Martineau Gardens is in Edgbaston, not far from the Warwickshire Cricket Ground and the better-known Cannon Hill Park (click for website here), opposite the Priory Hospital. The car park is just off the road as you turn in. Most of the gardens are on a level that makes it easy to walk round. There is a pavilion where you can sit in the shade and have a cup of tea. A team of staff and volunteers work hard to make the garden a haven to relax in, full of flowers, trees, vegetable growing areas and points of interest such as an earth oven and a children's area with a wooden pirate ship. There's even a woodland area.
I love the way the Gardens are such a beautiful blend of natural wildlife and conservation areas and cultivated areas. Everyone there understands that you work in harmony with Nature. Pesticides are not used – they use netting and 'partner planting' to control pests instead.
It's my favourite place for a day out. They also sell their produce, so I always come home with a plant or some jam, or fresh fruit or veg.
Birmingham's secret garden – don't miss it!