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Country Parks A breath of fresh air

Pooley Country Park

  • Canal boat moorings and centre
  • Pooley Picnic site
  • Pooley Play area with children
  • Autumn at Alvecote Priory
  • .


    There are so many things to see and do at Pooley Country Park. The 62.5 hectare site, one third of which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, contains several pools caused by mining subsidence, woodland habitats and is situated on the Coventry Canal.

    See for yourself environmental sustainability in practice, and the mining memorabilia donated to the Centre by North Warwickshire miners.

    The colliery site, on which this Country Park is now laid out, was the first to produce its own electricity (from excess steam), while wind and solar energy has been harnessed to provide power to the Visitor Centre.

    Take a stroll along the footpath used by miners as long ago as 1846 - and visit the tea room during the course of your relaxing and enjoyable visit.

    A brilliant Play Area was opened to the public in March 2006, thanks to generous funding from WREN (landfill tax credits) of £23,452 and £12,000 from the Market Towns Initiative and Advantage West Midlands.



    This short film highlights some of the attractions that the Pooley Counrty Park has to offer. This video does not contain dialogue.

    Facilities Available

    Education Programme

    For up-to-date information on the Education Programme at Pooley Country Park, please contact us on 01827 872660.
    Education Programme
    Adventure Play Areas

    It is suitable for children between the ages of 2 and 14. Children must be supervised at all times.
    Adventure Play Areas
    Tea Room with Canalside Patio

    Before, after or during your walk, stop off at the Tea Room for a welcome hot or cold drink. A variety of cakes and snacks are available throughout the year and ice creams are on sale in the summer months. Sit out on the canalside patio and watch the narrowboats pass by on this busy stretch of the Coventry Canal.
    Tea Room With Canalside Patio
    Alvecote Priory Picnic Area

    This 3 acre site sits on a sharp bend of the Coventry Canal about 3 miles east of Tamworth, and is best accessed from Pooley Country Park. An ideal location for family picnics and games. The mature shrubs and trees once formed the gardens of the house which was built from the stone of the old Benedictine Priory.


    The site is owned by Warwickshire County Council, and managed in partnership with North Warwickshire Borough Council and Shuttington Parish Council.
    Alvecote Priory Picnic Area
    Why not book your childs birthday party with us? Birthday Parties
    Visitor Information

    Opening times:

    Visitor Centre
    Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and Warwickshire School Holidays:
    March - October:
    10.00am to 5.30pm
    November - February:
    10.00am - 3.30pm

    Car Park and Site Opening
    March - September:
    8.00am - 6.30pm
    October - February:
    8.00am - 4.00pm
    More information on opening times.

    Find us:

    Pooley Country Park

    Pooley Lane
    Polesworth
    Warwickshire
    B78 1JA
    Pooley Country Park location map.

    Transport:

    Get directions using transportdirect.

    Special needs:

    Phone 01827 897438 for details.

    Mobility scooters are available.

    Events:

    Latest Event Information.

    Come prepared:

    Advice on using the countryside.

    Weather:

    BBC Weather Forecast for Warwickshire.

    Car parking:

    £1.50 per car.

    More information on car parking.

    Toilets:

    Environmentally friendly with baby changing and disabled facilities.

    Dogs:

    Dog waste bins available. More on Dogs in Country Parks.

    Barbecues and fires:

    Barbecues and Fires are not allowed.



    Other Facilities

    • Children's Parties
    • Filming Location
    • 3 waymarked walks through varying landscapes
    • Cycle Path
    • Walking and cycling leaflets are on sale in the Visitor Centre.
    • Colouring and worksheets available for children.
    • The Pooley Hall Colliery became the North Warwickshire Colliery in 1951 when the mine workings from Alvecote, Amington and Pooley met underground. It was the first mine to generate its own electricity in the early 1920s, and also the first to have pit head baths, which were opened in 1928. Former Pooley and North Warwickshire miners have donated memorabilia, which can be seen in the Visitor Centre.
    • Power to the Visitor Centre is supplied from a "hybrid" system of wind and solar energy (backed up by the National Grid). A 6 kW Proven wind generator and 10 x 710 W photovoltaic panels provide much of the power needed to run the Centre. The Gents toilet have a waterless system supplied by a Warwickshire company.
    • Permanent Orienteering course and maps are available. Octavian-Droobers
    NEW! STOP PRESS!
    Pooley Development Programme - Come and meet the artists at the Tithe Barn, Hall Court, Bridge St, Polesworth B78 1JX on 13th January 2010 @ 6pm.
    Everyone Welcome - the appointed artists will be introducing themselves and their past work - come along and meet them, and tell us how you use the park and share ideas regarding the arts piece for the mound.





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