The Sherbourne Valley Project

01/09/2026

Celebrate Coventry’s hidden river at the Autumn River Festival!

Join us at Coventry Charterhouse on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, from 11am–4pm each day, for a free weekend celebrating the River Sherbourne and the creativity, heritage and communities of Coventry.

There’ll be something for all ages and interests, with live music, theatrical performances, storytelling, river walks and hands-on arts and crafts. Families can meet Lady Good-Diver, our much-loved otter mascot, while local nature and heritage organisations will be bringing interactive activities and fascinating insights into Coventry’s wildlife, history and culture.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of the historic Charterhouse, you can also explore the building and enjoy food, drink and a warm welcome from the resident café. The festival will showcase the incredible home-grown talent of Coventry, with young musicians, performers and makers bringing fresh energy to this riverside celebration.

Come and discover the river that flows beneath our feet, connect with your local community and celebrate the unique relationship between Coventry’s nature, heritage and culture.

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September | 11am–4pm
Coventry Charterhouse | Free entry | All welcome

Get your free event tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-river-festival-coventry-2026-tickets-1982887141819?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Autumn River Festival has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, through the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

21/08/2026

Have your say on what’s next for the River Sherbourne through Whitley. Come along to our community consultation on Wednesday 26th August, 4–6pm to find out more about the upcoming river restoration works and share your views before work begins.

Our latest plans include installing a sequence of brash berms along both banks of the river. These D-shaped structures are made from bundles of branches, secured to posts, and will help to create more natural meanders and improve river flow, provide valuable habitat for wildlife, restore and diversify the river channel, and help create a healthier, more dynamic river.

Our team will be on hand to explain the proposals, answer your questions and hear what you think. We will have a stall near Whitley Abbey Bridge.

Whether you’re a local resident, regular visitor or simply interested in the future of the river, we’d love to hear from you.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/whitley-berm-project-consultation-tickets-1998472675570?aff=oddtdtcreator

Come and join us to discuss the upcoming works we have planned in the Sherbourne through Whitley.

14/08/2026

🌊🖊️ Children's River Wildlife Poetry Competition 🦦🦋

Do you know a young poet who loves nature? We're inviting children and young people under 18 to enter our River Wildlife Poetry Competition!

🌿 Theme: River Wildlife
✍️ Poetry only
📏 Maximum 500 words
🏆 Judged by award-winning poet Emily Hunt

The winning poem will receive a prize and be shared on social media. The prize will be presented at the River Festival on 19th September, where we'll be celebrating our local rivers and wildlife.

📅 Competition deadline: 11 September

To enter, email your poem to [email protected] and include:
• Name
• Age
• Parent/carer contact details

🎉 Why not come along to the River Festival too? Entry is free! Book your place here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982887141819?aff

Please share with any young writers, poets, and nature lovers you know. We can't wait to read your river-inspired poems! 💚

14/08/2026

🌿 Tell Us About Your Visit to Sherbourne River ! 🌿

Have you recently visited Sherbourne River ? We'd love to hear about your experience.

Your feedback helps us understand what visitors value most and how we can continue to improve the site for people and wildlife alike.

The survey only takes around 4 minutes to complete:

👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/a046sNaikK

Thank you for helping us care for Sherbourne for future generations.



Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Sherbourne Community Church The National Lottery Heritage Fund Friends Of Lake View Park Friends of Sherbourne River

14/08/2026

Take some time to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a little calm in your week with a Wellbeing Walk at Charterhouse on Friday 21st August.

Join Camala, one of the Sherbourne Valley Project trainee team members, for a relaxing and mindful walk around the grounds of Charterhouse and London Road Cemetery, Paxton's Arboretum from 1:30-3pm.

We'll take time to explore the peaceful surroundings, using our senses to notice the wildlife, sounds, colours and beautiful scenery around us. Meet on the bridge at Charterhouse, at the bottom of the car park.

Come along, take a breath and discover a different side of the Sherbourne Valley. 🌱

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wellbeing-walk-sherbourne-valley-project-tickets-1986061822374?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a gentle walk around the beautiful grounds of Charterhouse and London Road Cemetery: Paxton's Arboretum.

13/08/2026

Join us on Friday 21st August, from 10am–2pm, for a practical volunteering day at Charterhouse.

