Coventry Way
Encyclopedia
The Coventry Way is a 40 mile (64 km) long distance footpath in central England
that starts and finishes in Meriden
. It forms a circular route around the city of Coventry
covering countryside in both the West Midlands
and Warwickshire
. The path is managed by A Coventry Way Association.
in Meriden
and proceeds anticlockwise. From the Queen's Head it passes through the churchyard of St Lawrence and then south through the Meriden Gap
towards Berkswell
, following the Heart of England Way
for part of the route; the two paths diverge near Berkswell, with the Heart of England Way continuing southwest towards Balsall Common and the Coventry Way southeast. It joins the Berkswell to Kenilworth
Greenway
(the route of the former railway line) at Carol Green, passes to the east of Burton Green
and follows the Greenway to its end in Kenilworth (8 miles from Meriden).
At Kenilworth the Coventry Way joins the Centenary Way, the two routes leave the town via its golf course
and cross the A46
to Stoneleigh
(10 miles). They pass the church of St Mary the Virgin
in Stoneleigh, cross the River Sowe
close to its confluence
with the Avon, then cross the Avon itself before reaching the hamlet of Stareton
(12 miles), where they turn east towards Bubbenhall
(14 miles), from where Shakespeare's
Avon Way follows the same route as the other two paths - although in the opposite direction, since the latter is usually walked from the source of the Avon to its mouth.
From Bubbenhall the three paths follow the same route northeast to Ryton-on-Dunsmore
(17 miles), cross under the A45
and continue to Wolston
(19 miles), where they diverge: the Centenary Way goes directly north to Brandon
, while the Coventry Way and Shakespeare's Avon Way head northeast, under the Coventry to Rugby
railway line to Bretford
(20 miles). Here they too separate: Shakespeare's Avon Way follows the path of the river east towards Church Lawford
, while the Coventry Way heads north to Brinklow
(23 miles). It traverses the motte and bailey (the site of Brinklow Castle
and passes the church of St John the Baptist
.
North of Brinklow, the Coventry Way crosses Smite Brook and reaches the Oxford Canal
at Grimes Bridge, where it also crosses the Centenary Way. It continues northwest along the towpath
of the canal, passing under the M6
, leaves the canal at Hopsford Aqueduct, and passes Ansty
Golf Course to reach Ansty village (27 miles). After leaving Ansty, the path briefly rejoins the Oxford Canal before leaving it again as it passes under the M69
. The path follows the M69 for a short distance before turning northwest, passing through the grounds of Barnacle Hall and into Barnacle village (28 miles). From Barnacle it continues west, crosses the Coventry Canal
at Bedworth Hill Bridge and passes under the Coventry to Nuneaton
railway line to arrive in Bedworth
(30 miles).
The Coventry Way passes through housing estates in the western area of Bedworth, leaving the town close to the former site of Newdigate Colliery; it then heads towards Fillongley
, but turns southwest before reaching it, arriving instead at Corley Ash (35 miles). From there it crosses a bridge over the M6
and traverses the small boggy area of Corley Moor to reach the village of the same name (37 miles).
Beyond Corley Moor, the route passes through Birchley Hays Wood, where it rejoins the Heart of England Way. Both paths continue southwest through Meriden Shafts, emerging at Eaves Green (39 miles). The last part of the Coventry Way is on roads, under the A45 and back to Meriden, where it finishes at the Queen's Head (40 miles).
rail line would coincide with the route of the Coventry Way between Carol Green and Burton Green . A Coventry Way Association has therefore voiced strong opposition to the plans.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
that starts and finishes in Meriden
Meriden, West Midlands
-External links:*****...
. It forms a circular route around the city of Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
covering countryside in both the West Midlands
West Midlands (county)
The West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England with a 2009 estimated population of 2,638,700. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, formed from parts of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The...
and Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
. The path is managed by A Coventry Way Association.
Route
As a circular path, the Coventry Way can be started and finished at any point and walked in either direction, but for the purposes of the annual challenge event it starts at finishes at the Queen's Head public housePublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
in Meriden
Meriden, West Midlands
-External links:*****...
and proceeds anticlockwise. From the Queen's Head it passes through the churchyard of St Lawrence and then south through the Meriden Gap
Meriden Gap
The Meriden Gap is a mostly rural area located in the West Midlands between Solihull and Coventry. It serves as a green belt which separates the latter from the large West Midlands conurbation, which includes Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The 'Gap' takes its name from the village central to the...
towards Berkswell
Berkswell
Berkswell is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, county of West Midlands, England.- Geography:It is in the east of the borough, borders Coventry and is about west of Coventry city centre.- History and places of interest :...
