Nuneaton is a town in the Nuneaton and Bedworth borough of northern Warwickshire in central England. Nuneaton is the largest town in Warwickshire with a population of 77,500 (1998 est). The town is located roughly 8 miles (12 km) north of Coventry and 25 miles (40 km) east of Birmingham .

Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Eliot, who was born on a farm on the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for much of her early life. Nuneaton is also the birthplace of film director Ken Loach, and the former "standards and morality" campaigner Mary Whitehouse. It was also the birthplace and home of the game show host Larry Grayson.

In fiction, Nuneaton is referred to as "Milby" in the George Elliot novel Scenes of Clerical Life (1858)

The town is near the M6 and M69 motorways, and the A5 road. It is also an important railway junction, it is served by the West Coast Main Line and also by the Birmingham to Leicester railway line, and by a line to Coventry via Bedworth. The Coventry Canal and the River Anker run through the town.

Places near to Nuneaton include: Hinckley, Bedworth, Atherstone and Coventry

History

Nuneaton's name came from a 12th century Benedictine nunnery (parts of which still survive) from which much of the town grew around. Prior to this it was a settlement known as 'Etone'. The first recorded use of the modern name was in 1247 when a document recorded it as 'Nonne Eton'. Mention of a settlement being here in Roman times is taught in the local secondary (high) schools.

Nuneaton grew gradually from the 17th century onwards, due to its position at the centre of the Warwickshire coalfields. At the time of the first national census in 1801 Nuneaton was already one of the largest towns in Warwickshire, with a population of 5,000.

During the industrial revolution in the 19th century, Nuneaton developed a large textile industry. Other industries which developed in the town included brick and tile making and brewing. By 1901 the population of Nuneaton had grown to 25,000.

Due largely to munitions factories located in Nuneaton, the town suffered heavy bombing damage during World War II. The heaviest bombing raid on Nuneaton took place on the 17th May 1941, when 100 people were killed, 380 houses were destroyed, and over 10,000 damaged, a few smaller raids took place on the town, most notably on the 25th June 1942. As a result of the bombing, much of the town centre was re-built in the post war years.

On April 1 1974 Nuneaton's council was merged with that of nearby Bedworth to form the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth.

Nuneaton's traditional industries like textiles and manufacturing have declined drastically in the postwar years. Due to its good transport links, Nuneaton is now largely a commuter town for nearby Coventry and Birmingham. However electronics and distribution remain major economic activities in the town.

External Link

• Nuneaton and Bedworth borough council