Atherstone
Tucked into the far north of Warwickshire, close to the border with Leicestershire and the line of the old Roman road Watling Street, Atherstone has been a market town since the Middle Ages. Walk along Long Street and that sense of history is hard to miss. Victorian and Georgian frontages line the street. Independent shops, cafés, and traditional pubs give the town its character whilst country parks with views over four counties are close by.
Plus, Atherstone has a fiercely proud community who keep centuries-old traditions alive and bring a lively calendar of events to the town throughout the year.
Atherstone’s highlights
Long Street and the Market Square
The main shopping street is Long Street, with its mix of individual shops from a butcher and a baker to bridal dress makers. Fresh products and local goods can be found in the square in the weekly market, held on Tuesdays and Fridays. St Mary's Church stands proudly in the heart of the town, a stunning example of medieval architecture dating back to the 12th century.
The Coventry Canal
The Coventry Canal runs through Atherstone, passing a flight of eleven locks that lower the water level over roughly two miles. The towpath connects the town to the wider countryside beyond, with narrowboats passing through in steady numbers throughout the summer.
Hartshill Hayes Country Park
Just a short drive away, this 137-acre country park sits on a hilltop. With footpaths threading through its woodland and far-reaching views over the surrounding Warwickshire countryside, it’s a popular spot for locals.
Roman and medieval roots
Atherstone sits on the old Roman Watling Street and has a long and fascinating history, with the great warrior Queen Boudica's last battle said to have taken place near the Roman settlement of Manduessedum, close to the town. The Atherstone Visitor and Heritage Centre brings much of this story together, as well as telling the story of how the town later became a centre of the hat-making trade.
Insider tips
- Take a stroll along the canal towpath south of town - it is a peaceful escape with easy walking and plenty of wildlife.
- Look up as you walk through the centre, look up at the attractive roof line, and look for the eye-catching clock at the end of the High Street.
- Visit the Atherstone Visitor and Heritage Centre on Long Street to uncover the full story of the town, from Roman times to the last hat factory.
- Head to Hartshill Hayes Country Park in the Spring when the woods are carpeted in bluebells.
- Check out the mural on the rear of The Arcades
Getting here
By rail
Atherstone's railway station is on the West Coast Main Line, with a regular service seven days a week connecting to Birmingham, London Euston and beyond.
By bus
Local bus routes link Atherstone with Nuneaton, Tamworth, Coleshill and surrounding villages, making it straightforward to visit without a car.
By car
Atherstone sits on the A5 and is close to the M42 making it easily accessible from Birmingham, Coventry and the wider Midlands. Several car parks are located within easy reach of Long Street.
Walking and cycling
The surrounding countryside is worthy of exploration on foot or by bike. The Coventry Canal towpath offers flat, easy walking in either direction, while the lanes and footpaths of North Warwickshire open up a quieter, more rural side of the county. The following walking routes pass through or close to Atherstone:
Coventry Canal Towpath
The 38-mile Coventry Canal runs from the centre of Coventry to Fradley Junction, passing through Atherstone. The towpath is open to both walkers and, in sections, cyclists, and offers an easy, flat, and scenic route through the heart of North Warwickshire.
North Arden Heritage Trail
This 26-mile circular trail starts in Atherstone and follows the Coventry Canal taking in Mancetter, Hartshill Hayes, Ansley, Arley, Fillongley and Merevale. The trail connects the parishes of North Warwickshire through a landscape shaped by centuries of hatting, weaving, mining, and farming.
Warwickshire Centenary Way
This long-distance path passes through Hartshill Hayes Country Park just outside Atherstone following a varied route from Kingsbury Water Park to Upper Quinton that takes in rolling farmland, canal towpaths, and woodland on its way through the county.
North Warwickshire cycle routes
The North Warwickshire Cycle route is entirely on road covering 31 miles of beautiful countryside. Starting at Kingsbury Park, it takes you through Blythe Valley, parts of the Forest of Arden, and George Eliot Country. The route offers plenty of scenic vistas at Shustoke Reservoir and Hartshill Hayes Country Park, as well as pretty Warwickshire villages including Maxstoke and Fillongley, Astley, and Baxterley.
Discover more
To discover more things to do and explore in and around Atherstone, take a look at Visit Atherstone.