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Transcript from leaflet published by Coventry City Council IntroductionThe Coundon Wedge is an area of historic countryside on the north-western outskirts of Coventry. As the name implies, it is a wedge of open land within Coventry's Green Belt, which penetrates into the City between the main built-up area of Coundon and the outlying settlements of Allesley Village (Conservation Area) and Brownshill Green. Despite the proximity of urban development, the area still retains a rural character of very high landscape quality, with relatively small fields separated by mature hedgerows and groups of deciduous native trees. Because of its attractive rolling landscape, high conservation value and the proximity to a large built-up area, Coundon Wedge is a popular area for quiet public recreation, particularly walking. |
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The of the landscape in the Coundon Wedge is significant for historic
as well as visual reasons. It provides a fine example of an Ancient Arden
landscape, which has its origins dating back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period.
This area, together with the adjoining parishes of Allesley and Keresley, are
especially significant as they form part of the only remaining areas of ancient
countryside left in the historic County of Warwickshire*.
*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.
A considerable amount of work has been carried out by the City Council's Countryside Project, in co-operation with the Countryside Commission, Allesley & Coundon Wedge Conservation Society and local residents, with the aim of conserving and enhancing the environment of the Coundon Wedge. This work has included tree, hedge and woodland planting, fencing, the clearance of ponds and streams and the removal of eyesores.
Of particular importance has been the need to balance informal recreation with the needs of efficient agriculture. The attraction of the area for walking is based upon its landscape quality, which in turn depends upon active farming continuing. But if too many people use the area for recreational purposes, efficient farming is made difficult.
For this reason, improvements to the footpath system in the Coundon Wedge have been made. Properly maintained footpaths, which also take account of people with special needs such as some elderly and disabled people, linked together by footbridges and signposts, help to direct walkers along official routes. This work, together with improved fencing, helps to reduce the risk of trespass and damage to farmland.
Improvements such as these not only help to conserve and enhance the visual appearance of the area, but also ensure that the public can continue to use the area with a minimum of conflict.
Points of InterestCoundon Court School (1)
Coundon Court was built in 1890-91 to the design of Charles Gray-Hill in an architectural style known as 'Victorian Gothic' and was approached from Northbrook Road by a long and winding carriage drive. It was originally the home of one of Coventry's most famous industrialists - George Singer, founder of the Singer Cycle and Motor Car Company. The auction brochure of 1909 reads: "this exceptionally beautiful house is placed midst lovely gardens and parkland and commands extensive views over surrounding countryside... It may justly be described as one of the most perfect homes, of moderate size, in the Midlands...". The house now forms the main building of Coundon Court School.
Wedge-Wood Community Woodland (2)
A 5 acre Community Woodland has been planted on land adjoining Coundon Court School. This involved the local community in the design, planting and maintenance of the wood, with support and guidance from the City Council's Countryside Project.
Northbrook Pool (3)
The most likely explanation as to the formation of this pond lies in the name of the original field, once known as "Waring's Dam Meadow". After years of neglect, it has been restored as an attractive landscape feature and wildlife habitat. A new wood has been planted on the adjoining field by the local community, to complement the restored pond.
Church Walk Farm (4)
Church Walk Farm is a good example of a timber framed, late medieval or Elizabethan 'longhouse', an uncommon type in this area. Its most notable feature is the combination of the dwelling-house and barns into one building, with a barn at each end of the central living quarters. Church Walk Farm is a Grade II listed building.
All Saints' Church (5)
All Saints' Church stands on high
ground to the east of Allesley Village and is a Grade 'A' listed building. The
church was much restored and rebuilt in 1863 but is still mostly Early English
Gothic, including the tower up to the bell openings. The two west bays of the
south arcade are probably of 
Norman origin.
Frogmere Pool (6)
The name 'Frogmere' is recorded as early as 1324 (Froggemor). In the 1841 Tithe Award, the name is applied to a pond on the River Sherbourne and shown on the Tithe Maps. In recent years, the pool has been restored by the Countryside Project. The adjoining area of woodland along the banks of the River Sherbourne is known as the Frogmere Plantation. The mature trees were planted in 1810 by William Bree, who at the time was rector of All Saints' Church.
Staircase Lane (7)
Staircase Lane is an ancient sunken trackway and is extremely narrow with high hedge-banks on sandstone and mature native trees on either side. The origin of the lane's present name is unknown, although it could be derived from the steep, winding or stepped nature of the original trackway. On very old maps the lane is known as 'Dark Lane'. Church Farm, off Staircase Lane, has a good example of an 18th century timber-framed barn.
People with Special Needs
Wherever possible, access to the Coundon Wedge for
people who might have special needs, such as some elderly and disabled people,
has been considered in association with the three adjoining Special Schools -
Sherbourne Fields, Tiverton and Three Spires. This work has included the
erection of kissing gates rather than stiles, the construction of a nature trail
and widening of foot-bridges, all designed to accommodate wheel chairs and push
chairs.
The network of public footpaths in the Coundon Wedge, together with the parishes of Allesley and Keresley, 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.
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, Allesley & Coundon Wedge Conservation Society 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
CV1 2PY
See also "Coundon Wedge - Description and Photographs"
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