Easy hikes and walks around Wolston

Once the bustling post office of the village of Wolston, this building has now been converted into a beautiful cottage.

In this section of the woods, you'll find a wonderful display of seasonal bluebells.

Brandon Wood is a 178 acre forestryb situated about 6km east of Coventry. The woods feature a wide variety of flora including over 330 plant species and more than 50 species of tree, that provide habitat for a beautiful array of wildlife including Muntjac deer, buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel and great spotted woodpeckers.

When the War Memorial was first proposed, as a tribute to the memory of those brave villagers who had gone off to fight in the Great War and failed to return, money was raised by public subscription and a generous donation by Bluemels Bros. The design was by Mr W.H. Wood, architect to the Newcastle Cathedral authorities, and the total cost was £250. There was a difference of opinion as to where the Memorial should be located and the people subscribing to it were asked to choose between a site on the Derry next to the village pump and sign-post and the site opposite what we now call the Old Post Office. The location chosen, away from the hustle and bustle of the Derry, on the piece of land opposite the Old Post Office near to the entrance to the road to the Church allowed people to stand to read the names and contemplate the sacrifice made in peaceful surroundings.

The Parish Church of St Margaret which was originally built during the Medieval period. The church was later restored during the Imperial period. It is situated 200m south east of Brandon Castle at Wolston. Chancel, N and S transepts, N and S aisles, nave, central tower, and modern vestry. Dates from the 12th century, when it probably consisted of chancel, nave and S transept, and a low central tower, the N transept being added early in the 13th century. Church rebuilt 14th century with the addition of aisles; in the 15th century a clearstorey was inserted, and in the 17th century the low tower was raised to form a belfry. Of the 12th century church the tower crossing remains, with the 13th century arch to the N transept, and the N doorway re-used in the 14th century S aisle. Chancel roof extensively repaired in 1680 and decorated in colour in 1760. The church is recorded in 1090, when it was given to the abbey of St Pierre-sur-Dive. The church is a mixture of styles externally. Norman S doorway. Chancel of c1300. Central tower is a replacement of 1760 by Job Collins. Internally the church is much more interesting. Crossing is entirely Norman, with high W and E arches, and the N and S arches so low that instead of transepts proper there can only have been small chambers. Nave and S arcade apparently of early 14th century; N arcade a little later. Sedilia and piscina in chancel; in the S transept are two big tomb recesses with effigies of c1300 (one badly defaced), a sedile and a piscina, also an early 16th century monument. Font probably 17th century. 18th century vestry. Church restored 1860.

Wolston Manor Spinney Project Over the past 3 years a group of volunteers, Wolston Conservation Group, have been working to clear the area where the former manor house and garden were situated. (The Manor House was demolished in 1928). In January 2016 they obtained a License from The Wilcox Trust to manage the Spinney and in August 2016 they became a Small Charity with a Constitution and Trustees. The Spinney area had become very overgrown with brambles and self set sycamore trees and litter! The gate to the main entrance had been removed and trees and shrubs were growing between and around the pillars. The right hand pillar had become damaged and some of the stones had fallen out or been removed.

The Royal Oak is a large pub in Brandon. The pub has a great choice of food and drink and is a good place for a pit-stop. For more information, visit: https://www.theroyaloakbrandon.co.uk.

Part of it is hard pack for wheelchair use