Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich - A wonderful open space!

 Dartmouth Park is located in West Bromwich, Sandwell. Close to West Bromwich Town Centre and Sandwell Valley.


Dartmouth Park is located on Reform Street in West Bromwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell. The park had a children's play area, ornamental lakes, walking / jogging routes, a war memorial, floral displays and a drinking fountain.

Bandstand Dartmouth Park

Bandstand at Dartmouth Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Drinking Fountain Dartmouth Park

The old drinking fountain at Dartmouth Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

Dartmouth Park

Dartmouth Park (August 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Boating Lake at Dartmouth Park West Bromwich

Visitors can have a paddle around the Boating Lake in swan boats.

Boating Lake Dartmouth Park

The Boating Lake at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Boating Lake Dartmouth Park

Swan boats on the Boating Lake at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Fun Fair at Dartmouth Park West Bromwich

Every summer during the school holidays, there is usually a fun fair on in the field in the park. To keep the kids entertained on those long warm days. Pat Collins Fun Fair was established in 1875. They are based in Brownhills, Walsall.

Fun Fair Dartmouth Park

The Fun Fair at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich (August 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Fun Fair Dartmouth Park

The Fun Fair at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich (August 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

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History & heritage, Photography, Sport & leisure
Environment & green action, People & community, Green open spaces

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Green open spaces
11 Aug 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The rest of Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich

Post image

Last time was the fun fairs, this time everything else at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. There is a bandstand and a pavilion. Also a War Memorial. Gatehouses at two of the entrance gates. A footbridge that goes over a major road. Plus a Pleasure Pool (or boating lake). The visits from July 2017 and August 2019. Not expecting to go back any time soon though.

Related

The rest of Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich





Last time was the fun fairs, this time everything else at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. There is a bandstand and a pavilion. Also a War Memorial. Gatehouses at two of the entrance gates. A footbridge that goes over a major road. Plus a Pleasure Pool (or boating lake). The visits from July 2017 and August 2019. Not expecting to go back any time soon though.


Dartmouth Park, West Bromwich

Previous post: Fun fairs post at Dartmouth Park.

Welcome to Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. The park is close to West Bromwich Town Centre and Sandwell Valley Country Park. Surrounded by the following roads: The Expressway, Reform Street, Lloyd Street, Devonshire Drive and Trinity Way. It is a Grade II listed park, with a bandstand, War Memorial, Gatehouses, and a Pleasure Pool (boating lake). You can also hire bikes from the park at Valley Cycles.

My visits were in July 2017 (heading to Sandwell Valley on the Big Sleuth bear hunt) and August 2019 (in the area again and noticed that there was a footbridge to cross).

2017

The visit at the end of July 2017. Approaching the entrance gates from Reform Street in West Bromwich. Was an Asian wedding party there at the time, hence the car on the drive.

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Later heading back into West Bromwich Town Centre, and back to the gates at Reform Street.

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The gatehouse at the Reform Street entrance.

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Later on the way out of the park I took another photo of the Reform Street gatehouse.

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Outside of the Reform Street entrance was the Crown & Cushion pub nearby.

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The War Memorial was on the left of the main entrance path. It is Grade II listed.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It dates to circa 1920. In memory of the local men and women lost during the Great War of 1914-18 (WW1).

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At the top is a bronze winged statue.

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Close up details of the bronze winged statue.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This green box was an electric feeder. Pre-war it was used to service the trams in West Bromwich. Post-war it was re-sighted here to light up the war memorial, and from 1951 worked the floral clock.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the Bandstand and Pavilion.

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This time the Pavilion is to the left and the Bandstand to the right.

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There was also this drinking fountain in the park.

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A look (below) at the Jubilee Sensory Garden 2012.

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Outdoor wooden instruments that you can interact with.

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Heading down to the Pleasure Pool as I made my way towards Sandwell Valley.

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To the far left was swan paddling boats you could hire for a ride.

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There was about four swan boats here, with room for about 4 people in each. Also an inflatable boat to the left. Would assume you have to wear a life jacket.

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There was also a pond with Canada geese and swans.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Be like the Chuckle Brothers and you could hire Surrey Bikes. Small £9 or Large £14. "To me ... to you!". Paul Chuckle is still alive, but his brother Barry passed away in August 2018.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

You could also hire regular bikes from Valley Cycles. Adult Bikes from £7.50 or Kids Bikes from £6. Even a tricycle with a passenger seat at the back!

