Easy hikes and walks around Arley CP

Shustoke Reservoir is managed by Severn Trent. The reservoir was completed in 1884 to provide water for Birmingham. Nowerdays the reservoir supplies Nuneaton and the surrounding area.

The history of Shustoke Why were the reservoirs created here?  In 1870 the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, as was the birthrate and the need for clean water was becoming more pressing.  The Birmingham Water Works Company therefore applied to Parliament for  permission for water to be taken from the Rivers Bourne and Blythe, whose gathering grounds in rural areas to the East of Birmingham were declared to be away from pollution, and to impound the water from the Bourne in a reservoir which was built at Shustoke.   A pumping station, filter beds and another small reservoir was also constructed at Whitacre. What was here before? Before the reservoir was built, the land was occupied by Whitacre Lodge which was part of the Hams Estate. This was sold by Lord Norton in 1879, for the building of Shustoke Reservoir.       How long did it take to build the Reservoirs? The time-scale granted for this work was 10 years and although most of the work at Whitacre was completed in the time scheduled, an extension of five years was applied for in 1879 as the reservoir at Shustoke had hardly been started; the eventual completion was around 1884.         What is the Reservoirs role in the water supply network? When the reservoirs were built they were to supply water to the nearby Whitacre Treatment Works, which was to provide 28 million litres of water daily to Birmingham. As the city grew this soon became inadequate and with the completion of the Elan Valley scheme in 1904 Whitacre was relegated to standby duty. In 1908 Whitacre was recommissioned to supply water to Coventry to supplement the local borehole supplies. In the 1050’s Whitacre also started to supply Nuneaton and now about 10% of the water from Shustoke supplies Coventry with the rest going to Nuneaton and the surrounding districts of Bedworth and Atherstone. Where does the water come from? The water is gravity fed by the nearby River Bourne which runs along the north of the two reservoirs. How deep and big are the reservoirs? The reservoirs consist of a settling pool of 7.8 acres and a storage reservoir of 92 acres.  Combined they have a capacity of around 460,000,000  gallons.

From this spot, you get far-reaching views over Warwickshire and beyond. There are a couple of benches from which you can admire the landscape. It is worth exploring Hartshill Hayes Country Park, which is composed of two ancient hilly woodlands renowned for stunning displays of bluebells in spring.

Shustoke Reservoir is a peaceful stretch of water that you can stroll all the way around. It is a great place for birdwatching. Species recorded include: gull, black-necked grebe, guillemot, common scoter, common crane, Arctic tern, plus more.

Fillongley’s heritage interpretation feature is ‘The Family’. Carved by Graeme Mitcheson from sandstone, it shows the family group with each member holding a representation of local heritage. The father - a lamb, for its farming history. The mother - a lantern, recalling the light that used to always burn in the church to remember villagers who had passed away. The daughter - a banner of silk, to remember the towns ancient silk weaving industry and showing part of the historic De Hastings family coat of arms. The son - a loaf of bread, a tribute to the village’s ancient mill and a reminder that the village was at one time self-sufficient.

Wrought iron cross affixed to short stem on an octagonal plinth standing on wall buttress, The War Memorial was funded by members of the Fillongley village community and supported by the parish council, who are now custodians of the memorial. The unveiling took place on June 25th 1922.

The parish church of St Mary and All Saints dates from the 12th century but the tower was a later addition. Inside are examples of 14th-century stained glass. Among the graves is that of Isaac Pearson, the uncle of the Victorian novelist George Eliot, who lived in Arbury nearby. Church. C12 chancel now mainly C15, C14 nave, C15 north chapel and C13 west tower with C15 bell stage. Coursed sandstone rubble; coursed and squared sandstone. Plain-tiled roofs with crocketed pinnacles to east gable of nave and gable end cross. Embattled west tower of 3 stages. 2 lower stages are C13. One lancet window to each stage of side wall. C15 west doorway in 4-centred arch in square head. Angle buttressing. Bell stage, C15,has in each wall two 2-light openings with foiled heads in 2-centred arches. Nave has embattled parapet. C15 clerestory of 5 windows, each of two cinquefoil lights in square head. 3, C14, windows; 2 of 3 trefoil lights in 2-centred arches of 2 chamfered orders, and one of 2 trefoil lights. 2 stage gable buttressing. Chancel: South wall has 2 windows, each of 3 lights and a C15 doorway in 4-centred arch in square head. East window of 3 trefoil lights in moulded 2-centred arch. North chapel: C15. Embattled parapet. 2 windows in north wall of 3 trefoil lights in 4-centred arches. 2 stage buttressing with offsets. Interior: South doorway to nave, C14. 2 hollow and roll moulded orders in 2-centred arch with label and mask stops. C13 tower arch of 3 chamfered orders in 2-centred arch. Original gable end of roof visible in west wall of tower. C19 roof boarded. Braced tie beams. Chancel arch 2-centred and of 2 wave moulded orders. The chancel has a C19 roof of wind braced through purlins. North chapel C15. 2 bays open to chancel. 2-centred arches of 2 hollow moulded orders on octagonal column with moulded capital and base. Original roof with moulded ridge tie beams and purlins. Carved bosses at intersections. Font, C15. Stone. Round bowl with vertical ribs dividing the panels. Wall monument, north wall of chancel. Mrs. Daniel and daughter, 1725. White marble tablet with grey marble fluted ionic pilasters and crest. Chest. Oak. 1729. Oak with iron fittings. Gift of Geo. Aley of Black Hall, Fillongley.

A nice country pub on the North Warwickshire Cycleway