, following the Heart of England Way
Heart of England Way
The Heart of England Way is a long distance walk of around through the Midlands of England. The walk starts from Milford Common on Cannock Chase and ends at Bourton on the Water in the Cotswolds passing through the counties of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire.The walk provides links...
for part of the route; the two paths diverge near Berkswell, with the Heart of England Way continuing southwest towards Balsall Common and the Coventry Way southeast. It joins the Berkswell to Kenilworth
Kenilworth
Kenilworth is a town in central Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 22,582 . It is situated south of Coventry, north of Warwick and northwest of London....
Greenway
Greenway (landscape)
A greenway is a long, narrow piece of land, often used for recreation and pedestrian and bicycle user traffic, and sometimes for streetcar, light rail or retail uses.- Terminology :...
(the route of the former railway line) at Carol Green, passes to the east of Burton Green
Burton Green
Burton Green is a village in Warwickshire, England, some southwest of Coventry and close to Kenilworth. It is mostly residential, surrounded by farmland and has a village hall, a primary school and a pub called the 'Peeping Tom'....
and follows the Greenway to its end in Kenilworth (8 miles from Meriden).
At Kenilworth the Coventry Way joins the Centenary Way, the two routes leave the town via its golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
and cross the A46
A46 road
The A46 is an A road in England. It starts east of Bath, Somerset and ends in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, but it does not form a continuous route. Large portions of the old road have been lost, bypassed, or replaced by motorway development...
to Stoneleigh
Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Stoneleigh is a small village in Warwickshire, England on the River Sowe, about 5 miles south of Coventry and 5 miles north of Leamington Spa. The village is situated about northeast of the confluence of the River Sowe and the River Avon.Stoneleigh does not have a public house...
(10 miles). They pass the church of St Mary the Virgin
Mary (mother of Jesus)
Mary , commonly referred to as "Saint Mary", "Mother Mary", the "Virgin Mary", the "Blessed Virgin Mary", or "Mary, Mother of God", was a Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee...
in Stoneleigh, cross the River Sowe
River Sowe
The River Sowe is a River in Warwickshire and West Midlands, England. It is a tributary of the River Avon, and flows into it just south of Stoneleigh....
close to its confluence
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water.Confluence may also refer to:* Confluence , a property of term rewriting systems...
with the Avon, then cross the Avon itself before reaching the hamlet of Stareton
Stareton
Stareton is a small hamlet in Warwickshire, England. It is situated about half a mile from Stoneleigh Park, between Leamington Spa and Coventry.For more information please see the residents webs site for Stareton...
(12 miles), where they turn east towards Bubbenhall
Bubbenhall
Bubbenhall is a village and civil parish in the Warwick district of Warwickshire, England. Bubbenhall lies on the A445 road, about 7 miles south of Coventry. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 687...
(14 miles), from where Shakespeare's
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
Avon Way follows the same route as the other two paths - although in the opposite direction, since the latter is usually walked from the source of the Avon to its mouth.
From Bubbenhall the three paths follow the same route northeast to Ryton-on-Dunsmore
Ryton-on-Dunsmore
Ryton-on-Dunsmore is a village and civil parish in the Rugby district of Warwickshire, and is south-east of Coventry, England. The 2001 census recorded a population of 1,672 in the parish. The A45 dual carriageway passes through the village....
(17 miles), cross under the A45
A45 road
The A45 is a major road in England. It runs east from Birmingham past the National Exhibition Centre and the M42, then bypasses Coventry and Rugby, where it briefly merges with the M45 until it continues to Daventry...
and continue to Wolston
Wolston
Wolston is a village and civil parish in the Rugby borough of Warwickshire, England. The village is located roughly halfway between Rugby and Coventry, and has a population of about 2,300. It is close to the A45 road and the Roman road the Fosse Way....
(19 miles), where they diverge: the Centenary Way goes directly north to Brandon
Brandon, Warwickshire
Brandon is a small village in Warwickshire, England. Along with nearby Bretford, it forms part of a joint civil parish of Brandon and Bretford. Administratively it is part of the borough of Rugby...
, while the Coventry Way and Shakespeare's Avon Way head northeast, under the Coventry to Rugby
Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
railway line to Bretford
Bretford
Bretford is a small hamlet in Warwickshire, England. It is part of the parish of Brandon and Bretford.Bretford lies at a junction between the A428 road and the old Fosse Way. The name of the village comes from the old ford crossing point over the River Avon which runs just south of the village...
