Walk 1854 - printer friendly version

Coombe Abbey and Country Park Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km

Ascent - 300 feet / 91 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference SP404795
Lat 52.4120160 + Long -1.4074848
Postcode CV3 2AB (approx. location only)

Coombe Country Park lies on the eastern side of Coventry. The Abbey was founded in the 12th century. Today the Abbey is a hotel whilst the surrounding Country Park is owned and managed by Coventry City Council. The grounds were transformed by Capability Brown in the late 18th century who created Coombe Pool and planted many trees. This route starts by exploring the best features of the park before continuing through the surrounding countryside and woodland before returning along the 'Twelve o'Clock' Ride back to the start.

The start is the public car park at Coombe Country Park (grid ref. SP404795) which is approached from the B4027 east of Linley. After parking cross the main drive to reach the visitor centre. Bear right behind the centre and follow the clear path (centre on your right). Follow the broad path and cross a bridge over the eastern end of Coombe Pool. Turn left over a wooden footbridge and follow the path alongside Coombe Pool (on your left). Continue to a bird hide and turn right by heronry fence. Follow this path to reach a waymarked junction and turn left to join the Centenary Way. Continue between fields to reach a path junction (grid ref. SP394807).

Turn left and continue along the Centenary Way to Hillfields Farm. After passing through the farm the Centenary Way bends left. After 450 metres turn right and follow the path along the left-hand side of the field to reach the far side. The path cuts half-right across the next field to the far right-hand corner and a concrete track. Bear left to Coombe Fields Road. Cross the road to a broken stile and walk half right across a large field to Little Wood. Just before wood turn sharp right onto another path and recross the field back to Coombe Field Road. Just before the road turn sharp left and walk diagonally across the field along a bridleway towards a line of trees on the far side of the field. Walk through the trees to the B4027.

Cross the B4027 to join a paved track and continue to the corner of Birchley Wood. Ignore footpath on the left and follow the track with woodland on your immediate right. Where the track bends left to Birchley Farm continue ahead on the bridleway along the edge of the wood. Soon the bridleway enters the wood at a corner (grid ref. SP413780). Keep ahead for a short way and then walk left through a gap into a field. Follow the bridleway beside the wood with the wood to your right. Continue along the southern edge of Birchley Wood to a corner where you bear left and continue following the edge of the wood to pass Merton Hall Stables on your left.

Once past the stables, turn right onto Gossett Lane. This lane soon bends right where you turn right to re-join the Centenary Way (grid ref. SP405773). Follow the clear track, the 'Twelve o'Clock Ride', north with Coombe Abbey soon coming into view. Cross the B4017 and continue ahead to return to the car park.

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