Action Plan and Finance Information

Transcription

Coombe Country Park
Management Plan
2012 – 2017
UPDATED DEC 2013
The plan focuses on three key areas the management of visitor services, the
management of the historic landscape and
nature conservation
www.coventry.gov.uk/coombe
Contents
Executive Summary
1.0 Introduction
1
2.0 Background
3
3.0 Coombe - An overview
7
2.1 Location
2.2 Resume of Estate Development
2.3 Present-Day Use and Ownership
2.4 Planning
2.5 The Local Context
2.6 How decision making happens at Coombe
3
3
4
4
4
5
3.1 Topography
3.2 Habitat
3.3 Summary of Site History
3.4 Historic Development of the Coombe Landscape
3.5 Detailed Site Chronology
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9
11
19
4.0 Managing Coombe as a Visitor Attraction
23
5.0 Managing Coombe as an Historic Landscape
37
6.0 Managing Coombe for Nature Conservation
45
7.0 Management Proposals by Character Areas
53
4.1 The Attraction of Coombe Country Park
4.2 Community Benefits and Involvement Opportunities
4.3 Anti Social Behaviour and Crime
4.4 Conflicting Visitor Issues
4.5 Achieving the Management Objective
4.6 Strategy
5.1 Summary Description of Coombe Country Park Landscape
5.3 Strategy
6.1 Habitats at Coombe Country Park
6.2 Habitat Evaluation
6.3 Fauna & Flora Interest
6.4 Managing Pest Species
6.6 Strategy
7.1 Area 1: Main entrance and Great Avenue
7.2 Area 2: Car Park and Picnic/Barbecue Areas
7.3 Area 3: Visitor Centre, Quadrant and Events Field
7.4 Area 4: The Nesfield / Miller Gardens and Arboretum
7.5 Area 5: Top Pool
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7.6 Area 6: The Decoy Spinney
7.7 Area 7: Northern Woodland
7.8 Area 8: Heath Woodland
7.9 Area 9: Woodland South of Wrautum
7.10 Area 10: Woodland East of Wrautum
7.11 Area 11: The Wrautum Hill
7.12 Area 12: Coombe Pool inc. Lake Bank South of Wrautum
7.13 Area 13: SSSI Woodland
7.14 Area 14: The Deer Park
8.0 Implementation, Monitoring and Review
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71
Figures
Figure 1 Location Plan
Figure 2 Resume estate Development
Figure 3 Planning Context
Figure 4 Place Directorate
Figure 5 Parks and Open Spaces Structure
Figure 6 Coombe Country Park Structures
Figure 7 Play Provision Map
Figure 8 Knyff and Kip Engraving c. 1690 of Coombe Abbey
Figure 9 Map of Binley Lordship 1746
Figure 10 Coombe Park Plan by Mathius Baker 1778
Figure 11 Coombe Park Plan 1811
Figure 12 Ordance Survey Map 1886
Figure 13 Outline Parkland Restoration Masterplan
Figure 14 Coombe Abbey East Lodge c. 1797
Figure 14a Coombe Abbey West Lodge Principle Entrance to Brown Parkland
Figure 15 Coombe Abbey Menagerie Lodge
Figure 16 Section of Mathius Bakers 1778 Coombe Park Plan
Figure 17 Macpherson Painting of Eden Nesfields East Wing and Surrounding Landscape
Figure 18 West Garden and Canal c.1909
Figure 19 West Park Existing Tree Canopy Overlaid with that of the 1770’s
Figure 20 Archaeology - Features of Potential Interest
Figure 21 Landscape Character and Areas Principal Proposals
Figure 22 Access, Circulation and Principal Attractions
Figure 23 Historic Significance
Appendices
Appendix 1 Action Plan and Finance Information
Appendix 2 Statutory Controls
Appendix 3 Coombe Pool Site of Special Scientific Interest Citation
Appendix 4 Health and Safety Policy Statement
Appendix 5 Heritage Policy
Appendix 6 Environmental Policy
Appendix 7 Visitor Care Policy
Appendix 8 Dogs Policy
Appendix 9 Community Consultation
Appendix 10 Quality Management Procedures
Appendix 11 Tree Surveys
Appendix 12 Pest Control Policy and Plan
Appendix 13 Species Lists
Appendix 14 Communication at Coombe
Appendix 15 Five Year Fishery Report and Plan
Appendix 16 Education at Coombe
Appendix 17 Training Matrix
Appendix 18 Council Plan 2011 - 2014
Appendix 19 Play Strategy
Appendix 20 Equality Strategy
Appendix 21 Greenspace Strategy
Appendix 22 Heritage Strategy
Appendix 23 Cultural Strategy
Appendix 24 Climate Change Strategy
Appendix 25 Coventry Partnership
Appendix 26 The City of Coventry Unitary Development Plan
Appendix 27 Streetscene and Greenspace Business Plan 2011 - 2014
Executive Summary
Overview of the Plan Methodology
Paper states -
This plan has been complied by the Country
Park Manager of Coombe Country Park; it
takes on key issues and information gathered
for previous reports by Colvin and Moggeridge,
Landscape Design Associates, Parklands
Consortium and Dr Warwick Rodwell.
“Whether we live in the city or the countryside,
natural systems support us. The natural
environment becomes degraded when people
lose their sense of contact with it. Human health
and happiness also suffer. This White Paper
aims to strengthen connections between people
and nature, to the benefit of both.
The plan concentrates on those areas of the
park currently managed by Coventry City
Council although reference is made to areas of
historic landscape currently not in the Council’s
land holdings. Consultation is and will be an
ongoing process with our key partners and
service users.
This plan covers the period from the end
of 2011 to the end of 2016. The plan is
designed to cover the three key areas
of management – Historic Buildings and
Landscape, Environmental Conservation, and
Visitor Management. Section seven provides
an overview of the park by ‘character area’;
this section should give the reader a basic
understanding of the park at a glance, and will
be issued to all staff, as part of their on site
induction and training.
Understanding the Value of Coombe
The social and economic benefit of parks and
green spaces is becoming increasingly more
understood within the national agenda.
A key issue that has been recognised during
2006-2011 when the last management plan was
devised is the need to integrate and improve
our management of the Country Park as an
integral part of the Coventry and Warwickshire
landscape. The emphasis of a landscape
approach rather than site based approach to
managing the natural environment is one of
the key messages in Central Governments first
White Paper on the natural environment for 20
years - The Natural Choice: securing the value
of nature (June 2011).
Caroline Spellman Secretary of State for the
Environment in her foreword for the White
As the Government sets about repairing the
damage to the economy, we are launching this
White Paper to mend the inherited damage in
our natural environment. Thousands responded
to our recent consultation and told us that they
want to safeguard the inheritance of future
generations. Valuing nature properly holds
the key to a green and growing economy, one
which invests in nature – not just for us but for
our children’s children”.
This issue will be addressed in this
management plan, one of the key drivers will
be the Princethorpe Wood Partnership which
is already in place, and has started to drive
landscape wide initiatives across Coventry and
Warwickshire.
Whilst Coombe is very much a Country Park,
with excellent links to Warwickshire’s broader
countryside, its proximity to the City of Coventry
means that many of the demands which are
placed upon it are similar, if not identical, to
those placed on urban parks. These challenges
are met by a dedicated team of staff, who
are based on site, supporting the extensive
range of facilities and experiences offered at
Coombe. This enables the provision of a safe
and discreetly structured visitor experience
which recognises the needs of most visitors
to the park who desire access to the ‘open
countryside’ whilst enjoying the comforts and
convenience of the on site amenities and
services, that might normally be expected in an
urban setting.
Coombe therefore, with its range of habitats,
wonderful opportunities for structured and
unstructured play, educational resources and its
setting within a unique historic landscape has
Coombe Management Plan
the potential to contribute significantly to the
lifelong learning, and health and welfare of the
City’s residents. Coombe also contributes to the
economy by adding value to the surrounding
property, encouraging employment and inward
investment through a positive image of the City
and the site clearly attracts local, regional and
national visitors.
The final report of the Urban Green Spaces
Task Force, stated that:
“ The quality of parks and green spaces
provides a quick and highly visible indicator
of whether an area is an attractive place for
people to live and for business to locate.
The potential of parks and green spaces in
enhancing and contributing to the changing
economies of towns and cities should therefore
underpin regeneration programmes.”
Supporting documentation
Site plans are included that show boundaries,
land ownership and statutory designations.
Detailed summaries of these can be found in
the appendices. Further plans show land use
and landscape typology.
The areas of the park which are of historic
significance are also illustrated.
Appendices
As further supporting information for the reader
a number of appendices have been included.
These show how the Country Park links to both
local and national policy agendas; shows both
annual and projected work plans for the five
year programme, and where possible indicates
the financial projections for the next five year
period.
Coombe Management Plan
1.0 Introduction
Coombe Country Park is designated as
an historic landscape, a Site of Special
Scientific Interest, and a Local Wildlife
Site. It was acquired by the City Council
in 1964 and has been managed since
then as a valuable recreational and
educational resource for the sub region
and beyond.
The purpose of this plan is to provide
members and managers with a
development framework at both a
strategic and operational level with a
clear understanding of the diverse range
of issues facing them when managing
the Country Park both on a day to day
basis and into the future.
This plan is an update of the management plan
originally prepared in February 1996 to fulfil
the requirements of planning approvals from
Rugby Borough Council (set out in a Section
10 agreement) for the development of the
main house and court yard buildings and the
development of new visitor facilities.
The plan provides a framework for the future
management and restoration of the estate
and aims to conserve the most important
historic and natural features of the landscape
whilst managing and developing Coombe as a
recreation and educational resource, both for
local people and visitors to the area.
Coventry City Council was originally guided
in the preparation of this plan by landscape
consultants Colvin and Moggridge. Further
guidance has been received from landscape
consultants Landscape Design Associates who
undertook a restoration plan in 2004 as part
of a pilot study initiative – A Renaissance of
Country Parks - this initiative was sponsored by
the Countryside Agency and involved a number
of strategic partners including the Garden
History Society, English Heritage and the
Heritage Lottery Fund. Expert guidance from
English Nature and English Heritage, Parklands
Consortium and staff at Warwickshire County
Council Museum Service has also proved
invaluable.
The plan includes a statement of Coventry City
Council’s mission for Coombe Country Park,
along with background information about how
the estate has evolved over the last millennium.
The management plan focuses on three key
areas - the management of visitor services,
the management of the historic landscape
and nature conservation. The plan then goes
on to examine in detail fourteen management
areas, including specific proposals for action.
The management plan will aim to ensure that
we learn the lessons of the past and that any
future developments will enhance rather than
destroy any of the historic and natural features
which are essential to the character of this
beautiful park
Coombe Management Plan 1
2 Coombe Management Plan
2.0 Background
2.1 Location
Appendix 28 Higher Level Stewardship Agreement
The historic Coombe Estate is located some
6km due East of the centre of Coventry. It lies
on open agricultural land beyond the urban
fringe in a valley formed by the Smite Brook, a
tributary of the River Sowe. The B4027 follows
the Southern boundary of the site and the
Coventry Eastern Bypass skirts the site to the
West.
Fifty percent of visitors to Coombe are drawn
from Coventry with its population of 318,600
(2011 Census), but there are other major
population centres in the vicinity. The eastern
edge of the Birmingham conurbation lies
25kms to the west and Rugby, Kenilworth,
Royal Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Hinckley
and Bedworth are all within reach. Figure 1
illustrates Coombe Park’s regional context.
2.2 Resumé of Estate Development
Coombe Abbey lies in the ancient parish of
Smite, now called Coombe Fields, the recorded
history of which dates back to AD1066. An
Abbey was founded on the site in 1150 and a
Cistercian Monastery developed and flourished
for some 400 years. With the dissolution of
the Monasteries, Coombe passed into secular
hands and the formerly religious buildings were
converted into a noble residence. It fulfilled this
function for a further 400 years, but in the 1920s
decline set in with the departure of the Craven
family who had long resided at Coombe. The
house was purchased by John Gray, a local
builder, who embarked on a savage campaign
of asset stripping. All removable fixtures
were sold and several sections of the house
were demolished. When Coventry City Council
purchased Coombe in 1964 the remaining
buildings were in poor condition. Efforts were
made to stabilise the situation, but it was not
until the joint venture project of the 1990s that
the structure of the main house was once again
brought into good condition.
While the buildings were evolving at Coombe
so also was the landscape. Successive
generations modified or added to the landscape
handed on by their predecessors. Today the
landscape incorporates park and garden
features from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries,
overlaid in some parts with recent 20thcentury developments. Figure 2 illustrates how
the boundaries of the estate have changed
dramatically through the centuries.
One of the foremost figures of English
landscape design, Capability Brown, was
to leave his imprint firmly on the Coombe
landscape. Working between 1771 and 1776
for Lord Craven, he converted the 17th century
park into a new style “landscape park”. It was
he who dammed the Smite Brook to form
the beautifully-shaped Coombe Pool which
elegantly and naturally stretches out West
from the Abbey buildings. At the same time
as he created a new parkland landscape he
abandoned the old formal landscape south of
the B4027.
Form
al Ga
rden
s and
lake
Many
of the earlier formal
gardens near the Abbey were
swept away in Brown’s plan but in the 19th
century Nesfield and Miller adapted part of the
Park around the House to create a series of
new gardens.
Together with the House, the Park and Gardens
suffered degradation in the 20th century, and
it is only in recent years that this process has
begun to be reversed.
In 2010 the start of the restoration of Browns
Deer Park began, this will continue during the
life of this plan.
2.3 Present-Day Use and Ownership
Compared to the days of the Cistercian
Monastery or the private noble residence, land
use and ownership is now more complex.
Coombe Abbey is a prestigious country house
hotel. The Country Park was purchased by
Coventry City Council in the 1960s as an area
for recreational use by the people of Coventry,
and since then has become a major visitor
attraction within the Coventry area, and a very
successful Country Park. Coombe Pool is not
only a wildlife refuge with SSSI status due to
a Heronry of regional significance, but also its
waters attract substantial numbers of anglers.
The expanse of land South of Coombe Pool,
Brown’s former Western Deer Park, lies under
improved grassland.
Figure 2 overlays the boundary of the 18thcentury park, the key park building period
relevant to present-day Coombe. This
reveals that the primary area covered by the
Management Plan, i.e. the land within Coventry
City Council ownership, does not include a
significant stretch of 18th-century parkland east
of the Great Avenue and Abbey. Since this land
was important to both 18th and 19th century
layouts, consideration has been given to its
relationship with the Management Plan Study
Area. Today it is in private ownership and let
out for agricultural use.
surrounding woodland has merited SSSI status.
Figure 3 (overleaf) illustrates the main statutory
planning designations which apply to Coombe.
The Park contains a Scheduled Ancient
Monument, a Tumulus considered to be a
prehistoric burial mound (Warwickshire No. 26),
which is located to the West of the main drive,
North-West of the Visitor Centre.
The new Visitor Centre building opened to
the public in 1993. Planning approval for the
hotel followed, with the first guests arriving in
1994. The Western Deer Park was the subject
of a successful planning application for a
27-hole golf course with clubhouse and car
parking located within the restored perimeter
shelter belt. The permission has now lapsed,
and proposals for integrating this land into
the rest of the Country Park and restoring the
Brownian landscape are dealt with within this
Management Plan.
2.5 The Local Context
The City Council consists of 54 Elected
Members, three representing each of the 18
wards. The political composition of the Council
is:
Labour
Conservative
43
11
The council is comprised of the following
directorates:
• People – The People Directorate is made up of
the former Children, Learning and Young People
and Community Services directorates.
It is the largest directorate within the Council
and delivers the majority of the frontline services
to the residents of Coventry.
2.4 Planning
Services within the Directorate range from
schools, social care for children and adults to
libraries, housing and public safety.
The special qualities of the Coombe estate have
been recognised by the planning and statutory
authorities, with the Abbey buildings having a
Grade I listing and the Park being listed Grade
II* in the English Heritage Register of Parks &
Gardens. The whole of the study area lies within
a Conservation Area, and Coombe Pool and its
• Place – The Place Directorate drives the
regeneration of the city, helping businesses
create jobs, leading on new developments and
keeping the traffic flowing.
The Directorate looks after sports and arts and
events, helping city people enjoy their leisure
time and bringing people into the city centre to
support economic growth, as well as managing
the Council’s commercial property. This includes
Coombe Country Park
See figure 4, 5 and 6 for directorate structure
• Resources – The Resources Directorate
combines responsibility for Customer Services
and Benefits administration with the full range of
the Council’s support services.
It manages much of our contact with the public,
and provides the support needed for the People
and Place directorates to do their work.
Responsibilities include managing the Council’s
finances, providing the ICT network, HR
and Workforce Services, Business Services,
collecting revenue, supporting the democratic
process and providing legal advice.
2.6 How decision making happens at
Coombe
The aspirations of the whole team are put
forward on such occasions in order that, where
appropriate, consideration can be given to
specific site issues. This method of working was
developed to improve the understanding of the
corporate centre of issues facing Coombe.
Monthly team meetings (see appendix 14) take
place to consider issues relating to service
delivery, planning and items fed down from the
Parks and Open Spaces Management Team
meeting. One to one meetings between the
Country Park Manager and individual staff are
also held to deal with allocated projects and
service issues. Employee briefings dealing with
broader divisional and Council issues take place
as and when required.
External
Meetings take place with all the statutory
agencies that impact on decision making at
Coombe either as part of the monitoring and
review process, (see section 8 page 71) or as
topic/item specific meetings. Issues highlighted
at these meeting are then linked into the
planning process by the Country Park Manager.
Internal
Although the site is situated on the outskirts
of the City, strong management links exist
to ensure that the development of the park
is within the context of the overall corporate
direction. Regular Management Team Meetings
are held at City Centre locations to ensure
the flow of information to and from Coombe.
These and issue specific meetings, serve as
a ratification process for site based decision
making.
Coventry City Council’s service planning
process creates the strategic framework in
which the city’s Parks and Open Spaces moves
forward within each 12 month period. Reviewed
annually, these service plans highlight key
service objectives, targets and performance
indicators for the coming year. Input into and the
development of such plans is the responsibility
of the Management Team within the Streetscene
and Greenspace Division, with full input from
the Country Park Manager at Coombe.
3.0 Coombe - An Overview
3.1 Topography
Coombe Country Park occupies a gently rolling
landscape bisected East to West by the valley
of Smite Brook. The Smite enters the site in the
North-East corner. Via a network of channels
and pools it reaches a lake created by the
damming of the Smite, and Southern tributary,
above its confluence with the River Sowe at the
Western end of the site. The lake effectively
divides the Country Park into two elevated
areas each reaching less than 10m above the
water level of the lake; to the North the broad
flat topped hill of the Wrautum and to the South
a broad flat topped ridge running parallel to the
valley. The lake, dam and associated woodland
effectively disguise the site’s overall fall from
East to West.
The elevated areas are created by the
deposition of Pleistocene sands, gravels
and boulder clay over the underlying Mercia
Mudstone (Keuper Marl). The sands have
given rise to light soils, acidic and well drained,
most apparent in the areas to the North of the
Wrautum. At lower elevations the soils are
less acidic, well drained and contain a high
proportion of humus. In low lying areas North
of the lake, waterlogged conditions occur at
times due to the alluvial clay soils present
around the original course of the Smite
Brook. These soils are nearly neutral.
Various pits North and South of the lake indicate
past excavation of sand, gravel and clay.
predominantly mixed broadleaf woodland with
some early 20th century coniferous plantations
on the edge of the Wrautum.
The acidic sandy soils, occurring largely
North and East of the Wrautum and along
the Northern edge of the SSSI, support Oak,
Sycamore and Birch often found in single
species stands, with some Ash and Conifers.
There is a small remnant of Oak and Hazel
coppice near the North boundary. The
understorey and ground flora is generally poorly
developed due to the heavy shading of the
Sycamore, and to rabbit activity.
There are areas of bracken associated with
stands of Birch, Rhododendron and bramble.
Natural regeneration is taking place where trees
have been felled and there are some stands of
young broadleaf planting. Within the woodland
Veter
a
n Sw
eet C
hestn
ut tre
e
3.2 Habitat
East of the
Wrautum there are some
ancient Oak and Sweet Chestnut
trees.
Woodland
The well drained acidic soils with humus occur
predominantly in the area now designated as
a SSSI woodland planted by Capability Brown.
Species are Oak with Hornbeam, Hawthorn,
Ash, Sycamore, Birch and a considerable
number of Lime with some Sweet Chestnut
and a few Beech and Norway Maple. The
shrub layer is more varied but includes areas
dominated by Rhododendron, Bramble or Ivy.
The varied soils and land use have given rise
to a rich variety of habitats. These include
woodland, scrub, grassland and water. Coombe
Pool, its reed beds and associated historic
woodland have been designated as a SSSI by
English Nature.
The woodlands are all secondary habitat and
managed under the Forestry Commission
Woodland Grant Scheme. They comprise
The herb layer is diverse in more open areas
and North of the lake there are areas of Ferns
and Bluebells.
There is a wet woodland around the duck decoy
and South of the Wrautum where Alder, Poplar
and Willow species thrive together with Ash,
Oak, Sycamore and Birch in the drier locations.
The shrub layer is limited, Elder and Bramble
predominating, though there are species such
as Box around the duck decoy.
The ground flora in shady areas is often
dominated by nettle and in lighter areas
by Himalayan Balsam, but also includes a
rich variety of marsh flora – Yellow Flag Iris,
Pendulous Sage, Great Willowherb, March
Thistle and Figwort. The decoy woodland
contains a more diverse flora.
In the North West of the Deer Park there
are a number of small plantations planted in
the late 19th century. Species include Horse
Chestnut, occasional Scots Pine, Sycamore,
Pendunculate Oak, Hornbeam and Norway
Maple. The plantations have no understorey
and the ground flora consists of rank grassland
dominated by nettles.
Rose with Hawthorn associated with areas of
excavation.
Grassland
A grassland survey conducted in 1998 identified
7 grassland types in the Country Park of which
the most diverse and species rich occur around
the Northern fringe of the Deer Park and part of
the Southern Deer Park between the Menagerie
and West Lodge.
Considerable work has been undertaken in the
last ten years to move away from a municipal
style of grassland management on site, and
return to more traditional and ecologically
sympathetic management practices. The
key areas of work have been restoring
parkland pasture and various other grassland
communities within the Deer Park; and acid
grassland in area 11. This work has had a
significant positive impact on the biodiversity of
these areas of the park whilst still maintaining
recreational interest, and reducing maintenance
bills.
Standing Ground
Part of area 14 is
The Country Park includes a number of ancient/
veteran trees, some planted by Capability
Brown and some preceding his work. These
are found largely in the Deer Park but also
include the previously mentioned Oak and
Sweet Chestnut east of the Wrautums. Tree
groups within the deer park are predominantly
Oak, some stag headed and some former
pollards, providing valuable roost sites for
owls and bats and vantage points for Kestrel
and Sparrowhawk. The old trees also provide
valuable standing and fallen deadwood habitat.
ron
Grey He
Scrub
an
There are some areas along the Southern edge
of Coombe Pool, associated with the former
quarries and clay pits of the Deer Park and also
within one of the woodland compartments South
of the Wrautum. Beside the lake are a variety
of Willow species providing cover for waterfowl.
Scrub adjacent to the fishing pegs on the dam
is maintained by coppicing. Elsewhere species
commonly include Bramble, Field Rose and Dog
integral part of the Herons breeding life cycle.
This area is known as the Heronry Standing
Ground. It has been fenced off and protected
from public disturbance as part of the ongoing
management of this area.
Water
Coombe Pool contributes to a mosaic of
habitats that make the site attractive to birds
and to its importance for ornithology. As the
County’s second largest water mass (totalling
approximately 80 acres) the Pool supports
Warwickshire’s largest Heronry and the reed
Reed
bed a
t Top
Pool
beds of Coombe Pool and Top Pool are an
unusual and important habitat in the county.
The Pool is a reservoir and as such is governed
by legislation accordingly. (See appendix 3).
The SSSI has a wide diversity of waterfowl
and woodland birds. (For further details see
appendices 3 and 13). The pool supports a
fishery with 100 pegs, which are situated on the
North and West banks. Fish stock succession is
a problem due to a variety of factors, not least
of which are Cormorants. Refuges have been
installed within the lake to provide shelter for the
juvenile fish.
3.3 Summary of Site History
Richard de Camville founded St Mary’s Abbey at
Cumba just outside the village of Smite in 1150.
The Cistercian Abbey comprised a complex
of buildings arranged in a standard formation
around a cloister with the church unusually
situated on the South side of the cloister due to
the location of the Smite Brook. The monastery
was relatively wealthy and by the 13th century
had enclosed the adjacent villages of Upper and
Lower Smite to create sheep pasture.
The monastery was dissolved in 1539 and then
for forty years passed through a succession of
owners and tenants. The site was first granted
to Mary, Duchess of Somerset and Richmond,
who in turn conveyed it to John Dudley, later
Duke of Northumberland. It then passed into
the hands of the Earl of Warwick, reverted
to the crown in 1557 and was sold to Robert
Kelway, Surveyor of the Court of Wards and
Liveries, who until 1578, let it to a Leicestershire
merchant, Sir William Wigston. Robert Kelway
died in 1581 and the property passed to his
Daughter who married John Harrington of
Exton, Rutland.
Although it is likely that conversion of the
monastery to a residence began in the
1550’s, it was John Harrington who undertook
major building work creating one of the most
substantial houses in the county. He also laid
out the first formal gardens in the late 16th
century. John Harrington was created a baron
in 1603 and from 1603 to 1608 served as a
guardian to the Daughter of James I, Princess
Elizabeth, who was accommodated at Coombe.
During her stay, Harrington foiled an attempted
kidnap of the Princess as part of the Gunpowder
plot. She later married Prince Frederick, Elector
of the Palatinate on the Rhine, who became
monarch of Bohemia for a short time. This
gave rise to Elizabeth’s popular title, the Winter
Queen of Bohemia.
When Harrington died in 1613 Coombe
descended to his Son John. John died only six
months later whereupon it passed to his Sister
Lucy, Countess of Bedford who sold it in 1622
to Elizabeth, widow of former Lord Mayor of
London, Sir William Craven. Coombe passed to
her Son William, who in 1627, became Baron
Craven of Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire and
Protector of the widowed Princess Elizabeth
of Bohemia. In 1634 Lord Craven obtained
a licence for emparkment from Charles I to
enclose 650 acres of demesne land. The
Craven estates were sequestered under the
Commonwealth, but following their restoration
in 1662 Lord Craven was created an Earl.
Coombe was occupied by Lord Craven’s agent
and Godson, Sir Isaac Gibson, and then by the
Earl’s Cousin and heir, Sir William Craven. In
1682-9 William Winde rebuilt portions of the
house for Lord Craven and throughout the
century modifications and extensions were
made to the existing formal gardens, work
recorded by Kip’s engraving c1707.
The property descended to the sixth Lord
Craven who in 1771 commissioned Capability
Brown to landscape the 17th century park
around Coombe Abbey. His work included the
formation of a large serpentine lake, boundary
belts and tree groups and buildings designed
by him or his Son-in-Law Henry Holland with
whom he had recently gone into partnership.
These comprised East and West Lodges at new
entrances to the park, a Menagerie near the
lake, a boathouse, dog kennels and possibly
Pump and Dove Cottages. The sixth Lord
Craven’s wife gained notoriety by absconding
to Europe with the Margrave of Anspach, whom
she married in 1791 on the death of Lord
Craven.
In 1791 the seventh Baron Craven inherited
‘Coombe’, and in 1801 was re-created Earl
of Craven. The second Earl, who inherited
‘Coombe’ in 1825, had a duck decoy created on
the estate and may have been responsible for
establishing a pheasantry on the Wrautums. He
commissioned William Eden Nesfield to build a
new East Wing in 1866-72, while at the same
time Nesfield’s father, William Andrews Nesfield,
designed formal gardens to the South and West
of the house. Lord Craven’s gardener William
Miller was responsible for the design of the
North and East gardens and the walled kitchen
garden.
The third Earl Craven inherited ‘Coombe’ in
1866, died in 1883, and was succeeded by the
fourth Earl Craven who with his wife Cornelia,
a wealthy American heiress, undertook some
modernisation of the house and elaboration
of the gardens. The gardens are recorded in
two series of photographs for Country Life and
through photographs taken by Lady Craven,
herself a keen photographer. The fourth Earl
Craven died in a yachting accident in 1921
and in 1923 the fifth Earl, in debt and unable
to maintain the Abbey, put the property up
for auction. The house contents were sold in
a sale that lasted eight days and the estate
was parcelled up into lots for auction, with the
house and 120 acres of land going to John
Gray, a Coventry builder. Gray proceeded
to gut and demolish two thirds of the Abbey
selling off many architectural items. Coventry
businessmen acquired various parts of the site,
renaming the Menagerie the Woodlands and
building Highfield, a private residence near the
Menagerie.
In 1952 the Abbey itself was leased to the
General Electric Company for a residential
and training centre and during their tenure
a swimming pool and tennis court were
constructed in the gardens West of the house.
When Gray died in 1962 the property was sold
to Coventry City Council who put in hand plans
to create a public park. In 1966 Coombe Abbey
Regional Park officially opened.
The Countryside Act of 1968 allowed Coventry
City Council to apply for designation as a
Country Park, which was endorsed in 1970.
Initially the Abbey was empty and unused but
in 1971 it was leased to a company called
Historic Productions on a 21 year lease. On the
termination of the lease the building was in a
serious state of dilapidation and in order to save
and restore the property it was offered publicly
for expressions of interest in 1989.
Coventry City Council in partnership with No
Ordinary Hotels developed the Abbey complex
as a hotel with a new Visitor Centre and access
to the gardens and park North of the lake via a
new causeway across the moat.
3.4 Historic Development of the Coombe
Landscape
Early Settlement 2000BC – 1150AD
The historic Coombe estate lies 6km due East
of the centre of Coventry in the modern parish
of Coombe Fields. A round barrow or prehistoric
burial mound situated immediately North West
of the visitor centre suggests the earliest
evidence of settlement in the area. The site of
a similar barrow 1km to the North lies outside
the current park boundary and within the Rolls
Royce works. Both barrows are located on
elevated ground but below the crest of shallow
ridges. Both lie adjacent to East West routes
known in medieval times but possibly of earlier
origin.
Romano-British finds made at two locations in
the parish, one in the parkland and one near
Peter Hall to the North-East, suggest that
occupation of the area has been continuous
since the Roman period. The Roman settlement
in Peter Hall led to the emergence of an AngloSaxon manor and then a small medieval village.
There is evidence of pre Roman field systems
in the landscape flanking the Fosse Way,
4km East of Coombe. It is possible that early
trackways along the
higher land were used
increasingly as routes
to the Fosse Way.
The Cistercian
Monastery 1150
– 1539
Richard de
Camville, owner
of the Manor of
Smite, founded
the Cistercian
Abbey in 1150.
Ciste
rcian
Monk
The first Cistercian Abbey in England had been
founded at Waverley in Surrey in 1128. The
Cistercians were noted for choosing sites in
isolated rural locations, often perched on the
side of sheltered river valleys where there was a
fresh water supply and space for the large-scale
sheep farming they practised. At Coombe the
Smite Brook provided the water supply and the
local villages of Upper and Lower Smite became
depopulated by monastic land management
towards extensive sheep pasture. On the
slopes below Peter Hall, running down to the
Smite Brook, were the earthwork remains of a
deserted village until they were destroyed by
deep ploughing in the 20th century. Peter Hall
became an outlying grange belonging to the
Abbey.
Other earthworks indicate the development of
a series of monastic fishponds by the course
of the Smite above the Abbey, outside the
boundary of the Country Park. There would
have been a water channel from the brook to
serve the Abbey itself. Research suggests a
channel from a sluice 1km East of the Abbey
with a channel leaving the abbey and rejoining
the Smite 1km to the West. The Abbey set in the
shallow valley would have been surrounded by
a generally open landscape. This would have
been devoted to grazing or arable cultivation
with field systems, stock enclosures and some
woodland, Burchlei (Birchley Wood) and New
Close Woods having been recorded from at
least the 12th century.
During the 12th century the Abbey established
a number of outlying granges including ones at
