[1] Leave the station by the left side entrance and follow the sign for Warwick Rd, to the left, walking along the footpath which runs parallel to the railway platform to some steps. Walk up these steps and turn left. Continue along the road passing King Henry VIII school until you come to a set of traffic lights.
(A) Henry VIII school is an independent school, founded in 1545, now run by the Coventry School Foundation.
Cross the road at these lights and turn left, crossing Spencer Road before continuing forwards along the path through Top Green Park, parallel to the road.
(B) Top Green is a small mature formal park, a key feature being the display of crocuses and daffodils in the spring.
At the end of this path go down the steps on your left and turn right to cross the road at the lights and enter the War Memorial Park.
(C) The War Memorial Park was opened in July 1921 on land which Coventry Council bought from the Lords of Styvechale Manor. It was opened as a tribute to the 2,587 Coventrians who died between 1914 and 1918 fighting in the First World War. The park is approximately 48.5 hectares in size and consists of two distinct areas, the formal garden dominated by stately Copper Beach trees, which were planted in memory of the military servicemen who died during the war; and the large-scale ornamental flower borders, rockeries and water gardens which make the park extremely popular for visitors.
[2] As you enter the park turn right. Continue along this path, passing the German Peace Garden on your left, continuing past the cafe and toilets also on your left and the carved poppy sculpture on your right.
(D) In the 1990s, after heavy snowfall, many of the Atlantic Cedar trees in the park were damaged. The poppy sculpture is formed from one of the trees whose branches snapped under the weight of the snow.
You will soon reach the Park and Ride car park. Cross the vehicular entrance and leave the park through the pedestrian gate. Care is needed as vehicles (including buses) enter and leave the park.
Turn left into Kenilworth Road. Cross this road at either of the 2 sets of pedestrian lights, continuing along Kenilworth Road through what was Stivichall Common, in the same direction until you reach a lane on your right WMP Canley Ford.
(E) Coventry was once within the Forest of Arden. The woodland either side of the Kenilworth Road is part of Styvechale (Stivichall) Common. Now part of a Conservation Area, designated in 1968. the woodlands are preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. There is a deep depression on the corner of Beechwood Avenue and Kenilworth Road (locally known as the Devil's Dungeon) which is the remains of an old stone pit.
If the weather has been particularly wet you may wish to continue forwards along the Kenilworth Rd to the junction with the A45. Turn right to walk along the shared footpath/cycle path, to cross the A45 at the toucan crossing just before [3].
Turn right into the lane. At the first path junction, continue forwards, ignoring the path to your left to continue downhill for about 100 yards. Keep to the left (minor) track and continue past Canley Ford, using the footbridge.
(F) This ancient lane was the route to Allesley. The lane across the ford is now closed to traffic, but until the 1960s it was possible to use this route as an alternative to the A45.
As the path emerges by a petrol station, walk towards the toucan crossing, and cross over the A45. Care needed: extremely busy main road. Do not attempt to cross except at the pedestrian lights.
[3] Turn right, and before the small roundabout turn left along the footpath to Cannon Hill Road. Cross over and continue along Cannon Hill Road, passing the entrance to Canley Cemetery .
(G) Canley Cemetery founded in 1943 is the biggest in the city and is the site of the city crematorium.
Continue over Jacob Drive, to turn right into Ivy Farm Lane. At the end of Ivy Farm Lane turn right into Shultern Lane, which is closed to motor vehicles, but used as a footpath and cycle route.
(H) Ivy Farm Lane, Cannocks Lane and Shultern Lane are all shown on maps dating from as early as 1597. The area once formed the old hamlet of Canley, and was based on a number of separate farms.
As the lane turns to your right veer left along a path with a large car park on the right hand side. When you reach the road, turn left heading towards the roundabout and continue in the original direction for about 200 yards, heading towards a Tesco petrol station. Turn left here (signed Claybrooke Residences) and walking past a security barrier, follow the route until you reach a 'Give Way' sign in front of another security barrier which is across a road into the University Campus (Care needed - used by university traffic).
(I) The University of Warwick (informally known as Warwick University) is a public research university founded in 1965 as part of a government initiative to expand access to higher education. Warwick Medical School was opened in 2000.
[4] Turn to the right, walking over a small bridge over a stream, and follow a footpath signed 'Digital Laboratory' and other University Departments. Continue past the Digital Laboratory (on your left) and at the end of the building, turn left. Continue forwards with a large pool on the right. Continue forwards over a footbridge to cross University Road at the lights. Library Road is ahead of you. Walk up Library Road. The Ramphal Building is the last building on your right.