(20 miles). Here they too separate: Shakespeare's Avon Way follows the path of the river east towards Church Lawford
Church Lawford
Church Lawford is a village in Warwickshire. It is located just under west of the town of Rugby and east of Coventry. The village lies north of the railway between the two and is also north of the main road, the A428. To the north is the River Avon....
, while the Coventry Way heads north to Brinklow
Brinklow
Brinklow is a village and parish in the Rugby district of Warwickshire, England. It is about halfway between Rugby and Coventry, and has a population of 1,041 ....
(23 miles). It traverses the motte and bailey (the site of Brinklow Castle
Brinklow Castle
Brinklow Castle known locally as ,the Tump, is a medieval castle in the village of Brinklow in the county of Warwickshire between Coventry and Rugby.-History:...
and passes the church of St John the Baptist
John the Baptist
John the Baptist was an itinerant preacher and a major religious figure mentioned in the Canonical gospels. He is described in the Gospel of Luke as a relative of Jesus, who led a movement of baptism at the Jordan River...
.
North of Brinklow, the Coventry Way crosses Smite Brook and reaches the Oxford Canal
Oxford Canal
The Oxford Canal is a narrow canal in central England linking Oxford with Coventry via Banbury and Rugby. It connects with the River Thames at Oxford, to the Grand Union Canal at the villages of Braunston and Napton-on-the-Hill, and to the Coventry Canal at Hawkesbury Junction in Bedworth just...
at Grimes Bridge, where it also crosses the Centenary Way. It continues northwest along the towpath
Towpath
A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge...
of the canal, passing under the M6
M6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
, leaves the canal at Hopsford Aqueduct, and passes Ansty
Ansty, Warwickshire
Ansty is a village and civil parish just outside the outskirts of Coventry, about northeast of the city centre. Ansty was part of the County of the City of Coventry until that county was dissolved in 1842....
Golf Course to reach Ansty village (27 miles). After leaving Ansty, the path briefly rejoins the Oxford Canal before leaving it again as it passes under the M69
M69 motorway
The M69 is a lightly used dual three lane dual carriageway motorway in Leicestershire and Warwickshire, England connecting Leicester and Coventry. It opened in 1977.-History:...
. The path follows the M69 for a short distance before turning northwest, passing through the grounds of Barnacle Hall and into Barnacle village (28 miles). From Barnacle it continues west, crosses the Coventry Canal
Coventry Canal
The Coventry Canal is a navigable narrow canal in the Midlands of England.It starts in Coventry and ends 38 miles north at Fradley Junction, just north of Lichfield, where it joins the Trent and Mersey Canal...
at Bedworth Hill Bridge and passes under the Coventry to Nuneaton
Nuneaton
Nuneaton is the largest town in the Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and in the English county of Warwickshire.Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Eliot, who was born on a farm on the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for...
railway line to arrive in Bedworth
Bedworth
Bedworth is a market town in the Nuneaton and Bedworth district of Warwickshire, England. It lies northwest of London, east of Birmingham, and north northeast of the county town of Warwick. It is situated between Coventry, to the south, and Nuneaton, to the north.In the 2001 census the town...
(30 miles).
The Coventry Way passes through housing estates in the western area of Bedworth, leaving the town close to the former site of Newdigate Colliery; it then heads towards Fillongley
Fillongley
Fillongley is a village in the North Warwickshire district of the county of Warwickshire in England.The village is centred around the crossroads of the B4102 and the B4098 and Tamworth....
, but turns southwest before reaching it, arriving instead at Corley Ash (35 miles). From there it crosses a bridge over the M6
M6 motorway
The M6 motorway runs from junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe Interchange, near Rugby via Birmingham then heads north, passing Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester, Preston, Carlisle and terminating at the Gretna junction . Here, just short of the Scottish border it becomes the A74 which continues to...
and traverses the small boggy area of Corley Moor to reach the village of the same name (37 miles).
Beyond Corley Moor, the route passes through Birchley Hays Wood, where it rejoins the Heart of England Way. Both paths continue southwest through Meriden Shafts, emerging at Eaves Green (39 miles). The last part of the Coventry Way is on roads, under the A45 and back to Meriden, where it finishes at the Queen's Head (40 miles).
Coventry Way and HS2
The proposed route of the HS2High Speed 2
High Speed 2 is a proposed high-speed railway between London and the Midlands, the North of England, and potentially at a later stage the central belt of Scotland. The project is being developed by High Speed Two Ltd, a company established by the British government...
rail line would coincide with the route of the Coventry Way between Carol Green and Burton Green . A Coventry Way Association has therefore voiced strong opposition to the plans.