Binley, Coton, Ernesford and Wolvey. Rabbits
were introduced in about 1100 and by the
13th century commercial warrens were widely
established, especially by monks. In 1290
Edward I granted the abbot free warren over
seven manors, including Coombe, which gave
them the right to control the smaller game on
their land. It is likely that a warren established
south of the Smite as a result of the charter
gave rise to the Warren field recorded in 1652.
In the 13th century the Abbey was endowed
with other land in Warwickshire. Through
the sale of wool, the sale of surplus produce
in local towns and the income from tenanted
land the Monastery became the wealthiest
in Warwickshire. However in the 14th and
15th centuries there was a period of decline
resulting from Royal demands for ‘loans’, poor
management leading to financial instability, debt
and lack of moral leadership.
Conversion to a Residence and the
Harrington Era 1539 – 1622
The dissolution of the monasteries during the
reign of Henry VIII led to the closure of the
Cistercian Abbey at Coombe in 1539. The
large monastic estate had a number of owners
before it came into the possession of Sir Robert
Kelway in 1557. Records of 1556 –7 indicate
the existence of Swynsty, Brinklowe Copies
and Fryth Wood in addition to Birchley and New
Close Woods, all sizeable blocks of woodland
approximately 1km from the Abbey. Much of
the land would have been managed by tenant
farmers. It is likely that conversion of the Abbey
to a residence began during Sir Robert’s
residence, 1557-81.
On Sir Robert Kelway’s death in 1581, the
property passed via his daughter to her
Husband John Harrington. Knighted by
Elizabeth I in 1583, Sir John Harrington
undertook major rebuilding at Coombe creating
a two-storey residence around 3 sides of the
monastic cloister. It is not known whether
he undertook demolition of the church on the
South side or simply completed what had
begun during at the dissolution. The outline
of the church remained as a walled court with
an arched entrance to the former cloister and
house. Upon the accession of James I in 1603,
Sir John was made Lord Harrington 1st Baron
of Exton, and shortly afterwards entrusted with
guardianship of 7 year old Princess Elizabeth
who came to live at Coombe. For the Princess’s
interest and entertainment, and that of her junior
court, Lord Harrington developed a landscape
of delight whose pleasures were recounted by a
lady in waiting:
“The house stood rather low, as most old
ones do, but had a pleasing though not very
extensive Prospect, and under the Windows
of the Princess’s Apartment, was a Parterre
filled with the greatest Variety of Flowers that
ever I saw; beyond which a lawn of a beautiful
Verdure; peculiar to that County, relieved the
Eye, which otherwise, would have been fatigued
with the dazzling Colours of the Flowers; The
Prospect was terminated by a Cascade, falling
into a Canal that looked like a River, and
seemed to lose itself in a fine Wood on the
right Hand which Wood came right round from
the other Side of the House, and one could go
through it in the Shade, all the Way to the Park,
which was a very fine one; through it there
were many Gravel Paths, that made Walking
agreeable in Winter, when the Greasiness of
the Soil, would not admit of it on Grass... but
nothing took the Princess’s Fancy so much, as
a little Wilderness at the end of the Park, on
the Banks of a large Brook which ran winding
along, and formed in one Place, a large irregular
Basin, or rather a small Lake, in which there
was an Island covered with Underwood, and
flowering Trees and Plant…. This Place and the
adjoining thicket, my young Mistress, begged
to have the Disposal of, during her stay…. Her
Garden and Greenhouse were as well stored
with Curiosities, and exotic Plants, as her
Menagerie, with Creatures….”
She was delighted with her Island, as I told you
before, and first Orders she gave about it were,
to have a little thatched Building, which was in it,
rendered commodious within for the Dwelling of
a poor Widow and her children…. and who, she
intended should live in it, and take care of the
different sort of Fowls that were to be kept there;
the Out-side of this House was to have some
alteration made in it, to give the Appearance
of an Hermitage, and near it a Grotto, the
Adorning of which with Shells and Moss, was
the Amusement of many of her leisure Hours….
In the Wood, which I told you was on the other
side of the Brook, she had an Aviary made…the
Top of this was round with coloured glass, that
looked at a little Distance, like rough Emeralds
and Rubies….which formed the Back and roof
of the Aviary; the rest was enclosed with a Net
of gilt Wire….Near this, a Cottage was repaired
for an old man, who had care of the Birds….
Adorned the little Wooden Buildings which were
dispersed about, in all the different Orders of
Architecture….”
The extract is quoted in full because it is a
rare account of an early Jacobean garden
and provides an insight into the first designed
landscape developed around Coombe at
the beginning of the 17th century. The royal
apartments were located in the East wing of
the house with an elaborately carved first-floor
stone porch at the South West corner leading
to the raised walks surrounding the Great
Garden. The porch was demolished in 1863, but
some of the carved stones were subsequently
incorporated in retaining walls to the north
west of the house. The outer garden wall was
constructed from medieval masonry salvaged
from the Abbey and the parterre described
above lay within the wall and raised ground
where the walks remain (2002). The cascade
and canal may have been developed from the
monastic watercourse to the Abbey and the
wood may be that depicted in the background
of Knyff and Kip’s engraving c1690. It is thought
that the Park was situated North of the house
and the brook described is
almost certainly the Smite.
A portrait of Elizabeth
by Robert Peake in
1603 possibly set
in the grounds at
Coombe, portrays an
early example of a
Royal portrait in a
naturalistic setting.
Peake’s portrait
shows Elizabeth
beth standing on rising
a
z
i
l
E
ground. There is
cess
n
i
r
P
a park pale in the
background, together with a
stream, bridges, paths and an intriguing
pleached arbour with turf seat set on a mount.
The Craven Era 1622 – 1925
The 17th Century Landscape
The role of guardian to Princess Elizabeth
with all its attendant expenses brought Lord
Harrington close to ruin. After his death in
1613 Coombe had to be sold to pay debts and
in 1622 was acquired by the Craven family.
The development of formal gardens around
the house begun in the late 16th century and
continued under the Craven family. The extent
of formal gardens in the late 17th century is
recorded by Knyff and Kip c1690. The engraving
shows the great garden divided into four grass
plots with borders and topiary surrounded by
the raised walk. To the North of the house is
an elaborate parterre de broderie and to the
West a rectangular garden with on oval pool.
Around 1680 Lord Craven commissioned
Captain William Winde, a distinguished London
architect responsible for alterations to the
Craven’s seat at Hampstead Marshall, to build
a new suite of state and private rooms on the
West and North sides of the house. The plan
and position of the North and West gardens
depicted by Knyff and Kip do not align with
Winde’s extension suggesting that the gardens
may be of an earlier date. Gate piers at Coombe
are also attributed to William Winde. North of
the house a dovecote and two pools are shown.
To the South West of the house a sequence of
parterres were probably the last addition to the
formal gardens and are thought to have been
designed by George London, Royal Gardener,
introduced to the Cravens by Captain Winde.
The parterres extend and fill the space as far as
the public highway, a route
established in medieval
times, and possibly earlier
to serve the Abbey, and
providing a link between
Coventry and the Fosse
Way.
In 1634 Lord Craven
obtained a licence
for emparkment
from Charles I to
enclose 650 acres
1st E
of demesne land.
arl C
rave
The enclosure is
n
significant because
it gave Lord Craven complete
control over a single coherent block of
land to do with as he wished. Enclosure enabled
him to plant trees and control grazing to ensure
the trees survived. Emparkment enabled the
extension of the designed landscape from the
house and formal gardens via avenues radiating
to the wider landscape, and to the boundaries
of the park. Double avenues extending South
from the main approach to the house across
the public highway, are shown by Knyff and
Kip. South-West of the house was another ride
leading to the Lodge, the central point from
which was a series of avenues radiated across
the Park.
A letter written by Sir William Craven, dated
December 4th 1683, request the keeper to send
a brace of doe’s to London for the remainder of
the season and records that:
“the last months of October and November
having proved verie seasonable weather, I have
planted a fine nurserie of some thousand setts
Abeeles, Elms, limes and Beeches, beside an
orchard of fower acres of ground and some
Walnut trees, to avoid the charge and trouble of
buying these severall sorts elsewhere; I have
alsoe got some workmen that are good Artists
in cutting and plathing of hedges in the severall
grounds which were never done since first
planted and shall I hope by degrees bring all to
good order.”
The letter suggests that the development of the
estate continued through the century. Hedge
laying was recognised as an art practised by
skilled artisans, the tree planting needs of
a large estate were most prudently met and
planned for by the establishment of an estate
tree nursery and home grown orchard fruits
were part of the country estate economy.
The 18th Century Landscape
It is uncertain when Coombe began to change
from a landscape of regular avenues and formal
gardens in the 18th century landscape whose
imprint remains today. Change was evidently
taking place in the 1740s as the Craven
estate accounts for 1743 included payment for
digging a ha ha and making a terrace but do
not seem to include the construction of a wall
at the same time. The measurement for the
excavation, 1290 yards, appears to correspond
with that of the ha ha around the kitchen garden
constructed North-East of the house in the 18th
century, although this ha ha has a wall.
The new kitchen garden may have been created
as preparatory works prior to the construction
of new service buildings in the 1760s. However,
the records could also be consistent with the
construction of a ditch, bank and terrace North
of the Wrautum.
In 1755 an Act was passed for repairing and
widening the road from Market Harborough to
Coventry. As a result of the Act, and influenced
by Lord Craven, a section of the road by
Coombe was diverted on a new alignment
South, so that it no longer passed close to the
house. The new road seems to have been a
catalyst for further change on the estate as
the land to the South ceased to be part of the
park. The lodge, from which avenues radiated
across the park, was converted and extended
to become a farm and two hundred perches of
fencing were purchased to create new fields. By
1769 the Coombe Abbey estate totalled about
7000 acres, most of it tenanted to agricultural
use.
In 1770 Capability Brown was engaged to
undertake work at Coombe. An undated letter
from Lord Craven, perhaps of late August 1770,
urges Brown to go to Coombe saying “I desire
you to exert your utmost abilities to improve the
place and shall leave everything else to you. I
hope you will not leave Coombe till you have
made a plan and estimate and that you will
get the man you mentioned to me, and begin
directly.” Work had started by 1771, the year
that Brown formed a partnership with his Son- in
-Law Henry Holland, and by May 1774 Brown
records payment of £7,150.
Lord Craven sounds anxious to start
improvements perhaps conscious that the
house, low lying in an unremarkable landscape
containing formal elements from the previous
century, was not the best starting point for
the creation of a fashionable 18th century
park. Possibly, Lord Craven had set about
improvements and Brown was called in to sort
them out. None of Brown’s original drawings
seem to have survived, but a plan of 1778
provides a record of the park shortly after the
completion of Brown’s commission. Though
many elements shown on the plan indicate the
hand of Brown, there is no record of the site
prior to his visit, making it possible that some
of the work shown was carried out at an earlier
date.
Notwithstanding any uncertainties it is clear
that the work instigated by Brown had a more
durable impact on the estate than any scheme
before or since. Brown sought to make the
most of limited variations in level through
the disposition of planting and the siting of
buildings. He enhanced the setting of the
house and provided the park with a generous
sense of scale by creating a huge lake. This
involved construction of a dam 750m long and
up to 3m high flooding the shallow valley of
the Smite and creating an apparently endless
sweep of water whose extremities were hidden
from major vantage points. Weirs and sluices
controlled the flow of water that was either
diverted to an upper pool, Top Pool, or flowed
through a newly cut channel into the great lake.
Woodland belts followed the park boundaries
and two new entrances provided approaches to
the house from the South West and South East.
Some old trees and parts of earlier avenues
were retained, or the trees transplanted and
regrouped. Circular clumps flanked the new
western approach across the park but any
hedgerows and whatever remained of the
formal gardens were removed allowing parkland
to sweep up to the front of the house. The
kitchen garden was contained within an oval ha
ha to the North-West of the house.
Brown and Holland designed a number of
buildings around the park as part of their
commission. These comprised West Lodge
designed as a classical arch, set at an angle to
the road facing the Coventry approach but not
visible from the house or the wider park. Also
East Lodge, an octagonal gothic gatehouse
with prospects in a number of direction but also
out of sight of the house. There were kennels
like a castle folly beside the former southern
approach to the house and a boathouse in
the local vernacular style. Accounts and other
records suggest that Brown was responsible
for alterations to the drawing room at the
house, stable yard and a pavilion now called
Pump Cottage and Dove Cottage. Brown was
also responsible for laying out a menagerie
prominently situated
in the crook of the
lake at the West
end of the park.
The design
inspiration of
the menagerie
pavilion, a two
storey domed
octagon
reminiscent
of an
The
Men
ager
ie
observatory, is thought to have been the
Versailles Menagerie of the 1660s, probable
known to Henry Holland through his
architectural studies in France.
The pavilion was placed in the centre of a high
wall enclosing a portion of land sloping down
to the lake. The area incorporated the site of a
former quarry and part of the medieval warren.
The menagerie was intended to accommodate
a collection of exotic animals that could be
observed in safety from the pavilion. It is
uncertain whether the menagerie was ever
stocked with animals as intended.
All the buildings were in different styles adding
local interest, but the menagerie pavilion was
intended as an eye catcher and focal point in
the parkland crowning elevated ground above
the lake. Its octagonal form enabled a prospect
in several directions, points from which there
were complementary views back to the building;
across the lake from the West, from the ridge in
the Deer Park to the East and from the elevation
of the open Wrautum to the North-East. The
pavilion provided contrast to the house in its
valley setting, a point of interest, a destination
in the park for rides and banquets and a
fashionable adjunct to the Craven’s domain.
Circular rides around the park or a boat across
the lake provided the Cravens with alternative
approaches to the menagerie.
Apart from laying out tree groups in the Deer
Park, Brown was responsible for considerable
areas of woodland planting to the dam, North
of the lake and around the Wrautum where
the trees were set back below the brow of the
hill. On the plan of 1778 a loose group of trees
is shown on the slopes from the Wrautum to
the lake. North of the Wrautum there is some
evidence to suggest that Brown’s planting
added to an area of existing woodland. To the
North-West of the Wrautum there is evidence of
Brown’s planting in the line of Yews towards the
boundary and in the bastion shape of plantings
shown on the plan of 1778 and the first edition
Ordnance Survey. The layout, earthworks
and planting of the bastions suggest that they
may have been added to an earlier earthwork
boundary, perhaps that accounted for in 1743.
Parallel to the North boundary is a flat area or
terrace, much of it set below the field to the
North, the location of the circular drive.
The first edition Ordnance Survey records that
established woodlands beyond the 18th century
park were divided by straight rides, one through
the Grove appearing to be a continuation of
the 17th century avenue South from the house.
John Phipps provides evidence to support the
view that the division of the woods is typical
of 18th century fox hunting woods, allowing
huntsmen to move rapidly between fields and
woodland with good visibility along the rides.
The elevated nature of many of the established
Coombe woodlands would have been
advantageous to hunting parties and added to
the pleasure gained from hunting and driving
along the ridings in such a landscape.
ohn
w of
son vie
Maria J
e
the lak
A series of watercolours executed by Maria
Johnson in 1796 record the establishing
landscape twenty years after the completion of
Brown’s commission. A view of the West Lodge
and another of the menagerie from across
the lake illustrate the inclusion of groups of
coniferous trees in the planting. Her painting of
the dog kennel shows evidence of apparently
immature trees in rows. One of the houses from
the South West confirms the parkland flowing
up to the house depicted by Brandard in 1780,
although Brandard’s view includes hurdles or
fencing around the building, probably to prevent
close access by sheep. Maria Johnson’s view of
the lake shows post and rail fencing in the deer
park, a measure to control sheep rather than
deer, and a group of fastigiate trees, possibly
poplars, on the North bank. The woodland in
the background is limited in height, unsurprising
given its immaturity, and above it the spires of
two of Coventry’s churches.
The 19th Century
Reductions in the Brownian park took place
early in the 19th century with 28 acres in the
East being converted to agricultural fields and
another 27 acres to pasture by 1811. With the
development of a track across the park to the
village of Ansty, the Eastern third of the park
was effectively severed and was no longer
designated ‘deer park’ but termed ‘cow pasture’.
Some alterations were undertaken to the house,
and in the park a duck decoy was created
between Top Pool and the Smite Brook. William
Skelton, son of George Skelton the head of a
family of famous decoy-men who came from
Friskney in Lincolnshire, created the decoy in
1843 and stayed on as decoy-man for Lord
Craven until his death in 1867, aged 78.
The decoy was reckoned to have been first
class with four pipes and “surrounded by
several acres of osiers and reds with a mixture
of spruce and other trees”. It consisted of a star
shaped pond with four points from which angled
channels extended, narrowing and terminating
at some distance from the main body of water.
The channels or ditches were covered with
netted iron hoops of descending size with
panels of reed fencing to the side. The idea
was that wild ducks arriving at the pool would
be induced to enter the pipe netting and swim
up the ditch such a distance that their retreat
could be cut off back to the pond. Success
was achieved through a combination of decoyman’s skill, that of his dog and the attraction
of food. The ducks curiosity would lead them
to follow the decoy-man’s dog apparently
retreating beside the pipes, hopping about,
appearing and disappearing between the reed
screens. The pipes set in scrub and then open
grassland towards the end of the channel would
be light and non-threatening. Once the ducks
had entered the pipe the decoy-man could
encourage them to continue their course by
cutting off their retreat back to the open water
of the pond. The ducks, frightened up the pipe,
would find themselves trapped and be caught at
the narrow end of the pipe. The ducks provided
food for the estate table, particularly valuable in
winter, and gifts for guests. The largest take in
one year was 1500 birds. Emily Craven records
the excitement at the first ducks being caught in
a letter to her Sister.
The first edition Ordnance Survey of 1887
records the presence of a large pheasantry
sited on the Northern edge of the Wrautum.
It is uncertain when this was established but the
scale of the pheasantry suggests that pheasant
rearing to supply the shoot was significant on
the estate.
The next major phase of work at Coombe
occurred in the 1860s, funded by agricultural
profits from the Craven estates in Berkshire
and Warwickshire. Changes included work at
the menagerie and to the house and garden.
Although the menagerie may have been used
as a house by this time, the estate accounts
for 1864 record replacing the water engine,
repairing pumps and sinking a well. Also work
involving bricks, lime and haulage took place
that may relate to the construction of the
adjacent farm buildings.
In 1861 the architect William Eden Nesfield
was commissioned to undertake a survey and
subsequently carried out major alterations
to the house, extensions to the stable block,
and built the coach house. His work to the
house expressed a blend of architectural
styles with French ‘chateau’ influence, English
Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance detailing
all evident. The alterations that commenced
with the east wing were to have encompassed
the whole building but were never completed.
At the same time Nesfield’s father, William
Nesfield was engaged to work on the gardens,
and between them they produced an ingenious
design that linked the house with the lake and
created the framework for a new garden area.
This involved the excavation of a moat along
the South side of the house with a Watergate
beneath the East wing and access to the cloister
courtyard via a medieval style bridge. A culvert
from the Smite Brook above Top Pool supplied
water by gravity to a cascade at the east end of
the moat. At the West end the moat appeared
to return around the corner of the building but
actually led to a straight canal linking the moat
with the lake. Excavations from the moat and
canal were used to build a new terrace in the
West garden with steps
to the moat and an axial
path down to the canal.
The planting
design appears
to have been the
responsibility of
William Miller,
a gardener
appointed by
Lord Craven
from the Royal
Horticultural
Will
iam
Society, who
Mille
r
developed the
framework provided
by Nesfield. He produced two
alternative plans for elaborate garden layouts
in high Victorian style. One within the area
described by the ha ha, and the other covering
a large area extending from as far as the Ansty
Road, to Top Pool and to the Northern extension
of the lake. Neither scheme was followed
exactly, as the gardens developed and changed
under Miller between 1864 and 1907. The
layouts combined formal and informal elements;
straight and sinuous gravel paths, circular beds
with regular patterned layouts, amoebic borders,
avenues, lawn specimens and scrollwork.
Miller’s colour washed plans suggest a richly
varied composition with lots of colour, requiring
high maintenance.
At least part of the garden had been laid out
by 1869 with shrubberies on banks, specimen
conifers and a fine croquet ground and ribbon
border 700 feet long south of the kitchen
garden. All were sheltered by mature trees on
the boundary. The well ordered kitchen garden
had huge vineries, peach and melon houses
much admired for their good management
and productivity. Miller planted a grove of
Wellingtonia along with other exotics and
Rhododendrons, and extended this planting in
the park where Deodar Cedars to the north ride
are attributed to his hand. By 1874 the gardens
were open daily to the public.
It seems that the elaborate nature of the flower
gardens had passed their peak by 1889 and
the area of intensively maintained garden had
been reduced. The decline may have been
caused in part by the death of the 3rd Earl in
1883 aged 43, leaving his Son to succeed.
With the marriage of the 4th Earl to Cornelia,
and American heiress in 1893, there seems
to have been a fresh interest and investment
in the garden. Between 1897 and 1899 Miller
designed and planted a new parterre flower
garden to the West front, the layout was a
stylised tree growing from a vase. A few years
previous, the northern extension of the lake
had become silted up. Miller cast the silt up
into ridges that could be planted and effectively
reclaimed this section of the lake. Photographs
by Country Life record the elegance and
elaboration of the gardens in the early 20th
century before the First World War. Cornelia
Craven records the building of new terrace
walls with abbey stone from the lake and the
success of ‘the Italian Garden’. The gardens
were embellished with stone ornaments –
vases, urns, sundials and statuary. At the end
of Acacia Avenue a temple was built from pink
marble pillars taken from an old monastery in
Verona, and a renaissance marble fountain
from Rome was placed opposite. A line of Pink
Chestnut trees was planted to the South of
the canal and swags of planting decorated the
canal banks. The main entrance avenue was
replanted with Lime and Chestnut.
be maintained when the property was leased
to GEC in the 1950s. During GEC’s tenancy a
swimming pool and tennis court were laid out
within the lawns in the middle of the garden.
These were removed after Coventry City
Council purchased the site. When the area
became a regional park in 1966 access to the
gardens and land North of the lake was via the
house and parking was along the main drive.
The present access, car park and Country Park
Visitor Centre date from the restoration and
development of the house as a hotel in 1994.
A new detached house was built in the deer
park in the 1920s and the menagerie remained
in use as a house with a well tended garden
until the mid 1980s. The Deer Park remained
in agricultural use, part of it being ploughed
up for potatoes which resulted in the loss of
some parkland trees. In the 1990s plans for a
golf course on the Deer Park received planning
The Post Craven Era
The estate totalled 6,952 acres when it was
sold in 1923 following the death of the 4th Earl
Craven. The park comprised of five of the total
166 sale lots. The house was sold with 180
acres of ornamental gardens, parkland and
woodland. The Deer Park together with Coombe
Pool, the Menagerie and West Lodge formed
another lot and the ‘seed park’ of 117 acres,
plantation and reservoir totalling 32 acres and
the East Lodge comprised the remaining 3
plots. The sale divided the parkland. It split most
of the ornamental gardens from the kitchen
garden and left the estate buildings designed
by Capability Brown in a number of different
ownership’s.
John Gray, a Coventry builder, acquired the
house and associated land. He proceeded to
sell many of the garden ornaments together
with architectural items from the house, parts of
which he demolished. The garden layout was
largely retained and the garden continued to
oh
iew of
nson v
Maria J
the lake
permission, but the development did not
proceed and the permission has now elapsed.
1680’s 1683 3.5 Detailed Site Chronology
The following chronology shows in detail the
key developmental stages, influences and
issues arising on the site,that have impactied on
Coombe since 1150AD.
c.1690
1691 Chronology
Date
1150
12thC
1539
1550’s
1557
1581 1580’s
1603-8 1729
Cistercian Abbey founded by
Richard de Camville, colonised
from Waverley, the first house of the
Cistercian order founded in England
in 1128
Royal charter granted to monks at Coombe giving them privileges of free
Warren
Abbey dissolved. Granted to John
Dudley, Duke of Northumberland
Start of conversion to residence
Reversion to Crown following Duke’s
death on the scaffold in 1553.
Acquired by Sir Robert Kelway,
Surveyor of Court of Wards and
Liveries
Sir John Harrington purchases
Coombe
Major rebuilding programme
Princess Elizabeth (later Queen of
Bohemia) resides at Coombe. 1603
Portrait by Robert Peake
Craven Era
1622
Craven family purchase Coombe for
£36,000
1634
Park enclosed – 650 acres
1652
Parliamentary Survey of Abbey
1656
Daniel King’s view of Coombe –
earliest illustration
1667
Isacc Gibson rebuilds SW wing
c.1680
William Winde surveys Coombe
1682-84 Winde’s alterations: west range and
Great Hall rebuilt
1740’s 1746
1750’s
1770 1771-73
1771-77
1778
1796 c.1800
1810
1811
1820
1823
1842
1843
1849
1861 1862-5
George London extends formal
gardens
Dec. 4th William Craven letter
records deer at Coombe, planting a
orchard and Walnut trees and laying
nursery of native trees and 4-acre of
hedges
Knyff’s perspective view of house and
gardens
Wind’s designs for Griffin Gate
located in the Warwick County
Records Office
South view with part of formal
garden in foreground. Drawn and
engraved by S. and N. Buck
Estate records in Bodleian Library
Map of Binley, incl. Part of Coombe
Park
New Lodge rebuilt as Lodge Farm
Lancelot Brown surveys gardens
Binley Parish Church built, probably
by Henry Holland Jnr
Brown remodels gardens and park
and constructs the lake and ha ha.
Gate Lodges, Menagerie, dog
kennels, boar house and stable
block built.
Mathias Baker surveys Coombe
Abbey estates and Park
Watercolours by Maria Johnson 7
no. HAGAM
Indoor tennis court built
SSE view by Davis, Eng. J. Storer,
Pub. 1810
A Survey of Coombe Park
Major alterations to Abbey
Estate survey
Edward Blore surveys Coombe
Emily Craven refers to duck decoy
and taking part in catching 1st
ducks caught on it
Estate survey plan by Bland Hood
and Galland
W. Eden Nesfield surveys Coombe
Nesfield’s alterations to the house
and father Andrew Nesfield creates
canal and terraces.
1864
William Miller designs garden
layout
1864
“Replace water engine, repairing
pumps and sinking well at
Menagerie” and other works at
Menagerie involving bricks, lime
and haulage
SE view, watercolour?, J.
Macpherson HAGAM
Gardeners Chronicle article
refers to fine croquet ground and
extols virtues of kitchen garden,
particularly the vinerie
Bricklayers work to Watergate
Works to moat including
waterwheel pump
Gardeners Chronicle article refers
to park marred by wooden fencing,
a fine piece of water, decrys the
moat and acclaims the ride lined by
Deodar Cedars, the plant houses
and fruit
Author of Gardeners Chronicle
article approaches from Brandon
Station to South and remarks
on grass sweeping down to
water, waterfall sides planted
with Pampas grass and furze
and mounds from soil out of lake
planted with Rhododendrons and
other evergreens. Also mentioned
are Wellingtonias clothed to the
ground, numbers of Cupressus
Lawsoniana raised from seed,
an Araucaria avenue and a
description of flower beds east of
the Wellingtonia Bank
White’s Directory records Abbey
and gardens thrown open to public
daily
1st edition OS
Gardeners Chronicle article
describes 2 mile approach from
South, half through plantation and
half through park feeding hundreds
of deer. The lake, heronry and
aquatic/marginal plants are all
admired. Also records Miller’s work
to plant silted head of lake in
1865 1869
1871 1872
1872 1873
1874
1887
1897
1904
previous year and creation
of parterre garden 2-3 years
previously
Country Life Photographs
c.1905
Entrance avenue replanted with
Common Lime and Horse Chestnut
1907 – 8 New drains, terrace beside moat
and garden temple built
1908 Cornelia Craven records building
walls in the garden using old abbey
stones
1909
Country Life photographs
Modern era 1923 - 2002
1923
Craven family auction historic
contents and Abbey sold to John
Gray for £38,000
1925
Architectural stripping and sales,
demolition of East and part of North
ranges
1925-30 Interior roof of West range
remodelled, attics removed, flat
roves created
1930’s
Updated survey plan
1950’s
Ruins of East range re-roofed: hard
tennis court laid out
1952
GEC lease Coombe as training
centre
1958 Coventry Corporation purchase
Coombe Pool and woodland
1959
Swimming pool constructed at
Abbey
1960 Abbey listed Grade I, other
buildings Grade II
1960’s
Wrought iron gates removed to
Coventry, pillars moved to present
entrance
1964
Coventry City Council purchases
Coombe Abbey and 150 acres for
£35,000
1966
Coombe Abbey Regional Park
opened to public
1965-71 Abbey empty and disused
1970
Designated a Country Park
1970 Coombe Pool in the news as
the 1st site in the country where
Zander introduced
1971
Abbey leased to Historic
Productions, until 1992
1973
William Lindley, owner of the
Menagerie/Woodlands dies. “He
loved gardening and his rock
garden was reputed to be one of
the best in Warwickshire”
1976 Various repairs to abbey
undertaken up to 1988
1981
Second line of limes added to main
avenue to commemorate Queen
Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s 80th
birthday
Coventry Wildlife Survey records
over 650 species at Coombe
Coombe Abbey offered publicly
for expressions of interest in
developing the property
No Ordinary Hotel opens to the
general public
Visitor Centre and new flow
patterns open to the public.
Country Park regional award
winner - BT Countryside for all
2nd Oct. initial survey of trees
on dam identifies 100 trees of
significance requiring attention in
the next 5 years
Joe Taylor and team win SSSI
Award for outstanding achievement
for nature conservation
Site is assessed and awarded
certificate of Visitor Assured Quality
Assessment Scheme - English
Tourist Council
Retain certificate of Visitor Assured
Quality Assessment Scheme English Tourist Council
Climbing Forest opens to the Public
Coombe is awarded Green Flag for
the first time
Restoration of Lancelot Brown’s
historic sight lines by lakeside path
begins
1982/3 1989
1992
1992 1995
2001 2001 2003 2004 2006
2007
2007
2009
2010
2011
2011
2013
2013
2013
2013
Coombe wins Natural England
Country Park Accreditation
Restoration of the historic Deer
Park begins
Deer Park and Discover Brown
Trail opens to the public
Wildflower Meadow is extended
Higher Level Stewardship
Agreement sucessfully reached
and funding acquired to assist
delivery of existing management
objectives
Top Pool Lodge education facility
rebuilt and opened after arson
attack.
Green Flag awarded for the past 7
years
VisitEngland Quality Assured Rose
Marque maintained for 10 years
4.0 Managing Coombe as a Visitor Attraction
4.1 The Attraction of Coombe Country
Park
Visitor numbers in the car park from 2005 to
2010 gives an interesting insight into visitor
behaviour at the park.
The survey highlighted that for the most part
visitors were more likely to visit the park
between late morning and early afternoon,
between the hours of 10am and 2pm whether
it be the summer or winter. Interestingly
weekends showed a slightly different pattern
with Saturdays, bar four occasions over the
five years, becoming busiest between 2pm and
4pm.
Coo
mbe
C
Visi ountry
tor A
P
ttrac ark as a
tion
Location
With central Coventry only 5 km away
and Rugby, Hinckley and the Birmingham
conurbation nearby, Coombe is within easy
reach of large numbers of people. A survey
conducted in 1995 revealed that Coventry
residents make up 50% of visitor numbers,
Coombe Country Park being one of the largest
public open spaces locally available.
Visitors
Visitor Surveys undertaken over the last 10
years, identified that the vast majority of visitors
came by car. While some visitors came to the
Estate to enjoy specific facilities such as the
hotel or Visitor Centre, many visitors came for
passive recreation - e.g. walking, dog walking,
enjoying the landscape and its history and
wildlife.
The Visit Heart of England surveys place
Coombe 5th in the Top Free Attractions in the
West Midlands.
The Country Park is open 7.30 am until dusk,
365 days a year. A recent study comparing
The survey also showed an interesting
difference between the proportion of weekend
and weekday visitors during the Summer and
Winter. On average 49% of Summer visitors
came to the park on a weekend, where as in the
Winter, 59% of all visitors came at the weekend.
A survey conducted in 2009 also discovered
an ethnic spilt between the times that different
groups visited the park. During the day time
98% of Visitors were documented to be White
British compared to with just over 50% in the
evening. The evening saw a mixture of different
