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Led by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, the project is working with partner organisations and local communities to re-write the future of Coventry’s River Sherbourne by establishing an urban living landscape in which people, nature and culture can thrive.
Flowing downstream from Corley Moor, right under and through the heart of Coventry city centre and out to Whitley Abbey, this 10-mile waterway is rich in built, natural and cultural heritage; from scheduled monuments to precious natural habitats and unique histories. It is a river with many a story to tell across the centuries.Having been long-overlooked and partly hidden for decades, together we are working to reconnect people to this special river and the surrounding valley, by making it more accessible along its length and offering immersive interpretation experiences to ignite imaginations.
We are telling the story of the architectural gems and fascinating feats of engineering that sit along its banks, take action to improve the river for wildlife – ensuring a greater biodiversity, and educate local people and schools, empowering them to protect this heritage for all to enjoy.
Throughout the 2022-2026 delivery phase of the project:
Interpretation: Enhancing key river sites and built heritage features with improved interpretation and innovative engagement methods to reach new audiences.
River Restoration: Implementing projects from light-touch activities like clean-ups and planting to major interventions that restore the river channel to its natural course.
Wetland Creation & Restoration: Developing and improving wetlands through floodplain and in-channel interventions at key locations.
Volunteering: Recruiting and supporting volunteers with training and diverse opportunities to actively contribute to the project’s success.
Events & Activities: Hosting over 400 events, engaging up to 25,000 participants, with 3,500 taking part in structured training opportunities.
Access Improvements: Upgrading pathways, installing new signage, waymarking, and seating to improve public access and create spaces for community learning.
Built Heritage Restoration: Conducting small-scale repairs, including repointing, graffiti removal, and vegetation management at historic sites.
There are lots of ways to get involved, with different levels of engagement from one off events to longer term volunteering.
Get InvolvedThe vast majority of the activities focus on the River Sherbourne itself, the tributaries of the Sherbourne and the adjoining green spaces, but we are taking a valley wide approach to ensure we make the project as inclusive as possible.
The project boundary captures the River Sherbourne catchment (the area where rainfall and runoff flow into the river), and includes other areas which are key to the goals of the project.
