Shrewsbury rather than in-store, but it will be some time before the bakery here is fully operational. It reminded me of the donuts I found at Universal Studios. It was so much fun to watch. Having hungry kids take a sip after a lot of walks around the pool would be a huge financial hit. Fortunately, they are large enough to share.
I wasn’t the only one who realized there was plenty to look at. A small robin noticed me ordering and boldly approached me as I peered through the foliage arch leading to Bracebridge’s waterside terrace once it opened.
I kissed him lightly, which only encouraged him further. He hops up to me with the confidence of a bird 20 times his size (though not as confident as the goose that chased everyone off the city center canal towpath last year. ), I waited for the crumbs. . He never dropped anyone’s food. He persevered.
It was drizzling, so there were no umbrellas on the nine or so picnic tables surrounding the kiosk. There was a small covered seating area with four nice chairs where I hunkered down under the covers and drank my joe as a group of women chatted inside the theater. The coffee at Quarter Horse was, as always, really great.
Robin followed suit, darting around my feet and swooping down to scrape up snacks that the lunching ladies didn’t pay much attention to. The kiosk has been restored and is now living its best life.
I wandered to the edge of the pool to observe the other birds that call this place their home. Bald coots (not retired dog walkers) and mallard ducks flitted across the water, mirroring the trees along the water’s edge. A small yellow bird that I didn’t recognize was jumping happily on the bank.
From the fence in Bracebridge, my little red-breasted Valentine was waiting for me to come back with leftover donuts. On a nice day when restaurants are open, I imagine he’ll find plenty of friends who are far less picky about their diets than I am.
Before leaving I bought one of all the other options under the glass cloche. A fruity gluten-free flapjack, a jammy apple and blackcurrant crumblejack, and a blueberry bakewell. All priced at £3.50 each, the latter two are suitable for vegans. Robin wasn’t able to check in with me, but I think some of my colleagues felt the love when I shared it with them back at the office.
I can’t wait to visit again to watch the seasons change from the edge of the pool. Given its reputation, it’s great news that Andrew Sheridan is breathing new life into such a picturesque location. The chef’s restaurants 8 By Andrew Sheridan in Liverpool, Black and Green in Burnt Green and OXA in Birkenhead are listed in the Michelin Guide for the quality of their food.
Sutton Park is full of history, with evidence of 6,000-year-old Neolithic tools found at Little Bracebridge Pool, and a Bronze Age burial mound near Streatley Lane, with Roman monuments running through it. Roads are also best seen near Royal Oak Gate off Chester Road north. .
The backstory of this beautiful spot is thrilling, and the future of this corner of the park is also exciting. For all of us, but mostly for my little feathery Valentine.