groups including Asian, Indian and Black
Caribbean.
Facilities
When the Country Park was first established
at Coombe it began in a low-key way with car
parking, toilets and a footpath network around
parts of the Estate. Through the years the
public facilities have slowly expanded until
the major development of the Visitor Centre,
which opened in 1993. The Country Park won
the ‘Midlands Regional BT Countryside for All
Award’ in 1995. The Visitor Centre, together
with the new Abbey Hotel, has put Coombe
firmly on the leisure visitors map.
In 2002 the Country Park was awarded the
English Tourism Quality Assured Visitor
Attraction Award, which has been reassessed and re-awarded annually since. This
Accreditation is an independent, consumer
focused assessment of the attraction. It allows
the Country Park to benefit from displaying the
scheme’s quality marque, enhanced promotion
through the visit Britain website, as well as the
use of best practice guides from all sectors of
the industry. The site has also been awarded
Greenflag status annually since 2005.
Landscape Quality/Architectural
Quality
Capability Brown created a special landscape
at Coombe by his damming of the Smite Brook,
new parkland planting and the construction of
carriage drives. He drew attention to the quality
removed from arable agriculture and returned
to grazing pasture, has largely lost its historic
tree cover and system of carriage drives, these
are gradually being replaced. Many of Browns
vistas had been lost, but are slowly being
brought back, for the visiting public to enjoy. The
hard landscaping of the formal gardens, and
an effective way of managing the increasing
volumes of silt going into Coombe Pool remain
two of our biggest challenges for the future.
Significant sections of the 18th-century park lie
outside the City Council’s ownership; the Walled
Garden and Eastern Parkland lie derelict, while
temptingly visible from the public footpaths
within the Country Park.
Nature Conservation
Form
al G
arde
ns
of the house by giving it a grand setting, a
setting which was enriched in Victorian times by
Nesfield and Miller.
A combination of the grandeur of the buildings
and the quality of the landscape, are the primary
reasons why Coombe is so special today.
Probably most visitors would acknowledge and
recognise these special qualities, but it would be
wrong to assume from this that all is necessarily
well with the fabric of the Estate. While the
Abbey Buildings, Brown’s Menagerie and the
Boathouse have been the subject of major
restoration, other feature’s such as the Formal
Gardens and Lake have not been so fortunate.
Much work has been carried out to improve
the basic infrastructure within the park but
much remains to be done. Brown’s Western
Deer Park for example, comparatively recently
Contact with nature is
for many visitors the
most important reason
for visiting Coombe
Country Park. Some
simply wish to escape
the City and watch
nature changing
through the
seasons. Their
greatest pleasure
may be to walk
Grey
Hero
amongst trees
n
full of spring bird
song, or watch and
hear the bustle of ducks on
the water in Winter. Others come to see the
spectacle of the Heronry, easily visible from the
carefully provided public hide.
Significant numbers of school children come on
nature conservation study trips to Coombe; last
year saw 306 groups/6403 contacts with school
age children. These groups undertook a variety
of learning packages in different habitats across
the site. The increased access to improving
grassland communities has significantly
improved this area of learning over the last five
years.
The Coombe Estate does cater for a wide
range of nature conservation interest, from the
professional, scientific and educational to those
that simply delight in nature.
History
Much of the special character of Coombe
Park is a legacy of its past history. Historical
interpretation has significantly improved over
the last five years. This has been linked with
the landscape restoration of view lines, and the
Deer Park. An interpretation audit is undertaken
during the five year planning cycle to ensure we
are providing relevant information in the most
appropriate form.
facility has significantly declined in the recent
years. This area of the Country Park, and its
use needs to be revisited as an action within the
time frame of this plan
Free Admission
Free admission to the Country Park is a very
important element of Coventry City’s present
strategy for the management of Coombe, as
well as being a key criteria of Natural England’s
National Country Park accreditation. This
makes a large part of the Estate available to all
who wish to visit, regardless of income. While
those arriving by car are required to pay parking
charges, there is the option to travel to the site
by public transport or alternatively walk from the
Eastern edges of the City.
Standards of Upkeep and Presentation
Quality control systems based on recognised
good practice (Green Flag, VAQAS, Visitor
Welcome Assessments ) are in place to monitor
the management of the estate and to ensure
that key features in the landscape, both historic
and ecological, are well maintained / managed.
Although there are some problem areas,
standards of upkeep and presentation are
generally high. These high standards contribute
greatly to the quality of visitor experience.
Events
The fine setting and ambience have attracted a
wide range of events to Coombe. Most of these
events have utilised the Events Field South
of the Visitor Centre and they have included
Civil War battle re-enactments, car rallies,
folk festivals and firework displays. Special
arrangements, such as additional car parking
and restricted access to certain areas, have
normally been put in place for the major events.
Smaller events are also an important feature
of Coombe, and these include band concerts
and craft demonstrations. The demand for this
g
Tellin
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Cove
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Fishery
At the time it was constructed (1771-1776),
Coombe’s lake was the largest water body in
Warwickshire. Only one larger water body exists
today and that is Draycote Reservoir. In the mid
1940’s all of the water was drained from the lake
as it was deemed to be a security risk to the
industry of Coventry.
According to the Ministry of Defence the
German Luftwaffe was using the lake as
a navigation aid to guide bombers into the
factories of the City. After the war the lake was
filled up again and it became a fishery. The
gamekeeper used to sell day tickets; at that
time it was an expensive fishery; 2 shillings and
sixpence for a day’s fishing during the fifties!
It is difficult to get a picture of the fishery stocks
at that time, but what is certain is that it was a
high class Tench fishery. There were a lot of
water lilies and the water was apparently clear,
suggesting that the stocking levels were fairly
low, and the surrounding land was not farmed
as it is today.
When the City Council bought the estate in the
60’s they inherited a top quality (mixed estate
lake fishery). The species present at that time
were: Tench, Bream, Silver Bream, Roach,
Mirror Carp, Common Carp, Crucian Carp,
Pike and Perch. Bream had taken over from
the Tench as the dominant species for the lake,
and 100lb bags of fish were the target for many
anglers. In many ways this remains the case
today.
During the late 60’s the Coventry Corporation
Water Undertaking was commissioned to
undertake a study of the lake, as it was
realised that the volume of
water stored
was subject to
the regulations
under the
Reservoirs (Safety
Provisions) Act
1930 and that
no certificate, as
required by the
Act, had been
issued during
the Corporation’s
ownership.
The
Fishing
subsequent report to
the Parks Department
dated January 1968,
advised that to comply with the Act a new
spillway/water management system was
required. A new spillway was installed at the
North end of the raised dam during 1971/72.
A second inspection carried out in 1972,
highlighted the need for a new outlet sluice, this
was installed in 1976. The Council’s appointed
Civil Engineers, Jacob’s Group and the site’s
Country Park Manager, now carry out annual
survey work to ensure compliance with the Act.
Any work identified must be carried out as a
priority. (See appendix 3).
The Environment Agency has been working with
the site manager for over twenty five years. This
close partnership has given the City Councils
on site management team the opportunity to
closely monitor its fish stocks. However with
central Government spending cuts this facility
is no longer available. A method to effectively
monitor fish stocks in the future will need to be
addressed within the time frame of this plan.
Angling trends have changed drastically over
the last ten years and Coombe has had to
change with it. Coombe Pool fishery is no
longer the top match water it was, it cannot
compete with commercially stocked waters,
however it is gaining an impressive reputation
as a top specimen/pleasure angling venue.
A five year fisheries plan (see appendix 15) has
been produced to look at where Coombe sits in
the modern fisheries market, and how it should
be managed for the next five years.
Children’s Play
One of the prime triggers for many visitors
to Coombe is the need for children’s play/
entertainment. During the mid 1980’s a
significant amount of research was undertaken
by both the Forestry Commission, and the
Countryside Commission for Scotland into
children’s play and its place in the outdoors.
Research continues, as understanding develops
with more experience of play provision gained
by providers of outdoor recreation. The
concepts of play at Coombe are guided by this
work. Clearly play is perceived by many as a
physical activity, and an opportunity for children
to let off steam. However, most research
suggests this is too simple a view and that play
fulfils more aspects of a child’s development.
The natural environment presents an ideal
setting which should not be overlooked.
Play at Coombe can be broadly categorised into
three areas:
• Motor play – physical activity, which
encourages children to be fit and healthy.
• Social play – as children learn to interact in
social situations.
• Cognitive play – children learning about their
relationship with the environment.
When observing the ways in which play areas
are used, it is evident that these three play
types are intertwined. Further, the proportion of
these play types varies directly with the ways
that children play at different stages of their
development. i.e. different ages. Whilst planning
for play provision at Coombe Country Park
it is important that we take these issues into
consideration, along with the opportunity play
provides us to get key messages across. We
must also ensure that any future proposed play
facilities at Coombe are sustainable. Although
there is a recognised need for equipped play,
a whole range of experiences can be provided,
without great expense. A ‘Sensory Area’ and
Den Zone (see figure 7) have been developed
over the last five years, these are not meant
to be permanent features, but inspirational
‘moments in time’. New temporary facilities will
be developed over the next five years.
Equipped Play
When describing play facilities for children,
most people immediately consider what can be
termed ‘equipped play provision’ (i.e. installed
equipment within a formal area.) Structured play
through provision of formal designed equipment
is important although the selection of equipment
and units must be undertaken carefully in order
to achieve the installation of a play facility with
a high play value and one that fits well into
the historical landscape. One of the primary
advantages of equipped play is that parents
can easily supervise their children, therefore
parents/carers must be taken into consideration
when designing play provision at Coombe.
Currently there two play areas at Coombe one
for the 4 –8 age range and another ‘the climbing
forest’ for older children, and those that wish
to remain in touch with their child hood! See
figure 7. The later provision gives families a
real opportunity to play together throughout the
age range, something that is lacking in more
traditional play equipment.
There is very little provision for the under
4’s, this age range along with extended
family carers, is however, one of the key off
peak markets where we wish to increase
our audience. The mum’s/carer and toddler
provision does need to be investigated further.
Unequipped Play
Significant play value can be found in the
natural environment and is present in many
areas of Coombe Country Park.
The Countryside, by its very nature, can be a
dangerous place to visit. One of the key roles
of a ‘Country Park’ is to link the town and the
countryside and to educate those using the
countryside of the likely risks that they will
face. An aspiration of the Management Team
at Coombe is that the site should be actively
promoted as a place for play, whilst recognising
the commonly proposed perception that the
risks associated with children in a Country
Park environment may be greater than those
presented when children play on an equipped
area. When managed properly, a balance can
be struck between the needs of children to
express themselves and the unacceptable risks
of injury. The key ingredients are:
• Space. Children love to explore, and
Coombe offers a lot of space. Games can
take up more space and be more energetic
if needed, it will be easier to find somewhere
quiet. Space offered within the park is such
that it is easy for parents to find areas away
from other children, often a requirement
when separating very young children from
older children.
• Diverse landform. The park’s landform offers
places to explore and conquer as well as
stimulating the imagination and providing
opportunities for role play games.
• Water. The water features within the park are
already a magnet for its visitors, especially
children. Running water is a fascination
of the young and old alike. Whilst water
potentially presents dangers, when well
supervised children can enjoy themselves
and learn at the waters edge.
• Grassland. Grass in its many forms abound
within the park. Children can experience, the
magic of the hay meadow with all its colour,
and movement from a mass of butterflies
and bugs or use the amenity cut areas for
ball games or kite flying.
• Trees. The trees within the park, present
an immediate attraction for many children.
Especially for those children from the City
who don’t normally see trees of the size or
number to be found at Coombe. Climbing
trees gives children the opportunity to
become accustomed to heights and develop
climbing skills and, once within a tree,
lets the child see the world from a new
perspective. Making dens in the woodland
stimulates the imagination and relates to
many stories and fairy tales.
All of the above features can be found in and
around the Wrautums field. The concept of
exciting and educational modular play zones
within the woodland and tree canopy, catering
for a variety of ages and giving a diverse
experience is currently being investigated and
will hopefully soon be established within this
area.
Education and Interpretation
The aim at Coombe is to develop and deliver
quality inclusive educational opportunities for
all ages and abilities, through an imaginative
programme of interpretation of the natural and
historical features of the park. (See appendix
16).
Formal Education
Education activities where established at
Coombe during the early 1980’s. Since that
time a regular customer base has been built
up with some schools visiting every year.
Between 2006 and 2010 the education service
delivered programs to 2570 groups with 31,580
student contacts. Although the majority of
the schools that use the service are from the
Coventry LEA Area there has been a significant
increase in those from surrounding areas such
as Warwickshire and Leicestershire as well as
Northamptonshire and Birmingham. Coventry
LEA schools are offered a subsidised service
(c.15% discount) with prices reviewed annually.
The park employs two full time Education
Officers, one with responsibility for early
years and primary development and one
with a secondary / youth / adult education
responsibility. Both these posts are responsible
for developing and delivering programmes
within their key areas . There is also a strong
team of Assistant Education Officers employed
on a casual basis who assist with delivery of
programmes as and when required.
The majority of Coombe’s education
programmes continue to be delivered to the
primary school market. (November 2011). These
programmes are developed and designed to
hit key elements of the National Curriculum
and schemes of work as well as developing
key skills such as communication and listening.
Our most popular programmes for the primary
school age are River Study, Habitat Studies,
Orienteering, and for the younger children,
First Nature. The programme for 2011 can be
found in appendix 16. As well as delivering
programmes within Coombe Country Park
the team are also delivering activities such as
assemblies, and eco activities for school eco
days and weeks. This area of work is likely to
increase as school visit budgets decrease. The
primary curriculum is currently undertaking
changes going from subject based areas to
being more cross curricular, which means that
all programmes within this primary area will
need to reflect this.
The secondary plus sector is more limited
in size in terms of the number of schools
that might wish to use the services of the
department. For example there are only 19
secondary schools and Academies in Coventry
compared to 83 primary schools. The need
to engage the secondary market has led to
the development of vocational courses for
the pre & post 16 age range. An increasing
number of secondary schools are using us as
a “soft option” to help deliver PSD and team
building sessions. The work with those schools
and partners who are looking to develop
diversionary packages for children at risk or
those with challenging behaviour has continued.
The split of duties between the two officers
highlighted in the last 5 year plan has proved
effective in allowing the Education Officers time
to specialise. This is particularly relevant respect
of any CPD which is crucial to success in the
current education/local government climate.
Education for the older student is not
automatically school based, and therefore to
reach those students in the secondary school
bracket there is a constant need to link with
organisations other than the traditional “school”.
As funding opportunities change so do the
partner organisations with which we work . Links
have been forged with groups like – Jump Start
4 Youth, CKD and CWSP but we have been
working less often with Groundwork Coventry
and Warwickshire, Fresh Start, & Henley
College. Long term links have now been created
with Warwickshire College who help accredit
our City & Guilds course and we have recently
registered with NOCN (National Open College
Network) to become a registered teaching
centre in our own right.
There has been a successful relationship over
many years with Warwick University Education
faculty who deliver PGSE courses. Students
and lecturers use Coombe as a training base for
outdoor education activities, in which Coombe
staff co-deliver this aspect of the course.
Although the primary market delivers more face
to face contacts with school aged children, the
secondary/youth sector providers a greater
proportion of the overall income in this budget
heading, and is currently the area of greatest
expansion.
We are also continuing to expand our Adult
Education Provision. Sessions have included
Team building and survival days, which have
been delivered to colleges, other council
departments, and corporate groups such as
Barclays. They offer the opportunity to bring
adults into the park for learning and team
building/problem solving experiences.
Partnerships have been key to the success of
the Education service at Coombe, the first major
partnership was with the RSPB, which was
formed in 1987 and continues to this day. Also
of considerable note is schools environmental
awareness day run in conjunction with other
local authorities the private and volunteer
sectors, see report. Appendix 16, Education at
Coombe, Local advisory teachers and subject
co- ordinators , Coombe Education officers
sit on the Outdoor Education Steering group,
which coordinates best practice and awareness
of outdoor education generally across the
authority.
The education team also ties into Coventry City
Councils Sustainable Schools Strategy, and the
Greenspace Strategy, a main aim of which
is to get schools and communities using their
local green spaces and parks. The development
of education packs on Remembrance,
Orienteering, Animal adaptations and habitat
Studies for the War Memorial Heritage Lottery
Funded project, is one of the main examples
of our increasing involvement in delivering
education across the cities parks.
Quality Assurance - All programmes undertaken
by the education team are internally monitored
and assessed using a standard monitoring
form. Every group that visits the park is sent
a monitoring form and the feedback received
is used to modify the programmes and ensure
that our consistently high quality of delivery is
maintained.
LOTC - The team has applied for Learning
outside the Classroom Quality Badge (http://
www.lotc.org.uk/lotc-quality-badge/ which will
identify us as a safe site delivering quality
visits to a high standards. In future schools
wishing to make use of an out of the classroom
site will be advised to only visit sites that have
met this standard.
Independent Assessment - The service is
also assessed independently by the Work
Related Learning Service to ensure that we
are delivering this area of the service to an
acceptable quality. It is also assessed by OCN
to confirm that we are conforming to national
standards for delivery, and by Warwickshire
College as part of the delivery of the Diploma
in Land based Industries. We also get indirectly
inspected by OFSTED when school trips
fall on the day on which that school is under
inspection.
Informal Education and Interpretation
The staff at Coombe have developed an
interpretation strategy that sets out a process
for the Country Park to develop and implement
a consistent, creative and inspirational
interpretive package. The Strategy explains
what interpretation is, and how interpretation
can be used to highlight and promote a better
understanding of how Coombe Country
Park, and therefore Coventry City Council,
contribute to services across a broad spectrum
of social agendas. These include for example,
Social Inclusion, Sustainability, Community
Engagement and active Citizenship, Education,
Health, Crime Reduction, Local Economies,
Heritage, Tourism, Culture, Sports, The Arts,
Employment (and other sectors), the needs of
children and young people, Biodiversity, Linking
Town and Countryside, Tackling the Urban/Rural
Divide, as well as others.
Key interpretive objective has been identified;
“We wish to enhance our visitors experience, by
interpreting the park’s unique place in Coventry
& Warwickshire’s history, giving people the
opportunity to experience the natural wonders
that surround them, whilst they visit this special
country park on Coventry’s doorstep, and for
those that wish to, develop the confidence to
explore the broader countryside”.
This is followed by identified key themes that
the Country Park’s interpretation should follow,
encompassing the Countryside, Social History
and Natural History of the site and the wider
countryside.
The strategy then highlights different mediums
for interpretation and culminates in a 5 year plan
for assessing our existing interpretation and
implementing improvements.
Facilities
The greatest facility of all is of course the
Country Park itself, however there are several
units within the Visitor Centre dedicated to
education and interpretation.
Field Studies Centre – this facility is a modern
fully equipped study centre. The equipment is
designed for survey and sampling work followed
by basic analysis back in the classroom. The
classroom can also be used as a lecture room
or craft area. This multi use area accommodates
between 30 and 40 students comfortably.
Miller Suite – A fifty seat lecture facility - this
room was designed to provide the Education
Team with the opportunity to give lectures/
talks to adult/older groups although this was
successful for a while it was never really
developed to its full potential. In recent years
this facility has also been marketed as a
training venue. Currently weekend usage is
limited to small events and talks. This facility is
now nineteen years old and needs a general
revamp, which will be a project for the period of
this plan.
Wood Turners Work Shop (formerly Gallery)
The original concept for this facility was for it
to be hired out on a semi permanent basis by
local countryside groups, artists, photographic
societies, craft people, etc. The room has never
been commercially viable in this particular
setting, either for the potential residents or for
the Country Park. In recent years this facility
has been used by such groups on an infrequent
basis during busy periods, and although this
provides an added value service to the visitor
it is acknowledged that this facility will not
generate income as originally desired. Coombe
Abbey Wood Turners formed a partnership with
the City Council. This has been a great success
for both parties. It provides an added attraction
on a Tuesday and Sunday for Country Park
visitors and gives anyone who wishes to do so
the opportunity to try woodturning for the first
time. Customer comments have been extremely
favourable.
Craft Unit – This unit sees a change in use from
a History Room to a Craft Unit in 2012. After
a brief tenancy held by a local florist, now the
Crafty Cat Paint Your Own Pottery Studio has
been in place since 2013.
The heritage theme has not been lost after the
closure of the History Room, rather integrated
into the wider Visitor Centre, including the
Street, Discovery Centre and Information
Centre.
Mille
The objective of the craft unit is that it provides
an added attraction and a suplementary income
stream.
r Su
ite
Top Pool Lodge – Located adjacent to Top
Pool and the Duck Decoy in the centre of the
park, the lodge provided a superb base for
water-life sampling and team games. The
spartan, easy clean nature of the decoration
lends itself to “dirty” activities and during 2005
the use has increased considerably, providing
a covered area for interpretation throughout the
year. The unit suffered from an arson attack in
2009. 2013 saw the re-opening of the facility.
The Boat House – This fully restored facility
has been used by a variety of clubs, artist
groups, schools and individuals, and our inhouse education staff. During the next five years
we will continue to develop the opportunities
that this facility offers. It is providing a useful
opportunity for some of the more challenging
older students to be involved in the development
of the facility. Work on the external landscape
and the internal furnishings providing very
diverse projects.
Competition
Over the years other centres have opened
up in the local area offering countryside
education activities. These facilities provide
competition in what is often perceived to be a
saturated market, e.g. Brandon Marsh Centre,
Ryton Pools Country Park, Brueton Park. This
increased competition did have an affect as
each centre opened, however there doesn’t
appear to be any long term commercial affect as
the last five years has seen our service running
at full capacity, and still growing. By recognising
the site’s strengths i.e. a unique site, superb
infrastructure and quality interpretive packages,
Coombe staff have been able to maintain the
site’s position within this competitive market.
Managing for the Future
Following a review of staffing at Coombe during
2010/11 the Education Team have been given
the challenge of a considerably increased
income target to cover the costs of one of the
full time staff members. The business plan in
appendix 16 indicates how we intend to manage
this.
There are separate but interrelated strategies
for Education and Interpretation with
Action Plans running concurrently with the
Management Plan. The action plans are
reviewed annually. Annual works are monitored
through the works programming process. (See
appendices 1 and16).
4.2 Community Benefits and
Involvement Opportunities
Sites and facilities managed by Coventry City
Council are managed with the underpinning
foundation of the City’s corporate objectives.
The business plan for the local authority was
approved in January 2014. “Coventry is open for
business: our vision and priorities for the next
10 years”.
Our vision is that we are and globally connected
and locally committed in delivering our priorities.
Our priorities are:
• Maximising the use of our assets; reducing
operating costs
• Active citizens; strong and involved
communities
This vision statement and priorities set out
by Coventry City Council are based on it’s
commitments to the people of Coventry and the
issues that residents have raised as being the
most important to them. The council places the
needs of the Community at the heart of all its
service provision.
Parks and green spaces have many benefits for
the local communities such as:
• Parks and green spaces provide cultural
links with the past, a sense of place and
identity.
• They provide locations for civic celebrations,
community festivals and events.
• They bring communities together on
common ground.
• Parks and green spaces such as Coombe
have heritage merit in themselves.
Health and Wellbeing
The potential of quality parks and green spaces
to promote good health and well-being is
perhaps one of the most important benefits. The
Victorians were amongst the first to recognise
the importance of urban parks to the health of
urban workers. Parks were established with the
specific aim of improving the health of City and
town dwellers.
The ‘Green Space and Healthy Living’
conference of May 2002, organised by the
National Urban Forestry Unit, looked specifically
at the potential of trees and green spaces in
urban areas to improve the health of urban
populations and create a more liveable
environment. From a medical perspective,
prevention of illness is better than having to
treat it. Strokes and coronary heart disease
are the leading cause of death in England, and
stress is a serious pervasive problem affecting
public health in all urbanised societies.
Stress has many negative effects on health
and is the biggest cause of lost days at work.
Green space in and around Cities can help
keep people physically and mentally healthy
by encouraging activity and by providing calm
places to relax away from noise and pollution.
Research has demonstrated that even passive
use of green space (viewing nature) can provide
relief from stress and promote psychological
and physiological well-being.
The idea that prevention is better than cure also
makes good economic sense. It is estimated
that the lack of physical activity costs the
National Health Service about 2-3 per cent of
the total health budget.
Current initiatives
Healthy Walks
This is a countrywide initiative to encourage
greater use of the outdoors as a healing tool,
for those members of the community suffering
from ill health. We have three measured selfguided trails for use whenever the site is open.
We also have a regular lead walk which is run
by the Coventry Healthy Walks Group based
at Walsgrave Hospital (at the time of writing
this takes place on Thursday afternoons). The
initiative is a serious attempt to improve health
and many of the people taking part are referred
to the project by their GP or consultant.
Community Involvement
Coventry City Council recognises that
community involvement in public parks is
essential for long-term sustainability. By
involving local people, it is possible to clarify
their needs and aspirations for the park. The
resourcing issues for such engagement must
be considered, as must the development of
an appropriate methodology by which the
communities can be identified and included in
moving the site forward. Although friends groups
have been tried they where not successful.
Our preferred option to deal with both need
assessment and tackling issues at Coombe
that are diverse and complex is to work with
focus/interest groups who will be able to look at
key areas of the site’s operation e.g. historical
restoration, children’s issues, disability access,
wildlife conservation.
There is a whole range of opportunities for the
local community to get practically involved with
the management of Coombe Country Park,
from estate management to wildlife and visitor
surveys. There are also opportunities for people
of all backgrounds to get involved through a
variety of work experience schemes.
4.3 Anti-Social Behaviour, and Crime
Looking from the outside Coombe is often
viewed through rather rose tinted glasses,
idyllic location, beautiful scenery, and abundant
wildlife, all set in an historic landscape. All of
this is of course true, but it suffers the same
problems as any park, set on the outskirts of a
major City. During 2003/4 Coombe was at the
top of the Warwickshire constabulary’s statistics
for reported car crime. Coombe is close enough
to the city and its excellent road networks to be
convenient for criminal actions but far enough
away to be “out of the way”. Prostitution and
drug related crime have also been issues in the
past. Some of these issues have been dealt
with by improved relationships with the police
and landscaping the site to prevent crime, but
serious issues still exist.
In the broader context, fears of crime and
people’s safety and security whilst using green
spaces have proven to be some of the most
significant concerns of park users. According to
the Department of Transport, Local Government
and the Regions Report (May 2002) “parks
and green spaces are no more dangerous than
the surrounding streets, though the perception
of danger worries many users and may keep
potential visitors away”.
There is no evidence to suggest that smallscale vandalism has increased within the
Country Park over the years, rather it has
increased proportionally to the increase in visitor
numbers. However serious criminal damage has
increased, particularly at night. Whether there
is a direct link between the Council’s decision
to move all residential staff off site in the late
90’s and this increase would be difficult to state,
but it is likely to have had some effect. Security
measures introduced such as CCTV, shuttering
in the Visitor Centre and Smart water have
reduced the number of crimes in the Park but
we have still suffered with crime. Arson is still
a real issue, as well as drink related anti social
behaviour in underage drinkers.
Generally, anti-social behaviour is a difficult
issue to tackle; park staff need effective
training to be able to disperse such problems.
Mechanisms are in place to establish quick
contact with the local community beat officer,
but Warwickshire Polices resources are
such that an effective response is not always
available. This builds up frustration and anxiety
within individuals dealing with these issues,
which exasperates the problem. Close and
effective links with the local constabulary and
community prevention groups need to be
established are improving with increased regular
contact in recent years. Hopefully this will help
improve the existing issues, however there are
questions as to how sustainable this support will
be. However resources must be identified - from
all parties - to enable such a partnership to work
effectively.
4.4 Conflicting Visitor Issues
As with any busy site, the diverse range of
visitor interests sometimes come into conflict.
Awareness of these issues is managed in a
variety of ways:
• Staff patrols / incident reports.
• Customer comments cards and book.
• Corporate comments, compliments and
complaints procedure.
The Country Park Manager monitors these,
identifying any trends that may arise at the
Parks Service Management Team. These are
then prioritised and action taken accordingly.
Should the need arise, some issues are dealt
with by the development of Council Policy.
Two examples of this are the Dogs and BBQs
policies. (See appendix 8)
4.5 Achieving the Management
Objective
“To conserve and enhance the estate for the
enjoyment of its visitors”
The objective will be achieved by the following:
• Conservation and enhancement of the
historical landscape and its flora and fauna.
• Provision of visitor facilities which are in
keeping with the character of Coombe
Country Park.
• Developing effective, and integrated
interpretation and education strategies that
run concurrently with the management plan.
• Ensuring that existing quality standard
systems meet national standards Greenflag and VAQAS.
