Front cover of brochure Paxton Memorial

London Road Conservation Area

Transcript from Coventry City Council 1985 brochure GVA 1445 LB 8 85 , with updates where needed.  

Introduction

The London Road Conservation Area straddles the London Road about 1.6km (1 mile) south east of the city centre.  Its main features are the Charterhouse, including part of a Carthusian monastery, and the London Road Cemetery, originally designed by Sir Joseph Paxton. 

It also includes the modern buildings of All Saints and Blue Coat Schools and extensive playing fields through which the River Sherbourne runs.

The Conservation Area was designated in April1977.
 

Plan of the Conservation Area   
 

Layout of the Charterhouse The Charterhouse This building was originally part of a Carthusian monastery founded in 1381-2, King Richard II laying the foundation stone at the east end of the Choir in 1385.  There were 11 cells for the monks arranged round a Great Cloister as usual for this Order.  There was also room for the lay brothers, servants and 12 schoolboys. After the dissolution of the monastery in 1539, the majority of the buildings were demolished, leaving only the stone and timber-framed building still standing and two low wings on the west side which were demolished in 1848.  It became a private house until 1940 after which it has been used as an old people's home and currently, an Arts Centre. The main surviving building is a 15th century sandstone range which probably contained the Prior's guest-house.  Some original stone corbels and wooden carved tie beams remain, as does a moulded stone fireplace and a magnificent mediaeval wall painting depicting the crucifixion.  The timber-framed addition is of 16th century date.

The Charterhouse Internally the building was substantially altered in the 16th century when it became a private house.  An extra floor was inserted in the northern part and the mediaeval painting covered by panelling, which is itself finely painted.  Sash windows and Georgian doors were inserted in the 18th century and the existing brick house on the south-west corner in the 19th century.  The building is now listed of Grade I Architectural and Historic Interest by the Department of the Environment. The monastery site is bounded on two sides by a 3.5m (12 ft) ashlar stone wall listed Grade II*.  The building to the south of the monastic building is of late 17th or early 18th century date, was formerly used as a coach house and is listed Grade II. Excavations have revealed the Church, immediately north east of the surviving building with a grave at the east end and a well-preserved piscina (basin for washing the Communion vessels) in the south wall.  The Great Cloister is believed to have been where the bowling green is now.

Anglican Chapel London Road Cemetery Under an Act of 1844, the Corporation obtained powers to establish a public cemetery adjacent to the London turnpike and on the site of an old quarry.  Mr (later Sir) Joseph Paxton was engaged to design the area as far as the London-Birmingham railway Line.  The changing levels were skilfully used in laying out the area and were emphasised by tree and shrub planting.  An elevated causeway running parallel to London Road afforded views of the cemetery which was described as having "much more the air of a gentleman's park than a city of the dead".  The causeway includes a central archway of red sandstone by Paxton, listed Grade II, the various buildings were designed by Paxton's assistants and comprise the entrance lodge, Anglican Chapel and Non-Conformist Chapel.  The cemetery had to be extended in 1887 onto an area south of the railway line and this was laid out in a similar style to the original.  A subsequent extension of 1929 is of more conventional layout.

Non-Conformist Chapel Near the entrance a memorial to Paxton was erected in 1865.  Designed by Joseph Goddard (Architect) and Samuel Barfield (Sculptor) it is of Decorated style with granite columns and intricately carved details.  It is listed Grade II (see picture of the front of this leaflet at top of page). The entrance lodge includes a screen wall and gazebo and is built of red sandstone in Italianate style.  It was designed by a Mr Robertson, completed in 1847, and is listed Grade II.

Cemetery Entrance Lodge The Anglican Chapel is located at the western end of the original cemetery and is of Romanesque style in stone and tiles with a small tower and spire, carved door and window arches and a rose window in the west wall.  It was probably designed by George Stokes, Paxton's son-in-Law, and is listed Grade II. The Non-Conformist Chapel is located at the eastern end of the original cemetery and is of Classical style with the entrance flanked by fluted Ionic columns.  Again it was probably designed by George Stokes and is listed Grade II*.   Acknowledgements: Margaret Rylatt, Field Archaeologist, Libraries, Arts and Museums Department.