Abbey Fields is set in the dramatic valley of the Finham Brook and enjoys views of the historic town and Kenilworth castle. Grassy slopes, a lake, historic buildings and veteran trees recall Abbey Fields’ past as the farmland of St Mary’s Abbey, whose ruins adjoin the park. Because of its important heritage, Abbey Fields is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. 

Abbey Fields Lake

Abbey Fields Lake is located to the north of Finham Brook, and west of the leisure centre. A more recent 20th Century addition, this covers a large area of land midway up to Castle Road. It is a man-made lake and is controlled by a managed intake and outlet, with any movement of water into and out of the lake agreed with the Environment Agency. Originally the land was managed as a flood water meadow, with dams and a sluice network used to control the water. However, following the development of the original leisure centre, the pipework was unfortunately damaged, and the flood meadow ceased to exist resulting in the development of a marshland landscape. It was later agreed in 1997 on its formation as a permanent lake feature, and the area was dug and filled with water under control.

The lake is fed by an intake from Finham Brook which is protected by a filter crate, and the pipe runs underground, terminating where the water enters the lake. The intake level setting is dictated by the Environment Agency. If the water in the brook drops below the intake level, the lake receives no water, as it is needed elsewhere.

The lake has never been purposely stocked with fish. The WDC Green Spaces team monitors the population throughout the year and arranges for fish to be removed and relocated each winter. The team has also recently raised the water “out-take” level by 50mm with the permission of the Environment Agency.