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15th Century

16th Century

17th Century

18th Century

1800 - 1850

1850 - 1900

1900 - 1950

1950 - 1970

1970 - 1980

1980 - 1994

1851 Map of the Swanswell

1889 Map of the Swanswell

The Swanswell Postcard Collection

Photos of the Swanswell as it is today

The forbidden island by Mason. (memories of a Hillfields kid)

Swanswell Pool forms the focus for a major new regeneration programme for an area to the north of Coventry City Centre.

The starting point for this history is Mr Albert Edward Wilson's history of Harnall and Swanswell. These are part of a large collection of histories of the districts of the city held in the City Records Office. Mr Wilson was born on 5th July 1908 in Harborough. He moved to Coventry as a child and was educated at Bablake School. He worked for Coventry City Council from leaving school until his retirement in 1968, being employed as a Shops Act Inspector. He was a member of the Special Constabulary for 39 years - between 1939 and 1978.

Mr Wilson started work on the history of Coventry in 1945. He suffered a temporary setback in 1965 when part of his work was stolen but had reached up to the 1990s when he dies on 28th July 1994. In his will, Mr Wilson left his work to the City Records Office.

According to David McGrory's book Images of Coventry, Swanswell Pool began life as a much larger pool which filled the central valley of Coventry. During early times this large area of water silted up leaving the Swanswell and what became St. Osburg's Pool. The pool was further reduced in 1851 when White Street was built.

1414 The Swanswell is very ancient, for it is contained in one of the legends concerning the famous Guy of Warwick and from where, according to Camden, it derived its name. This was originally "Swine's Well". Guy is reputed to have slain a wild boar and in its death struggle it rooted up the ground with its tusks and so the pool was formed. The shield bone of this beast was suppose to have been hung on the wall of St. George's Chapel, which was built in this year, although another legend suggests that this relic was the rib of the mythical Dun Cow, also slain by Guy of Warwick. In all probability this stretch of water may have been joined up to St. Osberg's Pool in the far distant past, or at any rate formed the lake through which the now insignificant River Arthur flowed. This is now but a tiny stream, running along the eastern side of the present pool, which empties itself in to the River Sherbourne at Cox Street.

In the 15th Century Prior Thomas Deram, the Prior at the nearby St. Mary's monastery, had a dispute with the Mayor of the city concerning citizens washing their clothes in the Swanswell Pool and thus spoiling his fish. The Mayor replied that far from spoiling the fish, the washing would help the fish to grow fatter.

1539 Another name for this strip of water was "Harnall Pool" and was first mentioned as such in this year, when it, with the hamlet of Harnall, was granted to John Hales.

1632 "Swanswell House" that was in existence, was in this year, converted into a water-works for the supply of water to the city, by Bartholomew Bewley, a plumber, and Thomas Surgeon, a mason. The water was conducted from a sprint in a field near Swanswell Pool, by means of lead pipes, through the Priory Orchard, under the city wall, through the Pool Yard, or Pool Meadow, then up the Priory into the town. The reservoir was attached to premises in "Cuckoo Lane". The engine for forcing the water through the mains, worked by waterpower, was placed in a building opposite the Swanswell Pool. 

1647 The Waterworks here was leased to Bartholomew Barley & Thomas Sargerson for a period of 200 years.

1649 Coventry Corporation leased Swanswell Pool for fishing.

1759 Swanswell Rookery was raided and robbed, in which one of the thieves was killed by falling from a tree.

1770 An apple tree was seen to be in full bloom at the Swanswell in October of this year.

1785 "Swanswell House" with the Swanswell estate was up to let. It was acquired and then converted into a public house by the sign of the "Swan". It was described as having an early or mid 17th century exterior of 2 storeys facing the pool and three storeys where the land fell away. It had projecting quoins, stone mullioned windows, some of which were oriels. At the east end a tall brick addition had the appearance of an industrial building. This may have been part of the waterworks in the 18th and 19th centuries.

1787 Henry Wills took over the "Swan" tavern and converted part of it into a cold plunge bath.

1790 A boy was accidentally shot in Swanswell Field by a person's fowling piece going off.

The landlord of the "Swan" tavern launched a twenty-four seat pleasure boat on the pool.

1794 Angling was permitted at the Pool to subscribers only at 10 shillings per annum, which included the use of the pleasure boat and the cold plunge bath.

1803 "Swanswell House" and garden were up to let.

1810 Swanswell Waterworks were up for sale.

1811 Part of Swanswell Fields was put up for sale in lots for building.

1828 Swanswell Plunge bath was demolished.

1843 "Swanswell House" was again on the market, this time to let.

1848 By the 1840s the Swanswell complex was badly neglected. The waterworks was inadequate to supply the necessary amount of water, the mill was in a poor condition, and the lease expired in 1846. At the expiry of the lease the works were replaced by a more modern system.  

1848 Hales Street was constructed to link up with New Town of which White Street ran along the south end of the Pool and at the same time other thoroughfares, also named after benefactors of the city were constructed. They were Jesson Street, Bird Street and Norton Street; there were already, besides these new streets, Ford Street, Wheatley Street, and Fairfax Street in existence in this area.

1850 The mill was taken down and part of the southern end of the pool filled to create White Street, which was opened for the construction of houses. 

