Whitley, Coventry

Whitley is a suburb of southern Coventry in the West Midlands of England, UK.

Whitley is the home of the Whitley plant, which is the Engineering Centre and Headquarters of Jaguar Cars Limited. The facility is a fully integrated design, research and development centre for all current and future Jaguar products.

In the 1990s (approx), a supermarket was built on the site of the former Whitley Hospital. The supermarket was originally owned by Safeway, and after the 2004 takeover by Morrisons, it was sold on to ASDA. Whitley has a number of small shops, takeaways and businesses including a hair salon and an in-car entertainment shop. Whitley also has an IBIS hotel and a large sports centre.

Whitley Abbey Bridge

The Whitley Abbey Bridge which passes over the River Sherbourne at the bottom of Abbey Road is now blocked off to road vehicles, but before Thomas Telford built the current London Road, it formed part of the main London to Holyhead coaching route. The mill which stood next to the bridge had been unused since the 1880s, but remained occupied until it was demolished in the 1950s.

Whitley Abbey

Until the turn of the 19th century, Whitley had its own identity based around a principal grand house which was built in the 14th century. Contrary to popular belief, it was this house which bore the name "Whitley Abbey" and not a monastic residence. Several changes and additions to the house took place over the following centuries until the entire estate was sold in 1924, and the house fell into disrepair. Planning permission was granted during the 1950s to build Whitley Abbey Comprehensive School on the site, which was later demolished to make way for Whitley Abbey Community School opening on 13 October 2000.

Schools

Whitley has three schools: Whitley Abbey Community School, Alice Stevens School, and Whitley Primary. Whitley Abbey Community School is a secondary school and sixth form for boys and girls, 11 and 18 years old. Alice Stevens School is a special school (state sector) for boys and girls, 11 to 19 years old.

Coventry Zoo

Whitley was the home to Coventry Zoo from 1966 until 1980. There was a seven metre tall fibreglass Zulu warrior holding a spear at its entrance and was a popular visitor attraction. After the zoo closed, the Zulu was going to be moved to another site, but it broke up. The Warwickshire Racquet & Health Club (formally known as Esporta and the Coventry Racquet Centre), originally built in 1983, currently occupies the site.

Gallery

References

*Albert Smith and David Fry: (1991). "The Coventry We Have Lost". Vol 1. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-1-9
*Albert Smith and David Fry: (1993). "The Coventry We Have Lost". Vol 2. Simanda Press, Berkswell. ISBN 0-9513867-2-7
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=zQpfIWQUbN4C&pg=PA221&lpg=PA221&dq=%22coventry+zoo%22+zulu&source=web&ots=QlK-bClZ8O&sig=JlUcMmzAK21cO10ibOs7PWLDIXw Public Sculpture of Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull. Page 221. George Noszlopy.]

External links