• Developing informal and formal play.
• Continuing to develop Community/Visitor
engagement.
• Closely monitoring the impact of visitors on
the overall fabric of the estate.
• Maintaining an effective management
record system that enables future managers
to understand any changes made and
mediation action undertaken.
4.6 Strategy
Conservation and Enhancement of the
Landscape
The experience of visiting Coombe is
inextricably linked with the special qualities
of its landscape and buildings. All proposals
for development, or maintenance, including
those of a minor nature need to be weighed
against their effect on this vital asset. More
detailed information about the conservation
and enhancement of the landscape is given in
section 5.
Nature Conservation
Visitor enjoyment is also linked to Coombe’s
rich legacy of nature conservation interest.
Measures have been taken through the years
to enhance this resource but more opportunities
for improvement exist. Further details of these
are given in Section 6.
Visitor numbers
Visitor numbers have been steadily increasing
from around the 200,000 - 250,000 mark in the
80’s to around 400,000 in 2011 however there
has been a marked decrease in numbers to
275,000 in 2013. We have seen this in drop in
numbers in direct correlation with increasing car
park charges. However there is a general desire
from the City Council to expand this customer
base further, without either alienating existing
customers or damaging the very asset they
come to appreciate. An increased customer
base would allow more people to enjoy the
experience of Coombe, at the same time
providing a greater capital base for improved
facilities.
If increased numbers of visitors are to be
successfully accommodated various issues
need to be addressed:
(a) The existing fabric of historic landscape
must not come under increased pressure of
wear or tear, or be diluted by the introduction of
inappropriate or badly-sited new facilities.
(b) Conservation of wildlife and flora
necessitates an adequate degree of protection
from disturbance and damage.
(c) Large numbers of visitors can affect other
visitors’ enjoyment of the particular character
and interests of the Estate. Consideration
needs to be given to spreading the pressure
from key areas, which can become crowded, to
under-used areas of the Estate, particularly on
high days and holidays. The overall carrying
capacity of the site still needs to be addressed
effectively.
d) Off Peak visitor management would be
an obvious way of increasing capacity whilst
not putting undue pressure onto the existing
facilities. Two key areas to look at would be
the over 50’s market and the parent/carer and
toddler market. The restoration of the Formal
Gardens and Brownian Deer Park would attract
the former, whilst increased play provision
would attract the latter.
Facilities
It is important that visitor facilities complement
and enhance the special experience of visiting
Coombe. Facilities should be sensitive to the
setting, be provided to a high standard, and be
serviceable. The furnishings of all areas of the
Country Park are regularly checked to ensure
that standards are maintained.
With present numbers, some of the existing
facilities such as the toilets and car parking are
under pressure at busy periods. Visitor numbers
will be continually monitored to establish if
there is a need for additional facilities, or visitor
management initiatives adopted that are linked
to carrying capacity. On busy days, this may
well mean closing the park for short periods, to
allow visitor numbers to reduce.
A signage plan for guiding visitors to different
facilities, thus dispersing pressure and ensuring
maximum appreciation of the visitor experience,
is an integral part of the Interpretative Strategy.
Various existing attractions are in need of
improvement, for example the planting structure
of the Formal Gardens around the Abbey is
in poor condition, footpaths, garden buildings
and detail planting all need refurbishment.
Investment in this area of the park would
allow the on site team to market to an off peak
audience that is growing all the time, the historic
garden visitor.
The gradual restoration of Capability Brown’s
Western Deer Park has been a major addition to
the landscape quality of Coombe.
While a use has been found for the Abbey
buildings in the form of a luxury hotel, a number
of other buildings and features still require
attention.
West Lodge, is a handsome classical building
designed as the Western entry point to Brown’s
park. Although now outside the City Council’s
ownership, its historic value to the Park is
protected by a restrictive covenant on the
owner. Restoration of the West Deer Park has
included interpretation of the carriage drive
leading from West Lodge
The visual impact of the intrusive white modern
house known as Highfield, should be reduced
by appropriate planting, allowing the dome of
the Menagerie to dominate the scene again.
Capability Brown’s boathouse on the South side
of Coombe Pool has now been restored and is
available for general public access via bookable
activities.
To the East of the Great Avenue, a significant
part of Brown’s 18th-century park lies outside
the City Council’s ownership.
Future acquisition of the land could add
significantly to the historic integrity of Coombe
and give additional opportunities for public
access. North of this stretch of land is the
Walled Garden designed by William Miller, this
important part of the estate fabric is now lying
derelict. If this could be reintegrated into the
Estate it could be restored, or sympathetically
adapted, to become a splendid new visitor
attraction.
Special Events and Activities
Special events have become a significant and
valued feature of Coombe. During the early
1990’s an events company was employed by
the joint venture company to plan, organise
and run events at Coombe. Although their
prediction was to lose money for the first three
to four years of operation, by year three, the
joint venture company decided not to continue
as the loss was too great to sustain. (£60,000+
per year). The events package consisted of
classical concerts, jazz events, contemporary
music events, historical re-enactments, craft
shows, and horticultural shows. All ran at a
loss. The on site Management Team had been
running small scale events on a shoe string
budget for some years prior to this. These
consisted of car rallies, motor cycle rallies,
horticultural shows, and countryside fairs,
all run with the assistance of local/regional
partners and organisers, on a not for profit
basis. The need for a more commercial style of
management put a lot of these organisations of.
None of the original event organisers returned
to the site after the early 90’s.
The City Council needs to decide what it wants
to achieve from events at Coombe Country
Park, and who the target audiences will be. An
Events strategy needs to be drawn up that takes
on board the City Councils objectives, balanced
with the overall management objectives and
obligations for the site. It also needs to embrace
the need for events infrastructure and the
resources needed for grounds reparations that
are likely with large-scale events.
Activities such as guided walks, talks, family
days, charity walks, etc have been an integral
part of the calendar year at Coombe since the
early 80’s, this continues to this day.
Vehicular Access and Parking
Car parking provision for the Country Park was
greatly expanded as part of the early 1990’s
development. Most of the land area East of the
Great Avenue is now used for public parking,
either permanent or overspill. A hotel car park
occupies the Northern end of this area. At
busy weekends car parking provision is under
pressure and, if the attractiveness of Coombe
to visitors grows, further parking provision could
become essential. However with present land
ownership the options are limited.
Regular parking on the Western side of the
Great Avenue must be resisted. It would be
an unacceptable intrusion into the historic
landscape, with views from the entrance road
towards the restored Brownian parkland being
interrupted. Occasional overflow parking for
special events is acceptable on the Events
Field.
If it were possible to acquire further land to
the east of the Great Avenue many more
possibilities would be opened up for additional
car parking.
Vehicular access to the Country Park and
Hotel is shared along the Great Avenue. This
is not an ideal arrangement and management
of the site would be simplified if access were
divided. Again with the present land ownership,
options are very restricted. The best solution
would appear to lie in acquiring land to the East
enabling a new hotel access to be constructed
from the road to the East, avoiding public areas
of Coombe Country Park.
The option of using a reinstated Brownian
carriage drive from West Lodge as hotel access
has been considered, but this does not offer
a solution. Even if Coventry City Council still
owned West Lodge, the route would cross areas
of public access, both existing and proposed.
Regular flows of traffic would be detrimental to
the quiet ambience of the parkland.
Pedestrian Access
Traditionally, relatively few visitors arrive
on foot. This pattern has changed now that
Centenary Way runs through the Park. The
Eastern Bypass is a physical as well as a
psychological barrier to access from the Eastern
edge of Coventry. However there is evidence
that increasing numbers of pedestrian visitors
walk from the housing developments along the
B4027 which are now within 1.5km of the Park
boundary. With this in mind, consideration is
being given to creating a new footpath through
the West Deer Park. Such a pedestrian link
would give a much more direct and attractive
access into the heart of the Estate. It would
link into the improved network of footpaths on
the Deer Park which have been developed in
the last five years. The area of SSSI woodland
to the east of the Coventry Bypass is now
used in an unauthorised capacity by increasing
numbers of people from the new housing
estates that border the park. Some of this
land is contaminated, so therefore it would
be inappropriate for this land to be brought
into public use even for low key recreational
activities as suggested in the last 5year plan.
The contaminated area is being fenced off for
public safety.
Access for Disadvantaged Groups
Wherever possible Coventry City Council aims
to overcome social and economic disadvantage
and promote equal opportunities.
Coventry City Council has a series of planning
policies aimed at improving access for those
with mobility problems. At Coombe positive
steps have already been taken to implement
these policies. There is an Equality Impact
Assessment undertaken for the Parks Service
as a whole, how Coombe fits into this can be
seen in Appendix 20.
5.0 Managing Coombe as an Historic
Landscape
5.1 Summary description of Coombe
Country Park landscape
The historic report prepared by Dr Warwick
Rodwell (1991) describes the development of
the Coombe estate in detail. The main findings
of this report are summarised here, as a
context for understanding the landscape design
management strategies set out in this section.
A brief description of 17th century, Brown and
19th century landscape design theory provides
the national historical context.
Historic Importance
The earliest elements of the Coombe Park
landscape can be related to the original
medieval field systems and the subsequent
Cistercian Abbey. However the present
landscape principally comprises elements of
three past periods: the early 17th century;
Capability Brown’s Park of 1770-80; and works
by Nesfield and Miller in the Victorian period.
More recently these designs of the past have
been overlaid with the development in the early
1990s.
17th-Century Ornamental Landscapes
The earliest phase of ornamental garden
design at Coombe is illustrated by Knyff and Kip
(Figure 8) in their perspective view of c.1690,
which shows the gardens as they had been
created in the early 17th century. Such gardens
were inspired by the Renaissance Gardens,
which had been created on the continent,
particularly in Italy and France. These richly
formal landscapes had come to be a symbol of
prestige and power. The pleasure garden had
become an essential feature of any country
house of substance. The design of these
gardens did not respond to the site; nature
was subjected to and controlled by the laws
of symmetry and geometry. Near the house,
gardens would be levelled into a series of
parterres, which might also contain water basins
and formal canals. Beyond this the design
would relate to the surrounding countryside by
creating extensive formal vistas from the house
to distant horizons by use of avenues and the
clearance of rides through woodlands.
17th-Century Features of Coombe
Park
Though no park plan from the 17th century
has yet been found, it has been possible to
work out several of its features by comparing
old documents (Figures 8 and 9) with later
plans (Figures 10,11 and 12) and field analysis
including aerial photography. Tentative plan
reconstructions have been produced (Figure
13) as a basis for planning the restoration of the
park.
Only fragments from the 17th century survive
on the ground, but they have the special quality
of signifying the continuity of the landscape as
a setting for the house. The Park contains some
of these fragments including a short length of
Oak avenue North of Old Lodge Farm.
Other remains of the layout may survive
beneath later features or as buried foundations.
The English Landscape Movement of
the 18th century
By the early 18th century, designers in England
began to break away from strict formalism
by adapting their designs to the features of
the site. By the 1730s this had developed
into the picturesque approach of the English
Landscape Movement, which then held sway
in Britain.Throughout the remainder of the
Georgian period; this movement is considered
to be the country’s most original contribution
to European architecture. The movement was
influenced by a number of factors: nature
was better understood and loved; landscape
painting and the rules of composition were
invented; the countryside was safer; the
grand tour, which had been experienced by
most patrons. There was also political weight
behind the movement: formal landscapes were
considered to be autocratic and the pastoral,
picturesque landscape more democratic.The
foremost exponent of the landscape movement
was Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown (1716-1783)
who dominated the profession of landscape
gardening or ‘place-making’ for 35 years.
His inspiration was the gentle landscape of
the English lowlands. His designs sought to
create surprise, variety and concealment. He
characteristically employed the serpentine line
of beauty to define sweeping lawns, lakes,
enclosing tree belts and encircling carriage
drives. In so doing he typically swept away all
the formal features associated with the garden
design of the previous century.
‘Capability’ Brown at Coombe Park
Lord Craven employed Brown from 1771 to
1776. Brown applied his design method to great
effect at Coombe Park, with all the panache and
simplicity that have given the “English” style of
landscape design such worldwide standing. The
main form of this design survives intact, though
much of its detail has disappeared.
Three surviving maps of 1778 (Figure 10) of
1811 (Figure 11), and the 1st edition Ordnance
Survey of 1886 (Figure 12), correlate to show
Brown’s park. It was centred on the Great
Pool, a sinuous artificial lake 2.5 kilometres
long, which stretched Westwards from near
the Abbey. The parkland was enclosed by a
shelter belt, 5.5 kilometres in length, continuous
from the source of the pool North-West of the
Abbey all around the west of the water and the
Southern side of the Deer Park to High Wood,
a 45 hectare plantation 1.25 kilometres East of
the Abbey. The western U of the Great Pool lies
snug against the shelterbelt, the multifarious
green reflections of which shimmer in the water.
Nearer the Abbey the belt is drawn back from
the water to enclose Wrautum Hill; its modest
height (about 8 metres) is made significant by
an emphasis derived from the reduction of the
horizontal spread of the space to 400 metres,
which is only 50 times this height. South of the
lake and Abbey the Deer Park spreads 3km
long by 600 metres wide. The former public
road had been diverted, well before Brown’s
time, by “turnpiking”, from a line only 200
metres South of the Abbey, to its modern line
South of the Deer Park. Two new driveways
approached the Abbey diagonally through the
Deer Park from a gothic East Lodge and classic
West Lodge (Figures 14 & 14a) respectively,
the latter gradually unfolding the most flattering
views of the Abbey. Within the Deer Park space
was punctuated by groups and lines of trees.
The lines were fragments of earlier avenues
retained by Brown.
Heavy planting along the Southern axis of
the Abbey always bisected the Deer Park.
Subsequently this division was made complete
by replanting the earlier avenues. Thus the
Eastern Deer Park has been separated from the
Western. It is no longer within the ownership of
Coventry City Council and so has become an
adjunct to Coombe Park.
Fortunately the Western end of the park, now
wholly owned by Coventry City Council, even
though not the whole original, is a very effective
landscape in itself with several exceptional
characteristics based on the way the Great Pool
was designed. The water level is determined
by ground levels West of the House. A short
Northerly reach has now disappeared, being
wholly silted up. The Eastern upstream arm of
the lake does not follow the original valley line.
The valley was re-dug South of the old stream
bed so that the lake reached straight back
towards the principal rooms in the house, from
the tall windows of which the September sun
can be seen setting beyond a half mile stretch
of water, a magical achievement of landscape
design. The lake then follows the old valley, first
turning South-West on the alignment of views
from Wrautum Hill, and then curving westwards
again. Wrautum Hill thus commanded a view
onto the lake as magical as the house, so
aligned to capture an afternoon sheen in
summer and sunset in winter. Intervening
vegetation now obscures this view.
An elongated artificial island was constructed
in the southwest facing reach. The care with
which it was placed is demonstrated by the
fact that it lies where the lake was deepest.
This island divided the lake into a narrower
branch overhung with trees to the west and
a wider open branch to the east. The artificial
island also served as a nature reserve, already
being a notified Heronry by the end of the
18th century, a function it still performs under
the guardianship of English Nature. Nature
conservation combined with human use was
a significant part of the 1770 design. The
Menagerie, (Figures 15 and 16) is a most
original part of the park, a precursor of the
modern wildlife park. It stands on the Easterly
promontory of the Deer Park where the water
wraps around the land mass. This promontory is
a brilliant technical artifice; it involves diverting
a brook which is at a lower level than the lake,
in a deep cut through the hillside and further
upstream below a long artificial embankment
holding the Southern arm of the lake against the
hillside. A device seeming so natural that the
observer must believe that the course of a river
is perceived. Having thus artificially created a
promontory, the designer has enclosed behind
a high wall some 2 hectares of land rising from
the bank. Here, overlooked from a delicate
domed Lodge, wild creatures roamed, seen
in silhouette against the water surface, which
prevented their escape. The lodge (designed
in Brown’s office) the enclosing wall, and many
lovely old trees still survive. Perhaps the most
striking of several views of this lodge is the view
across the water from the South-West.
Victorian landscapes
By the early 19th century the taste for
picturesque landscapes was on the decline,
and the destruction of the old formal gardens
by 18th-century designers was increasingly
lamented. There was a change in the way of
thinking about garden design: no one style of
garden making was correct and all styles were
potentially valid (Jellicoe 1986). Thus garden
designers began to experiment with a wide
range of historical precedents, inspired by
surviving Renaissance Gardens found on the
continent or drawings in old books. Although
design was retrospective, the choice of plant
material was not. Living plant material was
being successfully imported into Britain from
all over the world by the 1840s. The cultivation
of these exotics was to become routine work
for gardeners. The bedding system was
popularised and the acceptance of this system
meant that the head gardener could change
the appearance of the garden annually. With
this his role in creating the garden became as
important as the garden designers.
W A Nesfield and William Miller’s
Gardens 1863-1907
The most typical of the revivalist garden
designers was William Andrews Nesfield (17931881). Nesfield practised extensively as a
landscape architect and was best known for his
parterres based on 17th-century designs. His
appointment to develop a plan for a national
arboretum at the pleasure grounds at Kew
(then outside the Botanic Garden) indicates
his standing as a garden designer. In its
broad lines Nesfield’s plan of Kew has been
developed and remains unaltered.
Nesfield was employed to modify the gardens
at Coombe Abbey (1863-1866) while his Son
William Eden Nesfield was adding a huge Eastwing to the house (Figure 17). The most striking
features, which still survive, are the dog-leg
moat with its bridge and the parterre within
the West garden, designed to look at rather
than walk in. Nesfield was assisted by William
Miller who worked at Coombe Abbey from 1864
to 1907 and became head gardener. Miller
was himself responsible for the remodelling
of the gardens North-West of the house and
to the North-East between the earlier ha-ha
and kitchen garden wall (Figures 11 &18).
These garden areas are now in two separate
ownerships and have virtually disappeared.
After 1886 further modifications were made
south and west of the house. The South
avenues were reinstated with great effect and
the drive replaced perpendicular to the house.
These trees are still healthy and a young inner
line has been wisely planted to perpetuate the
avenue by means of alternating generations of
trees. Enclosing hedges, pink chestnut trees
and moat-side shrubs were planted South of the
moat about 1900. Figure 18 shows these still
young in 1909.
In the quadrant of the park near the Abbey
west of the avenue, new clumps were also
established along the 18th-century drive. They
are now splendidly mature and would frame
views of the south-west corner and west front,
if these were not obscured by the later moatside chestnuts. Thus around the house a late
Victorian setting has been created, where a rich
variety of exotic trees within a strong formal
framework surrounds the Abbey buildings
with the opulence of industrial and imperial
splendour.
• Ensuring that any modern use being
considered for the Coombe Estate is carefully
and sensitively integrated within the historic
framework, to give unity to the whole designed
landscape.
• Encouraging visitors to understand and enjoy
the design of the Estate and how it has evolved,
through interpretation and education.
• Ensuring that the archaeological resource is
understood and carefully conserved.
Nort
hW
est G
arde
n c.
1909
The Historic Significance of Coombe
Park
The development of the Park, the extent of
survival of the 18th and 19th-century designs,
and the associations with Capability Brown
and W A Nesfield described above attest to the
importance of the landscape at Coombe Abbey.
Its significance is recognised by its II* grading
on the Register of Parks and Gardens of
Special Historic Interest. This grading indicates
that the Park and gardens by reason of their
historic layout and features are considered to
be of great quality.
• Maintaining an effective management record
system that enables future Managers to
understand any changes made, and restoration
undertaken.
5.3 Strategy
Conservation and Restoration
5.2 Achieving the Management
Objective
The following conservation and restoration
strategy relates to the main periods of park
and garden building at Coombe, which have
been identified in the historic reports by Colvin
& Moggridge and Dr Rodwell, and appear on
Figure 2 - Résumé of Estate Development. The
strategy seeks to achieve the conservation of
overlays, i.e. the conservation and repair of the
historic character, features and buildings of the
Park as it was in the 1920’s when the features
of the 17th century park had been overlaid with
the additional features of Brown, Nesfield and
Miller.
Objective
17th Century
“To conserve and repair the historic
designed landscape or, where appropriate,
sympathetically adapt to new uses”
Though none of the long-absent 17th-century
park is appropriately restorable, the hints of
avenues retained in the late 18th-century park
should be re-established with tree species
consistent with their earlier date of origin. Old
Oaks too should be carefully kept, even when
in their last bud, as a memento of the older
Deer Park. All veteran trees are now subject to
individual management plans within the veteran
tree plan, this good practice should continue.
Ideally, if possible by negotiation with the
adjacent owner to the South, the great avenues
south of the B4027 shown on Figure 12 should
The objective will be achieved by the following:
• Conserving and repairing surviving elements
of the historic design.
• Restoring some important features of the
designed landscape which have been lost.
• Where appropriate, restore lost views.
be replanted in whole or part.
A rare remnant from the 17th century is the
Eastern part of the Great Garden East of the
Abbey. This lies within the grounds of the hotel.
While the archaeological feature has been
protected from damage, there has been no
attempt, as part of the Abbey redevelopment,
to restore the Great Garden. Should there
be future development in this part of the hotel
surroundings it is recommended that the
opportunity be taken to restore the Garden to
its original plan, any future lease agreement
with the hotel should pay due regard to the work
undertaken by Parklands Consortium in 2005.
• Capability Brown’s Park of 1770-80
This area should be restored as a complete
example of one of Britain’s greatest designers,
whose work has influenced throughout the
North-Western world. Designed originally to
balance human enjoyment, nature conservation
and rural economy in a beautiful ‘naturalistic’
landscape, Brown’s park can continue to serve
the same requirements in it’s modern form with
only minor adaptations of the original.
The Menagerie is a very important historic
feature. It has been restored as closely as
possible to its original form, and can be viewed
by the public from the new walks in the now
partially restored Deer Park.
Figure 19 shows the existing parkland tree
canopy overlaid with that of the 1770’s. It
is immediately apparent that North of the
Great Pool vegetation is much denser than
two hundred years ago, but that to the South
the original pattern of trees has virtually
disappeared. The aim is to restore the
balance within constraints arising from other
requirements, such as nature conservation,
fishing and public enjoyment. An aspect of
public enjoyment that has been missing from
Coombe Park is distant views across the lake.
This is a central part of the original design
worthy of restoration for the sake of visitors if
for no other reason. Figure 13 identifies the
principal view-lines in the park, several of which
include overlooking the beautiful lake in ways
that until recently had been unnecessarily
denied to most visitors. Opportunities for the
ongoing restoration of some of those views are
considered below.
In the Deer Park South of the lake, it is
recommended that the tree pattern which
existed from the 1770s should be re-established
as exactly as possible. At the same time the
line of the drive from West Lodge to the Abbey
should be re-established, as a grass track.
This area has great potential to extend public
enjoyment of the Country Park. Possible land
uses must be appropriate, and should respect
the historic features and design intentions of
Brown. View lines from this area need to be
re-instated to give maximum benefit to those
enjoying this historical landscape.
Agricultural fencing should be kept to a
minimum and designed where possible to blend
into the landscape.
The fringes of the lake need to be arranged
to provide a contrasting pattern of grassland
flowing to the waterside, rough edges and
tree-hung banks. Environmental management
islands, if required in the future, should be
placed carefully to avoid interrupting the careful
spatial design of the water.
Wrautum, North of the lake, can be enhanced
for public enjoyment by the re-establishment
of at least one long view from the hill onto the
water with the Menagerie dome beyond and
another through the woodland back to the
Abbey and formal gardens in the distance.
This has been partially achieved during the last
five years and should be completed during the
duration of this plan.
The view from the gardens and house along
the lake should also be improved by regular
management of the vegetation on the islands
that were formed by dredging operations. This
has been partially achieved during the last
five years and should be completed during
the duration of this plan, thereafter regular
maintenance will be required to maintain the
view.
The regular, if infrequent maintenance operation
of dredging the lake creates a problem of
disposal of the arisings. Off-site disposal, if this
could be arranged economically, would avoid
damage to the Park. A long term solution to this
problem should be sought. The Eastern end
of the 18th century park lies outside Coventry
City Council’s ownership. Acquisition would be
desirable since it would ensure that the whole
composition of the Park is conserved and
restored. This part of the 1780 Park deserves
protection by Tree Preservation Order.
19th-Century Approach
This insertion across the centre of the 18thcentury park seems fortunate in the context
of modern land ownership and current needs.
Splendid in itself, it is a layout which has
proved capable of absorbing car parks east of
the drive and intensive vehicular access. It is
recommended that the existing tree structure is
kept and reinforced and that archaeologically
sensitive areas are totally undisturbed. The
Horse Chestnuts within the avenue are suffering
the same disease issues as many others nation
wide. The issue of a species to replace the
Horse Chestnut avenue should be dealt with
within the next five years.
• Gardens - 19th Century Onwards
The surrounds to the house have been overlaid
repeatedly during different eras. Nesfield and
Miller were responsible for many of the features
visible today, including the moat, parterred west
garden and Arboretum. The design influence of
these eminent Victorians must be respected in
any plans for improving the Gardens.
As has been previously mentioned, Miller’s
great Victorian kitchen garden, of which only the
walls now remain, lies outside Coventry City
Council’s ownership. If it could be reintegrated
and restored it would make a splendid addition
to Coombe Country Park.
Restoration Policies
The task of landscape restoration involves
trying to perpetuate the desired features and
visual effects. This is not a simple task because
all vegetation has a limited lifespan. Natural
regeneration can occasionally be relied upon
to achieve the desired result, for example,
in woodlands, but these occasions are rare.
Therefore the restoration technique involves the
intervention practices of felling and replanting.
Different approaches are recommended
depending on the size of the feature.
The majority of the trees which comprised
Brown’s park have now lost their lives. The
priority at Coombe is to re-establish the
Parkland layout on the ground using the
available documentary and field evidence,
and then, to ensure the perpetuation of the
feature, to develop a strategy for replacement
planting. The approach to be adopted is
sequential replanting, which has already been
initiated at Blenheim and Brown’s masterpiece
at Woodstock, Oxfordshire, where the 9th
Duke of Marlborough had the foresight to
plant well-positioned replacement features
part way through the life of the plantings
initiated by Brown. The technique, formalised
by Hal Moggridge and Ralph Cobham in their
Landscape Restoration Plan for Blenheim Park
(1982), involves planting young understudy
tree groups approximately half way through the
life of the existing feature. The idea being that
understudies will have grown to maturity by
the time the original feature needs to be clear
felled, so that the key features are always in
existence in the landscape though in alternating
locations. The illustration below indicates
how this technique works and shows how the
process can be continued indefinitely.
A dual landscape rotation policy
In addition to Brown’s park, the technique
should also be applied to the Great Avenue, the
Arboretum and key individual trees identified
elsewhere within the Country Park. In formal
situations, such as the Great Avenue, dead
trees should be removed but not replaced
unless it is possible to replace with a tree
similar in age, size, and source as the adjacent
trees.
Policy for Management of Larger Features:
Perimeter Belts and Woodland
Brown’s parkland was enclosed by a shelter
belt continuous from the source of the pool
North-West of the Abbey all round the West of
the water and the Southern side of the Lindley
Lane to High Wood 1.25km East of the Abbey.
Against the Western U of the Great Pool the
original extent of the shelterbelt remains intact
but further to the north the area of woodland
has grown beyond the southern edge of
Brown’s planting with natural regeneration and
more recent planting. To the south, the original
pattern of trees has virtually disappeared.
Various designations affect the way in which
the existing shelterbelt woodlands can be
managed. Figure 3 indicates the extent of the
Site of Special Scientific Interest, the Tree
Preservation Order and the Coombe Abbey
Park Conservation Area. Management of
the SSSI area must be agreed with English
Nature, and applications must be made to
Rugby Borough Council (the local planning
authority) to fell trees within the area of the Tree
Preservation Order and the Conservation Area.
The priority along the Southern edge of the
Deer Park is to re-establish the shelterbelt and
thus restore this element of Brown’s landscape.
Planting should aim to minimise damage to
an important area of ecologically unimproved
grassland.
Elsewhere, the existing woodland around the
North side of the Pool fulfils the role of Brown’s
shelterbelts. For this reason it is not proposed
that the original extent of the shelterbelt is
restored as this will conflict with the nature
conservation value the woodland now has.
The policy recommended for the management
of the perimeter belts and woodland is a
process of continuous group felling and
replanting to ensure an even age distribution
from young saplings to over mature/veteran
trees. Natural regeneration should be
encouraged on a continuing basis. This system
of management which will see the continuity
of this element of the historic landscape also
ensures that the woodland is structurally
diverse. All veteran trees should be identified
and managed accordingly.
Outline Restoration Masterplan
The long term management policies necessary
to achieve a perpetuation of the historic
landscape at Coombe are illustrated in Figure
13, the outline restoration masterplan. Such
a long term plan must be supported by a
short term programme of priority actions to be
implemented during the next five years. A list of
suggested operations is presented in Appendix
1. The processes of landscape restoration and
management need to be continuous so that
as the end of one five year period approaches
so another short term plan will need to be
prepared.
Policy for Plant Selection
All replacement plants should be selected
from historically appropriate material. First
choice should follow historic precedent, i.e.
replacement planting should see the use of the
same species where this is known either from
field survey or from records contained in historic
documents. Archival, field and archaeological
investigation should accompany the production
of a planting plan.
Where historic precedent is not known the
recommendation is to select species and
cultivars on the basis of appearance, suitability
and availability at the time of original planting.
An accepted frame of reference is the date of
introduction listed in the Hilliers Manual of Trees
and Shrubs plus ten years to allow for the plant
