Hillfields

Hillfields is a suburb of Coventry in the West Midlands of England. It is situated north of Coventry city centre, and has undergone a series of name changes throughout its history originally called "Harnall" and has seen itself change from a village, to a remote suburb, to a large postwar redevelopment zone. Hillfields has always welcomed immigrants of all nationalities. Originally the Irish communities and then the Indian-sub continent and west Indian communities settled in the mid 20th century. The area declined in the early 90s however in recent times a wave of new immigrants from Northern Iraq (Kurdistan) Iran as well as various people's from sub Saharan Africa have settled and have invested into the area and now the area is a lively neighbourhood bustling with shops and restaurants selling intercontinental produce and cuisine. Hillfields used to be home to Coventry City Football Club on Highfield Road until the club relocated to the Ricoh Arena. Hillfields is also home to Sidney Stringer Academy.

Hillfields was originally known as Harnall and was a district under the Holy Trinity Parish. Harnall was first mentioned in Coombe Abbey Charter as being in the ownership of the Prior's Half of Coventry in the 12th century. It was again mentioned in the 12th century in a passage noting a road that lead "through the middle of Harnall along the country of Stoke". In the 13th century, Harnall was owned by Roger de Montalt and was one of his estates consisting of little more than cottages and crofts. Before this, the Coventry Priory had owned land in Harnall.

In 1542, the land was given by the Priory to the Corporation, and in 1551 the Prior's Orchard with Swans Pool, New Pool, Harnall Field and other land were included in the endowment of Sir Thomas White's Charity. In 1632, Prior's Orchard Mill, located near Springfield Brook and Swanswell Pool, was absorbed into Swanswell Waterworks. The waterworks produced water for Coventry.

In 1816, the first school in the area is recorded as being located within Primrose Hill House, which had been converted to serve as a school. This closed in 1837; however, it was reopened as a boarding school in 1848 by Rev. J. S. Gilbert and T. Wyles.

In 1828, Harnall became the first suburb in Coventry after the city expanded outside the city walls. This resulted in the construction of villas throughout the suburb. It became known as New Town. Problems arose soon after its incorporation into Coventry when the River Sherbourne, which separated the two areas, began to flood as a result of two mills. These two mills were finally removed in 1844 by an Act of Parliament. Once the two mills were removed, New Town could develop and connect to Coventry.

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