1851 A married woman, Amelia Evans, committed suicide by drowning herself in the pool.

1852 Small pleasure boats were introduced on the pool.

A body of a new-born male infant was found sewn up in a sheet in the River Arthur at the Swanswell

1854 A steam flourmill was erected at the Swanswell, and named the "City Mill", when 14 men climbed to the top of its 200 ft. chimney and had lunch thereon. This disposed its waste water into the Swanswell.

1861 "Swanswell House" was yet again up for let.

1864 Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital was built in Stoney Stanton Road, facing the Swanswell.

1869 A new Church was opened by the Swanswell, consecrated to St. Mark.

1880 Swanswell Pool and surrounding ground was presented to the City by Sir Thomas White's Trustees.

1883 The ground around the Pool was converted into a Park.

1887 Joseph Baker of Fleet Street caught a pike in the Swanswell weighing 20¾ lbs.

A plot of land adjoining the Swanswell, but on the other side of Bird Street, was given to the Corporation by Sir Thomas White's Trustees.

Ornamental waterfowl were purchased for the Pool.

1891 One of a pair of Russian guns captured at the Crimea War was placed in this park; the other was put on Greyfriars Green.

1897 A pair of Chinese Mandarin ducks and a pair of Golden Eyed Divers were acquired for the Pool.

1900 A tramway track was constructed along Stoney Stanton Road between the Park and the Hospital, also another track along White Street.

1904 The king presented a swan to the city which was liberated on the Pool here together with 4 Runner ducks and a drake, procured by Councillor Copson.

This photo shows the pool before the raised edge was fitted for safety reasons. To the left of the photo is St. Mary's vicarage which was later demolished and incorporated into the park.

1933 The old Orphanage, taken over by the Hospital during the War, was re-converted into a Children's ward, while the chapel at its south end became a maternity ward.

1937 A hoard of ancient coins and two brooches were discovered under the site of the old laundry of the Hospital, not far away from the Swanswell.

1940 Both the Children's ward and the Maternity ward were completely destroyed in the November blitz on the city; also St. Mark's Church opposite was badly damaged. The pool was used as a water supply for firefighters in the city centre. A fire crew from Stoke on Trent were all killed as they attempted to lay overland pipes from the Swanswell to the city centre.

1950 New tennis courts were laid out in Swanswell Park.

The other plot of land on the other side of Bird Street was laid out as a park.

The "Stanley Brown" shelter for elderly people was erected and opened in the small park off Bird Street.

1953 To commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, model galleons were put on the Swanswell Pool which were illuminated at night.

1957 Swanswell Pool was purified.

1958 An aeration plant was installed at the Swanswell Pool.

1960 Coventry Flour Mills opposite was closed down.

1961 The second stage of the City's Inner Ring Road from Swanswell Terrace to Hill Street was opened to traffic.

1962 A Children's Playground with a slide was made in the Park.

1964 The Foleshill Road was continued to join the Inner Ring Road at the western end of Swanswell Terrace.

1967 All property in Jesson Street, Norton Street, White Street and Swanswell Terrace, including the "Sir Thomas White" and "Samson and Lion" public houses, were demolished in readiness for Stage 5 of the Inner Ring Road.

1968 Jesson Street and Norton Street, now devoid of property, ceased to be thoroughfares.

The former Flour Mill with its 200 ft chimney were demolished.

The stretch of the Inner Ring Road over Swanswell Terrace to White Street was opened to traffic.

1971  Swanswell Poll was opened to young anglers.

A site in White Street under the Fly-over of the Ring Road, was landscaped and called Volgograd Place and was officially opened by M V. Zolotaryiv, the Deputy Mayor of that city in the USSR.

1975 Free fishing for youngsters was again made available with permits on request instead of being supplied beforehand.

1977 "Norton House" in White Street was converted into a Day Centre for single homeless people.

Fishing in the Swanswell Poll was again banned after attacks on the Pool Bailiffs and the bullying of young anglers by hooligans.

1978 The ban on fishing at the Pool was lifted.

1979 One of the Swanswell's only pair of resident swans dies from lead poisoning while it mate also showed serious symptoms.

Members of Coventry Heritage Preservation Society, using metal detectors, cleaned the vicinity of the Pool here of lead shot, and lines left by the anglers, also bottle tops and ring pulls.

1980 "The Swanswell Tavern" that backs on to the Swanswell Park, changed its name to the "White Swan".

Scores of dead and dying fish were discovered in the pool.

1983 Four members of Coventry Sub-Aqua Club were recruited by the City Council, who found that the depth of the Pool to be 4ft. of water over about 16ft. of mud with plenty of rubbish.

1988 The body of Bernard Reilly, aged 67 years, was fished out the fog-shrouded Pool.

The "White Swan" that backs on to the Pool changed its name to McGuigan's Bar

1989 Swanswell became the home for a family Swans for the first time in 20 years.

A couple of swans flew into the Swanswell island and started a family, but the RSPCA had to remove them and their 7 cygnets to Stratford on Avon because they were constantly being bombarded with sticks and stones by teenagers.

1991 Fish and birds were transferred from the Swanswell Pool to the Pool at Coombe Abbey, while workmen tackled the restoration of the former. 8000 tons of silt was dredged. It was the first major clean up since 1840.

A refurbishment programme was carried out to the entire Swanswell Park, including the installation of fountains.

The Future Swanswell Pool forms the focus for a major new regeneration programme planned for an area to the north of Coventry City Centre. Follow this link to find out more.