Coleshill is a market town in the North Warwickshire district of Warwickshire, England, taking its name from the River Cole. It has a population of 6,343 (2001 census).
Location
Coleshill is located on a ridge between the rivers Cole and Blythe which converge to the north with the River Tame. It is just to the east of the border with the West Midlands just outside Birmingham. Although part of the West Midlands conurbation, it has not been completely enveloped by the latter, as open countryside lies between Coleshill and Birmingham, north of the point where Coleshill meets Solihull. In the 1970s, Coleshill narrowly avoided being absorbed into Birmingham.
History
Coleshill dates back to Saxon times, (although a Roman temple was discovered nearby in the 1970s) but became important as a staging post on the coaching road from London to Holyhead. At one point there were over over twenty inns in the town.
Notable buildings
Many former coaching inns remain in Coleshill, mostly along the High Street or Coventry Road.
One of the most notable buildings in the town is the Church of St Peter and St Paul which has a 52 metre (170ft) high steeple, dating from the 13th century, and a 12th century font.
Transport
The town is close to the M6 and M42 motorways. Coleshill does not have a railway station itself, but there is a station a few miles north-west at Water Orton which has regular services to Birmingham.
Notable people
Simon Digby was awarded the manor of Coleshill in 1496 by King Henry VII, following the Battle of Bosworth.
One of the most infamous residents of Coleshill was John Wynn, a local cinema owner who, during World War II was caught transmitting information to the Germans.
External links
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