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CV postcode area
CV postcode area
from Wikipedia

KML is from Wikidata

The CV postcode area, also known as the Coventry postcode area,[2] is a group of 24 postcode districts in central England, within eleven post towns. These cover the eastern part of the West Midlands county (including Coventry), most of Warwickshire (including Atherstone, Bedworth, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick), a part of west Leicestershire and a very small part of Northamptonshire.

Key Information

The postcode areas CV1 to CV6 incorporate the city of Coventry and its contiguous suburbs, with CV7 covering several rural and suburban villages to the immediate west and north of the city (where Coventry remains the post town), i.e., the eastern portion of Solihull Borough and the southernmost areas of the Nuneaton & Bedworth District.[citation needed]

CV8 to CV47 covers all other post towns in the postcode area, to the north, south, and east of Coventry (full coverage listed below).

The CV area borders seven other postcode areas: B (Birmingham), LE (Leicester), DE (Derby), NN (Northampton), WR (Worcester), GL (Gloucester), and OX (Oxford).[citation needed]

Coverage

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The approximate coverage of the postcode districts:

Postcode district Post town Coverage Local authority area(s)
CV1 COVENTRY Coventry C (Coventry City Centre, Gosford Green, Hillfields, Spon End, Bishopsgate Green, Coventry University) Coventry
CV2 COVENTRY Coventry NE (Walsgrave, Wyken, Stoke, Bell Green, Wood End, Potters Green, Aldermans Green, Clifford Park, Woodway Park) Coventry
CV3 COVENTRY Coventry SE (Binley, Whitley, Willenhall, Cheylesmore, Styvechale, Finham, Fenside, Stoke Aldermoor, Green Lane, Ernesford Grange, Binley Woods) Coventry, Rugby, Warwick
CV4 COVENTRY Coventry SW (Tile Hill, Canley, Cannon Park, Lime Tree Park, Gibbet Hill, Westwood Heath, University of Warwick) Coventry
CV5 COVENTRY Coventry NW (Allesley, Allesley Park, Allesley Green, Earlsdon, Eastern Green, Whoberley, Chapelfields, Mount Nod, Brownshill Green, Millison's Wood) Coventry, Solihull
CV6 COVENTRY Coventry N (Holbrooks, Coundon, Radford, Upper Foleshill, Longford, Rowley's Green, Courthouse Green, Whitmore Park), Hawkesbury Coventry, Nuneaton and Bedworth
CV7 COVENTRY Exhall, Ash Green, Keresley, Meriden, Balsall Common, Berkswell, Corley, Arley, Ansty, Shilton, Fillongley Nuneaton and Bedworth, North Warwickshire, Coventry, Rugby, Solihull
CV8 COVENTRY Wolston, Ryton-on-Dunsmore Warwick, Rugby
KENILWORTH Kenilworth, Baginton, Bubbenhall, Burton Green, Brandon, Stoneleigh, Ashow
CV9 ATHERSTONE Atherstone, Mancetter, Grendon, Baddesley Ensor, Baxterley, Hurley, Witherley, Wood End, Twycross, Orton On The Hill, Ridge Lane Village North Warwickshire, Hinckley and Bosworth
CV10 NUNEATON Nuneaton N & W (Weddington, Stockingford, Camp Hill, Galley Common, Grove Farm, Whittleford, Chapel End, Bermuda Village, Old Hill Top), Caldecote, Fenny Drayton, Hartshill, Ansley, Astley, Oldbury, Ridge Lane Nuneaton and Bedworth, North Warwickshire
CV11 NUNEATON Nuneaton C & E (town centre, Abbey Green, St Nicolas Park, Horeston Grange, Attleborough, Whitestone, New Hill Top, Chilvers Coton, Caldwell), Burton Hastings, Bramcote Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Hinckley and Bosworth
CV12 BEDWORTH Bedworth (except Exhall and Ash Green), Bulkington Nuneaton and Bedworth
CV13 NUNEATON Barlestone, Barton in the Beans, Bilstone, Cadeby, Carlton, Congerstone, Dadlington, Fenny Drayton, Higham on the Hill, Market Bosworth, Nailstone, Odstone, Osbaston, Shackerstone, Shenton, Stoke Golding, Sutton Cheney, Upton, Wellsborough Hinckley and Bosworth
CV21 RUGBY Rugby (north), Brownsover Rugby
CV22 RUGBY Rugby (south), Bilton, Cawston, Dunchurch Rugby
CV23 RUGBY Thurlaston, Princethorpe, Stretton-on-Dunsmore, Birdingbury, Brinklow, Long Lawford, Clifton upon Dunsmore, Stretton-under-Fosse, Monks Kirby, Kilsby Rugby, West Northamptonshire
CV31 LEAMINGTON SPA Leamington Spa (south), Sydenham, Whitnash, Radford Semele Warwick
CV32 LEAMINGTON SPA Leamington Spa (north), Lillington, Cubbington, Milverton, Campion Hills Warwick
CV33 LEAMINGTON SPA Harbury and surrounding villages Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon
CV34 WARWICK Warwick, Heathcote Warwick
CV35 WARWICK Wellesbourne, Gaydon, Kineton and surrounding villages Warwick, Stratford-on-Avon
CV36 SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR Shipston-on-Stour and surrounding villages Stratford-on-Avon
CV37 STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Stratford-upon-Avon and surrounding villages Stratford-on-Avon
CV47 SOUTHAM Southam and surrounding villages Stratford-on-Avon

