The History of Hartshill Yard

The parish of Hartshill comprises the southern part of the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Mancetter. It was built around a road running north to south, linking the Nuneaton-Atherstone and the Nuneaton-Coleshill roads. It main source of industry being the quarries, specifically the quarrying of red syenite granite and also manganese of a high quality. As the quarries needed a good transportation system the Coventry canal was built in 1773 along this section of the country.

The yard at Hartshill was built as a dock for repairing the canal boats as it has a dry dock, carpenter's shop and blacksmith's. The blacksmith's workshop is the most significant building on the site, the building is more than 200 years old and was a important part of the canal maintenance p until 1948. It was the blacksmith's duties to maintain and wind the tower clock, the clock is still a local landmark and is in full working order.