Monastic Lines at Polesworth

This trip to Polesworth allows you to experience a fragment of monastic England and to see a beautiful, ancient abbey church and vicarage. These buildings date back to ad 827 and form part of a nunnery built by Egbert, who is often claimed to have been the first Saxon King of all England. His daughter Editha was the abbess.

Polesworth vicarage used to be the manor house and displays some ornate chimneys. In the corner of the vicarage garden (sadly, not accessible to the public) is a fine sundial with a square cap displaying the Nethersole and Goodere coats of arms carved on its sides. The abbey's dovecote can be found tucked away behind the village library. The superb 14th-century nunnery gate now has two residential flats in its upper storey. The larger of the two is said to be haunted by a friendly ghost. Apparently this harmless apparition moves plant pots around the building. An ancient tithe barn, declared to be 'newly erected' in the 1655 will of Sir Francis Nethersole, is near the tourist information office. It was used to store the goods paid as a local tax by the manor's tenants. The imposing building of the Nethersole Centre dominates the north end of Bridge Street. Until 1970 it was the village's junior school.

The influence of the local squirearchy can be seen all around Polesworth. Nearby Pooley Hall was built by Sir Thomas Cockain in 1506, although there are records of an earlier Saxon hall on the site. The stones in the walls and the beams in the roof were taken from the ancient abbey, following its dissolution. Sir Henry Goodere became lord of the manor and there are stories connecting him with Michael Drayton (1563-1631), the poet, who was born in Hartshill. He is reputed to have sat dreaming by the fire in a timbered house in Polesworth. In his early years Drayton was a page-boy to Sir Henry at Pooley Hall and William Shakespeare is also said to have been a page-boy here. Certainly Drayton was a regular companion of Shakespeare.

Although the population of Polesworth has expanded to over 9,000 people today, it retains a village atmosphere with its old part largely untouched and its many public houses intact. The River Anker and the Coventry Canal offer a quick step into the countryside, although it has been many years since local people were able to skate along these gentle backwaters. This used to be a favourite wintertime activity for villagers.

The walk starts near the tourist information office and takes you over the River Anker on to the tow path of the Coventry Canal. After the canal's junction 49, you'll leave the tow path, crossing fields and lanes to the peaceful village of Dordon, before returning along Common Lane back into Polesworth.

While you're there

Spare a little time to visit the old Abbey Church and see the 13th-century stone low relief figure that is believed to be the effigy of the first abbess, Osanna. She lies on the tomb of Sir Richard Harthill with her feet on a stag, attired in a wimple and long straight gown with hanging sleeves. Sir Richard died in the 14th century and the church tower was built in his memory.

What to look for

Look up to the right, midway through Point 1, for a close up view of Hoo Obelisk on the far bank of the canal. The obelisk was originally erected in around 1848 close to the London Railway Line on the opposite side of the canal, but was moved in the 20th century for safety reasons. The inscription reads: 'Site of the Chapel of St Leonard at Hoo demolished 1538 30th Henry VIII.'

Where to eat and drink

There are several public houses in Polesworth and you will pass by a number along the route of the walk. The Spread Eagle and the Red Lion do not provide food but the Fosters Yard pub on the corner of Market Street and Grendon Road will look after you well. The bar snacks and Pedigree real ale will appeal, and children and dogs are always very welcome.