Newbold Comyn
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Newbold Comyn is a park that is found on the eastern edge of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, UK. It is described by some people as a country park in all but name[1]
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[edit] History
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 farm and estate as Richard had married Morcote's daughter. At some point the Willes family built a second house on the estate in addition to the existing farm house. In all the Willes family held their land for almost 400 years but they finally sold it to the Leamington Corporation is 1943. During the Second World War the Luftwaffe dumped two bombs on the park whilst returning back 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 train on which young people could climb and play but this had to be removed due to health and safety regulations.
[edit] The Modern Day Park & Facilities
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 an old warning 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.
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.
[edit] References
Cave, Lyndon (1988) Royal Leamington Spa, Phillimore & Co Ltd
