Berkswell

Peter, do you know why Berkswell Station is named so when it's more in Balsall Common? Post copied from topic Railways around Coventry on 3rd Dec 2021 11:59 am

Neil, it seems to have had several name changes in its life. It was originally called Dockers Lane Station. It was changed to Berkswell on 1st January 1853, then to Berkswell & Balsall Common in 1928, reverting to Berkswell. In the 1840's Dockers Lane Station was classed as being in the parish of Berkswell. It sounds as if they did not know what to call it either. Dockers Lane Station.

I was told of a controversy regards the name Berkswell. Seriously. An assumption is Berks Well. A parish vicar once told me that the name was at one time Berk Swell. I've not had any pills yet! More tea, Vicar?

Don't worry Phil, they won't be coming yet! On old maps there is a Berks Well marked. It is a 16ft square stone walled well just outside the churchyard.

Hi Anne, Also the name Beorcul's Well.

Berkswell is not an original station on the line, not opening until 1844 [Berkswell (BKW)]. Balsall Common just was a couple of hamlets with 6-12 houses each until house building started in the 1930's. The 1928 name change was probably to attract house buyers (commuters) a la Metroland. Berkswell Hall became a school in 1843 when the owner left to become Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) so the new station might have been built to get the traffic from the school. Post copied from topic Railways around Coventry on 6th Dec 2021 1:37 pm

Thanks Peter - I used to live at Berkswell Hall (ok, the stables next door!)

Just to let you all know, this walk has now been ruined by HS2 works. You are no longer able to do the circular through the quarries. An update, the cafe in the village is now fully refurbished and open for business.