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Transcript from leaflet
published by Coventry City Council (Updated where
essential)
Introduction
Allesley parish lies on the north-west fringe of Coventry. It is a rural parish within Coventry's Green Belt and is an extensive area of Ancient Arden countryside of historic landscape importance.
This leaflet provides an introduction to walks in Allesley parish and is one in a series of leaflets designed to help you enjoy your walks in the countryside of Coventry that little bit more.
An Historic Landscape
The landscape of the present day parish of Allesley, which was brought into Coventry in 1974, has its origins dating back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period. This area, together with the adjoining Keresley parish, forms the largest extent of open countryside within the City boundary, and considering its close proximity to the built-up area, has a very strong rural character. The landscape is especially significant, as it forms part of the only remaining unspoilt area of ancient countryside left in the historic County of Warwickshire*.
It is a small scale, intricate and gently undulating landscape, lying
for the most part at elevations between 400 and 500ft. There is an
intimate pattern of small to medium sized irregular fields, narrow country
lanes, scattered farmsteads and brick and timber buildings, some dating back to
the Middle Ages. Throughout much of the area the landscape has a
well-wooded character, formed by a mixture of ancient woodlands, mature hedgerow
trees and well wooded watercourses.
Pockets of permanent pasture are closely associated with the small scale field patterns around the country lanes and farmsteads. These form part of the treasured, undisturbed Arden landscape, where a combination of ancient hedgerows, unimproved pasture and grazing animals, help to create a strong sense of "local distinctiveness" and a peaceful reminder of times past. Reminders of this peaceful legacy are further provided by the presence of ridge-and-furrow meadows, sunken trackways with high hedge-banks, small streams and old field ponds.
*Warwickshire County Council and the Countryside Commission, supported by Coventry City Council, have published a detailed assessment of the Arden landscape, together with guidelines for its future management and conservation.
Local Distinctiveness
Derivation of the name Allesley
The name Allesley is thought to mean "Aelle's clearing". Aelle is a personal name, probably that of a local Anglo-Saxon landowner. Endings in "ly" or "ley" usually derive from the early English word "leah", which means "clearing", usually for a settlement in a wooded region or conversely, in a wood where land is predominantly open. The former meaning applies to Allesley as a clearing within the former Forest of Arden.
A Working Countryside
Traditional mixed farming is the predominant land use in Allesley parish and is the key to sustaining the quality of this attractive working countryside, which provides benefits for landscape, wildlife and informal recreation.
However, an accessible countryside brings with it rights and responsibilities for landowners and visitors alike, and the need to respect the farming community who must make their living from the land.
Woodlands, Streams and Meadows
In the parish, there are a number of sites of importance for nature
conservation, and ancient woodlands dating back to before 1600AD which can be
seen from public footpaths. These include Belcher's Wood, Elkin Wood,
Hawkes End Wood, Long Lady Wood and Pinkett's Wood.
To the north of Elkin Wood off Watery Lane, adjoining the public footpath, lies the source of the River Sherbourne. The stream trickles from a small spring and flows south-east through traditional meadows, towards Bridle Brook Lane.
Field ponds, fringed by scrub and native trees are also to be found throughout the parish, which form part of the natural drainage pattern of the area. They are valuable wildlife habitats and provide a source of clean drinking water for farm animals grazing in the meadows.
Local Buildings
Except for some ribbon development on the urban fringe, the settlement in the area has been closely related to agricultural development with scattered farmsteads and attractive wayside cottages, many of which are now "Listed Buildings" of special architectural and historic interest.
Rural Footpaths
The extensive network of rural public footpaths in the parish of Allesley, together with Keresley parish and the Coundon Wedge, is a legacy of the past which can be enjoyed today. It provides a major recreational resource and an opportunity to enjoy these historic landscape areas in the north-west part of the City.
People with special needs
Wherever possible, access to the countryside for people who might have special needs, such as some elderly and disabled people, has been considered by erecting kissing-gates rather than stiles, linked together by footbridges, signposts and way-markers.
Links to the Heart of England Way
To help access to the wider countryside, a number of footpaths have been improved to provide specific links from Allesley onto the "Heart of England Way" long distance national trail, which links the "Cotswold Way" and the "Staffordshire Way" and runs near Meriden Church. These links are shown on the footpaths map.
Further Information
This leaflet and the improvements to the footpaths to which it relates, were carried out by Coventry City Council's Countryside Project, with support from the Countryside Commission, Keresley Parish Council, the Coventry Group of the Ramblers' Association and the local community.
The Countryside Project's work also includes landscaping, tree and hedge
planting, advising on farm conservation and grant aid, environmental education
and much more besides. If you are interested in the work of the Project and
would like more information; would like details of other guided walks leaflets;
or if you encounter a problem on a rural footpath, please contact:
COVENTRY'S COUNTRYSIDE PROJECT
City Planning Services
Much Park
Street
Coventry
CVI 2PY
Follow the Country Code
Allesley parish forms part of an attractive working countryside. When in this rural area, you can best know where you are by using maps and following signposts and way-markers. These will help you not to stray into areas where you do not have a right of access.
Following the Country Code will ensure that you give no-one cause for complaint:
1. Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and
work.
2. Guard against all risk of fire.
3. Fasten all
gates.
4. Keep dogs under close control.
5. Keep to public paths
across farmland.
6. Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and
walls.
7. Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
8. Take
your litter home.
9. Help to keep all water clean.
10. Protect
wildlife, plants and trees.
11. Take special care on country
roads.
12. Make no unnecessary noise.
The area is well served by public transport from the City Centre.
People visiting the area by car are asked to ensure that they park their cars courteously. There are public car parks at Coundon Hall Park (Waste Lane) and Allesley Hall Park (Allesley Hall Drive). The following country pubs and local centres have also kindly offered the use of their car parks for people walking in the area:
Corley Village Hall, Church Lane, Corley
Country Gardens (Garden Centre), Brownshill
Green Road (76
33 3998)
The Bull and Butcher, Corley Moor
(0676 40241)
The Horse and
Jockey, Tamworth Road, Nr. Corley Village (76 33
2643)
The Old Hall, Coundon Park, Tamworth Road (76 33 2542)
The Poachers Retreat,
Hockley Lane, Upper Eastern Green (76
46 5127)
The Red Lion, Wall Hill
Road, Corley Moor (0676 40135)
(Prior notification would be appreciated for large groups)
End of transcript - other information below
Good country walks, but most cross farmland, much of which is grazed by farm
animals. Good for dogs if you can follow the country code - Keep dogs
under close control.
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