to become widely available.
Policy for Recording the Landscape at
Coombe
It is important that a record of the landscape
and buildings at Coombe is maintained. Any
changes to accommodate new uses should be
recorded by a revision to a site plan as well as
keeping a written document of change. In
this way a minimum of historic information
will be lost. Coventry City Council has a
comprehensive site plan and tree survey of
the whole area of Coombe Country Park. This
survey records the position, species, height,
spread, girth and the approximate age of each
tree. The estate management recording system
in place needs to be maintained and where
necessary improved to ensure information is
recorded and, wherever possible, photographic
evidence should be part of this process. When
new trees are planted, for example when reestablishing Brown’s layout on the Lindley
Land, their details, including year of planting
and source, should be added to the tree survey
at the time of planting. When trees are removed
the opportunity should be taken to assess
their age accurately by ring counting and this
information added to the database. Generally
speaking a ring count is best carried out as
soon as possible after felling. Conifers are best
felled and counted in winter; in summer the sap
continues to rise through the stump and the
resin can obscure the rings.
Tree survey information should be
supplemented by tree inspections to assess the
safety, life-expectancy, condition and habitat
value (e.g. owls, bats) of any particular tree,
and tree evaluations to consider the value of the
tree in relation to its setting.
Sympathetic Adaptation of the Historic
Design to Accommodate New Uses
The developments of the early 1990s were
designed and constructed within a carefully
considered historic framework. Future
management and development proposals,
down to the smallest scale, need equally to
respect the historic design. It is this historic
character which makes Coombe special and
draws the many visitors.
Archaeology
The Archaeological Assessment of the
Buildings, Gardens and Park carried out
by Warwick Rodwell (1991) combined with
information from preliminary surveys (Figure
20) indicates that the archaeological resource
at Coombe Park is highly significant. Rodwell
makes the following proposals to ensure that
during future development/restoration of the
Park, unnecessary losses of archaeology are
avoided:
• The appointment of an independent
specialist consultant archaeologist and
identification of archaeological issues at the
feasibility stage of a development/restoration
scheme.
• That an initial archaeological evaluation is
undertaken before finalising details of new
buildings and associated landscapes.
• That there is an allowance in the programme
for archaeological investigation and
recording before and during development.
Proper provision for archaeological
recording is likely to be a condition
of planning/listed building consents.
Investigations should be carried out by a
professional excavation unit. Watching briefs
for areas of ground disturbance beyond the
immediate area of construction works should
be an anticipated requirement of consents.
• When and where loss of physical evidence
is unavoidable a full archaeological record
must be made. Accurate survey drawings
of the buildings and grounds must be
available to the archaeological team for
this purpose. Where such drawings do
not already exist they should be compiled.
Drawings should be updated to take account
of any consented developments. However
there should be a presumption in favour of
preservation in situ. As a reference tool for
future management decisions a field-based
survey should be completed in which all
surviving features are identified, recorded
and interpreted. By doing so a database
of baseline information will be established
which can be referred to when deciding on a
particular course of management actions.
6.0 Managing Coombe for Nature
Conservation
As the subject of centuries of agricultural
change and three major phases of ornamental
landscape design, there is very little natural
about the Coombe Park landscape. However
both in spite of and because of its designed
nature, the Park has a wide range of seminatural habitats which support a wealth of floral
and faunal interest.
This diversity is a result of the combined
effects of Capability Brown (naturalistic design,
permitting nature to take its course) and of
subsequent landscapers together with the
site’s physical determinants (geology, soils,
hydrology) and the management regimes, or
lack of them, through the centuries.
The majority of the site is covered by two
wildlife designations; Site of Special Scientific
Interest and Site of Importance for Nature
Conservation.
A recent development in our management of
nature conservation is our recent sucessful
application in 2013 to the DEFRA run Higher
Level Stewardship scheme (See Appendix 28
for full agreement for the site).
Geology and Topography
The whole site is underlain by Mercia Mudstone
(Keuper Marl) which produces a heavy clay
towards the surface. Overlying the mudstone
in places are deposits of pleistocene sands,
gravels and boulder clays. These deposits
are responsible for the gentle ridge South of
Coombe Pool and for the elevated areas on the
Northern side of the park including Wrautum
Field and Little Wrautum beyond. The sands
are most evident North of Wrautum Field where there are surface exposures along
well-used tracks and footpaths. Boulder clay is
most apparent at the western end of the land to
the South of the Pool. The various pits dotted
around the site indicate past exploitation of the
sands and clay.
Soils and drainage
On elevated areas the soils are sandy, acidic
and well-drained. Under woodland the soils
contain humus but in open areas they are
almost pure sand. At lower elevations the soils
are more mildly acidic, still well-drained and
contain a high percentage of humus. In lowlying areas waterlogged conditions may prevail
due to the alluvial clay soils: these soils are
nearly neutral.
Hydrology
The Country Park is drained mainly by the
Smite Brook which enters the site at its NorthEast corner, and by various other ditches and
subsidiary streams. The elevated parts of the
Country Park were separated as the Smite
Brook has cut its valley: it was this valley which
was dammed and flooded by ‘Capability’ Brown
to produce the Great Pool, or as it is known
today Coombe Pool. A tributary stream on the
Southern flank of the site was flooded to create
the hooked Western end of the Pool. In addition
to feeding the Pool, the Brook feeds and drains
two other artificial water bodies: the Top Pool
and the Duck Decoy. The Brook leaves the site
at the westernmost point of the Pool and drains
into the River Sowe.
6.1 Habitats at Coombe Country Park
Broadly there are four main semi-natural
habitat types found at the Country Park:
woodland, scrub, grassland and freshwater.
Each type is described below and where there
is significant diversity within a habitat type the
character of each is described.
Woodland
Acid woodland growing on sandy acidic
soils
This woodland type has developed on the
elevated ground to the North and East of
Wrautum Field, and also to the West along
the Northern edge of the SSSI. Tree species
include Oak, Ash, Sycamore and Birch
with some Conifers. The understorey and
ground flora development is poor largely
due to heavy shading and rabbit activity. In
open areas Bracken and Bramble occur, and
elsewhere there are some extensive patches of
Rhododendron.
with Yellow Flag Iris, Pendulous Sedge, Pond
Sedge, Marsh Thistle, Figwort, Creeping
Buttercup, Great Willowherb and Himalayan
Balsam. The Decoy Spinney is most interesting
botanically with such species as Sanicle,
Cowslip and Broad-leaved Helleborine.
Acid Woodland Growing on Well-Drained
Soils with Well-Decayed Humus
Plantation woodland
This woodland type has developed on the
land on the eastern half of the site, around the
outside edge of Coombe Pool. Dominant tree
species include Oak, Ash, Sycamore, Birch and
Lime with occasional Beech, Norway Maple,
Hornbeam, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut
and various conifers. The shrub layer is more
diverse on this soil with Elder, regenerating Elm
and self-sown saplings. Bramble is extensive
In the Western Deer Park, woodland includes
the broad-leaved tree clumps put in by Nesfield
and Miller in the 19th century, to replicate the
Brownian roundel planting of the 1770’s. Typical
species include Horse Chestnut, occasional
Scots Pine, Sycamore and Pendunculate
Oak, with True Service (a scarce specimen
tree in Britain, Coombe now has the National
Champion of this species) Hornbeam and
Norway Maple. There is a lack of understorey
and the ground flora consists of a tall species
poor grassland. In addition to the clumps there
is a small plantation of mature Scots Pine and
Common Oak which also lacks understorey.
North of the lake around Wrautum Field there
is a horseshoe-shaped spinney of coniferous
trees (Scots Pine, Corsican Pine and European
Larch) planted in the early 1900s.
Mature Trees
Rho
ded
end
ron
in some places and also Rhododendron.
Elsewhere Ivy smothers the ground. The herb
layer is quite diverse at footpath edges and in
clearings, e.g. Creeping Buttercup, Sorrel, Red
Campion, Wood Avens, Herb-Robert.
Wet Woodland
The woodland on the wettest soils includes the
Decoy Spinney and woodland to the SouthWest of Wrautum Field. Alder, Poplar, Sallow,
Crack Willow, Oak, Ash, Sycamore, Birch,
Lime, Norway Maple and Hornbeam are found
together with a shrub layer similar to the above
woodland type. The ground flora is dominated
by Nettle in shaded areas. In wet clearings
however a rich marsh flora has developed
These are mainly to be found in the Western
Deer Park: many years old and some may be
more than 400 years old that were planted
as part of the landscape design preceding
Brown’s work. The majority are Oak trees some are stag headed and some have hollow
boles. These structures are often valuable
roost sites for Owls and Bats and provide
vantage points for species of raptor such as
Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. They also provide
valuable standing and fallen deadwood habitat
for invertebrates. Other important trees include
some ancient Sweet Chestnut in the woodland
to the North of Wrautum Field and two Yews in
what was the 17th-century Great Garden. All
veteran trees now have their own management
plan and actions.
Following an invertebrate survey undertaken in
2013 there is an increasing understanding of
these important historical features which allows
us to contextualise Coombe’s Veteran Trees in
a national regional context using the Saproxylic
Quality Index
Scrub
Scattered scrub is widespread along the
Southern edge of Coombe Pool where it
provides valuable habitat diversity and cover
around fishing stations. It occurs on its own or
as understorey to mature standard Common
Oak trees. Species include Bramble, Elder,
Field Rose and Dog Rose. A significant area of
dense scrub also exists around the badger sett
south of Wrautum Field.
Dense scrub is widespread along the Southern
edge of Coombe Pool. Species include large
multi-stemmed Crack Willow and locally dense
Osier Willow over Nettles and Elder, growing
on nutrient rich silty soils. Within this strip there
are also localised areas of mature Goat Willow
and Grey Willow. This area of valuable scrub
provides shelter for wildfowl and protection from
disturbance of activities in the Western Deer
Park.
Scattered scrub is also to be found in the clay
and sandpits in the Western Deer Park and
on Wrautum Field as well as around woodland
clearings and edges North of Wrautum Field.
Species include Sallow in wetter places with
Birch, Hawthorn and Elder in drier areas.
Grassland
Semi-Natural Grassland
Two principal types of semi-natural grassland
are to be found on the Country Park Estate.
On the dry sandy soils to the North of the park
beyond Wrautum Field there are areas of acid
grassland grazed by rabbits with exposures
of bare sand caused by rabbit burrowing
and trampling feet. Characteristic species
include Wavy Hair Grass, Heath Bedstraw,
Sheeps Sorrel and Gorse. This type of heathy
vegetation is scarce in the region. As part of
the parks input into Local Biodiversity Action
Plans, the area known as the Wruatums has
been left un-mown with the specific intention of
a swift reversal back to acid grassland, this will
increase this habitat by 20 acres.
Semi-natural grassland is also to be found on
the least intensively managed land around
the perimeter of the Western Deer Park.
Unimproved neutral grassland is found within
the level land along the Southern edge of the
site. The vegetation forms a coarse tussocky
sward with frequent anthills, indicative of a lack
of significant disturbance. Species composition
of the grassland community is indicative
of damp poorly drained soils and include
widespread Tufted Hair Grass with Cock’s-Foot,
Compact Rush, Meadow Thistle, Yorkshire Fog,
Red Fescue, Creeping Bent, Angelica, Meadow
Buttercup and localised Meadowsweet.
The grassland is divided by a drainage channel
with intermittent areas of open water. Adjacent
to the channel, mostly on its south side there
is a tall herb marshy grassland which is of
some local interest. Typical species include
Meadowsweet, Reed Canary Grass, Compact
Rush and Hard Rush.
Semi-improved grassland
There is a second area of Acid grassland at the
western end of the Western Deer Park, but this
has been semi-improved and as a result of this
a dense tussocky grass sward has established
with species including Sheep’s Fescue, Red
Fescue, Wavy Hair Grass, with Yorkshire
Fog, Sweet Vernal Grass, widespread Heath
Bedstraw and Sheep’s Sorrel.
To the north of the drainage channel, mentioned
above, is an area of uneven tussocky grassland
comprising Timothy, Red Fescue, Creeping
Buttercup, Creeping Thistle, Cock’s-Foot,
occasional Soft Rush, Broadleaved Dock and
Hard Rush - a community which bears some
resemblance to the adjacent unimproved
neutral grassland and marshy grassland
communities.
The major change in recent years has been
the gradual restoration of the grassland within
the Deer Park, area 14. Grassland restoration
has seen a significant improvement in this
habitat, warranting its inclusion as part of the
listed areas of importance in the sites – Local
Wildlife sites evaluation for Sites of Importance
for Nature Conservation. “ Through suitable
seeding the grassland has quickly become a
good example of MG5 Cynosurus cristatus
– Centaurea nigra grassland a habitat that
was once common in the county but is now
increasingly scarce”
Improved Grassland
Although much of the Deer Park remains in
improved grassland, and therefore of little
value for wildlife this situation is rapidly
being changed with the ongoing Deer Park
restoration.
Freshwater Habitats
Open Water
Three open water bodies (all artificial) exist
within the Country Park: Coombe Pool (created
by Brown) the earlier Top Pool, and the later
Duck Decoy Pond constructed in 1845.
(a) Coombe Pool
Coombe Pool, which has a surface area of
34.8 ha, is one of the most important
ornithological sites in Warwickshire for its
herons, other breeding birds and for its
wintering wildfowl. For this reason both the
Pool and the woodland around it have been
designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest
(SSSI). As well as open water there are
extensive beds of reeds and sedges which
provide shelter for waterbirds and protect the
shore from erosion. Along the southern edge
of Coombe Pool there is a strip of marginal
aquatic vegetation varying between 1.5m
and 2.0m wide, broken in numerous places
with fishing stations. Extensive lengths of the
shore elsewhere are open. Aquatic vegetation
of particular interest includes Yellow Lily and
Amphibious Bistort.
(b) Top Pool
This is a smaller body of open water in the
north-east corner of the site which is also well
used by water birds. It is off stream of the
Smite Brook which feeds and drains it. Banks
are steep-sided and have poorly-developed
marginal vegetation. There are extensive beds
of sedges and reeds and the development of
tree and scrub vegetation around the edge of
the Pool serves to protect the pool from human
disturbance.
(c) The Decoy Pond
Also off stream of the Smite Brook, the Decoy
Pond is located to the north of the Top Pool.
Because of its smaller size and its woodland
setting this pond has a different character.
Public access to the waterside is actively
encouraged through the provision of pond
dipping stages. Of its original four ‘arms’, the
two originating along the southern edge have
become silted up and the south-eastern arm
of these has become colonised with scrub and
trees.
Together all three pools support a rich
invertebrate and fish fauna. All three are
eutrophic, prone to algal build-up and rapid
silting.
Streams
Smite Brook enters the site at its NorthEastern corner by which point it has drained
approximately 900 acres. It feeds and drains
Top Pool and the duck decoy pond. A weir
system in the Brook to the West of the pond
controls the water level in the decoy pond.
From here the stream flows through the site and
into Coombe Pool. The Brook suffers along its
length from the shading effects of overhanging
trees and supports little aquatic vegetation.
The stream draining into Coombe Pool from
the Western Deer Park varies in character
due mainly to the effect of shading as it flows
through vegetation of varying density. Where
it enters the site it flows through some dense
plantation woodland: this length has negligible
aquatic vegetation. Leaving the woodland
the aquatic plant community develops and
becomes more dense along its length with
a transition from a community dominated by
submerged species e.g. Horned Pondweed
and Broad-leaved Pondweed and locally dense
emergent species, to one dominated by densely
growing emergent species such as Greater
Pond-Sedge, Water Forget-me-not, Wavy
Bittercress and Water Starwort.
Swamp Vegetation
In shallow water at the edge of Coombe Pool
a species of poor swamp vegetation has
developed. These areas trap nutrient rich
silt and are therefore highly productive and
useful for wildfowl feeding and shelter. Typical
species include Lesser Pond Sedge, Reed
Sweetgrass, Water Figwort, Watermint, Water
Dock, Hemlock, Water Dropwort and Rosebay
Willowherb, with Common Reed Mace along
the water’s edge, often associated with mature
Crack Willow scrub.
Ornamental Grounds
In spite of their exotic origins the trees and
shrubs planted in these mown areas either
as specimens or in groups do have some
ecological value in providing blossoms for
insects, berries and shelter for birds. Although
completely unnatural habitat types, the
arboretum, formal gardens and entrance
avenue do have some ecological value.
6.2 Habitat Evaluation
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The importance of Coombe Pool and a large
part of the woodland which envelopes it is
illustrated by its designation as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI). Its total area is 51.3
hectares (126.8 acres); Coombe Pool is very
important in Warwickshire for its herons, other
breeding waterfowl and wintering wildfowl.
The woodland is also important for supporting
a wide range of breeding birds and providing
winter roost for several species. The SSSI was
first notified in 1972 under Section 23 of the
National Parks and Access to the Countryside
Act (1949) and was then renotified in 1986
under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
The citation for the SSSI is included in appendix
3.
value of the Ecosite is not consistent across
the designated area. The Warwickshire Wildlife
Trust has also designated the site as County
Wildlife Site 1725. It is also one of Warwickshire
Counties – Sites of Importance for Nature
Conservation Ref SP37Z2.
Conservation Value
The habitat review clearly shows that Coombe
Country Park contains a wealth of habitats.
The conservation value of the Park has been
appraised by a number of parties over the years
the most recent being the local wildlife sites
evaluation, the findings of which are to be found
in appendix 3.
6.3 Faunal & Floral Interest
The diversity of habitat is reflected in the
diverse fauna to be found on the Coombe Park
Estate.
Invertebrates
A number of insects recorded at Coombe are
regarded as Nationally Scarce (Notable) or
Nationally Threatened (Red Data Book). The
one red data book species is a hoverfly (Psilota
anthracina), the larvae of which develop in fungi
usually in ancient woodland. Many of the other
notable species depend on deadwood for part
of their life cycle.
Amphibians
In marshy/wet areas to the North of the site
As a SSSI, all management operations
undertaken within its boundaries must have
prior approval from English Nature. A copy
of the current English Nature Management
Agreement is included in appendix 3.
Non-Statutory Designations
At a county level much of the area under
consideration is designated by Warwickshire
County Council as Warwickshire Biological
Record Centre (WBRC) Ecosite 7137 which
includes within it the SSSI. The ecological
tted
po
at S
Gre
r
ecke
dp
Woo
there are populations of the protected Great
Crested Newt.
Fish
Coombe Pool contains Bream, Tench, Pike,
Perch, Roach, Carp and Zander.
Birds
Because of the woodland and the extensive
open water, this is one of the best ornithological
sites in Warwickshire, interesting because of the
heronry, breeding and wintering waterbirds and
sheer abundance of common species. Typical
species are listed in the SSSI Citation.
Mammals
The Coombe Estate is home to Badgers and
Bats, species strictly protected under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the
Badger Protection Act (1992): these Acts
protect not only the animals as individuals
but their setts and roosts as well. Foxes and
Rabbits also have important populations within
the Estate. Muntjac Deer and Grey Squirrel are
also present, both species are non-indigenous
and cause management problems in their own
right.
Botanical Interest
the Warwickshire context. The Park contains
8 genetically identified native Black Poplars,
a species which is so scarce it now numbers
only 1000 (approx.) individuals nationwide: this
is an exciting and important component of the
Coombe flora.
6.4 Managing Pest Species
We have a duty of care under the Agricultural
Act and the Injurious Weeds Act to manage and
control pest species listed within the Act. As
far as Coombe is concerned these are mainly
rabbits, pigeons, crows and one species of
plant, ragwort. Furthermore we are obliged to
manage pests as part of our site management
agreement of the SSSI this is covered by
the Wildlife and Countryside Act, species
covered by this Act are Rabbit, Grey Squirrel,
Mink, Canada Goose, Cormorant, and three
species of plant Indian Balsam, Ragwort and
Rhododendron. See appendix 12
6.5 Achieving the management
objective
Objective
“To conserve and enhance the nature
conservation interests at Coombe Park”.
This should be done by:
There is a diverse flora at Coombe. Most of
the species are interesting within the context of
the Park, but a few have wider interest: Sanicle
and Trailing Tormentil are locally important in
• Adopting and contributing to County Local
Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAP’s)
• Effective adherence to the relevant habitat
management for the HLS agreement
(Appendix 28)
• Working in partnership with other
landowners and organisations such as
the County Wildlife Trust, and Forestry
Commission to facilitate a landscape
approach to managing nature conservation
– (The Princethorpe Wood Partnership)
Grey
Squ
irrel
• Protecting and enhancing those seminatural habitats and species which under the
law must be protected.
• Conserving and enhancing the diversity and
• Maintaining management continuity, by
maintaining an effective management
record system that enables future Managers
to understand any changes made, and
restoration undertaken.
Park are a result of the physical environment
of the site, factors which are more or less
fixed, and the various management regimes.
Management, which is flexible, is the tool used
for creating variety and diversity, for example a
woodland with glades or with areas of coppice
is a more structurally diverse woodland than
one without such areas and is supportive of
more plants and animals.
• Conserving genetic provenance.
Management continuity
• Surveying, recording and monitoring key
species and habitats.
Left to their own devices, competition within
plant communities leads to succession and
eventual climax. Succession is a progressive
series of changes in plant and animal life. It
is the process by which bare soil will become
colonised and develop through closed herb
community, scrub vegetation and finally into
broadleaved woodland, when an equilibrium
will be reached where death of old trees is
counterbalanced by maturation of young ones.
This steady state is known as climax.
character of other semi-natural habitats,
where this is consistent with the historic
landscape and recreation
• Providing interpretation to enable visitors to
understand and enjoy the natural resources
of the park.
• Maintain and monitor the pest management
policy and action plan.
6.6 Strategy
Conservation and Enhancement of
Semi-Natural Habitats
Each habitat is composed of a particular
characteristic assemblage of plants and
animals. This assemblage must be protected
from the introduction (self-sown or deliberate)
of non-native species because those species
which are often highly competitive can alter
the character of the habitat by smothering the
desirable community and causing change to
community structure. This can have multiple
knock-on effects such as reducing invertebrate
levels, which may affect the bird species
present. This is a problem at Coombe where
three species are spreading - Sycamore,
Rhododendron and Himalayan Balsam. The
general policy should be not to plant nonindigenous species in semi-natural areas
and where such species exist to control their
spread. As indicated before, the composition of
much of the woodland does not conform to any
standard woodland type due to its plantation
origin some 200 years ago. For historic reasons
there should be continuity of the woodland but
for nature conservation reasons the woodland
should be perpetuated with native species.
The variety and diversity of the habitats at the
Imposition of management regimes is
necessary to prevent the loss of habitat type.
Management lapses provide opportunity for
invasion by undesirable species.
Conservation of genetic provenance
The species found at Coombe will have
particular characteristics which makes them
genetically slightly different to the same
species found in another part of the country.
Whilst it is important that non-indigenous
species are not introduced it is also important
that where planting is necessary, for amenity
purposes or as part of a Woodland Grant
Scheme Commitment, plants of a different
genetic provenance are not introduced. The
emphasis should be on perpetuation either by
natural regeneration from seed produced by
plants already growing on site or by vegetative
propagation of the same. It would be ideal to
establish a tree nursery on site using seeds and
saplings collected from the Coombe woodlands.
If the nursery were on site it would be easy to
use and provide a good educational opportunity.
Failing the use of trees and shrubs already
growing on site to maintain the semi-natural
character, species for planting should be British
and preferably local.
Protection Against Disturbance
With excessive disturbance, the quality of a
habitat and the species it supports can drop
like a stone. Some parts of the Estate are
better suited to people pressure, but particularly
sensitive habitats such as Badger setts and
the SSSI must either be fenced off or access
restricted. Disturbance can be caused by too
many visitors and by ill-timed management
operations. The latter must be undertaken
at appropriate times of the year and where
possible by hand rather than machinery.
Recording and Monitoring
It is essential that habitat surveys regularly
take place so that change can be monitored
and any necessary changes in the direction
of management can be made as a response.
Continued monitoring of the heronry, wintering
wildfowl, badgers and ongoing common bird
census work are high priorities as agreed
with English Nature. A National Vegetation
Classification of the semi-natural habitats in
the Park has been undertaken including a full
grassland survey of the Deer Park to assist
with management and grassland enhancement.
A strategy for handling the vast amount of
biological data has been developed with
Warwick and Coventry Museums. A current
species list is shown in appendix 13 and this is
updated annually.
Education and Interpretation
The wealth of wildlife and diversity of habitats
at Coombe provide many opportunities for
education and interpretation. Future strategies
for education and interpretation will continue
to reflect this and evidence from BARS
(biodiversity Action Reporting System) is used
as an integral part of the teaching at Key Stage
4.
7.0 Management Proposals by Character
Areas
The site has been divided into 14 management compartments based on landscape character and
vegetation. Each compartment is described, recent management work outlined where relevant,
management objectives indicated and management proposals made. A key plan (Figure 21) to
all the areas is at the end of the report. This section should be read alongside Appendix 1 which
shows proposed timescales and funding.
7.1 Area 1: Main Entrance and Great
Avenue
rive
D
Main
Character
Period of Greatest Influence
16th C, when the original avenues were laid out
as the main approach to the house. The present
avenue of horse chestnut and lime was planted
in 1905, the young lime in 1981.
Design Intent
A major axis and part of an extensive scheme of
radiating avenues stretching to the boundaries
of the estate.
Historic Components
Ridge and furrow west of the entrance. Gate
piers, are listed Grade 2. Pedestrian deer park
gate. Late 19th/early 20thC railings to moat
area.
Lost Features
Abbey church and 17thC formal garden laid out
within the footprint of the demolished church.
Line of medieval road. Griffins on gate piers.
Dog kennels by Brown/Holland.
Other Artefacts
Low rails beside the road with removable rail
accesses to the events field. Grass reinforcement to events entrances and corners of pedestrian path. Setts at pedestrian entrance and
sett rumble strips on the approach to pedestrian crossing point. Tarmac bound gravel path.
Mixed signage routed timber and brass.
Habitat
Over mature, mature and young Avenue trees
in amenity grassland, small area of parkland
pasture style grassland to the south end of the
main drive.
Visitors
Fully accessible.
Significance
Consistent with the historical angle of approach
to the Abbey and House. The avenue represents recreation of 17thC approach, whose use
was revived in mid 19thC with the coming of
railways – Brandon Station, to the South. Major
element in the park recalling formal landscape
of 17thC. Provides setting and frame for visitors all important first views of main house and
Country Park. Key importance to the visitor
perceptions of Coombe.
Issues
Volume of traffic – only vehicle entrance for
both country park and hotel. Sustaining avenue.
Sustaining the ridge and furrow. Co-ordination
of signage particularly between the park and the
hotel. Security during daylight and after hours.
Visitor pressure through a variety of inappropriate use. Dilapidation of drive surface. Illegal
parking on the verges at the southern end of the
main drive.
Objectives
• Conserve and enhance the avenue
approach.
• Conserve the fine uninterrupted view of the
main house down the Great Avenue.
• Conserve the simplicity of trees in grass.
• Maintaining a quality visitor welcome
initiatives.
• Enhance biodiversity where compatible with
the above.
• Overcome impact of traffic on the grass
when crossing into the events field.
• Preserve ridge and furrow.
• Ensure site security measures do not
visually impact on the historic landscape.
Management Proposals.
• The Avenue should be perpetuated by
replanting lines half way through life of adjacent
line of trees, as and when necessary with the
same species. Although in this incarnation the
avenue is not especially old, the feature of a
strong planted line on the axis of the Abbey is.
There should be no planting of trees and shrubs
beyond that needed to perpetuate the Avenue,
so that the strong character of the Avenue is not
weakened and the view of the main house is
maintained.
• The area of ‘ridge and furrow’ to the West of
the Drive should be preserved.
• Seasonal interest should be improved by
increasing the planting of native Winter and/
or Spring flowering bulbs e.g. Snowdrops,
Bluebells, Daffodils, beneath the tree canopy.
• Maintain the recently adopted method of
reduced mowing and leaf mulching rather than
leaf collection to improve grassland sward, and
reduce compaction under the avenue canopy.
• Those trees that have failed in the younger
avenue of Limes should be replaced with trees
of similar age/size.
• Crown management should be carried out
regularly to maintain the visual impact of the
avenue.
• Maintain a high standard of maintenance.
• Ensure utility companies who maintain site
services, are aware of the requirements of this
plan.
• Consider alternative fencing design at site
frontage and along the Deer Park boundary,
based on historical research and in sympathy
with the gate piers.
• Ensure signage and interpretation is
coordinated through an agreed Interpretation
Strategy.
• Undertake regular tree surveys to assess
the health and vigour of the avenue trees,
especially after storms.
• Maintain historical features to a high standard,
through regular inspections.
7.2 Area 2: Car Park and Picnic/
Barbecue Areas
Character
Late 20thC.
Design Intent
To provide parking and outdoor eating facilities
for visitors.
Historic Components
Earthwork relicts of former gardens. Deer park
fence post.
Lost Features
Route of medieval road. 17thC formal gardens.
18thC kennels designed by Brown/Holland.
Gate piers to side entrance – now placed at
main entrance.
Other Artefacts
Post and rail fencing. Car park bollards. Ticket
machines. Signage and Interpretation panel.
Barbeques. Picnic benches. Fibre deck car
park surfacing. Resin bonded gravel pathway.
Attendants hut – hotel entrance. Redundant
entrance security system. Airport beacon.
Security gates and features
• Maintaining a quality visitor welcome
initiative.
Habitat
Amenity grass. Trees. Shelter belt shrub/tree
belt East boundary.
Management Proposals
Visitors
Fully accessible.
Significance
Archaeological dog kennels. Visitors first
experience of Coombe after alighting from
vehicles, for some the only experience.
Issues
Upkeep of surfacing and drainage. Lack of
coach parking and turning area. Damage to
timber parking barriers. Night time security.
Out of hours and peak flow patterns. Lack of
policy on carrying capacity – for parking/ visitor
numbers. Lack of shade in some parking areas.
Dense shade in picnic area to the North of car
park. Choice of tree species planted in some
plantations. (Poplars) Lack of pedestrian
access to main drive. Damage to park furniture
from portable, disposable BBQ’s.
Objectives
• To keep car parking in its present location
where it does not intrude into the landscape
of the park yet provides ready access to it.
• To keep any extension to the existing car
park, which may become necessary, equally
unobtrusive.
• To maintain a high standard of security
through an effective over night lock down
process, CCTV, lighting and patrolling.
• To maintain the upkeep and appearance of
the car park.
• To maintain and improve picnic and
barbecue facilities.
• To improve flow patterns and signage within
the existing car park.
• Enhance biodiversity where compatible with
the above
• Continuous monitoring of the car park and
visitor trends in this area is required to
assess impact and inform decision making.
• The light in the barbecue areas could be
improved by selectively removing a few
trees to create small glades, and raising the
crown of those trees that remain whilst still
maintaining adequate shade in the summer.
• The field archaeology of the Brownian
Dog Kennels should be protected on
site. Suitable interpretation of this former
feature of the park should be provided.
The archaeological remnant of the old road
should also be protected.
• Investigate improved landscaping to
increase shade during hot periods.
strategy.
• Undertake regular tree surveys to assess
the health and vigour of the avenue trees,
especially after storms
• Reduce the visual impact of car park
infrastructure landscaping.
• Review interpretation and information
provision to improve behaviour regarding
the volume of damage sustained to park
furniture from customers using disposable
