Coundon Hall Park, Coventry — car park just off Tamworth Road, opposite the junction with Sandpits Lane.
Four on-site information panels covering the story, the Battle of Normandy, wildlife, and orchard management — each with QR codes linking to this site.
For enquiries and permissions about activities at the Peace Orchard email contact@normandy-day.co.uk
Creative & descriptive writing
The Orchard can inspire creative, narrative and descriptive writing and poetry. Students have visited to enhance understanding of the Romantic Movement and how natural settings inspired poets such as Wordsworth and Keats.
D-Day & the Battle of Normandy
The Orchard was inspired by D-Day veteran Dennis Davison (1923–2019), who established a permanent legacy to the Battle of Normandy. Dennis's story brings alive the facts of 20th century history.
Ecology & environmental education
Soil, vegetation and wildlife can be used for science projects — identifying, counting and recording plant or insect species. On-site panels include a map of native apple species and information about local insects, plants and animals.
Measuring & plant density
Simple calculations are used when designing and creating wildlife habitats. Students have measured distances between trees, bulbs and wildflowers to calculate plant densities and plot locations for new planting.
Landscape & sustainability
Flora, fauna, topography, urbanisation, orienteering, the impact of human activity and sustainability. The Peace Orchard is also on the Cardinal Newman School Peace Trail.
Reflection, prayer & peace
The Orchard has been used as a space for quiet reflection, prayer and meditation. It can be used for small group prayers or more formal acts of worship in a calm, natural setting.
Building for the Orchard
Supervised by Coventry City Council's Park Rangers, students have designed and built rustic seats, benches, trail disks, signs, bug hotels, and bird and bat boxes. Available to all Coventry schools.
Sculpture & outdoor art
Students have created an apple sculpture at the main entrance. An 'Art in the Orchard' project invites schools to submit ideas for temporary, permanent or performance pieces.
Performance in the Orchard
The Peace Orchard offers stunning backdrops for outdoor performance. Cardinal Newman students performed A Midsummer Night's Dream to an invited audience on a summer evening in 2019.
Peace Picnics & live music
The Orchard has hosted Peace Picnics on D-Day anniversaries, including performances by musicians, dancers and singers. In summer 2019 it hosted a Bands in the Park concert.
Outdoor exercise & mindfulness
The Orchard's parkland location makes it ideal for green gym, walking, running or mindfulness activities. The benefits of being close to nature for physical and mental health are widely acknowledged.
Digital & QR learning
The Peace Orchard website prepares pupils for visits and QR codes keep them connected on site. We welcome photographs and short films taken by pupils, and may ask permission to feature them here.
Outdoor classroom for SEND
A calm natural environment where SEND pupils can achieve many of their learning outcomes outdoors. A change of scenery and contact with nature can shift the learning outlook for some pupils.
Learning outdoors
Pupils who struggle in a classroom can flourish outdoors. City Council Park Rangers are skilled at arranging outdoor activities that get the best out of pupils in a natural environment.
Plan a visit for your school
We welcome visits from all Coventry schools and can help you plan activities across the curriculum. The Orchard is free to visit and our Park Rangers can support a wide range of outdoor learning sessions.
contact@normandy-day.co.uk