The farms were in the ownership of Birmingham Corporation by 1953 but public access was not allowed in order to protect crops and livestock.

Paul Cadbury mooted the idea of opening up the valley by providing marked trails for walkers, tracks for horseriding and stabling for horses, picnic sites and car parking.

He also proposed damming a section of the Bourn Brook for fishing and allowing children freedom to paddle in the shallows.

[4] A decade later the Council put forward a proposal to develop 150 acres of the 600-acre Woodgate Valley farmland for 2,000 homes.

[11] The adjacent Hole Farm Trekking Centre is run by the City Council and caters for horse riding across a range of ages and abilities.

[12] Rangers based in the Visitor Centre provide recreational and educational activities such as a wild food walk.