Nuneaton is the largest town in the English county of Warwickshire, and the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth. The town is located 9 miles north of Coventry, 20 miles east of Birmingham and 103 miles northwest of London.

The River Anker runs through the town. Nuneaton has a population of 70,721 (2001 census), though the 2008 estimate is closer to 73,000 inhabitants. Towns close to Nuneaton include Bedworth, Atherstone and Hinckley with the towns Tamworth, Lutterworth and city of Leicester further afield.

Nuneaton’s name came from a 12th Century Benedictine nunnery around which much of the town grew. Prior to this was it was a settlement known as “Eton” which translates literally as water-town.

In the 19th century the town was boosted by the introduction of the railway in 1847, an urban council was introduced in 1893 and electricity was supplied in 1897.

Nuneaton is most famous for its associations with the 19th century author George Elliot, who was born on a farm in the Arbury Estate just outside Nuneaton in 1819 and lived in the town for much of her early life.  (1819 – 1890).  In fiction, Nuneaton is referred to as  ”Milby” in the George Eliot novel Scenes of Clerical Life (1858).

The local hospital was named after her in 1948 and a statue of her placed in the town in 1986.
There are plenty of things in Nuneaton that the whole family can enjoy. Riversly Park is home to the River Anchor and the town museum, where you can find out about the history of Nuneaton, including the famous author George Eliot.

There is also a cinema, bowling alley, and leisure centre.
On Saturdays and Wednesdays, the town is home to a market of 180 stalls, and occasionally specialist and continental markets.  The town is also known for its colourful carnival.

• The Pingles Leisure Centre – The Pingles is the main leisure centre in Nuneaton. It was rebuilt in 2004 to replace the old 1960s swimming baths. The new Pingles includes an indoor and outdoor swimming areas, a dance studio and gym. The Pingles also has an associated athletics stadium, the Pingles Stadium, which was built in 2004. The Pingles Stadium has a 250 seater stand, a running track and athletics facilities. The stadium also has a football pitch which is used by Nuneaton Griff for their home matches.
• Jubilee Sports Centre – The Jubilee Sports Centre is a sports hall. The hall is used for various sports. The Jubilee also has a scoreboard, used for major basketball and indoor football matches.
• Etone Sports Centre – Etone Sports Centre is another sports hall. The centre is in the grounds of the school which bears the same name.

Nuneaton has a museum and art gallery in the grounds of Riversley Park adjacent to the town centre.

• Nuneaton annually enters the Britain in Bloom competition and in 2000, Nuneaton and Bedworth was a national finalist.
• Nuneaton is home to the largest carnival in Warwickshire which takes place every June – see www.NuneatonCarnival.org