Coleshill offers several ways to explore its local history: a medieval parish church, historic buildings on the High Street and the Pillory and Whipping Post. For getting out and about, the Coleshill Heritage Walks, easy riverside walks along the River Cole and the facilities at Memorial Park offer different options.
A Church with Distinctive Details
The Church of St Peter and St Paul is a Grade I-listed medieval parish church on the highest ground in Coleshill. Its 14th-century tower and spire rise to 170 feet (52 metres). Inside, the intricately carved font, dating from the mid to late 12th century, is among the finest examples of its kind in the country.
The church is open to visitors year-round on Wednesdays from 11 am to 12 noon and Sundays from 10:30 am to 12 noon. The church offers tours and talks for individuals and groups by arrangement. This means you can choose between a visit during regular opening hours and a specially arranged option.
Market History and Historic Buildings
Coleshill received its market charter from King John in 1207. No. 95 High Street, a Grade II-listed building, dates from the mid-15th century and is near the original market place. Many of the original coaching inns survive, particularly along High Street and Coventry Road. These places offer different insights into the town’s history: its market tradition, older buildings and coaching-inn heritage.
Outside the old market hall stands the Pillory and Whipping Post, a rare wooden punishment device with three functions. It is probably an oak structure dating from the early 19th century; the device once stood in front of the market hall. Together with the 1207 market charter and the mid-15th-century building, it spans a period extending into the early modern era.
Heritage Walks, the River and Memorial Park
The Coleshill Heritage Walks include twelve stops covering local history and historic sights. The walks are listed as taking 90 to 120 minutes. This makes them a clearly defined way to explore the town’s history. Coleshill also has easy riverside walks along the River Cole—a different way to spend time outdoors.
Coleshill Memorial Park has a cricket pitch, two football pitches, a skate park, a basketball court and an adventure playground. There are various facilities to choose from for sport and play. Which ones appeal to you during your stay will depend on whether you would rather focus on local history, a riverside walk or activities in the park.
Planning Your Time in Coleshill
When planning, note that the timings for the church and the Heritage Walks refer to different things: the church hours indicate recurring visiting times, while 90 to 120 minutes is the stated duration of the walks. Tours and talks at the church must be arranged. So when planning your stay, you can first decide whether to focus on a church visit during the stated hours, an arranged event or the Heritage Walks. The riverside walks along the River Cole and the facilities at Memorial Park offer further options with a different focus.
Discover more destinations: Polesworth, Kineton, Newbold On Stour, Newton Regis, Nether Whitacre, Long Itchington, Nuneaton, Long Compton
Go to the main travel overview: Warwickshire.
