周辺の湖・トップ4

Formerly a fishpond belonging to the Abbey of St Mary up until the dissolution, Robin Leach dates its draining to become the oxpen meadow as c1650. The meadow was first flooded for skating in 1879, and re-flooded as a wartime water supply in 1940. By 1948 it was drained again and used for an agricultural show. The decision to flood the meadow permanently came in 1997.

Abbey Fields is set in the dramatic valley of the Finham Brook and enjoys views of the historic town and Kenilworth castle. Grassy slopes, a lake, historic buildings and veteran trees recall Abbey Fields’ past as the farmland of St Mary’s Abbey, whose ruins adjoin the park. Because of its important heritage, Abbey Fields is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Great for walking the dog and deer are everywhere

Lovely park with a great view over lake in the centre of old Kenilworth

Grove Park is marked on the Ordnance Survey map of 1887. A manor was established here in the Medieval period. It is located west of Hampton on the Hill. Grove Park is first mentioned as a manor distinct from Budbrook in 1284. A public coach road formerly ran across the park in an east-north-easterly direction from Norton Lindsey to Hatton and can be traced in the existing landscape. Jonathan Lovie reported parkland with plantations; lake; pleasure grounds with walks; drives (2) one running through belt of mixed planting; lodges. Lovie mentions details of changing ownership over the centuries and states that only in the late 1780s did the family return, make improvements and created a new deer park and lake. He also mentions that the new house built in 1833-8 was demolished in 1976. Features of the 18th and 19th century parkland, such as the lake and woodland, survive at the time of Lovie’s report (1996/7).

Wildlife in the parkland This waterfall or cascade acts as a dam to maintain the water level of the lake. The lake is a haven for wildlife and birdwatching – it's always worth pausing to see what's around. In the past, the lake was used as a fish pond to provide fresh food for the house.