Calthorpe Park is situated on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston, between Speedwell Road and Edward Road. The River Rea flows through the eastern part of the park. Additional parkland goes over into Balsall Heath close to Cheddar Road and Clevedon Road.
The park is served by the 35, 45 and 47 bus routes. See our Green Spaces map for the exact location of Calthorpe Park.
Every October, the Great Birmingham Run passes by the park and the same happens around May for the Great Birmingham 10k Run. See photography below.
History of Calthorpe Park
The land on which the park sits was provided by the Calthorpe family and is part of the Calthorpe Estate.
The park was opened on the 1st June 1857 by Prince George, Duke of Cambridge. The event was recorded in a painting by Samuel Lines Snr and the ceremony had a triumphal arch to celebrate the opening of the park.
The Opening of Calthorpe Park, 1857 by Samuel Lines Snr. Public Domain. From the Birmingham Museums Trust Image Library.
The park had its own lodge house which was built at the corner of the Pershore Road and Speedwell Road.
Calthorpe Park Lodge (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown
Winter in Calthorpe Park
Calthorpe Park (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown
Spring in Calthorpe Park
Calthorpe Park (April 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown
Autumn in Calthorpe Park
Calthorpe Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Statue of Robert Peel
The statue of Robert Peel (of 1855) was moved to Calthorpe Park in 1926 (having been knocked off it's pedestal in Victoria Square). The statue was later moved in front of Tally-Ho! the Police Training Centre in 1963, but the plinth was left behind.
The plinth of the Robert Peel statue in Calthorpe Park (December 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown
Today you can see the statue of Robert Peel on the Pershore Road in Edgbaston outside of Tally Ho!
Robert Peel statue outside of Tally-Ho! The West Midlands Police Training Headquarters (November 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown
Great Birmingham Run as seen from Calthorpe Park
The last time the Great Birmingham Run went past Calthorpe Park was during October 2019. Sadly, due to the pandemic, the runs in 2020 were cancelled.
Great Birmingham Run passes Calthorpe Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Great Birmingham Run passes Calthorpe Park (October 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
The Great Birmingham Run, returned to the city streets of Birmingham during May 2022. Was also held a year later in May 2023, passing Calthorpe Park. This time the Great Birmingham 10K was only within the City Centre.
Great Birmingham Run passes Calthorpe Park (May 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown
Painted running tracks
By at least 2022-23, there is new painted running tracks on some of the paths around Calthorpe Park. Probably also used for cyclists as well.
Painted running tracks in Calthorpe Park (May 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown