Overview

Meriden is a village in a part of Warwickshire, just 4 miles away from Coventry (photo 1) The area has been occupied since the Stone Age, as Flints were found, and later, Bronze Age swords. In the doomsday book it is recorded as “Alspath” meaning “Aelle’s path, and in 1086, the land was the property of Lady Godiva, when at that time and later on, in 1230, it was just a small hamlet, but by 1686 it had a population of some 290 people. then later, new developments encouraged its name to become Meriden, the name derives from the Old English “merge (pleasant) and Duna (valley) “ and regarded for many years as the centre of England, as noted in 1829, but challenged in 1920 and shown to be inaccurate when an attempt was made to dispute that claim. However, a grade 11 listed sandstone monument stands on “The Green” (photo 2) in Meriden with a plaque stating it as “the centre of England”. (Photos 3 to 6) Opposite the monument (photos 7 and 8) stands an obelisk dedicated to Walter MacGregor, who played a major role in getting the cycling tour for the public in the 1920’s. He died in the First World War. Set SAT NAV. CV7 7HX About half a mile away, driving along the B4104 (photo 9) then turning right on Church Lane, you can drive round to see the old area around the Moat House. First of all, you pass a very nicely renovated old farm house (photo 10) before going round a bend to see St Lawrence parish church. The first church that stood here, on land owned by a noblewoman, Lady Godiva, was a Saxon church. She died some time around 1086, and during her life she was a strong patron of various churches and monasteries, but more famous as the lady who rode naked through Coventry, covered only by her long hair. Her husband, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, had placed very heavy taxes on local tenants. Lady Godiver pleaded with her husband to lower these taxes, but he refused. She kept on at him however, until he finally said, “he would only do so if she rode naked through Coventry “ and she took his word as serious, and did ride through Coventry naked. A statue of her ride, stands in the square in Coventry. However, another interesting fact comes to mind now. When she told the people of Coventry she was going to ride through town, the citizens were told to stay indoors and close their shutters, which all did so, except one man, who watched her ride past him, and he came to be called “Peeping Tom”. The church of St Lawrence (photos 12 and 13) replaced the Saxon church, being built around the 12th century, and over the next few centuries much building work has been added on. In 1883, the church was restored again, and various works have been carried on over time. A path crosses through the church yard, known as the “Heart of England Way” a long distance path (photos 14 and 15) of about 99 miles, which starts at Cannock Chase, runs through Lichfield, Meriden, Henley in Arden, Bidford on Avon, Chipping Campden and ends at the beautiful scenic tourist town of Bourton on the water in the Cotswolds. Opposite the church is the grand old 16th century Moat house (photo 16) a grade 11 listed building, with a timber framing, red brick nagging, gabled tiled roof, which is a two storey building with two chimneystacks (photos 17, 18 and 19) Finally, just beyond Moat house, you can get a glance of the open countryside and views across Meriden and way over to the city of Birmingham (photo 20). Set SAT NAV. CV7 7NH Just a few hundred yards away stands a very pleasant hotel, ideal breaks visit BEST WESTERN PLUS MANOR HOTEL, MERIDEN. WE HAVE A REVIEW FOR THIS HOTEL READY FOR YOU. To see other places to visit with Help for disabled travellers, go to www.helpfordisabledtraveller.com

Transport & Parking

To see the monument for photographs, parking will be done on the Main Street itself. You then drive through Meriden to see the ancient hamlet beyond, and parking is a bit tricky as it’s on the lane you need to find a spot to park.

Access

It’s nice and flat around Meriden, so easy to get chair up to the monument. You can stay in the car to see the old hamlet later on.

Toilets

Staff

Photos