A compressed History of the districts of Coventry with links to local websites.

Bell Green

Bell Green history and heritage - A source of interesting information about Bell Green.

Binley

Only two miles from the centre of Coventry. This was once a little rural Village where most of the property was owned by the Craven Family of Coombe Abbey. When Binley colliery opened many miners homes were built, changing the shape of the village. Workers came from different parts of the country to start new lives and when the pit closed chose to remain. Binley has an unusual and interesting church built by the Craven Family which is well worth a visit.

St Bartholomew's Church - Their website.

Coombe Abbey - Their Website.

Canley

This area of Coventry contains unspoilt woodlands, known as Ten Shilling Wood and Park Wood.

Canley’s most famous son was Sir Henry Parkes, Prime Minister of New South Wales five times. Sir Henry was born in Canley in 1815 the son of a tenant farmer, when he travelled to Australia with his wife he was practically penniless. Upon his arrival he became involved in politics, founding a newspaper to put his opinions across, he was also a poet. In Australia he is known as the “Father of Federation”.

The Friends of Canley Ford – Group dedicated to the protecting the remaining meadowland from development.

Cheylesmore

Coundon

Earlsdon

At one time home to many of Coventry’s watchmakers, this area was first developed in the 1850’s. When cheep imports of watches from the USA caused a decline in this industry some watchmakers immigrated to the USA others turned there skills to the emerging cycle making industry.

Earlsdon Community Website - Learn more about this popular area of Coventry.

Foleshill

Foleshill at one time formed part of the estate of Lady Godiva. Many years later Fords Hospital was one of a number of charities endowed with parts of Foleshill. Hand loom weaving spread to the area from Coventry. Much hardship was caused here when the weaving industry went into decline; this was caused by cheap French imports. There was also a brick kiln at Foleshill. It also became home to some large factories and Coventry's gas works (now demolished), the old Gas Works site is now the new home of Coventry City Football Club.

Henley

Hillfields

Established in 1828 Hillfields was outside the city wall. This area was at first a home to Coventry’s weaving industry and housed many of its workers, then it became a home to bicycle manufacture, which then developed into car production at its height there were around 20 different car makers based here.

Hillfields Partnership Board Website - For more Hillfields History.

Holbrooks

Keresley

Longford

Potters Green

Radford

Stivichall

This attractive area of Coventry was once part of the estate of Earl Leofric (husband of Godiva) but it was gifted to the church when he founded Coventry Priory. At the dissolution of the monasteries the land was sold passing through many hands until it was acquired by the Gregory family. Part of this land was sold to Coventry Council to create a Memorial Park to commemorate those killed in the First World War. The remaining part of the estate was sold to the Council in 1927.

Spon End

Spon-Line Coventry - This website contains a wealth of information on Spon End past and present.

Stoke

This area was once two little villages called Stoke and Bigging. At one time Stoke had a flourishing tile making industry which was later replaced by the making of clay pipes. Brick making was another local industry with both clay and sand readily available at Stoke Heath. But many of the locals worked in the weaving industry.

Tile Hill

Walsgrave on Sowe

Willenhall

The Virtual Museum, Willenhall - Website of Willenhall History Group well worth a visit.

Wyken

Wyken Website - A source of interesting information about Wyken.

The Illustrated History of Coventry's Suburbs
- David McGrory

This book is illustrated with fascinating photos from Coventry City's Archives; these photos show how over the years Coventry absorbed neighbouring farms and villages into its suburbs. David Mc Grory also relates local stories some of them unusual but very interesting, many involving local characters. Anyone interested in the History of Coventry will find this book enjoyable; it contains photos of many Coventry suburbs such as: Earlsdon, Foleshill, Binley, Keresley, Wyken and Gosford Green, to name but a few.

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