Warwickshire Heritage

Astley Castle

This ruined castle was in the ownership of the De Astley and Grey families for many years. Sir John Grey, heir to the houses of Astley, Grey and Ferrers of Groby, married Elizabeth Woodville around 1455. Sir John was killed, fighting for the Lancastrian cause, at St. Albans in 1461, during the Wars of the Roses. Elizabeth subsequently married King Edward IV, the Yorkist claimant to the throne, whose victory in the Wars of the Roses resulted in Yorkist supremacy for 25 years in England. Elizabeth, through her marriage to Edward IV, was mother of the Princes in the Tower, reputedly murdered at the instigation of her brother-in-law, Richard of York who became Richard III. She was also the mother of Elizabeth, who married Henry VII. In addition, Elizabeth was the great, great grandmother of Lady Jane Grey, Queen of England for 9 days in 1553.

During the English Civil War the castle was garrisoned for a time by the Parliamentarians and Royalist troops were imprisoned there. The manor of Astley, including the castle, was purchased by Sir Richard Newdigate of nearby Arbury Hall in the mid 17th century.

The castle at Astley served as an hotel for a time during the 20th century but a disastrous fire in 1978 led to the sorry state of the building at the present time. In 2009 there is some maintenance and restoration taking place to secure the remaining part of the structure with the intention of incorporating some holiday/leisure facilities.

Hartshill Boatyard and Maintenance Yard

Situated on the busy Coventry Canal which links Coventry with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal at Fazeley near Tamworth.. It has various wharves including a covered one for the unloading of dry goods.

Bedworth Water Tower

Water tower in Bedworth which once provided water supplies to the local area. Now surrounded by a residential housing estate it was originally planned to convert the tower into apartments and flats.

The Pillory & Whipping Post, Coleshill

A reminder of an old form of punishment when offenders were on display to the local populace and justice could really be seen to be done.

Wolfhampcote, LNWR Railway & The River Leam

The River Leam, one of the principal rivers of Warwickshire, rises near Hellidon in Northamptonshire. For a few miles it forms the boundary between Northamptonshire and Warwickshire. It reaches Wolfhampcote and is bridged by the old LNWR line between Rugby and Leamington. Shortly after, the river turns westward on its journey to Leamington and the county boundary continues northwards, skirting Braunston in Northamptonshire.

Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone

Queen Elizabeth School traces back its history to a Royal Charter of 1572, though the foundation stone suggests that it actually opened in 1573. The original Atherstone Grammar School was founded by William Deveruex, Thomas Fulner and Amyas Hill. Pupils were taught in the chancel of Atherstone Chapel initially. It is believed that the local poet Michael Drayton, was educated at the school.

Compton Verney

Originally the home of the Verney family. The present house was designed by Robert Adam and built in the 1760s. The work was commissioned by John Peyto Verney, 14th Baron Willoughby de Broke. The estate was owned by the Verney family from the mid-1400s to 1921. The house was purchased for the Compton Verney House Trust by the Peter Moores Foundation in 1993. It now serves as an art gallery and museum with both permanent and temporary exhibitions.

The Old Swan, Atherstone

One of the few remaining timber framed buildings in Atherstone. The Old Swan was originally a house, believed to have been constructed in the 16th century.

Harbury Windmill

This tall windmill served the village of Harbury for many years. It has now been converted to residential use.

War Memorial, Newbold on Avon

 

Nailcote Hall

On the border of Coventry and Berkswell the Hall operates as an hotel and leisure cebntre with its own golf course. Parts of the building date from the 16th century.