Earlsdon does not have a parish council, of course, but this walk follows the old tradition of "beating the bounds" and takes in a variety of green spaces around the edges of Earlsdon. This is a long circular walk beginning at the Earlsdon clock, taking in the ancient Hearsall Common and Canley Ford, and the more modern War Memorial Park, before ending with the Edwardian developments of Top Green and Spencer Park.
A map of the route is available via Google Maps.
The Route
- The Earlsdon Clock — Begin at the clock at the junction of Albany Road, Earlsdon Street and Earlsdon Avenue. The clock marks what many consider to be the heart of Earlsdon, erected in 1990 by local subscription to replace a tram clock which stood on the roundabout until the 1980s.
- Hearsall Common — Proceed along Earlsdon Avenue North to Hearsall Common at the Old Clarence Inn. From the Clarence, head diagonally across the common to the junction of Canley Road with Hearsall Lane and cross to the woodland area on the far side. Continue to the woodland, keeping the allotments and old hedgerows on your right. As you enter the wood, look for the pond restored by Wildlife Trust volunteers. Veering right, continue through scrubland to Guphill Avenue. Turn left and pass through mature woodland — look out for jays, sparrowhawks, owls, tree creepers and woodpeckers. The trail crosses Broad Lane and continues alongside an old hedgerow to Tile Hill Lane.
- Canley Ford — Cross Tile Hill Lane and continue along another hedgerow to Canley Road, following it over the railway. Continue along Beechwood Avenue and walk ahead along Bates Road, taking the narrow footpath through Hearsall Golf Course. At the lane, turn right to the ford — this is a very ancient sunken lane worn down by centuries of carts. By the ford there are steps on the left leading to the nature reserve created by Friends of Canley Ford, where an impressive metal sculpture of a kestrel stands in the meadow.
- War Memorial Park — Return to the lane, turn right and follow to Kenilworth Road. Cross over and enter Coat of Arms Bridge Road. Continue along to enter the War Memorial Park through a gate on the left. Pick your own route through the park and head for the large art deco memorial, then continue along the boulevard to the main gate at the junction of Kenilworth Road and Leamington Road.
- Top Green — Cross and enter Top Green. This Edwardian park was Coventry's first city park before the opening of War Memorial Park. It is where local residents would once promenade.
- Spencer Park — Continue through the Park to Spencer Road and turn left. Continue along Spencer Road to Spencer Park. The park consists of a formal Edwardian park with tennis courts and bowling greens, together with a pavilion.
- Anarchy Bridge & return — On the opposite side of the road is an informal park surrounded by fine trees. Take the tree-lined path around this section, turning left at the railway footbridge — known locally as "Anarchy Bridge". The path will lead back to Albany Road where you turn left to return to the Earlsdon Clock.