Things of Interest in Coleshill, Warwickshire, B46.

Things of interest in Coleshill Warwickshire B46.

The market town of Coleshill is situated in North Warwickshire. It stands between the two rivers, the River Cole and the river Blythe. It’s also fairly near to the River tame which runs through Birmingham.

Back in the 1970s, Archaeologists discovered evidence that the town dates back to the Bronze age, before becoming developed during the Roman invasion / occupation period. There was a large Roman settlement at Grimstock Hill, hence the road names on the “new” estate alongside (Brutus Drive, Trajan Hill, Imperial Rise, Augustus Close, Centurion Close etc).

The investigations found extensive evidence of a Roman Temple on the site (again one road is named Temple Way!).

After the Romans left, the settlement uprooted and moved southwards (to the top of the hill)> The church was built there and dominates the landscape for miles around. It’s definitely worth a visit. You’ll see a steeple that stands over one hundred and seventy feet high. It is often lit up by floodlights at night and can look amazing. You’ll also see a Norman font, dating back over nine hundred years.

This is close to the

Grimscote Manor Hotel,

Lichfield Road, Coleshill,

Birmingham

B46 1LH

The medieval town grew up around that (and still does today). Over the years the bridge across the River Cole (that splits the town in two) was upgraded until it became the Grade 2 listed bridge that stands there now. Find out more things of interest in Coleshill Warwickshire .The original version can be dated back to the sixteenth century but was widened in the 17th to look more like it’s present incarnation. The town is worth a visit just to see this.

By the time of the Norman invasion, the village had become part of a Royal Manor owned by Edward the Confessor. It appeared in the Domesday Book as being owned by William the Conqueror (if he had it must have been good!). It was granted a market charter in 1207 by King John (at the same time as Liverpool and Great Yarmouth, so it must have been at a similar level as those two). 

The main market square is between the High Street and Church of St Peter and St Paul and is now called (unsurprisingly) Church Hill. There is still a farmers’ market held once a month. It’s also the site of the whipping post and pillory that can be seen outside the civic society. Apparently, drunkards and corrupt tradesmen felt the lash or got pelted with rotten fruit there over the years.

Coleshill Parish Church,
Church Hill,
Coleshill,
Birmingham
B46 3AD

Simon Digby became The Lord of the Manor in 1496. It was given to him as a reward from King Henry the Seventh after the battle of Bosworth. He obviously backed the right side!

Known as a coaching town, Coleshill was in an ideal position to develop as most traffic had to come through the town (it lay on the main route from London to the Northwest destinations of Chester, Liverpool and the port of Holyhead).

At its zenith, there were over twenty coaching Inns in Coleshill (one is still called the Coach and Horses!). It’s hardly surprising that they had to change horses, given the climb up through Coleshill. Most of these can still be found along the main High Street / Coventry Road that runs straight through the town. Most people sadly pass through (or around) Coleshill (especially since the bypass was built) rather than take time to visit the many places of interest >

The Coach Hotel,
150 High St,
Coleshill,
Birmingham
B46 3BG

At the southern end of Coleshill lies the Coleshill School. A modern forerunner of the original that was established in 1520.

The Coleshill School,

Coventry Rd,

Coleshill,

Birmingham,

B46 3EX