CALDECOTE WALK - click the green map icons for more information.

Car Parking.

Car parks are located at Poor's Piece, at the junction of Mancetter Road and Camp Hill Road, and at Windmill Hill Community Nature Area, signposted off Mancetter Road. Vehicular access into the car park is available between 7.30am until dusk.

Extended Routes.

The broken green lines on the map indicate other footpaths open to the public, which can be used to extend or simply to vary existing walks. This route links to neighbouring Weddington, see the 'Walks Around Weddington' section.

Footwear.

The condition of the routes will vary considerably from metalled roads to muddy tracks across farmland, so stout waterproof footwear is essential. good surface conditions cannot be guaranteed.

Acknowledgements.

To North Warwickshire Borough Council for co-operation on matters of land access and publicity. To Mr A Cook for his advice on the historical content of this leaflet.

Key to map icons:

Ghost Walk. The original path from Caldecote to Weddington was once known as 'Ghost Walk' after an incident in 1832. Polly Button and Joe Danks (a married man) from Caldecote, used to meet secretly in Weddington Meadows but the tragic lovers were doomed. Joe killed Polly when his wife found out and Joe was hanged 2 months later in Warwick - you can read more about this tragic murder by clicking here. (back up)

Nature Area. Windmill Hill Community Nature Area. This eight-acre site of council owned land was formerly a tree nursery, but is now open to the public as a place to walk, explore and enjoy the wildlife. The majority of the nature area is accessible to all, with cambered paths forming circular routes through woodlands and past meadows and a wildlife pond. An information leaflet is available from the council offices and a self-guided audio trail can be loaned from local libraries. (back up)

Caldecote Hall. Caldecote Hall was the home of Colonel Purefoy, a staunch supporter of oliver Cromwell. It is famous for the spirited defence put up by the Colonel's wife, son-in-law and a handful of staff against a 3 day assault by 500 Royalists in 1642, during the civil war. The hall you see today was built in 1880 after the original building was destroyed by fire. the Hall and grounds are in private ownership and are not accessible to the general public (for more information see 'Caldecote Hall' section).  (back up)

Caldecote Church. Caldecote Church is tucked away at the bottom of Caldecote Hall Drive, and is currently owned by P. M. Keil. It was built in the 12th - 13th century to serve the original village of Caldecote, and contains many monuments to the Purefoy family. The main door to the church was originally from the hall and bullet holes inflicted during the 1642 siege are still visible. There is pedestrian access to the church only and not to any other part of the estate, which is strictly private.  (back up)

Wood Bridge. Horse drawn barges are now largely memories from the past, but rope marks can still be seen in the brickwork of this bridge, caused by horses repeatedly pulling the barges around this bend in the Coventry Canal.  (back up)

Ridge and Furrow. The undulations on this field are signs of a farming practice that was common in the Midlands during medieval times. Strips 5 feet wide were ploughed with 2 feet trenches in between to aid drainage. Modern deep ploughing has obliterated this pattern in most areas now.  (back up)

Disused Windmill. Built in 1821 this windmill ground corn for one hundred and fifteen years. Following gales in 1905 five shorter ones replaced the original four sails. After 1936 the windmill fell into a state of disrepair. The private owner has undertaken partial restoration. (back up)