The CV47 district was formed in 1999 from parts of the CV23 and CV33 districts.[3]

Map

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KML is from Wikidata
CV postcode area map, showing postcode districts, post towns and neighbouring postcode areas.B postcode areaDE postcode areaGL postcode areaLE postcode areaMK postcode areaNN postcode areaOX postcode areaWR postcode areaWS postcode area
CV postcode area map, showing postcode districts in red and post towns in grey text, with links to nearby B, DE, GL, LE, NN, OX and WR postcode areas.

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The CV postcode area, also known as the Coventry postcode area, is a group of twenty-four postcode districts within eleven post towns in central England administered by Royal Mail, primarily serving the city of Coventry and its surrounding regions in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. It encompasses approximately 1,960 square kilometres with a population of around 970,000 residents as of 2024, reflecting a density of 495 people per square kilometre. The area extends into portions of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Worcestershire, while primarily covering Warwickshire and the West Midlands. Key towns and cities within the CV postcode area include (the largest urban centre), , Rugby, , Royal Leamington Spa, , , , and , along with numerous villages such as Harbury, Dunchurch, and . These districts facilitate mail delivery across a mix of urban, suburban, and rural locales, supporting a diverse centred on , automotive industries (notably in ), tourism (especially in , birthplace of ), and agriculture in outlying areas. The postcode system's introduction in the standardised addressing in this region, with the CV format originating as part of the national rollout to improve sorting efficiency. Demographically, the CV area features a age of 40 years and significant ethnic diversity, with 79.9% identifying as , 11.1% as Asian, and 4.2% as in the 2021 Census; religiously, 47.6% are Christian, while 34.7% report no religion. Household car ownership averages 1.32 vehicles per household, indicating strong transport connectivity via the M6, M40, and M42 motorways, as well as rail links to and Birmingham. This postcode area plays a vital role in the West Midlands' and , with ongoing urban development in enhancing its status as a regional hub.