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

After checking out the fun fair again, during the August 2019 visit, I made my way to the footbridge that I saw on Google Maps. Lots of trees on the walk along the path here.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading on along the path towards those trees.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More trees as I got close to the footbridge.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the park beyond from the curved ramp of the footbridge, as I was about to cross over The Expressway. Beyond the trees is the M5, and on the other side of the motorway is the Priory Woods. Where you can find the Sandwell Priory Ruins (somewhere to visit in the future).

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park West Bromwich (August 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

First view of the curved ramp that leads to the footbridge I wanted to cross.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It appears to all be made out of concrete.

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The start of the curved ramp from the park side.

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Starting to walk up it.

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Now on the actual bridge that crosses The Expressway.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

About halfway over. Would be one more spiral ramp to go down.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Onto the next spiral ramp.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Going around in circles again. It takes you to the Beeches Road gate. Also directly opposite Herbert Street.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Almost near the bottom of the spiral ramp.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look at it.

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There was another gatehouse, similar of design at the Beeches Road entrance.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the Beeches Road gates. Herbert Road is straight ahead.

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Beeches Road gatehouse on the right and the gates in front.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Beeches Road gatehouse also has a clock between the ground floor and first floor windows.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before I left Dartmouth Park, saw this notice board and map from Sandwell MBC. It is also an alcohol restricted area from the West Midlands Police.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (Aug 2019) (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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26 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Summer fun fair at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich

Post image

Every summer there used to be a fun fair in Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. The first time I saw it was in July 2017 on the way to Sandwell Valley on the Big Sleuth trail. Saw again last summer during August 2019, when I popped into the park to cross the footbridge over The Expressway. I expect it is cancelled for summer 2020. So enjoy this gallery from two of the previous summers.

Related

Summer fun fair at Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich





Every summer there used to be a fun fair in Dartmouth Park in West Bromwich. The first time I saw it was in July 2017 on the way to Sandwell Valley on the Big Sleuth trail. Saw again last summer during August 2019, when I popped into the park to cross the footbridge over The Expressway. I expect it is cancelled for summer 2020. So enjoy this gallery from two of the previous summers.


Fun Fair at Dartmouth Park

I first passed through Dartmouth Park in July 2017. Located near West Bromwich Town Centre and Sandwell Valley Country Park. The main entrance is on Reform Street through a set of gates near the gatehouse. There is also a footbridge that goes over The Expressway which takes you to Beeches Road. The park has a war memorial and a bandstand. There is also a boating lake and a children's play area.

For my post on Sandwell Valley Country Park, click on this link here: Summer fun fair and The Big Sleuth at the Sandwell Valley Country Park (July 2017).

2017

Pat Collin's Fun Fair was on from the 27th to 30th July 2017 in Dartmouth Park. The fun fair was established almost 150 years ago in 1875. They are based in Brownhills, Walsall.

I first saw the lorries from the fun fair on the main path into the park from the Reform Stret entrance.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The fun fair lorries from the back. They would have also had some caravans there.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park (July 2017) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back of the Ghost Train.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (July 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A ride called Atmosphere, but was folded up at the back of this lorry.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (July 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up of Atmosphere.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (July 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was also this Dodgems ride and teacup ride. But both were folded up during the day.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (July 2017) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

Back in West Bromwich in early August 2019, I had another walk into Dartmouth Park after I left the Town Centre. And saw this fun fair there. I saw a sign outside the park that said "Sandwell Valley Children's Fun Fair - open weekends every day during holidays". I'm not sure if it referred to the fun fair in Dartmouth Park, or the one in Sandwell Valley Country Park.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (Aug 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

But it was Pat Collins Fun Fair again. Rides here included Jumping Jack and Dodgem.

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This ride was called Scream.

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Ghost Train from the front this time around. The bouncy castle was deflated.

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Dodgem and Freeway / Route 66.

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A look towards the Freeway ride, not far from the bandstand. But they were setting it up at the time.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (Aug 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the caravans near Freeway.

dndimg alt="Dartmouth Park fun fair" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dartmouth Park Fun Fair (Aug 2019) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After this I took the path the footbridge that crosses over The Expressway. It goes around in circles on both sides. My next Dartmouth Park post will include the rest of my previous visits to this park (excluding the fun fair which you can see above here).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

 

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