About 3 miles (5 km) north-west of Coventry city centre, Holbrooks is a residential area of the West Midlands that took much of its present shape during the 1950s. Post-war rebuilding drove large-scale development here, as both private and council housing replaced homes lost to Second World War air raids. Four brooks flow through the area, though most of their length has been covered or culverted over the years. One culvert runs alongside newer housing on Watery Lane, and another passes beneath the grounds of Parkgate School, before the watercourses head towards the River Sherbourne and the Sowe.
History and Housing
One of Holbrooks’ more unusual corners is the ‘Stadium’ estate, behind Lythalls Lane. The name traces back to a dog racing stadium that once occupied the site. A speedway track opened there in 1928, closed in 1936, and a greyhound track followed the next year, remaining in use until 1964, when housing replaced it entirely. A separate post-war estate at Everdon Road, accessed from either Beake Avenue or Holbrook Lane, is known for its spacious layout, with mostly three- and four-bedroom houses built to generous proportions, featuring large rooms and tall roofs. Several one-bedroom bungalows share the same distinctive roof design. The estate forms a complete loop and includes a small row of shops with flats above. Its many corners and curves make it a popular circuit for learner drivers. More recently, infill bungalows have been added, and further development is expected. Four-storey residential flats on Everdon Road have open views across nearby parkland. Open space across Holbrooks generally has been reduced by infill building, though Holbrooks Park on Holbrook Lane remains the largest green area in the neighbourhood.
The Coventry Building Society Arena
Holbrooks sits close to the Coventry Building Society Arena, previously known as the Ricoh Arena, a large stadium and entertainment complex. The venue was designed with limited parking to encourage bus travel and walking, and a parking permit scheme covers the surrounding streets. The adjacent Arena Park Shopping Centre and the stadium itself are served by Coventry Arena railway station, which opened in 2016. Coventry City FC currently plays at the Arena, and the ground hosted preliminary round football during the London 2012 Olympics, when it was temporarily renamed the City of Coventry Stadium. Music acts including Bon Jovi (2008), Take That (June 2009), Oasis (July 2009), Coventry bands The Specials and The Enemy, and American artist Pink have all performed there. The complex also houses a casino and a large exhibition and conference centre.