Where is War Memorial Park?

War Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road, Coventry, CV3 6PT. Leamington Road to the east. Coat of Arms Bridge Road to the south.

 

In brief

A large park in Coventry, it was opened in 1921 in memory of the people of Coventry who lost their lives during the First World War from 1914 to 1918. The main landmark in the park is the city's war memorial monument built in 1927.

War Memorial at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

War Memorial monument

The War Memorial was built in the Art Deco style from 1925 to 1927 to the designs of Thomas Francis Tickner (1864-1924). The memorial tower has a square footprint on a circular platform, which was rebuilt in 2011 (replacing the original octagonal shaped platform). The bronze doors were restord in 2004. At the top burns the Eternal Light.

War Memorial at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Entrance Gates

You approach the gates from Warwick Road and Kenilworth Road. They were built in 1926, and was Grade II listed in 2013. Made of decorative wrought iron by Hill and Smith of Birmingham.

Entrance gates at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Rockery

The Rockery was created as part of the original design of the park in 1926. It was constructed by Haynes and Son of Keswick along with the Pond Garden for the sum of £792 and 10 shillings.

The Rockery at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Community Sensory Garden 

The Community Sensory Garden at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Play Area

Play Area at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Skate Park

Skate Park at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Pond Garden

Ponds can be home to a vast diversity of insects and animals. As a general rule - the cleaner the water, the more species there are to be found.

The Pond Garden at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Stone Arbour

In the rockery behind the hedge is all that remains of an old stone arbour that once stood in the grounds of Little Park Street, Coventry city centre. Despite bearing the date 1701, this arbour is thought to have dated from the 15th or 16th century. Together sections of the garden wall joining the palace yard, it was decorated with carvings of exotic animals such as rhino and bear. In 1930, the arbour was presented to the city and removed and re-erected in the War Memorial Park. Despite being well outside the city centre, the arbour took a direct hit from a stray bomb during the blitz and was literally blown to pieces. The surviving pieces were retrieved and put back together in 2011 in the rockery.

The Stone Arbour at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Visitor Centre

Open 9am to 4pm (except Christmas week). Toilet facilites 8.45am to 4.30pm. The Visitor Centre has a meeting / events room which is available to hire for various events. Plus changing rooms for hire during office opening hours.

The Visitor Centre at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Playing Field

To the rear of the park, used for football. Also used for music festivals in the summer, such as the Godiva Festival, or Radio One Big Weekend etc.

Playing Field at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Rose Garden

This rose garden was originally created in 1931 and at that time was a circular shape and occupied a similar space to that which it does today.

The Rose Garden at War Memorial Park, Coventry (February 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact details

War Memorial Park

Kenilworth Road

Coventry

CV3 6PT

Telephone: 02476 977770

Email: WarMemorialPark@coventry.gov.uk

Facebook: War Memorial Park

Twitter: War Memorial Park