Chapelfields facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chapelfields |
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Sir Thomas White's Rd, Chapelfields (view looking north) |
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OS grid reference | SP319781 |
• London | 90 mi (140 km) |
Metropolitan borough | |
Metropolitan county | |
Region | |
Country | England |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Post town | COVENTRY |
Postcode district | CV5 |
Dialling code | 024 |
EU Parliament | West Midlands |
UK Parliament |
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Chapelfields (sometimes called Chapel Fields) is a friendly neighbourhood in Coventry, West Midlands, England. It's located about 1.5 miles west of Coventry City Centre. Chapelfields is mostly a place where people live, with many families and students calling it home.
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Exploring Chapelfields
Chapelfields is surrounded by other areas like Coundon to the north and Earlsdon to the south. To the east, you'll find Spon End, and to the west is Whoberley. Most of the houses here are small to medium-sized terraced houses, which means they are built in rows and share walls with their neighbours. They often have nice gardens too.
How Chapelfields Grew
The very first part of Chapelfields included just a few streets. These were Craven Street, Mount Street, Lord Street, Duke Street, and parts of Allesley Old Road and Hearsall Lane. This older part of Chapelfields is now a special "conservation area." This means it's protected because of its history, especially its connection to the old watch-making industry.
Later, in the early 1900s, Chapelfields grew bigger. New streets were built to the west, like Sir Thomas White's Road, Queensland Avenue, and Maudslay Road. Even though these streets are now part of Chapelfields, some local people and groups see them as a separate part of the area.
A Look Back in Time
Long ago, in the Middle Ages, there was a special hospital in this area. It was called a "lazar house" or "leper hospital." It was built in 1168 to help people who had a serious illness called leprosy.
Chapelfields as we know it today started to be built in 1847. It grew as an extension of the nearby Spon area. This was a busy time for Coventry because it was famous for making watches. Many houses were built for the watchmakers and their families.
An interesting fact about some of the older houses built in the early 1900s is that they had a special rule. Their owners were not allowed to open "fried fish shops" there! This was because these shops were very common in the area back then.
Community Gathering Spots
Throughout its history, Chapelfields has had many community gathering places. Even today, there are several places where people can meet up and socialise. Some of these include the Craven Arms, the Chestnut Tree, the Hearsall Inn, the Maudslay, and the Four Provinces. The Nursery Tavern, another popular spot, is thought to be named after a plant nursery that used to be on the land where Chapelfields was built.
Local School
Chapelfields is home to All Souls Catholic Primary School, providing education for younger children in the area.
Protecting Hearsall Common
Right next to Chapelfields is Hearsall Common. This is a large open green space where people can relax and play. In 1927, it lost its official status as a "common," which meant it wasn't as protected as before.
More recently, around 2007, there was a big discussion about Hearsall Common. The local council had plans to use part of the common for new bus lanes. Many people in Chapelfields and nearby areas were against this idea. They signed a petition to show their opposition, wanting to protect the common as a green space for everyone to enjoy. Local residents have also tried to get the common officially recognised as a "village green" to help protect it for the future.