Have a wander, with us, through Coleshill. This pretty riverside town, on the edge of Birmingham, dates right back to the Iron Age and it is here, or at least very nearby, that Typhoo Tea creator John Sumner was born back in 1807.
Pop down the High Street and you’ll see a bronze sculpture depicting this together with a stagecoach wheel and an elephant. The elephant? That’s because historians believe the remains of a travelling circus elephant could be hidden beneath the town’s Morrisons store.
Excavations on the HS2 site here have uncovered one of the UK’s ‘best preserved late 16th century gardens ever discovered’ and the remains of Coleshill Manor and moat were picked up by aerial photography. Nearby Maxstoke Castle is moated and privately-owned but sometimes hosts public open days. We love all the history of this place but for a nice day out, it’s the indie shops and cafes we’re most interested in.
Read more: The fun market town with 40 new independent shops just 45 minutes from Birmingham
Read next: Antler launch huge 20 per cent off sale including Jet2 and easyJet-approved cabin bags
The North Warwickshire town, recorded in the Domesday Book as land held by William the Conqueror, is only a 15 minute train ride from the city, making it a lovely little trip out without having to go very far at all. Whilst there, the Church of St Peter and St Paul at the top of Market Square is worth a look for its huge 13th century, 52-metre high steeple, medieval table tombs with effigies of knights and preserved remains of a medieval cross.
Sitting on a ridge between the River Cole and River Blythe, there are some lovely walks and green spaces for picnics at the water’s edge. Find out more about the town via the Visit Coleshill website.
Independent shops in Coleshill
The following indie shops are well worth a mooch:
Books Revisited – a double-fronted, charity-run book shop that was saved by locals who raised £30k to keep it
Glitzy Bits Boutique – a fun clothing, shoes and accessories boutique. Celebrating 10 years of trading in Coleshill, the owners have moved from a small retail premises on High Street to a bigger unit on Parkfield Road
Liliann Styled by Ryan – this stylish home and lifestyle boutique has been on the High Street for nine years
Partridges Kitchen Deli & Food Market – the Partridges family took on the large property at the main Coleshill crossroads and have transformed it into a thriving food outlet, providing breakfast, brunches, lunches and more
The Coleshill Hotel – a renovated old coaching inn that dates back to when Coleshill was an important coaching town
Sweetie Box UK – has been open on Chamberlain Walk for many years and recently had a relaunch
Cafe on the Hill – a family-owned cafe providing a community feel servings breakfast, lunch, snacks and cake
Penny Johnson Flowers – Penny has been sharing her beautiful creations with Coleshill for over 20 years
Russian Dolly Beauty Studio – award-winning skincare, beauty and massage studio since 2020
Hawthorne’s Hardware – ‘more than’ just a hardware and DIY shop
Heads of Coleshill – this hair salon has been in Coleshill for over 20 years and has a loyal customer base
How to get to Coleshill from Birmingham
It takes around 20 minutes to drive to Coleshill from Birmingham, traffic permitting, via the M6. You can also catch the train from Birmingham New Street to Coleshill Parkway, which dates around 15 minutes. Regular bus services operate between Birmingham and Coleshill too.