Astley is a special and unique place. It is a small hamlet and it has a big fascinating history. We want to share this place with all who visit or come to join our church services.
Astley community is fortunate to have Astley Social Group which is a small but dedicated group of volunteers who organise fun events. These events are for everyone. The group works hard arranging activities throughout the year also helping to raise funds for Astley Church and the Reading Room and making sure everyone has fun. Social Group gatherings are friendly and meetings are held on the second Tuesday each month in the village Reading Room at 2pm, with sometimes a guest speaker and always cups of tea, home made cakes and laughter. Also day trips out are organised and lunches are enjoyed in local pubs. During Covid times we continued to meet inside Astley Church and this proved to be vital during this very difficult time for us all. Everyone is very welcome to join Astley Social Group activities and join our volunteers to help run these events.
If anyone would like to find out more about Astley Social Group or any of the activities, then please contact: Anthony Proctor (Astley Social Group) 01676 540338.
Astley Village Reading Room is located on Castle Drive, Astley. It is a small, but very pretty community building and the daily running of the Reading Room has been passed to Astley Parochial Church Council (PCC), but the building is owned by Arbury Estate.
Astley has a parish population of about 250 residents. Astley Parish Council looks after residents and there to answer any questions and care for the Parish. Astley village has around 16 houses and the majority are owned by Arbury Estate. Arbury own the surrounding land and the majority used for agricultural purposes. Astley's parish church is Astley Church which is a special place of worship. The church was built in 1343 by Sir Thomas Astley, who owned and lived in nearby Astley Castle. Astley Church is Grade I listed and Astley Castle is Grade II listed and the Castle once a fortified manor house. The Castle is now leased by the Landmark Trust who restored the building from a ruin in 2012. The Castle is now used as holiday lets by the Landmark Trust and see their website for more details.
Astley Church stands within the Diocese of Coventry. Sunday services take place at 3.30pm each Sunday with Evensong and Holy Communion is on the 4th Sunday at 3.30pm. Our Harvest Festival and Carol Service by Candlelight are a delight. See our services and events page for details. The Church takes part in open weekends alongside Astley Castle, and with both historic buildings being open together, it all makes a fascinating weekend. It brings people to the village to experience the Church with its worshipful atmosphere, the historic Castle and the unique village. These weekends normally take place in June (summer open weekend) with stalls and refreshments in the Reading Room and display information and flower arrangements in the Church. In September during Heritage Open Days the Church is open with the Castle, with information and flower displays in the Church and lovely refreshments in Astley Reading Room, all organised by church and social group volunteers. See our events page for details.
Astley Church can also be followed on our own Facebook page (St Mary the Virgin, Astley) and on Google where you will find our business page with more details and recent photographs. Plenty of fascinating historic information can be found on-line about Astley Church, you will be amazed to find how special this church building once was, and still incredible today.
Astley is pleased to be part of the benefice of All Saints Chilvers Coton in Nuneaton. Weddings, Baptisms and other pastoral enquiries can be discussed further via our shared Parish Office at Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton. Contact telephone number: 024 76 383010.
We hope you will love this place, as we do.