Discover Atherstone: Ball Game, market and Coventry Canal

Atherstone brings together a long-standing Ball Game tradition and the architectural and town history surrounding St Mary and the Atherstone Heritage Centre. The Coventry Canal adds another perspective: it runs through the town and provides a focal point for walks and a longer heritage trail.

The Atherstone Ball Game through the year

The Atherstone Ball Game has been played since the 12th century. It takes place every year on Shrove Tuesday in the afternoon, in the town’s main shopping streets. Hundreds of players of all ages take part, and the game lasts about two hours. This gives the event a clearly defined time of year, although its exact calendar date changes from year to year. If you would like to plan your stay around the Ball Game, check the date for the relevant year. The tradition combines a long history with an annual event in the heart of the town.

St Mary and the history of the market town

The parish church of St Mary stands on the north side of the market square in the centre of Atherstone. A Grade II* listed building, it is a striking testament to the area’s heritage. Its architectural history also offers a specific point of interest: the church’s chancel may have originated in the 12th century as a separate chapel. This interpretation concerns the chancel and remains explicitly a possibility.

The Atherstone Heritage Centre has an ongoing programme of changing special exhibitions. Topics range from hat-making, mining and soft drink production to the overcrowded courts where workers lived. Different aspects of the town’s history come together here: industry, work and people’s living conditions. The Centre also offers guided walks around the historic market town. Local arrangements apply to these walks, so confirm the details in advance.

Market and practical information

A weekly market is held in the market square on Tuesdays and Fridays. As the schedule may change, check the market days before your visit if you plan to go. Friends of Atherstone Heritage provides bus and train timetables as well as tourist brochures. This visitor service may also change, so check in advance whether the materials are available.

Coventry Canal: towpath and heritage trail

The Coventry Canal runs through Atherstone. There, a flight of eleven locks extends for approximately two miles. South of the town, the towpath is suitable for easy walks and offers plenty of opportunities for wildlife watching. It is also described as an easy, level and scenic route through the heart of North Warwickshire; cyclists use some sections. Together, these details highlight the waterway, the nature of the route and opportunities to observe wildlife, without limiting the entire path to a single use.

The North Arden Heritage Trail has a different focus, spanning the 16th century to the present day. The trail is a 25-mile circular route that passes through the Atherstone parish and has no set start or finish point. Heading from Atherstone towards Mancetter, it follows the Coventry Canal. When planning, it is helpful to distinguish between the types of route: the towpath south of the town is associated with easy walks and wildlife watching, while the trail offers a clearly defined circular route with a heritage focus.

A countryside spot outside Atherstone

Hartshill Hayes Country Park lies outside Atherstone. It consists mostly of two areas of ancient, hilly woodland. On a clear day, the panoramic view from there extends across four counties. It is therefore best considered a separate countryside spot outside the town, rather than part of Atherstone’s townscape.

Discover more destinations: Warwick, Little Packington, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Brandon, Nether Whitacre, Long Itchington, Newton Regis, Henley In Arden

For the wider travel overview: Warwickshire.