|
|
|
Transcript from leaflet published by Coventry City Council, updated where
needed.
Keresley parish lies on the north-west fringe of Coventry. It is a parish of two parts, a built-up area comprising the village of Keresley and a rural area of Green Belt countryside comprising the Hall Brook valley and the hills surrounding.
The network of rural public footpaths in the parish of Keresley, together with Allesley 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.
This leaflet provides an introduction to walks in Keresley, and is one in a series of leaflets designed to help you enjoy your walks in the countryside of Coventry that little bit more.
The rural part of Keresley is an area of historic landscape importance
which has its origins dating back to at least the Anglo-Saxon period. Together
with the adjoining parish of Allesley, it forms the largest extent of open
countryside within the City boundary, and considering its close proximity to the
built-up area, has a strong rural character. The landscape is especially
significant, as it forms part of the only remaining unspoilt area of Ancient
Arden countryside left in the historic County of Warwickshire.*
On the western side of the Hall Brook valley, the Tamworth Road marks the edge of the parish. The road runs along a ridge about a hundred feet above the valley, with the slopes partially wooded. At the north-eastern corner of the valley, Bunsons Wood and Hounds Hill stand about 500 feet above sea level. From Hounds Hill, there are superb views over Keresley with Coventry spires in the distance.
The woods in the parish are all deciduous Ancient Woodlands scheduled by English Nature and dating back to before 1600AD (Bunsons Wood, Hall Yard Wood, Pikehorne Wood and The Alders). They are prominent landscape features typical of lowland rural England and extremely valuable habitats for plants, animals and birds. In the spring, a mass of Bluebells carpet the floor of the woods. These Ancient Woodlands and much of the surrounding farmland, has been owned by Queen's College Oxford, since 1529.
*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.
Derivation of the name Keresley
The first part of the name (Keres-) is uncertain. It may mean cress or
be derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name. 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 Keresley as a clearing within
the former Forest of Arden.
Wildlife Quality
The City Council wildlife surveys which include Keresley parish, have classified much of the area as an "A" grade - "An area of very high natural history value, containing several varied habitats and a wide diversity of plants and animals".
The Tamworth Road
Dating back to at least the 14th century, the road runs along the ridge on the western boundary of the parish. Originally it was an ancient carriage-way leading from the Lichfield area to Warwick, passing close to the Bronze/Iron Age fortifications at Corley Rocks and Burrow Hill (now an Ancient Monument), 561 feet above sea level. In 1762 the road was turn piked and then used for bringing coal into Coventry from the north.
Thompsons Lane
This is an ancient sunken trackway between Fivefield Lane and Bennetts Road, which has existed since at least the Middle Ages and is now used as a public footpath and bridleway. Together with Fivefield Lane, they are tightly defined by thick hedgerows on high hedge-banks, with mature native trees and bracken, which are all characteristic features of this Ancient Arden landscape.
A Working Countryside
Traditional mixed farming is the predominant land use in Keresley 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.
Access to the Wider Countryside
To help secure access to the wider countryside, the Countryside Project works closely with the Countryside Commission, adjoining local authorities and the Ramblers' Association, to enable improvements to the footpath network in Coventry, to link with other improvements carried out by adjoining authorities and form part of a wider footpath network.
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
Keresley 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.
Public transport serving the network is via number 36 or 36C "Keresley Village" 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, Tamworth Road (opposite Sand pits Lane, and at Waste Lane). 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
Hare and
Hounds, Watery Lane, Keresley Green [Tel:(024) 7633 2716 
Website
]
Horse and Jockey, Tamworth Road, Nr, Corley Village [Tel:
(024)7633 2643 Fax:(024) 7633 8124]
The Old Hall, Coundon Park, Tamworth Road [Tel:
(024) 7633 2542]
(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.
|
Coventry Walks |
|
|