Abbey Green Park
Grendon Road
Polesworth
B78 1HB
Abbey Green Park Local Nature Reserve is central to Polesworth village. This green space is enjoyed by residents and wildlife alike. Many walk the reserve daily, whether as part of a regular dog walk or just to absorb the tranquil surroundings and the Park is used by wildlife all throughout the year. In winter there are varied species of birdlife in the treetops and out on the water. In the summer, the site transforms with the twinkling of dragonflies in the sun.
Abbey Green Park was declared a local nature reserve in 2013 and is located next to the River Anker and the Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields. The site is comprised mainly of semi-natural habitat around the River Anker backwater channel, which is mainly swamp with areas of open water with some scrub and vegetation. The backwater was thought to have been part of a former corn mill and the footpaths leading to footbridges over the channel provide great opportunities to search for wildlife around the river.
About the Reserve
Originally the area where the park now stands had been farmland with a farm building, but as the extension of the Coventry Canal through Polesworth in 1790 as coal mining became well established in the mid-1800s, this area of countryside became badly damaged during the Second World War as the River Anker was diverted. The Park itself was created in the 1950-60s and now the river flows its natural course. 1.4 acres of the Park was purchased from Gertrude Hallington on 01/02/66 for £600 and the remaining area was gifted by the National Coal Board on 12/01/72.
Since then, the site has been subject to routine maintenance like grass cutting. Though on North Warwickshire Borough Council land, since 2013, the 3-hectare reserve has been carefully managed by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust to maintain and enhance the habitats’ biodiversity for the benefit of local people and wildlife. This has included wildflower planting, selected reed removal in the backwater channel and the management of the invasive Himalayan balsam.
Things to see
Although small, this meadow has two species of wetland plants that aren’t found in most of the county, Brown sedge, Marsh horsetail, Water dock and Hemlock water-dropwort. There are also a wide range of animals to spot like Banded demoiselles and roosting Dau Benton’s and foraging Pipistrelle bats. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a grass snake basking in the sunshine.
Things to do
- Take your dog for a walk and admire the views.
- Go fishing along the River Anker.
- Look out for the dragon- and damselfly displays.
- A great way to get kids active and involved with nature is the interactive measured mile trail. Walk along and follow the instructions on the markers to ‘flap your wings like a butterfly’ and ‘hop like a frog’.
- The neighbouring park area offers sports and play facilities including tennis courts, a bowling green, football pitches, toddler/junior and teen play areas plus a skate ramp.
General Information
Opening times: 8am-dusk
Size: 3 hectares
Parking: Grendon Road (B5000) next to the reserve.
Accessibility: There is a path and no gates so much of the reserve is wheelchair accessible.
Dogs: Under effective control
How can I help?
A lot of LNR habitat work is done by staff led volunteers. If you would like to try something new, gain new skills, meet likeminded people and be active, contact the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust at volunteer@wkwt.org.uk or visit their website - WWT - Volunteer for wildlife to find out more about volunteering opportunities in Abbey Green Park and other nature reserves nearby.
Reed mace clearance to maintain open water
All photos credit Eddie Asbery, Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Results of reed channel clearance