Pictures of Ryton-on-Dunsmore

About Ryton-on-Dunsmore

Located in the countryside between Rugby and Coventry, this delightful village is probably best known for it's ancient parish church.
The church of St.Leonard is an aisleless church of Norman origin. It is reputed to have been built in the year 1100 and has many original features including an early 12th-century red sandstone octagonal font. In principal the church shows little change from the time when it was built, although at some point additional windows were added and restoration work was carried out early in the 19th-century. The churchyard shows several ancient gravestones and tombs. The original grey stone tower is an attractive contrast to the later, red brick alterations.

Ryton-on-Dunsmore, is topical for the Neolithic and Bronze Age pottery discovered during archaeological excavations recently carried out in the area. Part of an Iron-Age kiln was discovered, suggesting that the site may have been occupied by a family of substance in 200BC. Other finds include flint tools and quern stones. A brooch, said to be the first of it's kind found in Warwickshire, was discovered with the remains of the kiln. All the finds are to be on view in the Warwickshire Museum. It is thought parts of the site may be of special ceremonial or religious significance.

Nearby, the ruins of Coventry Cathedral, raised to the ground in a bombardment by the Germans in World War II, is well worth a visit as is the fine modern Cathedral built after the war. Ryton Organic Gardens have an interesting variety of unusual shrubs and plants.