Astley is a special and unique place. It is a small hamlet and it has a big fascinating history. This is something we want to share with all who visit or come to join our church services.
Astley Village is fortunate to have Astley Social Group which is a small but dedicated group of volunteers who organise events in and around Astley. The events are for everyone. The group works hard arranging fun events throughout the year helping raise funds for Astley Church and the Reading Room and making sure everyone has a fun time. 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. During Covid times this proved to be vital during this very difficult time for us all where we continued to meet inside Astley Church. Everyone is very welcome to join Astley Social Group activities and join our volunteers to help run 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. The Astley Church Wardens can also be contacted: Jeanette Sutton 024 76342410 and Leonard Brandreth 01676 541663
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 is fortunate to have Astley Church which was built in 1343 by Sir Thomas Astley, who owned and lived in 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 is a beautiful historic parish church in the Diocese of Coventry. Sunday services take place at 3.30pm each Sunday with Evensong and Holy Communion on the 4th Sunday. Our Harvest Festival and Carol Service by Candlelight are a delight. 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.
Astley Church can also be followed on our own Facebook page and Google and where our future events can also be found.
Weddings, Baptisms and other pastoral enquiries can be discussed further via the Parish Office at Chilvers Coton, Nuneaton. Tel: 024 76 383010.
We hope you will love this place, as we do.