Visitors to Nuneaton and Bedworth are always made welcome in these family friendly towns and can quickly see the rich variety and unexpected delights of both towns.
Both are included in the Domesday Book and have a rich history. Nuneaton’s present shape was influenced by the Priory, which also brought a name change from Eaton to Nuneaton. Bedworth originally was a small farming community but, like Nuneaton, grew as coal, clay and granite were extracted for the industrial growth of the Midlands in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Nuneaton has evolved into a major retail centre with a new covered and completely pedestrianised shopping centre, Ropewalk. It features over 30 new retail outlets including many major retailers, with restaurants and cafés and an integrated multi-storey car park. The mall is curved and is the only one in the country without a straight line, giving the feel of being in a busy town street.
Nuneaton’s 13th century street market takes over most of the town on market days, creating a vibrant, friendly and bustling feel to the town.
Both towns were ribbon-weaving centres and they both suffered as that industry declined. Engineering and mining sustained both towns in the last century, along with some textile and hat production.
Our central position on the motorway network has ensured more recent prosperity, with new businesses investing in the towns and surrounding areas.
The visitor now sees towns with modern shops and shopping malls, plentiful car parking, town centre CCTV, a shopmobility scheme, and delightful open spaces and award winning parks.
Both towns have lively markets. Nuneaton’s ancient Saturday market sees 180 colourful continental style stalls on the main streets of the pedestrianised town centre. There is also street trading every Wednesday which enriches the atmosphere of the town.
Bedworth has a colourful covered market hall with the feel of an outdoor market. It opens on Tuesday mornings, and all day on Fridays and Saturdays. There are opportunities to take refreshments in the market hall and absorb the bustle of the market but feel relaxed.
Both towns have occasional specialist and Continental Markets together with an array of special events at various times of the year. Highlights of the year include Nuneaton’s colourful carnival, which passes through the town centre and both towns have entertaining, fun filled Christmas switch-ons including a visit from Santa.
Nuneaton has some fine late Victorian buildings in its attractive, friendly town centre. Bedworth has the breathtaking 1840 Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses in its town centre. The Civic Hall in Bedworth (winner of the Godiva Award for Best Live Entertainment Venue in 2005) welcomes artists from all over the world and is a leading centre of entertainment of all.