BBQ’s. Monitor the response and implement
measures to further reduce damage if
required.
• Improve floristic diversity of the grassland at
the South end of this area, between the road
and the grass car park .
access.
7.3 Area 3: Visitor Centre, Quadrant
and Events Field
Habitat
Amenity grassland, Semi improved grassland.
Tall herb under 19th C tree groups. 1990’s
plantations, part of the restoration of the
Brownian landscape. Veteran trees
Visitors
Fully accessible to visitors. Focal point for
most visitors. Events field used increasingly for
informal recreation rather than events..
Significance
Oldest evidence of human occupation of the
site. Main point of entrance to the park for
pedestrians. Intensive usage.
BEFOR
2006-2
011 Ma
E
nagem
AFTER
ent Pla
n Prop
action
osals i
n
Character
Late 20thC.
Issues
Intensive usage, can create some conflict of use
during high days and holidays. Visitor Centre,
poor use of space, since the change of use in
1997. No direct connection with the landscape.
Environmentally unsound design. Damage to
park furniture from portable disposable BBQ’s
Design Intent
To provide a new visitor reception and access
to the Country Park when the main house was
converted to a private hotel.
• Events Field
Recent events have no relation to the site or
its objectives. Limited financial contribution.
During events, quality of experience offered to
general customers often diminished. Increased
maintenance costs due to reinstatement.
Historic Components
Scheduled Ancient Monument, tree covered
and unmarked.
• Play Area
Major attraction. Adds to the honey pot effect to
this area.
Lost Features
Line of medieval road to the Abbey. Line of
18thC drive to house.
• Blue Badge Parking
Intensive use and major congestion.
Other Artefacts
Visitor Centre 1992. Brick bin store for cafe.
Children’s play area refurbished 2005. Post
and rail fence to west boundary, generally good
condition, stock netting attached. Blue badge
parking bays. Signage and interpretation.
Service points for events field. Park furniture
including benches, bins, dog bins. Resin
bonded gravel path. Lucy pillars. Grass
reinforcement to events field. Orienteering
posts. Low level fencing. Security bollards.
Water hydrant. Kissing gate with radar key
Management Objectives
Incorporate the events field into the Brown
Parkland which is being restored.
• Retain events field as a site for events, and
develop the area for informal recreation.
• Restore the relationship of the area known
as the quadrant with the main house and
gardens and with the Brownian parkland.
• Protect the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
• Protect veteran trees.
• Where possible enhance biodiversity.
Management Proposals 2006-2011
• Apart from the perimeter tree belt there is
no other parkland planting indicated on the
Plan of Coombe Park 1778 in the events
area. The land to the South of Coombe
Pool offers a great opportunity to restore a
substantial part of the Brown landscape, and
this has been partially achieved during the
last five years. For this reason it is proposed
that there should be no planting which is
historically inconsistent along the Western
side of the events field.
• Sward erosion measures should be well
maintained.
• The plan of 1778 which depicts ‘Capability’
Brown’s Parkland illustrates a carriage
drive from West Lodge to the Abbey; the
route of the drive can be traced from aerial
photographs. The whole length of the drive,
excluding the immediate surrounds of
West Lodge, but including the end section
which runs through in this area, should be
reinstated as a grass track.
regimes to give the grassland in this area
some diversity should be maintained and
improved. By extending and scalloping,
the tall grassland edge this will provide
more ‘private’ areas for seating and picnics.
Seasonal interest in this area should be
improved by native spring bulb planting, and
increasing sward herb diversity.
• The well-used children’s playground sits
awkwardly at the edge of a more expansive
landscape. Although the recent redesign
of the play equipment is an improvement,
careful planting around the edges would
ease the playground more comfortably into
its surroundings.
• There should be no surface disturbance of
the tumulus.
• The survival and nature of medieval and
post-medieval archaeological remains
should be evaluated prior to any disturbance
• A study of Visitor Centre usage should be
made to plan usage/design of this facility for
the future.
7.4 Area 4: The Nesfield / Miller
Gardens and Arboretum
• Another element of the Brown design
which affects this area is the view from the
Abbey to the Menagerie. This was one of
the principal view lines, and has been cut
by the later planting of Nesfield and Miller.
A careful study of reinstating this view
line should be carried out, particularly the
implications for tree removal.
• The yew hedge planted along the South
side of the moat should be made clearly
visible by removing the scrub, which has
grown up in front of it. This is to emphasise
the importance of the Abbey behind it and
the relationship it has with this area. Careful
consideration of visitor management issues
will need to be taken into consideration to
avoid damage to the hedge line. Otherwise
the Nesfield/Miller parkland setting should
be retained. The current use of different
mowing and meadow management
Fo
ns
arde
G
rmal
Character
Mid and late 19thC, early 20thC.
Design Intent
To create a great contemporary garden around
the house.
Historic Components
Sections of 16thC/17thC masonry from the
Elizabethan porch incorporated in the early
20thC retaining walls .The cascade, moat,
bridge and canal designed by WA Nesfield
1865.
A balustrade across the lake concealing a weir.
Pair of griffins. Sandstone paving and edgings.
Remnants of Acacia Avenue. Stone circlet. 2
Garden shelters ( recent investigations suggest
these structures are 1930’s additions.)
Lost Features
Exotic specimen trees, Topiary, a temple,
statuary and other garden ornaments.
0ther Artefacts
1990’s causeway providing access to the
gardens and country park north of the lake.
Statue in moat. Sculptures on/in trees. Post and
rail boundary fence. Low rail to mound. Park
furniture – benches, litter bins, dog bins.
Habitat
Exotic trees, shrub beds, herbaceous border,
bedding, close mown grass, longer grass to
mound and banks of the Smite brook.
Visitors
Fully accessible.
Significance
Concept and development are the major
19thC contribution to designed landscape at
Coombe. Concept from Nesfields, father and
son, management and the development work of
Miller. Only area of formal gardens accessible
to Country Park visitors.
Issues
Divided ownership of formal gardens. Quality of
maintenance. Lack of development/restoration
plan. Skills shortages and staffing issues. Pest/
wildlife control. Presentation of moat and water
features. Municipal feel rather than historical
garden. Municipal tree planting in arboretum.
Condition of walls and sandstone walkways.
Lack of interpretation. No publicly perceived
distinction between gardens and park, therefore
no difference in use and codes of behaviour.
• Develop the Gardens as a key element
of the visitor attractions of Coombe.
Opportunities should be taken to enhance
their quality and hence attractiveness to
visitors.
• Planting interest should be developed
within the constraints of a Victorian flower
gardening style.
• Conserve and enhance the Arboretum as
part of the Nesfield/Miller landscape by
developing a solid framework and plan for
future planting based on historical analysis.
Exploit the potential of such a collection with
seasonal highlights, botanical and preserve
the ornamental character of geographical
collections.
• Improve visitor access and interpretation.
• Manage detrimental visitor behaviour.
• Carry out a restoration plan specifically
for the Nesfield/Miller Gardens and the
Arboretum. This is to ensure that the
concepts behind the original design are not
lost and that future planting, development
and management of the areas is guided by
general and detailed principles regarding,
for example, access, choice of trees and
shrubs, species and cultivars and choice of
furnishings, etc.
• Improve seasonal and botanical interest.
• Restore wisteria ring.
• As part of the management plan, research
should be undertaken to establish the
authenticity of location and design of the
summerhouse and aviary.
• Rationalise hedge height, and restore to the
designs shown in 1909 design photo’s.
• Reintroduce where feasible the Victorian
design as per the 1909 design photo’s.
Historic Components
Sluice.
• Reintroduce topiary on yew features to the
rear of the hotel.
Lost features
None known.
• The survival and nature of medieval
archaeological remains should be evaluated
prior to any major ground disturbance.
Other Artefacts.
Top Pool Lodge has now been rebuilt Pumped
and ducted water supply to moat. Timber
revetment to southern end of the lake. Post
and rail fence by lodge. Park furniture, timber
planters outside lodge, Lucy piller.
• Interpretation of the gardens and arboretum
should be incorporated into the overall
Park’s strategy
• Restore hard landscaping features, garden
walls and sandstone pathway.
• Improve quality grass in the design.
• Investigate alternative funding methods to
assist with this restoration project.
7.5 Area 5: Top Pool
Habitat
Open water, reedbed, reed fringe, small area of
grassland.
Visitors
Largely inaccessible to visitors who pass by
the western side of the pool and are close to
water when accessing the lodge. Educational
activities take place on the pool and in the
lodge.
Significance
Part of Brown’s scheme to manage water in the
park.
Issues
Divided ownership of the land surrounding the
pool. Organic and mineral silt build up. Lack
of public access. Lodge deters access to the
decoy. Area in the front of the lodge needs
landscaping.
Top Po
o
l Lodg
e
• Maintain nature conservation interest of
the Pool including retention of some of the
fringing reeds and reed bed.
• Manage water quality and flow.
Character
• Develop Top Pool for education activities.
18thC, part of Brown’s water management
scheme for the park.
• Ensure the new lodge is integrated into the
surrounding landscape.
Design Intent
It is presumed that this is a feeder lake to the
main pool.
The nature conservation and the historic
integrity of this area is threatened by rapid
siltation. If silt is allowed to build up ecological
succession with associated reed swamp and
shrub invasion is inevitable. A specialist report
on hydrology commissioned in 2009 to facilitate
good management emphasised the critical
nature of this issue. Should finances allow, this
area should be dredged. However, steps should
be taken to manage the organic silt. Mineral
deposits can only be managed by some method
of dredging.
• Manage reedbeds to prevent succession to
swamp/scrub.
• Negotiate with the hotel to improve the
visual appearance of the moat pump.
• Monitor biodiversity interest.
• Manage and maintain water management
features - weir and spillway.
• Maintain footpaths to ensure equality of
access.
• Improve water quality.
• Further development of the North bank
for water interpretative activities such as
pond dipping and junior fishing workshops
should continue. Landscaping should be
sympathetic to the historic nature of the
area.
• Landscape Lodge and approach.
7.6 Area 6: The Decoy Spinney
Character
Period of greatest influence.
19thC.
Design intent
A pool designed to catch ducks, a source of
fresh meat for the main house.
Historic components
The shape of the pool with 2 remaining arms /
pipes. Separate pool formerly one of the pipes.
2 weirs and flanking walls. Canalised and
edged sections of the Smite Brook. Bridge and
bridge abutments. 2 Deer park fence posts.
Lost Features
2 arms of the pool. Hoops and ancillary fences
associated with decoy management.
Other Artefacts
3 pond dipping platforms on the decoy and 1
on Smite Brook. Interpretation boards. Perch
posts. Concrete fence posts. Municipal metal
railing to bridge.
Habitat.
Mixed woodland with rich ground flora and
freshwater ponds.
Visitors
Fully accessible, recreational restrictions – no
cycles and dogs on leads.
Significance
Decoy a common feature of 19thC estate
but few exist in good condition. Rarely
accessible to the public. Important but generally
unacknowledged components of Brown’s water
system.
Issues
Lack of historical interpretation. Pond dipping
facilities need upgrading. Lack of water flow.
Concrete posts. Weirs and associated areas in
need of repair and refurbishment. Inappropriate
bridge railings. Shading of Smite brook. Algae
and duck weed in ponds. Dilapidation of decoy
arms/pipes.
Objectives.
Duck D
• Maintain and enhance the rich woodland
habitat. Improve the quality of Smite Brook.
ecoy S
pinney
• Restore what remains of the Decoy Pond to
working condition.
• Maintain and enhance visitor understanding
of the decoy and its workings.
• Manage visitor numbers.
• Restore weir area and create a grassy glade
around it.
place now with something more ornate, and
in keeping with the park’s heritage.
• Maintain high standard of maintenance.
• Improve water quality.
access.
7.7 Area 7: Northern Woodland
Character
• Within the Decoy Spinney, the emphasis
must be on management operations which
will sustain the ecological and historical
interest of the woodland. This will be done
by selective felling, encouragement of
desirable self-sown saplings and replanting
only if necessary. Coppicing of the Alder on
the Western side of the decoy, will improve
the overall structure and provide education
and interpretation opportunities. Some areas
need to be left for non/low intervention
management, to favour shade and damploving invertebrate fauna.
• Improve quality of Smite Brook, by selective
felling of Sycamore along the Brook. This
will improve the quality of light reaching the
water and reduce leaf litter falling into the
water system and onto the woodland floor
where the flora is less rich than to the South
of the disabled path. Stumps should be
carefully treated rather than being removed
which may affect bank stabilisation.
• Remove the redundant fence posts.
• Restore two decoy arms/pipes.
Strategy.
• Restore weir and bridge railings. Clear
felling of trees is recommended to create a
glade in the area where a weir has been put
across Smite Brook to sustain water levels
in the Decoy Pond. The brickwork retaining
the weir and banks could be restored and
a feature made of the Brook Crossing,
replacing the municipal railings which are in
al of Sy
Remov
ea 7
s in Ar
tree
camore
18thC.
Design Intent
Extensive section of boundary woodland
enclosing north of the park.
Historic Components
Foot print consistent with plan of 1778. Shallow
bank and ditch on the southern edge consistent
with boundary of woodland on plan of 1778.
Remnant of Sweet Chestnut and Hazel coppice.
Victorian bottle/rubbish dump. Brick culverts
and bridges.
Lost Features
Unknown.
Other Artefacts
Entrance to Centenary Way. Timber bridge,
Storage yard, Hardcore/roadstone path to yard.
Unsurfaced paths through woodland. Boundary
fence to farmland.
Habitat
Broad leaved woodland, with limited
understorey. Small remnant of sweet chestnut
and hazel coppice. Newly established
plantations.
Visitors
Fully accessible.
Significance
Evidence of earth works and woodland
management suggest pre Brown landscape,
possibly part of the 16th/17thC landscape.
Issues
Past management practice – dumping of
leaf collections encouraging degradation of
woodland structure and destroying native
habitat, and a disjointed method of managing
the woodlands in general. Lack of appreciation
of historical significance. Level of public use
and wear on light soil. Anti social behaviour
linked to Centenary Way access/uncontrolled
public access. Management and usage of Yard.
Objectives
• Manage the woodland and associate
pathway’s to improve biodiversity,
particularly targeted LBAP species.
• Clear fell Sycamore and replant with native
planting to facilitate the above.
• Upgrade path system to the yard.
• Develop an operational/development plan
for the maintenance yard.
• Improve signage to facilitate effective
flow /access for visitors away from the
maintenance yard.
access.
• Manage invasive species as per pest control
policy.
7.8 Area 8: Heath Woodland
Character
18thC although not entirely clear in this area.
• Maintain, perpetuate and enhance the
woodlands for recreation and nature
conservation, especially targets linked to the
Princethorpe wood partnership project
• Manage invasive species to facilitate the
above.
• Maintain and perpetuate Brown’s shelter
belt.
• Make woodland character management
part of the visitor experience, particularly
traditional woodland crafts.
• Minimise the impact of the yard and its
activities on the landscape and visitors.
• Ensure the yard is developed and managed
with the full needs of site operations in mind
both now and the foreseeable future.
land
h
Heat
Design intent
Part of the extensive boundary woodland
enclosing the North of the park.
Historic Components
Shallow bank and ditch marking the boundary
of woodland consistent with the 1778 plan, 3
x old hornbeam on the bank. Deer fence post.
Yews near site boundary indicative of Brown.
Lost Features
Several large stumps would suggest large
specimen parkland trees. Deer fencing.
• Interpret this area, ensuring interpretation is
Strategy
• Maintain high standards of maintenance.
Other Artefacts
Natural sand and gravel path. Perch posts.
7.9 Area 9: Woodland South of
Wrautum
Habitat
Acid grassland/heath relict of the Dunsmore
Heath character area.
Character
Visitors
Fully accessible.
20thC.
Significance
Evidence of earthworks and woodland
management suggest could be pre Brown
landscape, possibly part of the 16th/17thC park.
Yew planting by Brown. View from top of bank
to the two spires of Coventry. Scarce regional
habitat of heathland.
Issues
Bracken control. Erosion on light soils. Invasive
species.
Work
to
resto
Objectives
• Preserve and extend this rare fragment of
surviving heathland, in line with Lowland
acid grassland LBAP.
• Interpret area for visitors.
• Keep areas of exposed sand for mining
bees.
• Keep invasive species under control.
Management proposals
• Monitor the impact of visitors through this
area by seasonal fixed point photography.
• Manage pathway sympathetically to the
habitat, ensure banked edges are available
for mining bees.
• Manage all invasive species, in this area this
includes all tree species.
re his
toric
view
lines
Design Intent
None.
Historic Components
Principal view line through this area from
Wrautums hill to menagerie complex - Brown.
Lost Features
None known.
Other Artefacts
Chestnut fencing. Natural spring in fenced
off area. Road stone path topped with quarry
waste. Ditch system to lake.
Habitat
Wet woodland/Willow and Alder Carr. Native
broadleaved woodland. Tall herb – invasive
Indian Balsam. Young mixed broad leaved
hedge along footpath boundary to sludge pit/
spring.
Visitors
Path access only, public access discouraged for
Health and Safety reasons in the sludge pit and
for nature conservation in the wet woodland.
Significance
Historically part of Wrautum Hill and on line of
vista to and from the Menagerie.
Issues
Silt pit still hazardous for public access. A
sympathetic and sustainable landscape
boundary is required that doesn’t detract
from the landscape views to the Menagerie.
Secondary tree growth now obscures the
designed view. Invasive pest species.
Objectives
• Re-establish view lines, and interpret
historical significance.
• Maintain new boundary fedge and dead
hedge to the sludge pit.
• Encourage heathland species on upper
lighter soils.
access.
policy.
7.10: Area 10 Woodland east of
Wrautum
Character
20thC.
• Recognise low key management in wet
woodland.
• Protect the Badger sett.
• Restrict public access.
• Interpret this area, ensuring coordination
through an agreed Interpretation Strategy.
• Create a sustainable low level barrier to
restrict public access along the W/NW edge
of the sludge pit, whilst not hindering view
lines.
• Maintain grassland sward and uninterrupted
view line from Wrautums to lake edge to the
East of this section.
• Maintain view line from Wrautums Hill to
the Menagerie through the scrub woodland
in this area by regular coppicing /felling as
required.
• Reinstate Brownian style edge to the lake
along this stretch. Manage as short rotation
tall herb, remove encroaching Willows.
om
ne fr
i
L
iew
d
ric v ms fiel
o
t
s
i
u
ut
eh
stor e to Wra
e
r
dg
k to
Wor utch bri
D
Design Intent
None.
Historic components
Ancient oak and sweet chestnut.
Lost Features
North end of lake approx 10 acres. Course of
Smite Brook.
Other Artefacts
Purpose built maintenance block.
Habitat
Mixed woodland Pine /Oak dominate.
Visitors
Fully accessible.
Significance
Formerly part of open parkland associated with
Wrautum Hill.
Issues
Ancient trees lost within 20thC plantation style
woodland. Loss of views between Wrautums
Hill and Abbey. Lack of woodland management.
Main path from bridge to Wrautums Hill badly
shaded and eroded giving poor impression of a
once impressive view.
Objectives
• Recreate historical parkland character of this
area.
• Re-establish view lines, and interpret
historical significance.
• Define and improve pathways.
Character
Period of greatest influence
18thC.
Histo
ric
Design Intent
Interp Sight lin
e and
A
large
retive
stick
open
men
parkland
space
whose elevation
was
accentuated by the boundary tree
belt set
back from the summit of the hill. The hill would
have provided extensive views over the estate.
Historic Components
Ancient sweet chestnut stool on Eastern
boundary.
Lost Features
19thC pheasantry.
Other Artefacts
Base to former play area.
• Identify and manage ancient trees in line
with nationally recognised best practice.
Select other specimen trees for long term
retention, including pollarded specimens.
Habitat
Semi improved acid grassland. Predominantly
coniferous plantation style woodland, with
some Oak dominant areas and young mixed
plantations.
• Gradually thin and remove the majority of
plantation trees and secondary growth to
create a character of wood pasture.
Visitors
Fully accessible.
access.
Significance
Hill offers vantage point from which to survey
the park. Major recreational space for visitors.
policy.
7.11: Area 11 The Wrautum Hill
Issues
Loss of views and links with the waters edge.
Loss of play area. Recreational pressure
at peak times. Municipal style of grassland
management.
Objectives
• Maintain and improve long view to the
Menagerie.
• Re-establish association with lake from the
south hill side.
• Establish a maintenance regime more in
keeping with the acid grassland habitat.
• Re-establish association with lake by
opening up access on the south face slope
allowing wider visual and pedestrian access
to the lakeside.
• Maintain and enhance if possible the acid
grassland in line with the LBAP.
• Interpret view line from Wrautums hill
to Menagerie ensuring interpretation is
Strategy.
• Gradually thin pine plantations to allow a
more open parkland pasture character style
to develop.
access.
policy.
7.12: Area 12 Coombe Pool including
lake bank South of Wrautum
Character
18thC.
Design Intent
A huge lake enhancing the park and the
prospect of the house.
Historic Components
Dam wall. Bell mouth weir. Eel trap.
Lost Features
e
ol: W
po
mbe
Coo
trol
on
ed C
Medieval Binley Pool. Medieval channel from
Abbey to Smite.
Other Artefacts
Modern reservoir sluice. Fishing pegs on West
bank, and Deer Park. Timber foot bridge. Gravel
pathway. Fish refuges. Habitat raft. Sunken
dredging barge. Islands made from 1970’s
dredging.
Habitat
Freshwater lake, island Heronry, reed bed, reed
fringe, scrub margin.
Visitors
Full public access limited to a length of the
North shore terminating by the bird hide/
conservation area, permit access to the West
and part of the Deer Park banks.
Significance
2nd largest water body in Warwickshire. Visual
impact and scale of the lake in the landscape.
Major feat of 18thC engineering with associated
artefacts. Nationally significant heronry. Part of
SSSI. Renowned fishery.
Issues
Build up of silt. Condition and size of trees
on dam wall. Erosion of exposed lake edges.
Addition of exotic trees to planting on North
East lake edge. Restriction of public access
along Northern bank by conservation area.
Significance of the heronry. Cormorants.
Algae build up. Changing market trends within
fisheries management. Condition of historic
artefacts. Numbers of Canada Geese. Visual
intrusion of fishery and bird conservation
measures (island rafts etc). Sustainability of fish
stocks.
7.13: Area 13 SSSI Woodland.
Objectives
Character
• Maintain the lake at its central position in the
designed landscape. Conserve, reinstate
and enhance views.
18thC.
• Meet legal obligations under Reservoirs Act,
Wildlife and Countryside Act and Salmon
and Freshwater Fisheries Act.
Design Intent
• Maintain/restore reservoir artefacts.
• Maintain fishery as a traditional estate
fishery, with an emphasis towards pleasure
and specimen angling.
• Maintain the nature conservation interest
of the lake, with particular emphasis on the
heronry.
• The nature conservation interest, fishery
and water flow is threatened by siltation.
If silt is allowed to build up then ecological
succession with associated reed swamp and
shrub invasion is inevitable. The specialist
measures suggested in the hydrology report
commissioned in March 2009 should be
carried out should finances allow.
• Implement recommendations from the
fishery report below, and ensure new reports
are commissioned every five years to run in
conjunction with this plan.
Resto
ration
wo
Shelt rk to histo
er Be
ric
lt
Boundary woodland enclosing estate, clothing
dam and enhancing the lake setting.
Historic Components
Former boundary ride and ride along dam wall.
Line of Deodar Cedar along Northern boundary
edge. Ancient trees, mounds, ditches and
remnants of yew and bastion planting by Brown.
Lost Features
Unknown.
• Implement recommendations from the site
management agreement between the City
Council and English Nature.
Other Artefacts
Boundary fencing, Conservation area fencing,
Bird hide. Perch posts.
• Implement agreed recommendations from
annual Reservoir inspections.
Habitat
Mixed deciduous broadleaf woodland. Part of
SSSI
• Balance the need of fishery and nature
conservation measures against the visual
intrusion on the landscape, and where
possible minimise the impact.
•
Continue with the erosion control measures
on the South shore.
Visitors
Full public access in the Eastern section up to
the bird hide. Permit/ticket holders only along
the fishery banks, and no official access for the
rest of the section.
Significance
Woodland with historic, visual and some habitat
significance. Contains elements of Brown
planting and design. Significant in scale to
Coombe, adjacent green belt and Coventry’s
urban sprawl. Visual significance heightened
with the construction of A46 bypass.
access.
Issues
Contaminated land at south-eastern boundary.
Unauthorised access. Lack of public access.
Brown bastion bisected by conservation area
fence. Age and condition of trees on the dam
wall. Part of Site of Special Scientific Interest.
• Interpret this area, ensuring interpretation is
coordinated through an agreed strategy.
Objectives
Meet legal obligations under Reservoirs Act
and the Wildlife and Countryside Act – site
management agreement . Conserve, enhance
and perpetuate the full extent of Brown’s shelter
belt. Protect heronry and badger sett.
18thC work of Lancelot Brown 1771-6.
policy.
7.14: Area 14 The Deer Park
Character
Design Intent
To create a generous sweep of parkland as an
• Maintain and enhance the Brown shelter
belt, enhancing the nature conservation
interest of the site. Where possible, retain a
significant amount of deadwood habitat, as
hulks and deadwood piles.
• Investigate alternative access routes
using South-East woodland belt, southern
woodland belt and deer park. (Area 14)
• Maintain and enhance the bird hide facility.
• Maintain the no access zone/conservation
area to protect the heronry and improve this
area for woodland biodiversity.
• Undertake works highlighted in the
contaminated land study and thereafter
maintain as required.
• Maintain dam wall trees as per 10 year
reservoir inspection report 2011.
• Propagate Black Poplars to provide
providence stock for future replacements.
•
Maintain permit only access along dam wall
and woodland.
s
cros
a
trail
e
v
i
t
re
terp er park
n
I
c
i
e
or
the D
Hist
integral part of the visual relationship between
the Menagerie and the main house, including a
woodland boundary belt, imposing entrance and
new drive to the house.
Historic Components
West Lodge, 1771-6 listed grade II, long lease,
good condition. Boat house, 1771-6 listed grade
II, Old gravel pit shown on baker survey of
1778. Two seasonal ponds probably clay pits,
1811 plan and 1887 OS. 2 clay pits, Southern
one shown on 1778 plan. Group of quarry pits
and two small ponds, largest on 1778 plan,
others 1887 OS. Large oval clay pit. Ridge and
furrow between trees and track where there has
been no ploughing. Hollow on line of former
road to Abbey and park pale. Remains of 17thC
park ride aligned on Old Lodge Farm. Remains
of another 17thC park ride. Remnants of 2 tree
lines from 17thC. 18thC Brownian tree group
near lake. Late 19thC copses.
Lost Features
Line of 18thC drive from West Lodge to house.
Line of 18thC ride beside lake from house to
Menagerie. Line of 17thC ride – house to Old
Lodge Farm. 2 tree lines from 17thC estate
landscape. 18thC boundary belt East of West
Lodge. 4 Brownian clumps.
Other Artefacts
Highfields House, a 1930’s detached house.
Gravel drive to the Menagerie. Subdivided stock
fencing and water troughs, cattle grid, veteran
tree fencing, interpretation panels and signs,
electricity lines.
Habitat
Greatest diversity of grassland habitat within
the park boundary. These include, semi
improved neutral, tall herb/ruderal, acid, semi
improved acid, neutral and marshy grassland
communities. This area also includes the
heronry standing ground. The recently restored
grassland, known as the wild flower meadow
is described in the 2011 Habitat Audit as good
example of MG5 grassland, which is now
increasingly scarce in the region. This area is
also home to most of the parks veteran trees,
all of which are now covered by a separate
plan.
There is a small stream/ditch that runs to the
South of the area, and an open water ditch to
the North of the reed bed.
In addition to the grassland there are areas
of Willow scrub, unmanaged poor quality
hedgerow, specimen parkland trees and copses
of mixed broadleaf groups.
Visitors
This part of the park is available to the public
on a zoned basis to take into consideration the
sensitive nature of the area these can be seen
in Figure 21.
Significance
Important component of Brownian landscape,
area remains almost intact. Listed 18thC
entrance lodge and approach. Listed 18thC
boathouse. Time depth. Documentary, site and
archaeological evidence for estate landscape
from 1150-2005. Scale and space important
to public perception, providing link between
Coventry and Coombe.
Issues
Loss of historic features/landscape. Position
of Highfields. Lack of hedgerow management.
Areas of sensitive and locally important habitat.
Integration of people with stock.
Objectives
• Restore and where appropriate, reoccupy
buildings which were part of the Brown
scheme.
• Any future use of the site must allow for the
recreation of the essential characteristics of
the Brownian Park.
• Accommodate protection measures for the
heronry standing ground, in any future site
use.
• Extend balanced public access to allow
appreciation of the historic landscape.
• Manage and where possible enhance
biodiversity.
• Restore Brownian landscape.
• Maintain historic buildings and continue to
develop sympathetic use.
• Manage lake edge to provide an effective
balance between habitat conservation,
historic landscape, and visitor management.
• Manage and monitor the conservation
grazing process to ensure grazing meets the
sites needs.
• Improve management of ditches and water
features for biodiversity within the area.
• Continue to develop the new access routes,
whilst maintaining a balance between
conservation, heritage management,
agricultural use and recreational use.
• Protect and enhance heronry standing
ground.
• Protect and manage veteran trees.
• Manage, maintain and where possible
enhance grassland communities to improve
biodiversity.
• Maintain and enhance the interpretation of
the Deer Park, within the guidelines of the
interpretation strategy.
8.0 Implementation, Monitoring and Review
It is intended, following consultation, that this
document is adopted by the City Council as
a Management Plan for Coombe Country
Park. This will provide a clear statement for
our management of the site, within agreed
parameters, both shared and supported
by partner organisations. It will then be the
responsibility of the Country Park Manager, to
draw up an annual work programme based on
the principles and priorities within the plan.
The On-Site Manager should meet regularly (at
least annually) with representatives of Rugby
Planning Authority to seek views on priorities,
and keep the planning authority updated
on progress of projects. He/she will also be
required to meet regularly with representatives
of:
- English Nature to update and approve the site
management agreement.
- The Environment Agency Reservoir
Inspectorate to inspect the reservoir six monthly
and action any works highlighted within the
report.
- The Environment Agency Fisheries Section to
monitor water and fisheries quality.
Annual independent assessments of the site
using recognised national quality standards
(Green Flag and VAQAS) will be undertaken.
These subsequent reports, along with Visitor
Surveys, will then provide the Parks and Open
Spaces Management Team with key information
that will help to guide future decision making
processes, and prioritisation of work loads.
The action plan will be monitored by the Head
of Parks and Open Spaces on an annual
basis linked to the fiscal year. A final year
report should be provided by the Country Park
Manager to highlight achievements, and to
recognise threats and opportunities for the
future.
Compiled By
Jonathon Taylor - Country Park Manager
Updates
December 2013
Fiona Mackenzie - Information and Interpretation Assistant
Contributions
Areas 1,2,3,14
Paul Hodges - Estate Officer
Area 4
Simon Walden, - Service Supervisor
Chris Turner and Sean Miller - Skilled Operatives
Area 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13
Wendy Churchill - Estate Officer
Areas 12 and 13
Jake Davoile - Estate Officer
Education
Murray Hayden - Secondary Years Education Officer
Joanne Woore - Primary Years Education Officer
Layout and Design
Tracy Smith - Information and Interpretation Assistant
Proofing
Emma Cosgrove - Visitor Centre Supervisor
Martin White - Visitor Services Assistant
Habitat Audits
Warwickshire Museum Field Services
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Map Information and Design
Andrew Beechey - Parks Development Officer
Appendix 1
ACTION PLAN AND FINANCE
INFORMATION (UPDATED
FOR 2013)
COOMBE COUNTRY PARK
Coombe Pool 1
Action Plan and Finance Information
Introduction
This programme covers the second five years
of the plan up to and including the second full
review. Works have been prioritised within
financial years as follows:
Priority 1a
work to be planned and carried out within the
first financial year
Priority 1b
work to be planned and carried out each and
every financial year of the five year period
Priority 2
work to be planned and carried out within a
maximum of three financial years
Priority 3
work to be planned and carried out within
five financial years.
Priority 4
work not likely to be carried out within the
period of the plan.
This Action plan details capital costs and when
the management proposals are likely to be
planned in. More detailed information on daytoday operations and revenue budgets is
available in the Country Park work programme,
quarterly reports and PPM sheets.
This process will be planned and managed by
the site’s Head Ranger in consultation with the
City Parks and Open Spaces Officer
The first year of the plan will start on
1 April 2012 and then reviewed each year.
Reviewed in December 2012 for 1 April 2013
Reviewed in December 2013 for 1 April 2014
Action Plan and Finance Information 1
Area 1. Main Drive and Great Avenue
Proposal
Action
The Avenue should be
perpetuated by replanting
lines half way through life of
adjacent line of trees as and
when necessary with the same
species. Although in this
incarnation the avenue is not
especially old, the feature of a
strong planted line on the axis
of the Abbey is. There should
be no planting of trees and
shrubs beyond that needed to
perpetuate the Avenue, so that
the strong character of the
Avenue is not weakened and
the view of the main house is
maintained.

