Sutton Park through the years – and its Royal connections

Established as a Royal Forest by the Anglo-Saxon kings of Mercia from their base in Tamworth around the 9th century, the park has long had royal connections. By the 12th century it was used as a Norman deer park and given to the people of Sutton Coldfield by King Henry VIII in 1528 after Bishop John Vesey, a friend of the king, asked for it as a present to the people of Sutton Coldfield.

Its origins date back to Roman times with Roman Road or Icknield Street running through the middle. This was the main road from the fort at Metchley, now the QE Hospital, to the Roman town of Wall. This was also the main road north and south of the country.

Sutton Park is used today by thousands of people, for a whole variety of uses with beautiful walks, lakes, and cycling.

The Commonwealth Games held a number of events at the Park with the triathlons taking place in the park and surrounding area.

Back in August 1957, the Queen visited the 9th World Scout Jamboree along with the then Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan and the Duke of Edinburgh. The event hosted 33,000 participants from 85 countries over 12 days over the summer. The event is marked with a stone in the middle of the park.

Could you name parks through old pics?