Meriden, a village that lies between Birmingham and Coventry and is very near to the centre of England, is about 10 miles away. In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was the property of Godiva (of Lady Godiva fame). Queen Elizabeth 1 stayed there in 1575 and George Eliot, the novelist, often came to visit her sister, who is now buried in the churchyard of St. Laurence Church in Meriden.
Our walk, organised by by Ann and Paul, took us out into the countryside around Meriden. We started and finished at the Queen's Head public house and did a figure-of-eight walk through a varied landscape of fields, woods and open vistas. The weather was better than anticipated, with unexpected blue skies and sunshine in-between some light showers. Despite the recent wet weather, the paths were firm and well maintained.
Meriden's elevated location offered fine views across the surrounding countryside, and Birmingham, with its tower block city centre on the horizon, evoked a futuristic image.
We passed St. Laurence Parish Church, which dates back to the 12th Century, but it was unfortunately closed on the day of our walk. We also paused at ‘The Barn at Berryfields’ to look at the cute piglets and other animals they keep there.
At the end of our walk, we sat and had lunch at the Queen's Head, having had a thoroughly enjoyable ramble in the lovely countryside around Meriden.
4-Star Hotel & 2 AA Rosette Restaurant in Meriden | The Barn At Berryfields