Annual review:


2012
2013

Cost
It's is not anticipated that a replacement
avenue will be required during the life of
this plan.
The Horse Chestnut Avenue is suffering
from a variety of diseases and pests and
specimens are failing regularly. This
avenue should not be replaced by Horse
chestnut. Failing trees should be
removed but a clear stump left to show
the historical planting line. Another lime
avenue or Sweet Chestnut could be
planted once all the Horse chestnuts
have been felled.
Horse chestnut continues to struggle, at
least five trees are now showing severe
signs of distress. A watching brief is also
required on new diseases in Sweet
Chestnut.
As above, it is likely five more will be felled
before the end of the financial year due to
significant decay.
1 Priority Internal
Target
resources date
unknown 1b
£1000
per
annum.
Y
Ongoing
The area of ‘ridge and furrow’
to the west of the Drive should
be preserved

Annual review:

2012
Maintain a high standard of maintenance
by training staff to be aware of this
feature and the management
requirements to maintain it.
The change in management practice of
raising the sward height for mowing and only
cutting outside the avenue drip line has the
added benefit of conserving the ridge and
furrow.
Ongoing management as above has greatly
improved the sward
Review existing planting.
Prepare and implement new planting
plan.
2013

Seasonal interest should be
improved by increasing the
planting of native winter
and/or spring flowering bulbs
e.g. Snowdrops, Bluebells,
Daffodils, beneath the tree
canopy


Annual review

No action undertaken for 2012. This needs
to be picked up in the 2013 planting season.
2013

Maintain the recently adopted
method of reduced mowing
and leaf mulching rather than
leaf collection to improve
grassland sward, and reduce

A further 3000 bulbs planted in this planting
season.
Maintain and monitor existing
maintenance scheme.
0.
£250.
1b.
Y
1a
Y.
1b
Y
1b
Y
2012
2 2012
compaction under the avenue
canopy.
Annual review

2013

Significant improvement to the sward, a very
wet year gave us problems on leaf mulching
but still a massive improvement on previous
years
This on-going regime seems to have had a
positive has effect on the limes there was
less stress and stem die back this year. This
should be monitored annually during mid to
late summer.
Those trees that have failed in
the younger avenue of limes
should be replaced with trees
of similar age/size

Replace as required.
2012

In the current fiscal climate it is unlikely that
replacements will be funded.
2013

As above
Crown management should be
carried out regularly to
maintain the visual impact of
the avenue


Cut epicormic growth annually.
Monitor crowns annually and program
works as required
2012:
3
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
Annual review
3 
Work completed.
2013

Work completed.
Maintain a high standard of
maintenance

Maintain all facilities to a high standard and
monitor via the estate quality process
checks.
Resurface and curb edge the main drive
Annual review
2012

Annual review


The main drive surface continues to cause
considerable problems, a total resurface is
now the only realistic option, finances are
being sorted.
Monthly reports.
2013

As above
Ensure utility companies
maintain site services are
aware of the requirements of
this plan

Liaise with companies as required.
Annual review

Work completed
2013

Ongoing
Consider alternative fencing
design at site frontage and

Cost up options and liaise with
Warwickshire highways and RBC to
2012
1b
Y
3
N
2
Y.
120K(tbc)
2012
4 assess viability.
along the deer park boundary,
based on historical research
and in sympathy with the gate
piers.

Costed up installation April 2013

Installed.
Ensure signage and
interpretation is coordinated
through an agreed
Interpretation strategy.

Maintain signs and interpretation to a
high standard.
Annual review

Work completed. Interpretation strategy
review in 2013

Review not undertaken at the time of writing.
Undertake regular tree
surveys to assess the health
and vigour of the avenue
trees, especially after storms

Annual review

Carry out annual tree survey to Lantra
level 1
Carry out surveys as required following
high winds and or extreme weather
conditions.
Completed
Annual review
£ 4k
2012:
2013:
2012
2013

2012
2013

Completed. Small amount of damage to the
mature limes but most of the timber coming
out has been dead wood.
5 2 days.
1b
Y
1b
Y
Maintain historical features to
a high standard, through
regular inspections

Monitor monthly and maintain as
required
Annual review

Monthly checks completed. Main drive pillars
need monitoring closely for dilapidation.

As above.
2012:
2013
6 1b
Y
Area 2. Car Park, Picnic and Barbecue Areas
Proposal
Action
Continuous monitoring of the
car park and visitor trends in
this area is required to assess
impact and inform decision
making

Annual review


2012
2013


Priority Internal
Target
resources date
Maintain effective visitor monitoring
figures via the car park pay and display
machines.
Maintain an effective monitoring system
of visitor management issues relating to
the car parks – Monthly reports.
Visitor monitoring on going.
High volume visitor days still cause flow, and
inconsiderate parking issues. The surface
management issue compounds the later as
yellow lining is impossible to maintain in good
order. These issues should be looked at
under a specific redesign/resurface project. It
is unlikely that this would be funded within
this planning cycle.
The car park surface, and effective drainage
problem’s is still a funding issue, the poor
surface and lack of clear no parking signage
continues to cause operational issues. Short
term pot holing is on-going, although not an
effective solution. The visitor Welcome is
considerably reduced at times especially
during wet weather.
7 Cost
N
The light in the barbecue areas
could be improved by
selectively removing a few
trees to create small glades,
and raising the crown of those
trees that remain whilst still
maintaining adequate shade in
the summer

Reduce the tree canopy within the BBQ
areas.

Raise crowns as appropriate.
Annual review

Nothing completed during 2012
2013

The field archaeology of the
Brownian Dog Kennels should
be protected on site. Suitable
interpretation of this former
feature of the park should be
provided. The archaeological
remnant of the old road should
also be protected.

Ensure all staff and contractors are aware
archaeological features through effective
training.
Annual review

On going

On going
Staff/Vol
time.
2012
2012
2013
8 Staff/Vol
time
3
Y
2016
Investigate improved
landscaping to increase shade
during hot periods

Draw up a possible planting plan with
costs to facilitate this.
Annual review

2013

maintenance.

Maintain all facilities to a high standard
and monitor via the estate quality process
checks.
Annual review

This area of the park requires a high staff
input due to the heavy footfall, particularly on
high days and holidays. The serious
dilapidation of the car park surface and the
drainage in this area are cause for concern.
A drainage survey was carried out in 2012 a
small amount of silt removal from the drains
has made matters better, further works
required ( Report available.)
Car park surface and drainage problems on
going.
Yearly work to car park bollards on going,
this is proving to be a very expensive option
for car park space delineation. A cost benefit
analysis project should be undertaken in
2014 to assess options.
3
Y
1b
Y
2012
2012
2013


9 £4,600.
Y
(£65,000)
N
2016
Ensure signage and
through an agreed
 Maintain signs and interpretation to a high
standard.
Annual review

On-going annual maintenance regime.
2013

On-going annual maintenance regime
Review interpretation and
information provision to
improve behaviour regarding
the volume of damage
sustained to park furniture
from customers using
disposable BBQ's. Monitor the
response and implement
measures to further reduce
damage if required

Introduce a BBQ code and ensure this is
effectively promulgated through the first
two years of the plan, monitor and assess
the impact at the end of year two.
Annual review

Nothing undertaken in 2012, due to staff
changes, A program of activities is planned
for 2013-14.

Lots of staff interactions but damage and
litter still a very big issue. Review action early
2014, with a view to introducing a stronger
message during the spring and summer.
2012
2012
2013
10 2
1a
Y
Reduce the visual impact of
car park infrastructure
landscaping

Replace high level fencing with low level
less visually intrusive fences or barriers.
Annual review

More fencing removed in 2012, this project
should be completed in the duration of this
plan

Nothing completed this year.


Carry out annual tree survey to
LANTRA Level 1

Carry out surveys as required
following high winds and or extreme
weather conditions
Completed.

Completed / ongoing
Improve floristic diversity of the
grassland at the south end of
this area, between the road and
the grass car park

Undertake an annual late cut of the
grassland, remove and compost, spread
green hay from meadow to enrich sward.
Annual review

Cuts undertaken, no Green hay in 2012, this
needs to be undertaken in 2013

Unable to complete this area again this year,
as the meadows and differential mowing
areas in compartment 3 took priority.
2012
2013
Undertake regular tree surveys
to assess the health and
vigour of the avenue trees,
especially after storms
Annual review
1b
3days.
1b
Y
7days
1b
Y
2012
2013
2012
2013
11 Area 3. Visitor Centre, Quadrant and Events Field
Proposal
Action
Apart from the perimeter tree
belt there is no other parkland
planting indicated on the Plan of
Coombe Park 1778 in the events
area. The land to the south of
Coombe Pool offers a great
opportunity to restore a
substantial part of the Brown
landscape, and this has been
partially achieved during the
last five years. For this reason it
is proposed that there should
be no planting which is
historically inconsistent along
the western side of the events
field.
Annual review
2012
2013

Maintain awareness by training staff to have
an understanding of the historical
significance of this landscape.

On-going at Induction

On-going at Induction
Sward erosion measures should
be well maintained

Annual review
2012

2013

checks
Some more work is required to bring this up to a
good standard, particularly from the Visitor
Centre to the causeway.
Annual monitoring and work required pending
usage. No work undertaken this year.
A plan for erosion measures by the causeway is
to be carried out in 2014.

12 Cost Priority Internal
Target
resources date
1b
The plan of 1778 which depicts
‘Capability’ Brown’s Parkland
illustrates a carriage drive from
West Lodge to the Abbey; the
route of the drive can be traced
from aerial photographs. The
whole length of the drive,
excluding the immediate
surrounds of West Lodge but
including the end section which
runs through in this area,
should be reinstated as a grass
track
Annual review
2012
2013
Another element of the Brown
design which affects this area is
the view from the Abbey to the
Menagerie: this was one of the
principal view lines and has
been cut by the later planting of
Nesfield and Miller. A careful
study of reinstating this view
line should be carried out,
particularly the implications for
tree removal

Carry out a feasibility study to see if this
proposal can be achieved within the life of
this plan.

Not started.


Not started.
Carry out a feasibility study to see if this
proposal can be achieved within the life of
this plan.
Annual review
2012
2013

Not started


Not started
13 2
2013
2
2013
The yew hedge planted along
the south side of the moat
should be made clearly visible
by removing the scrub, which
has grown up in front of it. This
is to emphasise the importance
of the Abbey behind it and the
relationship it has with this
area. Careful consideration of
visitor management issues will
need to be taken into
consideration to avoid damage
to the hedge line. Otherwise the
Nesfield / Miller parkland setting
should be retained. The current
use of different mowing and
meadow management regimes
to give the grassland in this
area some diversity should be
maintained and improved, by
extending and scalloping the
tall grassland edge this will
provide more ‘private’ areas for
seating and picnics. Seasonal
interest in this area should be
improved by native spring bulb
planting, and increasing sward
herb diversity.
Annual review
2012

Remove all scrub.
1a.
2012

Implement a rotational mowing scheme for
all differential mowing area.
1b.
2012

Improve sward through green hay process.
1b.
2016

Plant up with spring bulbs.
£250 1b.
2016

Partially completed, sward cut and some more
shrubs removed, in 2012
No Bulb planting in 2012 needs to be

14 
2013


The well-used children’s
playground sits awkwardly at
the edge of a more expansive
landscape. Although the recent
redesign of the play equipment
is an improvement, careful
planting around the edges
would ease the playground
more comfortably into its
surroundings.
Annual review
2012
2013
There should be no surface
disturbance of the tumulus
Annual review
2012
2013
The survival and nature of



undertaken in 2013.
No green hay, this should be undertaken in
2013, and subsequent years.
Green hay work undertaken, bulb planting not
undertaken.
Monitoring of the success of green haying
required from spring 14.
Plant up plantation to the west of the play
area, native berry species would also
enhance biodiversity.
Not started.
Not started

Maintain awareness by training staff to have
an understanding of the historical
significance of this landscape
 On going. Nettle growth assists this target and
should be maintained.
 On going. Nettle growth assists this target and
should be maintained.

Maintain awareness by training staff to
15 £200 2
medieval and post-medieval
archaeological remains should
be evaluated prior to any
disturbance
have an understanding of the historical
significance of this landscape

Ongoing.

Ongoing.

Undertake a user survey to understand
customer needs and draw up a plan for
possible future development .
Annual review 2012
2013
A study of Visitor Centre usage
should be made to plan
usage/design of this facility for
the future
Annual review 2012

2013

Not started in 2012, aimed to be undertaken
over the next four years.
Starting Jan 2014.
Ensure signage and
through an agreed Interpretation
strategy

Install new directional/orientation panels
Annual review 2012

Completed.
2013

Further work being undertaken to improve toilet
signage, Dog policy instruction and information.
& BBQ information.
16 2
Y
1a
Y
Carry out a restoration plan
specifically for the
Nesfield/Miller Gardens and the
Arboretum. This is to ensure
that the concepts behind the
original design are not lost and
that future planting,
development and management
of the areas is guided by
general and detailed principles
regarding, for example, access,
choice of trees and shrubs,
species and cultivars, choice of
furnishings, etc.

Undertake restoration plan based on the
1897 design and 1909 design photo's.
Annual review 2012

2013

First draft researched and drawn up in 2012, to
be completed with planting plans Jan 2013.
Completed and starting implementation.
Improve seasonal and botanical
interest.


Research planting.
Implement plant as per plan
Annual review 2012

Plan complete
2013

Restore wisteria ring.

New bed designs for the listed wall bed, heart
shape bed and the gryphon bed.
Investigate the feasibility of restoration or
replacement of the wisteria ring
17 1a
Y
2013
1a
Y
2013
1b
1a
2016
Y
2013.
Annual review 2012

Not started
2013

Not started
As part of the management
plan, research should be
undertaken to establish the
authenticity of location and
design of the summerhouse and
aviary

Commission research.
Annual review 2012

Not started
2013

Not started.

