Why was this site created?

Someone asked me where the southern end of the Sowe Valley Footpath is.  I knew it was within a mile of home, and I knew where the path crossed the London Road, but not where the end was.  I tried all the maps I had at home, but could not find the answer.  We then talked about some of the other good walks we had found within Coventry when the Foot & Mouth restrictions barred us from the local country walks, most of which were not clearly marked on our maps.

Next time I was in Coventry City Centre with an hour to spare I tried finding what documents and guides were available.  The Tourist Information Office let me have their last but one copy of the Sowe Valley Footpath booklet which answered the original question.  But they had virtually no information on all the other good walks within Coventry.  The suggested the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum or the Council House.  Both were very helpful, but each only added one more leaflet to my collection.

I then tried the Coventry Evening Telegraph (helpfully searching their database and providing me references to the Urban Walks which were published during the Foot & Mouth restrictions plus photocopies of some of them), and the Central Library (who provided me with photocopies of the rest of the Urban Walks set).  At the library I browsed all the available literature.

The conclusions were:

• There is a lot of information available on country walks outside Coventry (some nearby ones are referenced in my index)
• There is good coverage available for Coventry City Centre
• BUT very little exists for the rest of the walks within Coventry boundary

Hence the potential need for this site.

Since starting the project, I have discussed the situation with experts from Coventry City Planning Department, Coventry local branch of the Ramblers Association and The Coventry Way Association.  I now know in outline what their plans are, and will be discussing in more detail over the next few weeks.  My aim is that this site will harmonise with their activities, concentrating on covering aspects they are not covering, and linking to any information they are planning to publish or update.

Key words: coventry walks footpaths rambles ramble walk stroll maps footpaths paths leisure parks conservation areas nature areas green space rights of way routes history guide