We'll be carrying out a range of tasks to help look after the park and improve habitats for wildlife, including cutting back vegetation to improve access, managing vegetation to benefit wildlife, and general tidying around the site.

Our meeting point will be at10am on the bridge between the car park and Charterhouse.

Please dress for the weather! We'll be working on muddy paths, near brambles and alongside the river. Please bring a packed lunch and drink. Work gloves will be provided, and wellies are recommended. If you need to borrow a pair, get in touch and we can arrange this.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sherbourne-valley-project-charterhouse-practical-work-party-tickets-1990767122052?aff=oddtdtcreator

Practical Work Party Volunteering day at Charterhouse.

04/08/2026

Have your say on the future of Lake View Park! Join the Sherbourne Valley Project team on Tuesday 11th August, 4:00pm–6:00pm, for a community consultation about the next phase of river restoration planned for Lake View Park.

Come along to find out more about the proposed improvements, ask questions, and share your thoughts before work begins. We'll also have a range of free walks and activities taking place throughout the afternoon, making it a great opportunity to explore the park and learn more about the River Sherbourne.

The planned works include:
- Reshaping sections of the riverbank to create sheltered habitats for fish and aquatic life during high flows.
- Creating a new seasonal wetland scrape for amphibians and invertebrates.
- Installing a natural gravel riffle to improve water quality and provide spawning habitat for fish.
- Creating a butterfly bank using the excavated material to support even more wildlife.

Look out for our gazebo in the centre of the park, next to the bridge over the River Sherbourne, where our team will be on hand throughout the event.

Whether you're a local resident, regular park user or simply interested in the future of Lake View Park, we'd love to see you there and hear your views. Together, we can continue creating a healthier river and a richer landscape for both people and wildlife.

Come join us to discuss the upcoming works we have planned at Lake view park .Try out some of the free walks and activities at the park .

03/08/2026

Join us to celebrate the reopening of one of Coventry's hidden historic treasures!

You're invited to the official opening of the newly restored St. Catherine's Well Gate on Tuesday 11th August, from 12:30pm–2:00pm at Beaumont Crescent.

Whether you're interested in Coventry's history, local heritage, or simply discovering somewhere new, we'd love you to join us as we mark this exciting milestone.

📅 Tuesday 11th August
🕧 12:30pm – 2:00pm
📍 St. Catherine's Well, Beaumont Crescent, Coventry

Come along, meet the project team, and be among the first to experience the new interpretation celebrating one of the city's most fascinating historic sites.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sherbourne-valley-project-st-catherines-well-new-gate-interpretation-tickets-1994668980616?aff=oddtdtcreator

31/07/2026

Celebrate International Owl Day with us! Join us on Thursday 4th August, 7:00pm–8:00pm, at Sherbourne Community Church for a fascinating evening talk about owls.

This free talk will explore the incredible world of our UK owls, from their remarkable adaptations and hunting skills to the challenges they face in today's landscape. Did you know that Lake View Park is home to Tawny Owls? This is a great opportunity to learn more about these mysterious birds and the important role they play in our ecosystems.

Whether you're a keen birdwatcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious to learn something new, everyone is welcome. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Come along and discover why owls continue to capture our imagination and why protecting them matters.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/owl-talk-tickets-1992566691613

On International Owl Day, Camala Hewitt from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, will teach us all about owls!

24/07/2026

A hidden piece of Coventry's history has a fresh new look!

Tucked away on Beaumont Crescent, St. Catherine's Well is one of Coventry's hidden heritage gems. Thanks to The Sherbourne Valley Project, the site now has a newly restored protective gate and brand-new interpretation, helping more people discover the fascinating story of this historic spring and medieval chapel.

Dating back hundreds of years, St. Catherine's Well has long been part of Coventry's relationship with water. The new interpretation also includes a QR code linking to a short film with a 3D scan of the site, allowing visitors to explore its history in even greater detail.

Also, join us for the official opening! On the 11th August from 12:30pm to 2pm, we'll be at Beaumont Crescent sharing information about the site and discussing the work. Come along to celebrate this important milestone, learn about the history of the well, and be among the first to experience the new interpretation.

Find out more and reserve your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sherbourne-valley-project-st-catherines-well-new-gate-interpretation-tickets-1994668980616?aff=oddtdtcreator

We hope the improvements help inspire even more people to uncover the hidden stories flowing beneath Coventry's streets.