Tag: Polesworth

June 18th – Another fine, high summer day and this time I headed out to North Warwickshire, going from Stonnall to Bassets Pole, on to Middleton, body moor Heath, Hurley, Baxterley, Grendon and up the canal back to Tamworth with a speedy run down the old A5 home.

It was a lovely ride on a gorgeous day and the scenery showed itself well. Merevale Hall still sits imperiously over the plains beyond the Watling Street, and over the former mining communities on the ridge, which apart from the memorials and odd preserved building, you’d never guess had ever existed at all.

It was also a day of languid animals, from the ambling rabbits who unusually didn’t have a rush in them, to lounging cats hunting shadow, rather than sun. 

Bernie the boater Birman was going for a walk with his dad at Polesworth, on a lead as he normally lives at home. He was perfectly content and a lovely cat.

A word of caution, though: if you’re planning to ride the Coventry Canal between Grendon and Polesworth, choose something agricultural to ride. The towpath is non-existent and was seriously challenging to ride.

May 7th – I set out late afternoon expecting limited showers – and to be fair, that was all I got. Heading to Middleton for cake and tea, there was an absolute deluge while I was in the coffee shop, but 15 minutes later it had ceased, and in a fairly lengthy tour of north Warwickshire’s border country, including Lea Marston, Hurley, Woodend and Dordon. I returned via Polesworth, Alvecote and Tamworth, and only tangled with the rain through Tamworth.

I watched a thunderstorm over north Birmingham from a safe, bright and dry hillside near Dorado, and appeared to miss all the weather-excitement at home.

So nice to see the old school in Polesworth has been restored and now back in use – although I’m not sure what as.

A great, enjoyable 55 mile ride.

July 7th – Passing through Polesworth I noticed this fine, but decaying building. Not a handsome edifice by any stretch, but impressive, foursquare and imposing all the same. The chimneys alone are gorgeous, never mind the finials, cupola and that incredible door. I had no idea what it was, other than a school, and made a note to find out when I got home.

It turns out it’s the former Nethersoles School, latterly a community centre, and now derelict, awaiting planning to turn it into apartments. The latin above the door – to my broken understanding – says ‘School for paupers and girls’ or similar.

It’s a remarkable thing, and so sad to see i falling to ruin. I hope something can be done with it soon.

November 13th – An afternoon ride into Warwickshire through Tamworth. Hints, then down the A5 and canal to Polesworth, through Seckington and back via Clifton Campville, Harlaston and Whittington. Unlike my recent rides over Cannock Chase, the scenery was more varied. The day was quite dull and misty, however, and photography wasn’t great. A nice fifty miler, though, and a reminder that I should head out this way more often. Haven’t been to Orton on the Hill or Austrey for ages.