Meriden brings together memorials, architectural history and nature. The National Cyclists’ Memorial on the village green commemorates cyclists who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Other features include a protected cross, the almost thousand-year history of St Laurence Church, buildings from different centuries and a nature reserve with diverse wildlife. A walking route near Meriden follows an existing path through Church Wood. You can therefore choose between memorials, architecture and nature when deciding what to focus on at your destination.
Memorials in Meriden
Meriden Cross is a protected ancient monument (Scheduled Monument) and is locally known as “The Stocks”. The National Cyclists’ Memorial on the village green commemorates cyclists who lost their lives in both World Wars.
Meriden War Memorial commemorates 13 local service personnel who lost their lives in the First World War. It also remembers 78 men who served in that war and returned. A plaque added to the memorial after the Second World War commemorates seven men who lost their lives and eight others who returned. The commemoration therefore includes both those who died and men who came home.
Church and Architectural History
St Laurence Church has stood for almost a thousand years on the hill known as Alspath, above the present-day village of Meriden. Forest Hall was designed by Joseph Bonomi and built in 1788 for the Woodmen of Arden archery club, which had been founded in 1785. The club was therefore founded three years before Forest Hall was built.
Meriden Hall is an early 18th-century country house built of ashlar and now divided into apartments. Walsh Hall contains the remains of a 15th-century hall, including a preserved 16-foot-wide bay with its original roof structure. This gives a chronological sequence from the 15th-century hall, through Meriden Hall in the early 18th century, to Forest Hall in 1788.
The moat at Marlbrook Hall Farm is also part of the area’s architectural history. It is a well-preserved example of a simple domestic moat, once common in the area. Its historical significance lies in this type of moat and its former prevalence.
Woodland and Walking Routes
Millison’s Wood Local Nature Reserve is an area of ancient woodland with diverse wildlife. Woodland and wildlife are the focus of the reserve; a walking route near Meriden follows an existing path through Church Wood. If you plan to take the route, check current path conditions before setting out, as they can change.
Getting to Meriden and Hotels
The NX West Midlands X1 bus service runs between Birmingham and Coventry via Yardley, Sheldon, Birmingham International Airport, the NEC and Meriden. If you plan to use this service for your journey, check the operator’s current timetable before travelling, as timetable information can change.
If you’re looking for a hotel in Meriden, the topics described can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: memorial history, architecture or nature. Take your interests and travel arrangements into account when planning.
For the broader travel overview: Coventry.
