| Not much more than a hundred years ago Hillfields was a rural
spot. We are told that "this now thickly populate district
was then a wild and romantic place. The low ground immediately
surrounding Swanswell Pool was covered with extensive osier and
reed beds. This place was the favourite resort and breeding
place of several kinds of water fowl ... Pike, perch, roach,
tench and eels afforded fine sport for anglers. Before the new
town of Hillfields encroached upon the pool, it was a wild and
weird place. The water was bordered with fine old pollard
willows, and on two sides the ground gradually rose to
Hillfields. The path across the field that bounded the pool on
one side led into a lane called Harnall Lane, which in olden
times was the highway between Coventry and Leicester. It
was a rugged but beautiful place in bygone times, so narrow in
parts that farmers carts almost touched the fences on either
side. In other parts there were broad stretches of waste land
bordering the roadway, the furze and brambles upon which made
them a veritable paradise in my eyes. Ferns grew in rich
profusion in the more sheltered parts." This is part of a
description written by Mr. Joseph Gutteridge.
About 1828, Hillfields began to develop; houses of weavers
and others quickly sprang up. At that time, Hillfields, or the
township of Harnall, or Newtown, Swanswell Field, as it was
variously called, was part of the Parish of Holy Trinity.
This is an extract from the History of Hillfields and St.
Peter's Church (source unknown).
Farmers, anglers and naturalists are likely to be upset by
the news that a New Town of ribbon weaving settlements is to be
built on Hill Fields. Rich with waving corn and extending
from Primrose Hill to Swanswell Fields this area abounds in
natural richness.
Wild and Weird
The extensive pool in the
valley is surrounded by osier and reed beds that provide a
breeding place for several kinds of water fowl. Wild duck, the
widgeon, the dipper and the water-hen visit this area which is
additionally enlivened by the songs of the warbler.
Anglers find good sport with pike, perch, roach, tench and eels,
and this wild and weird place is bordered by old pollard willows
and clusters of tall elms, oaks, chestnuts and maples.
From the pool, a path leads to Harnall Lane, so narrow a road
that farmers' carts almost touch the fences on either side.
A mile further on, Swan Lane is reached at the boundary with
Stoke.
The highest part of Hill Fields lies a couple of fields away and
is aptly named Primrose Hill. From this beautifully wooded
knoll, a magnificent view of the city is obtained.
Carefully Wooded
Care must be taken when wandering here: amidst the stately
elms - both common and wych elms - maples and pines of various
species are old quarry workings which provided sandstone for
building the city walls and gates in the fourteenth century.
This fictional article is copied from The Coventry Area
Reporter, a newspaper format history of Coventry published in
1988 by Mayneset Ltd., Leamington Spa.
More about the history of
Harnall before Hillfields was developed
Look at a map of
Hillfields in 1851. |
