Guided Walks

We have produced a leaflet outlining the points of interest in the Abbey Fields which was launched on Tuesday, 14th June 2005 by the Lord Mayor of Kenilworth. They can be obtained from the Kenilworth Library and on our notice board in the Swimming Baths. If you have difficulty in obtaining one please e-mail us at friendsofabbeyfields@deman.co.uk with your details and we will post one to you.

The following gives you one route to follow:

• Barn – built in 14th Century – made of Sandstone. Now acts as a local history museum upstairs and Abbey Interpretation Project downstairs. Open on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Notice walls peppered with shot marks – perhaps from Civil War skirmish in 1642.

• The Abbey of St Mary was founded around 1119 for Augustinian Canons and was closed by King Henry VIII’s dissolution in 1538. By 1600 most of its buildings had been dismantled, although some parts survive today both above and below ground.

• Abbey Gatehouse – The Tantara Archway of the Gatehouse – 1361-75 – There used to be a ‘clapper gate’ or ‘tumbledown stile’ in the small archway of the Abbey Gatehouse – this now resides in the Barn Museum.

• Churchyard is well endowed with evergreens such as yews and cypress.

• Parish Church of St. Nicholas built of locally quarried red sandstone and Norman Archway.

• Lime Avenue – The avenue of lime trees, planted circa 1910 and presented by Mr. Keyes of Park Hill in memory of his late wife.

• Part of Abbey Wall – part of the south wall of the Chapter House. The scorched grass surrounding it outlines the area the Chapter House once covered – being 15m long x 8.5m wide. Tombs were located here of the Founders. There is a reconstruction on show in the Barn.

• Look out for bronze plaques which identify the Abbey ruins.

• Water Fountain (disused)

• Town Pool Bridge – Grade II listed. The magnitude of the flood of July 1834, after rain lasting but a few hours ‘ carried away the modern bridge by the tilt-yard, a few moments after two or three persons had crossed’. In fact there had only been a culvert through the Tiltyard which was the ancient dam for ponding back the waters of the 150 acre Mere. The great flood washed away part of the dam, which had been complete except for the tunnel culvert until that time. A few of the levels of exceptional floods are recorded on the west side of the bridge in Bridge Street.

• Sponsored batboxes 2002 – sponsored birdboxes 2003 can be seen on trees alongside of Finham brook.

• Air raid shelters – there are three around perimeter of Abbey Fields - top of car park, Bridge Street end of prehistoric straight path, and near Forrest Road/Castle Road junction.

• Prehistoric Straight Path – pathway that runs from Bridge Street to Memorial – lined with Lime trees.

• War Memorial – unveiled for those who died in the Great War 1914-1919 on Sunday, 26th February 1922 – subsequently dedicated to World War II 1939-1945 and Korea 1952.

• Iron Bridge leads across the brook to the swimming pool – at one time a gate divided the bridge. Floods have been known for many centuries in the town but the great flood of 1673 was particularly severe. It destroyed the mediaeval Packsaddle Bridge which carried traffic across the brook to the Abbey of St. Mary. Traces of the abutments can still be seen to the west of the present iron footbridge.

• Swimming Baths, Cafeteria and Toilets – swimming baths first opened in 1896 with fresh running water from the brook including frogs.

• Bowling Green/5 Tennis Courts/Clock Golf

• Feeding Platform – although swans do not breed in the Abbey Fields they soon return with their young.- Lousley brook and Finham Brook join close by.

• Forrest Road Hedge – in 2003 in conjunction with Warwick District Council, Friends of Abbey Fields restored with typical English types – Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Eglantine and Elderberry – mention wild flowers

• Lousley Brook – (Owl box can be seen close to Castle Road Bridge/zebra crossing) – brook lined mainly with weeping willows.

• Mound – Earthworks - Tit Boxes in this area were all occupied last year – the three metre high mound at the side of Finham brook has been described as a barrow, a spoil heap, the burial place of soldiers from the 1266 siege of the castle or a signal tower. It is surrounded by mature oaks and beach trees.

• Finham brook runs West to East – from the Castle to Bridge Street – Alder commonest species along banks.

• Ford – in November 1883 a flood caused the Ford to rise 10 ft – normally only 1ft – a cab and horse were swept under the bridge but fortunately the cabbie was able to clamber on the footbridge and wade to dry land. His fare was not so lucky but a man swam out to retrieve him. In December 1900 heavy rains caused Finham Brook to become a swollen river; 30-40 yds either side of the Ford was under muddy water. The old footbridge was considerably damaged and the Abbey Fields became an inland sea.

• New Hedge Saplings alongside Ford Cottage and pony paddock.

• Lake – in 1990s the Warwick District Council created a permanent lake on the site of the old Abbey Pool – popular with the wildlife.

• Up Hill to High Street – rough areas on left and right are where wild flowers planted in Spring 2004.