Newbold Comyn

Newbold Comyn is a park that is found on the eastern edge of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England. It is described by some people as a country park in all but name.^[1]

History

The Beacon and view

The first mention of Newbold Comyn in history was in the Domesday Book when it was mentioned that one of the two mills of Leamington were situated there. In 1539 two men, Richard Willes and William Morcote jointly purchased the land that was now a farm. When Richard Willes died in 1564 his son inherited the whole estate as Richard had married Morcote's daughter. At the end of the 18th century the Revd. Edward Willes built a new house on the estate in addition to the existing farm house. In all the Willes family held their land for over 400 years, but they finally sold it to the Leamington Corporation in the 1960's. The main house was demolished in 1965, leaving only the farm and outbuildings.^[2] During the Second World War the Luftwaffe dumped two bombs on the park whilst returning to base from Coventry. The craters can still be seen. The Corporation laid out the leisure park in the 1970s and the land usage has remained the same ever since although it is now run by Warwick District Council. There used to be an old steam engine on which young people could climb and play, but this had to be removed due to health and safety regulations.

Modern day park and facilities

The golf course as viewed from Beacon Hill

Today the park is over 120 hectares (300 acres) in area. For sports players there is an 18 hole golf course which takes up most of the park, a 9 hole pitch and putt and various other sports pitches for hire such as rugby, football and cricket. There are two children's play areas, a skateboard and BMX track. On the town side of the park is the Leisure Centre which boasts two swimming pools (a 25 metre one and a children's one), an aerobics studio and a gym. Fishing is allowed on the River Leam which passes through the park. The park is mainly flat but there is a hill with a beacon at the top of it from which there are fine views of south Warwickshire. At the bottom of the hill is the Newbold Comym Arms, converted from the farm house to a pub. The pub serves food, as does the cafe at the leisure centre. The park is the only public open space in Warwick District where barbecues are allowed.

In late 2009 the park briefy made news in the local paper when there were rumoured sitings of a lynx on the golf course. The big cat was dubbed the "Beast of Newbold Comyn" by the media.^[3]

The park is a fifteen minute walk from the town centre. For those with cars there are free car parks at the leisure centre, Newbold Comyn Arms and at the foot of the hill. Between Monday and Saturday there is a limited bus service from the town on the number 75.

See also

• Royal Pump Room Gardens

References

1. ^ A ramblers group guide to the park
2. ^ Geoffrey Tyack, Warwickshire Country Houses, pub. Phillimore 1994.
3. ^ "Beware The Beast of Newbold Comyn" article in The Leamington Courier

• Cave, Lyndon (1988) Royal Leamington Spa, Phillimore & Co Ltd

External links

• Official Park Site on Warwick District Council page

Coordinates: 52°17′20″N 1°30′54″W / 52.289°N 1.515°W / 52.289; -1.515