Two hedges now in phase one of restoration.
Rationalise hedge height, and
restore to the designs shown in
1909 design photographs
Annual review
2013
18 Y
Area 4. The Nesfield and Miller Gardens and Arboretum
Proposal
Action
Reintroduce where feasible the
Victorian design as per the 1909
design photo's

Undertake works as per restoration plan.
Annual review 2012

Undertake works as per restoration plan
2013

Reintroduce topiary on yew
features to the rear of the hotel


Griffon beds and long border now in phase one of
planting
Deign and plan topiary.
Carry out works
Annual review

To be introduced if time allows.
2013

As above
Restore hard landscaping
features, garden walls and
sandstone pathway

Undertake works highlighted in surveys.
Annual review

Funding still not found to undertake this work.

Funding still not found to undertake this work.
Cost Priority Internal
resources
1b
1a
1b.
2012
2012
2013
19 3
Target
date
Y external
Ongoing
sponsorship
to be sort.

Carry out works

Program of works started this year.
2013

Ongoing
Investigate alternative funding
methods to assist with this
restoration project

Investigate various means of alternative
funding for the garden restoration.
2012

2013

The survival and nature of
medieval archaeological remains
should be evaluated prior to any
major ground disturbance

Ongoing, no internal funding available due to
government cut backs.
Now linked to a broader commercialisation
project.
Ensure staff are aware of the key features
within the garden to avoid disturbance.
Annual review

Ongoing
2013

On-going linked to apprenticeship training.
Interpretation of the gardens and
arboretum should be incorporated
into the overall Park’s strategy

Carry out interpretation audit of formal
gardens.
Carry out works as per audit.
Improve grass quality in the
design.
Annual review
1b
2012
1b
Annual review
1b
2012

20 1a
1b
Y
Annual review

No works carried out on 2012, major push in
2013.

Project starting February 2014
2012
20-13
21 Area 5. Top Pool
Proposal
Action
Target
resources date
The nature conservation and the
historic integrity of this area is
threatened by rapid siltation. If silt is
allowed to build up ecological
succession with associated reed
swamp and shrub invasion is
inevitable. A specialist report on
hydrology commissioned t in 2009
to facilitate good management
emphasised the critical nature of
this issue. Should finances allow
this area should be dredged.
However steps should be taken to
manage the organic silt. Mineral
deposits can only be managed by
some method of dredging

Manage organic silt and algae with micro chalk,
swamp or similar products.
Annual review

TP drained as part of flooding issues in December,
micro chalk has had a very positive effect on the
volume of organic silt.
2013

Micro chalk treatment ongoing
Manage reedbeds to prevent
succession to swamp/scrub


Undertake survey to establish requirements.
Carry out works highlighted from survey.
2012
22 1b
Y
1a
Y
2013
3
Y
2016

Surveys required in 2013 onwards as base line data.
2013

No work carried out in this year.
Negotiate with the hotel to improve
the visual appearance of the moat
pump

Research feasibility.
Annual review

Ongoing
2013

Ongoing
Monitor biodiversity interest

Annual review

Undertake annual surveys – birds, mammals and
invertebrates.
Not started in 2012.
Annual review
2012
1a
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
2012
2012
2013

Manage and maintain water
management features - weir and
spillway.


Bird surveys included in part of Webs, no other
surveys undertaken
Undertake regular monitoring.
Carry out works as required pending finances.
Annual review

Ongoing

Ongoing
2012
2013
23 2013
Maintain footpaths to ensure
equality of access

Undertake dilapidation survey.
Annual review

Considerable flood damage during the winter of 2012,
survey required Spring 2013 to evaluate works
2013

Maintain high standard of
maintenance.

Footpaths maintained and improved drainage work
undertaken to improve water flow through Top pool.
monitor via the estate quality process checks
Annual review

Monthly checks ongoing
2013

Monthly checks ongoing
Improve water quality

Annual review

swamp or similar products to improve water
quality.
Not undertaken this year

Should be completed by March 14

Draw up design and plan.
1b
y
2014
1b
y
1b
Y
2016
1a
Y
2012
2012
2012
2012
2013
Further development of the north
bank for water interpretative
activities such as pond dipping and
junior fishing workshops should
continue, landscaping should be
sympathetic to the historic nature of
the area.
24 Annual review

Not completed in 2012

Project to be updated following successful HLS
application.
2012
2013

Landscape Lodge and approach

Annual review

Rebuilding of TPL has prevented this in 2012,
this will need to be done in 2013.
2012

2013
Draw up design and plan following rebuild..

Maintain signs and interpretation to a high
standard
Annual review

New sign to be installed early 2013,

Installed with notice board.
2012
25 Y
2
Rebuilt and open.
Ensure signage and interpretation is
coordinated through an agreed
2013
2
1b
Y
2013.
Area 6. The Decoy Spinney
Proposal
Action
resources
Within the Decoy Spinney, the
emphasis must be on management
operations which will sustain the
ecological and historical interest of
the woodland, this will be done by
selective felling, encouragement of
desirable self-sown saplings,
replanting only if necessary.
Coppicing of the alder on the
western side of the decoy, will
improve the overall structure and
provide education and
interpretation opportunities. Some
areas need to be left for non/low
intervention management, to
favour shade and damp-loving
invertebrate fauna

Annual felling/coppicing plan.
1b
Y

Manage path edges as per ride management for
invertebrates.
1b
Y
Annual review

See PPF 28
2013

Improve quality of Smite Brook, by
selective felling of sycamore along
the Brook this will improve the

Project to be update in 2014 following successful
HLS application.
Annual felling plan.
1b
Y
2012 -17
26 Target
date
quality of light reaching the water.
Stumps should be not be treated
which may affect bank
stabilisation, stumps should be
allowed to coppice but not allowed
to seed if sycamore.

See PPF 28
Remove the redundant fence
posts.

Phased removal
Annual review

See PPF 28

Maintain signs and interpretation to a high
standard
Annual review
2012 -17
1b
Y
1b
Y
2012 -17
Ensure signage and interpretation
is coordinated through an agreed
Interpretation Strategy.
27 
Completed.
2013

Nothing require for this area
Restore weir and bridge railings.
Clear felling of trees is
recommended to create a glade in
the area where a weir has been put
across Smite Brook to sustain
water levels in the Decoy Pond.
The brickwork retaining the weir
and banks could be restored and a
feature made of the Brook
Crossing, replacing the municipal
railings which are in place now
with something more ornate, and in
keeping with the park’s heritage.

Phased felling.

Restore brick work if finances allow.

Replace municipal railing with a more suitable
design if finances allow.
Annual review
2012
28 3
Y
3
N
4
N

See PPF 28
maintenance

Annual review

See PPF 28
Improve water quality in decoy
pool and arms.

Y
Annual review

swamp or similar products to improve water
quality
See PPF 28
equality of access

Undertake dilapidation survey.
Y
Annual review

See PPF 28
Annual review
2012 - 2017
y
2012 - 2017
2012 -2017
2012- 17
29 Area 7. Northern Woodland
Proposal
Manage the woodland and associate
pathway's ways to improve
biodiversity, particularly targeted
LBAP species.
Action

resources
Target
date
Manage as rotational coppice next coppice cycle
2
Y
will be 2015.
2
Y
2
Y
2015

Improve ride & glad management

Increase standing dead wood habitat.

Improve woodland flora.
2
Y
2015

Survey and monitor.
1b
Y
2015

See PPF 24
Clear fell sycamore and replant with
native planting to facilitate the
above.

2
Y
2015

Fell area to the east of Little Wrautums approx 2
acres.
Replant with native species to match existing
planting with the emphasis of a woodland edge to
Little Wrautums.
Y
2016
Annual review

See PPF 24

Maintain and upgrade surface.
Y
2016
Annual review
2012 -17
2012- 17
Upgrade path system to the yard
Review
30 3
Develop an operational/development
plan for the maintenance yard.

Develop stock book and plan for the yard
Annual review

To be integrated into a PPF.
Improve signage to facilitate
effective flow /access for visitors
away from the maintenance yard

Increase way marking posts.
Annual review

Completed

maintenance
Annual review
1a
Y
2013
1a
Y
2013
Undertake dilapidation survey
2
Y
2015

1b
Y

See Monthly reports.
Manage invasive species as per pest
control policy.

Undertake pest control as per program.
1b
Y
Annual review

Ongoing. See appendix 12
2012
2012
equality of access.
Annual review
2012
2012
31 Area 8. Heath Woodland
Proposal
Action
Cost
Monitor the impact of visitors through
this area by seasonal fixed point
photography

Undertake a survey every three months.
Annual review

See PPM 08
Manage pathway sympathetically to
the habitat, ensure banked edges are
available for mining bees

Annual review

Ensure pathway is maintained in as
natural way as possible aggregates
should be local and match existing
structure if brought in.
Ongoing.
Priority Internal
resources
Target
Date
1b
2012
1b
2012
2013

Manage all invasive species, in this
area this includes all tree species

Annual review
2012


Investigate invertebrate surveys for 2014 to
evaluate Hymenoptera species.
Remove rhododendron and other
invasive species.
Cut/roll bracken annually in July.
Bracken cutting completed and ongoing
Rhododendron being targeted in sections
approx 50sqm cut this year See PPM 8
32 3
2013/2016.
2013

Ensure signage and interpretation is coo
through an agreed Interpretation Strateg

Annual review

Nothing required in this area this year.
Maintain high standard of maintenance

Annual review

Maintain all facilities to a high standard
and monitor via the estate quality
process checks
Monthly checks ongoing.
Following a bryophyte survey we will look
to increase the amount of bare ground in
this area to promote effective succession.
Maintain signs and interpretation to a
high standard
14/15
1b
2013
2012
33 1b
Y
Area 9. Woodland South of Wrautums
Proposal
Action
Cost
Interpret this area, ensuring coordination
through an agreed Interpretation Strategy.
standard
Annual review
 Maintained on rotation no new signs for this
area
Priority Internal
Target
resources date
3
Y
1b
Y
2012
2013
Create a sustainable low level barrier to
restrict public access along the W/NW
edge of the sludge pit, whilst not
hindering view lines.
 Maintained on rotation no new signs for this
area
 Create dead hedge or fedge boundary

Ongoing maintenance needs to ensure view
lines are not restricted. Annual cutting required
on view line biannual on the rest of the fedge.
2013

Maintain grassland sward and
uninterrupted view line from Wrautums to
lake edge to the east of this section

As above, this area is now part of the
successful HLS bid
Cut once per month form April to Sept or as
required.
Coppice back alder to maintain interrupted
view lines.
Annual review
2012
34 
1b
3

Annual review
Cutting completed.
2012
2013
Maintain view line from Wrautums hill to
the Menagerie through the scrub woodland
in this area by regular coppicing /felling as
required

Cutting not completed this year it will require a
cut in 2014, and then scheduling on rotation.
 Coppice back scrub to maintain interrupted
view lines of the menagerie.
 Trim hedge annually.
1b

See PPM 33
Maintain footpaths to ensure equality of
access.

Annual review

No work undertaken in this are this year.
2013

No work undertaken in this are this year.
Maintain high standard of maintenance

Annual review

checks
See monthly reports
Annual review
3.
2012
2
Y
1b
Y
2012
2012
35 2015
2013
 See monthly reports
control policy.
 Undertake pest control as per program.
Annual review
2012
 PPM 34 /36 work of note in this area is the
significant amount of balsam pulled over the last
couple of years.
2013
 As above
Encourage heathland species on upper
lighter soils
 Monitor grassland species to assess recolonisation.
 Monitor Butterfly species as indicator of
habitat improvement.
 Monitor sward
Annual review
2012
2013
36  No monitoring undertaken this year.
1b
Y
2
Y
Area 10. Woodland East of Wrautums
Proposal
Action
Identify and manage ancient trees
in line with nationally recognised
best practice. Select other
specimen trees for long term
retention, including pollarded
specimens
 Manage veterans as per plan
 Secondary plant for veteran continuity.
 Halo Cedars.
Annual review
 Oaks have been completed. See PPF 10
Target
resources date
1b
Y
2
y
3
2015/2016.
1b
2013/2017.
2012
2013
 Secondary felling on-going see felling licence.
Gradually thin and remove the
majority of plantation trees and
secondary growth to create a
character of wood pasture
 Continue thinning process.
2012
 Some thinning.
2013
equality of access.
 On-going annual work now taking place on small
sycamore to prevent invasion.
 Undertake dilapidation survey
 Define path edge and route to Wrautums hill.
2012
 Completed.
37 2
Y
2015.
2013

Annual maintenance only
maintenance

2012

Monthly reports
2013

Annual maintenance only.
Manage invasive species as per
pest control policy.

Undertake pest control as per program
Annual review

None undertaken in this area.
2012
38 1b
Y
1b
Y
Area 11. The Wrautum Hill
Proposal
Action
resources
Re-establish association with lake
by opening up access on the south
face slope allowing wider visual and
pedestrian access to the lakeside
 Coppice back scrub to maintain interrupted view
lines of the menagerie.
 Trim hedge bi annually view line section only.
Annual review

Completed
2013

Completed.
Maintain and enhance if possible the
acid grassland in line with the
LBAP.
 Currently effectively grazed by rabbits no cutting
maintenance required other than paths, monitor sward
height to ensure the area does revert to rank
grassland.
 Monitor acid plant communities.
Annual review

3
3
2012
See PPM19
2012
2013
 We were not successful in this aspect of the HLS bid,
we will however to continue to manage this area as
specified.
39 1b
Target
date
Interpret view line from Wrautums
hill to Menagerie ensuring
Strategy.
standard
Annual review

Ongoing
2013

Some vandalism this year units replaced.
Gradually thin pine plantations to
allow a more open parkland pasture
character style to develop

Fell poor specimens as required.
Annual review

Crown lifting undertaken.
2013

No work undertaken this year.
equality of access.

Annual review

maintenance
 Maintain all facilities to a high standard and
Annual review

1b
2012
1b
2012
See monthly reports.
2012 -17
40 2
Y
1b
Y
2015
control policy.

Undertake pest control as per program.
Annual review

PPM 34/19
2012 -17
41 1b
Y
Area 12. Coombe Pool inc. Lake bank south of Wrautum
Proposal
Action
The nature conservation interest,
fishery and water flow is threatened
by siltation. If silt is allowed to build
up ecological succession with
associated reed swamp and shrub
invasion is inevitable. The specialist
measures suggested in the
hydrology report commissioned in
March 2009 should be carried out
should finances allow
 Desilt lake if finances allow
Annual review
 We are investigating the feasibility of removing some
of the flood water debris by the onsite team. This will only
remove timber debris the silt will continue to build.
2013
Implement recommendations from the
report below and ensure new reports a
commissioned every five years to run
conjunction with this plan.
 Raise the profile of the fishery and fishing
amongst other Local authority officers and
departments.
 Maintain fish stocks by developing and
implementing a stock management and
stocking policy.
 Improve angling facilities and security and
investigate further angling opportunities on
the site.
42 Cost
Priority Internal
Target
resources date
2.5m 4
N
3
Y
2016
Y
2015
2
3
2016
 Maintain and enhance links with legislative
bodies. Continue to enhance the bank-side
habitat and investigate improved fry
development and recruitment methods and
predator control.
 Investigate improved marketing.
 Encourage and implement good angling and
fisheries management practice by adopting
nationally recognised good practice.
1b
2012
1a
1b
3
2016
 Carry out a review in five years’ time
Annual review
2012 -14
Implement recommendations from
the site management agreement
between the City Council and
English Nature.
 Marketing via fisheries.co.uk continues to be
the main external link. Articles have also been in
Pike and predator, angling times, anglers mail,
and Total Coarse fishing.
 Continue with the erosion control measures on
the south shore.
 Carry out works to stabilise the heronry island
shoreline.
 Protect and enhance the reedbed with phased
harvesting.
 Control invasive and non native species,
cormorant, Canada geese.
 Protect the heronry by preventing watersports or
boating activity other than that needed to maintain
the lake.
43 1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
Annual review
2012 -17
Implement agreed recommendations
from annual Reservoir inspections
 Erosion measure now complete, monitoring of
success undertaken annually
 See PPF09
 See PPM15
 See PMM 46/47/42
 Rotating plan of tree management to be continued
and include the clearance of dense undergrowth on
the downstream face of the dam to expose the
surface.
1b
Y
 Regular of maintenance to fill potholes in the dam
crest.
1b
Y
 The stream at the down stream toe of the dam be
maintained clear of any obstructions to flow.
1b
Y
 Crest blocks to the bell mouth weir overflow to be
repointed.
2
Y
 Maintain and operate penstocks.
1b
Y
 Onsite emergency plan to be completed.
1a
Y
 Gauge board to be maintained in a legible
condition.
1b
Y
44 2015
Annual review
 See PPM 8/29
 Reservoir inspection reports.
2012-17
Balance the need of fishery and
nature conservation measures
against the visual intrusion on the
landscape and where possible
minimise the impact.

Annual review
 Ongoing
Maintain, enhance and monitor existing features.
2012
45 1b
y
Area 13. SSSI Woodland
.
Proposal
Maintain and enhance the Brown
shelter belt, enhancing the nature
conservation interest of the site,
where possible retain a significant
amount of deadwood habitat, as
hulks and deadwood piles.
Action
 Manage sycamore re growth, and seedling, use
materials for dead wood piles.
1b
Y
 Enhance ride and glade management.
1b
Y
 Monitor and enhance under storey, by removing
rhododendron, managing elder and under planting.
1b
Y
2
Y
2
Y
1b
y
 Thin the 1980's plantation to meet area objectives.
 Replant areas that have been cleared of
rhododendron over the last five years if no natural
regeneration has come through. (native species
small leaved lime, oak and yew.)
 Maintain high awareness of dog's policy through
active public engagement.
46 Cost Priority Internal
resources
Target
date
Annual review
 See PPM 27.
2012 -17
Investigate alternative access routes
using south-east woodland belt and
southern woodland belt and deer
park
 Undertake feasibility study and cost.
Annual review
 Project not started
2
y
1b
Y
1b
Y
2012 -13
Maintain the no access
zone/conservation area to protect
the heronry and improve this area
for woodland biodiversity
 Maintain fences, gates and signs.
Annual review
 Ongoing
2012 -17
Undertake works highlighted in the
contaminated land study, thereafter
maintain as required
 Maintain fencing and monitor effectiveness.
Annual review
 See monthly reports
2012
47 Maintain dam wall trees as per 10
year reservoir inspection report
2011.
 Six monthly independent inspection.
1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
Y
1b
y
2
Y
 Annual level one survey.
 Clearance of down stream toe re growth.
 Inter peg coppicing.
Annual review
 Works completed.
2012
2013
 Works completed
equality of access.
 Undertake dilapidation survey.
 Maintain pot holes on dam crest.
Annual review
 Works completed dilapidation identified through
monthly reports.
2012-13
48 2015
maintenance
 Maintain all facilities to a high standard and
Annual review
 See Monthly reports.
1b
Y
1b
Y
2
y
2012 - 17
control policy.
 Undertake pest control as per program.
Annual review
 See PPM 31/39/42
2012-17
Propagate Black Poplars to provide
providence stock for future
replacements.
 Replant native black poplar along lakeside, from on
site stock.
Annual review
 No work undertaken with this project over the last two
years.
49 2013
2012 13
Maintain permit only access along
dam wall and woodland
 Maintain policy through signage and effective
public engagement.
Annual review
 See monthly report
1b
y
1b
y
2012
2013
Interpret this area, ensuring
strategy
Annual review
 The installation of the pay and display machine has
significantly improved the control of this .
standard
 On going
2012
50 Area 14. The Deer Park
Proposal
Action
Cost
Restore Brownian landscape


Undertake the fourth phase of restoration.
Restore hedgerow along the road and integrate
into the shelter belt.
Annual review

Fourth phase works completed

Considerable mortality rate on newly planted trees,
this will need to be addressed this coming planting
season year.
Hedgerow restoration project not undertaken this
year.
Priority Internal
Target
resources date
£3,500 3
2012
2013

Maintain historic building and
continue to develop sympathetic
use



Continue to develop usage of the boat house.
Integrate into Step out activities
Develop wildlife watching area.
1b
1b
1b
Annual review


All properties are now restored and in use.
Boat house landscaping on going. Usage improving.
2012
51 2013

As above
Manage lake edge to provide an
effective balance between habitat
conservation, historic landscape,
and visitor management

Remove willows to the east of the boat house to
restore historical sight lines from the crest of
the deer park to the lake.
Maintain fishery pegs to ensure an effective
balance between nature conservation and the
historic landscape.
Ensure the geo textile bank erosion measures
are maintained and monitored.
Start to bring the willows along the south shore
back into effective management, balancing the
historic landscape requirements against the
needs of nature conservation particularly water
fowl.
Monitor erosion of the south shore opposite the
heronry island.




Annual review


2012

2013
Manage and monitor the
conservation grazing process to
ensure grazing meets the sites
objectives of : maintain and where
possible enhance grassland
communities to improve
biodiversity.
1b
1b
3
1b
Willow removal not started.
Bank erosion now stabilised, although monitoring
required.
Willow management for cropping not started
 Willow removal started this year.
 Willow cropping not started.
 Monitor sward growth, and sheep management
and move sheep/equipment accordingly.
 Monitor grazing agreement to ensure
conservation targets at being met. Area a)
maintain mosaic of close grazed, tall sward and
bare ground to provide habitat for wintering
farmland birds, summer and winter
invertebrates, whilst maintaining an easy access
for visitors. Monitor the condition of the ant hill
52 2
1b
1b
2013/14



Annual review

2012
2013


communities and protect if required. b) maintain
this area as rough tussock grassland for small
mammals and raptors with phased grazing,
monitor small mammal and barn owl
populations, monitor the strip of acid grassland
along the lake edge, where possible enhance to
increase its attraction to key target species such
as skipper butterflies if needed cut and remove
sward. Monitor wet flushes and enhance /protect
if required. c) maintain this area as rough
tussock grassland for small mammals, herons,
raptors, and owls with phased grazing. Monitor
small mammal and bird populations. Monitor and
manage scrub encroachment. Maintain a zero
visitor access policy and monitor disturbance.
d) maintain and enhance as MG5 type grassland
by phased grazing, and green hay cuts. Trial
alternative methods of management to meet core
objectives of increasing invertebrate, botanical
and ornithological interest. Monitor annually.
Investigate effect management of the sward
within the quarry areas to improve suitability for
target species.
Manage scrub within the neutral grassland belt
north of the Brinklow road.
Monitor invasive species such as thistle, ragwort
and rabbit.
Considerable thistle management issues in this
area, more proactive management needed to get
maintain conservation and agricultural value.
The whole of this area is now under a HLS
agreement, with specific targets.
Thistle management was still an issue this year
although management was improved.
53 3
2
1b

Butterfly& bird surveys suggest an overall
improvement of habitat.
Monitor usage.
Maintain way marked trails.
Maintain instructional signage.
Continue to develop the new
access routes, whilst maintaining a
balance between conservation,
heritage management, agricultural
use and recreational use.



Annual review

Ongoing.
2013

Protect and enhance heronry
standing ground.

This area is becoming increasingly popular, to those
who prefer a long walk and runners.
Maintain fences and signage to ensure public are
restricted.
Monitor heronry population.
Monitor access issues.
1b
1b
1b
2012


1b
1b
1b
Annual review

All access works completed monitoring via monthly
reports.

On-going work fencing and signs doing the job at
present, some issues with season ticket holder
fishermen.
2012
2013
54 Protect and manage veteran trees.


Manage veterans as per VeteranTree
management plan.
Monitor associated wildlife.
3
3

Veteran schedule behind timescale this needs
redressing in 2013 onwards.
2013

Maintain and enhance the
Interpretation of the Deer park,
within the guidelines of the
interpretation strategy

Most veterans now protected, remainder to be
fenced in 2014/15
Maintain and improve where possible
interpretation.
Annual review

Interpretation now in place monitoring via monthly
reports.
2013

maintenance

Increase usage of this area, positive response to
interpretation.
Annual review

See monthly reports.

On going repairs and maintenance through one off
works.
Annual review
2012
3
2012
2012
2013
55 1b
Improve management of ditches
and water features for biodiversity
within the area
Annual review
2012
2013

Develop a plan to initiate rotational management
of the stream ditch edge, to reduce scrub
encroachment.
 Slub out pond on the south shore of the lake.
 Create a plan for the management of the ditch to
the rear of the reed bed.
 Implement ditch maintenance.

Ditch management not completed this needs to be
redressed in 2013
Ditch maintenance not completed this needs to be
addressed in 2013

Two sections of ditch line now in management, HLS
agreement now facilitating this.
56 1a
3
1a
1b
Area - Park wide.
Proposal
Management plan and action plan.
Action

Undertake annual review and update PPF/PPM
accordingly.
Undertake annual Staff pdr's linked to
management plan objectives and proposals.
Undertake monthly 121's to ensure targets and
actions are on track.
Undertake a full site audit, to review objectives
and develop action plan.
Carry out actions.
Undertake annual Staff pdr's linked to
management plan objectives and proposals.
Undertake monthly 121's to ensure targets and
actions are on track
1b
Y
1a
Y
1a

Undertake a full site audit, to review objectives
and develop action plan
Maintain existing quality standards process and
enhance where required.
Submit site for external auditing through VAQAS,
Green flag
Maintain Country Park accreditation status.


HLS obtained.
Implement HLS
1a

Maintain monitoring process as per corporate
objectives.
Update and contribute to annual action plan.
Undertake actions as per plan.
1b


Interpretation plan.




Marketing and promotions plan.

Quality standards.


Higher level stewardship
Health and Safety
Target
resources date


57 1b
1b
1b
Y
1b
1b
2012
Y
2
1b
1b
Y
58 Place Directorate
Structure January 2014
Director
Martin Yardley
Planning, Transport
& Highways
Assistant Director
Colin Knight
City Centre and
Development
Services Assistant
Director
David Cockroft
Streetscene and
Greenspace
Assistant Director
Andrew Walster
Waste and Fleet Services
Sarah Elliott
Street Pride and Greenspaces
( see Figure 5)
Graham Hood
Business Support
Jane Simpson
Sustainability and Low Carbon
Michael Checkley
Property Asset
Management
Assistant Director
Nigel Clews
Figure 4
City Services and Development
Parks and Open Spaces Structure
Head of Street Pride
and Open Spaces
Graham Hood
Parks and Open
Spaces
Ces Edwards
Arboricultural
Services
Tim Wetherhill
Country Park Manager
Joe Taylor
Coombe Country Park
see Section Figure 6
War Memorial Park
Manager
Ann Akerman
Ranger Development
Manager
Michele Tyrtania
War Memorial Park
Urban Parks
Section 2.2
City Services and Development
Coombe Country Park
Country Park
Manager
Joe Taylor
Visitor Centre
Supervisor
Emma Cosgrove
Retail and
Information
Assistant
Julie Biggs
Information and
Interpretation
Assistant
Fiona Mackenzie
Visitor Services
Assistants
Marrianne Faulkner
Martin White
Steve Barton
Mike Thackwray
Gardeners
Chris Turner
Sean Miller
Estate Officers
Wendy Churchill
Jake Davoile
Paul Hodges
Primary Years
Education Officer
Joanne Woore
Secondary Years
Education officer
Murray Hayden
Casual Assistant
Education
Officers
Casual Assistant
Education
Officers
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Knyff and Kip engraving c. 1690 of Coombe Abbey showing the walled
Renaissance Garden and later Jacobean Gardens surrounding the House.
Source - Warwick Rodwells survey 1991
1746 Map of Binley Lordship showing
southernmost extent of the 1633 paled
emparkment.
Source - Craven family papers in Bodleian
Library.
Figure 9
1778 Coombe Park plan by Mathius Baker.
Source - Craven Estate Survey book in WRCO.
Figure 10
1811 Coombe Park Plan
Source - WRCO.
Figure 11
1886 Ordnance Survey map
Source - Ordnance Survey Office
Figure 12
Figure 14
Coombe Abbey East Lodge c.1797
Source - Maria Johnson Watercolour Collection, The Herbert, Coventry.
Figure 14a
Coombe Abbey West Lodge. The principal entrance to Brown’s Parkland.
Figure 15
Coombe Abbey Menagerie Lodge
Section of Mathias Bakers 1778 Coombe
Park plan showing Menagerie location.
Figure 16
Figure 17
Macpherson painting of Eden Nesfields east wing and surrounding landscape c.1865.
Source - The Herbert, Coventry
Figure 18
West Garden and Canal c. 1909
Source - Country Life Magazine

Action Plan and Finance Information

Transcription

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