On my return we decided to go out in the car and explore the local retail parks of which there seem to many around Coventry. Afterwards we headed for Malt Kiln Farm Shop at Stretton-under-Fosse where we made some purchases of local produce from the excellent Butcher.
We then headed for the local pub for lunch followed by a look around Brinklow, discovering Brinklow Castle in Ell Street.
Brinklow Castle is a Norman earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Robert de Mowbray. The large and impressive 11th century motte, is encased by a wide ditch, with a counterscarp bank. A high rampart, with a wide ditch surrounds the large bailey, which is separated into two wards, by an inner rampart and ditch. This well preserved earth and timber castle, was probably abandoned by the 13th century
The mount has a diameter at the base of 260', and has a flat top 50' across. It rises 60' from the bottom of the 40' wide, 20' deep ditch which surrounds it. The castle occupied a site of significant strategic importance on the Fosse Way and is associated with the campaigns of William the Conqueror.
Brinklow's most notable topographical feature is the imposing grassy mound behind the church, known locally as "The Tump", or "The Big Hill". We however, like the village green with its Red Telephone box which is still in use and the old thatched cottages. 
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