Last updated April 15, 2023

A Coventry Way 800 Miles, 20 Years

by Mark Swift

On the 3rd of April 2022 I completed the “Cyril Bean” Coventry Way Challenge for the 20th time. It took me twenty-three years to achieve due to Foot and Mouth in 2001 and COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Apart from the significant change caused by HS2, there have been several small changes almost unnoticeable over the years along the route. I thought about these as I walked along.

Originally, we walked in September which meant I would prepare walking across fields of ripening oats and wheat during July and August – a lot better than a dark and wet February and March in my view. On the day, we would walk through fields of two-metre sweetcorn, an interesting experience for those who had never done it before, city slickers.

The start moved to the village hall for a couple of years then back to the Queens Head, the true start and end point for the Challenge according to me and Martin Townend (who has started all of the walks with me but has had to give up on a few). A pint of ale at the end is a strong motivator once you have reached Bedworth.

The Kenilworth Greenway became less muddy and gained a tarmac path which enabled people to travel quicker, improving their time. Later there was a bridge across the Kenilworth Road, extending the route along the old rail line to check point 1. You enter a small, wooded area and field at Corley, after crossing the M6, which was really muddy. The introduction of the duck boards has made a welcome change. The trees in Meriden shafts were felled which was a big visual impact, but new growth is now taking hold. Kissing gates have gradually replaced stiles, but there are still a few in the in the last few miles, which challenges people trying to raise their legs to get over. Did someone deliberately plan to leave these till last?

A few of the check points and feeder stations moved location over the years – Wolston & Brinklow are those that come easy to mind, but I recall a man who lived in the house at the end of narrow path as you entered Barnacle village. He was always happy to see and talk to the walkers as they grabbed something to eat and drink. Later, Irene set up a feeder station on the grassed area in the village.

The 2019 map 13 still referenced a cattle grid that had long since gone. I never realised this until I saw two people questioning where they were in 2019. I told them that the cattle had gone, but I could not recall when. I haven’t read the book properly for a few years.

My dad came along one year; we thought he could motor for an old boy. I believe that is still the quickest time Martin had completed the walk, just by keeping up with my dad. My son, Thomas, became the youngest person to have completed the way – a record he still holds today. I had to give him the bus fare to go to school the following day as he couldn’t face the walk.

It’s one 40-mile route, but when you talk to people as you travel along the way you learn each person is doing a different challenge. Whether it’s time or just to finish, everyone is a winner at the end on the Coventry Way.