Overview

Definition and Scope

The CV postcode area, officially designated as the Coventry postcode area by , forms an integral part of the United Kingdom's alphanumeric postcode system, which was introduced in the 1950s and 1960s to streamline mail sorting and delivery nationwide. This system divides the country into postcode areas identified by one or two letters followed by a number, with CV representing the region centered on in central . Its primary purpose is to enable efficient routing and distribution of postal items to addresses within designated districts, supporting the operational needs of Royal Mail's network in this part of the country. The area encompasses regions primarily in the ceremonial county of (63.34%), along with adjacent parts of the West Midlands (34.08%), and small portions of (1.91%), (0.49%), and (0.18%), facilitating delivery to urban, suburban, and rural locations across central . As a component of the broader West Midlands postal region, it integrates with adjacent areas like B (Birmingham) and WS () to handle mail flow within the West Midlands Combined Authority area. The CV postcode area consists of 24 postcode districts organized across 11 post towns, providing a structured framework for address identification and mail processing. It covers a population of approximately 899,000 residents, based on 2021 . This composition ensures comprehensive coverage for both residential and commercial mail services in the region.

Administrative Statistics

The CV postcode area is governed by , operating within the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom's postal network, which encompasses multiple postcode areas including B, CV, DY, ST, TF, WS, WV, and WR for coordinated mail processing and distribution. This administrative framework ensures standardized addressing and delivery protocols across the region, aligning with national guidelines set by . As of May 2025, the CV postcode area comprises 24 postcode districts and approximately 112 postcode sectors, with around 21,000 live postcodes serving active delivery points and a total of about 29,000 postcodes when including terminated ones. These metrics reflect the area's operational scale, supporting mail routing for approximately 428,000 delivery addresses primarily concentrated in urban hubs but extending to surrounding locales. Royal Mail's delivery logistics in the CV area facilitate both urban and rural mail routes, with dedicated delivery offices such as Coventry South and Coventry City North handling local sorting and distribution, while integrating postcode boundaries with those of local councils like and County Council to optimize route planning and address validation. This integration supports efficient service across diverse terrains, from high-density city centers to lower-volume rural paths. The postcode database for the CV area undergoes regular maintenance by , with daily updates to the (PAF) incorporating thousands of address changes to maintain accuracy, and the Office for National Statistics releasing monthly directories based on this data for broader administrative use. These updates ensure the system's reliability for mail delivery and statistical applications. The area's influences postal volume, with higher concentrations in core districts driving increased throughput, though full demographic details are covered in population analyses.

Geography

Territorial Extent and Boundaries

The CV postcode area covers the eastern portion of the West Midlands metropolitan county, including the city of , the bulk of county, sections of western , a minor segment of , and a small sliver of . This territorial extent reflects the postcode system's alignment with regional administrative and delivery needs in central , encompassing both densely populated urban zones and expansive rural landscapes. The area adopts a somewhat irregular but centrally focused shape, with Coventry serving as its geographic and administrative core. Its boundaries adjoin several neighboring postcode areas, including to the west, LE and DE to the north and east, NN to the east, WR to the southwest, to the south, and to the southeast, delineating a distinct zone within the broader region. The topography of the CV postcode area combines urban conurbations, particularly in and around , with predominantly rural countryside characterized by rolling hills and valleys. A key feature is the River Avon valley, which originates near in and flows southwestward through the area, influencing local hydrology and land use patterns.

Key Settlements and Landscapes

The CV postcode area is dominated by , the central urban hub, which serves as a major encompassing a mix of historic city center districts and expansive suburbs such as Earlsdon, Stoke Aldermoor, and Canley that radiate outward into surrounding countryside. As the largest settlement, integrates industrial heritage sites with modern residential expansions, forming a core that influences the spatial organization of the broader area. Notable surrounding towns include Royal Leamington Spa and in the southwest, known for their and proximity to each other along the River Leam; to the south, celebrated for its Shakespearean associations and riverside setting; in the northwest, featuring characteristics with urban fringes; and Rugby further north, recognized for its role in sporting history and railway connections. Smaller towns like , , and contribute to the area's diverse settlement pattern, with offering castle ruins amid suburban growth and providing a market focus in the north. Rural landscapes in the CV area, particularly in southern Warwickshire, consist of expansive agricultural expanses characterized by the Feldon region, where open arable fields on heavy clay soils support nucleated villages such as and traditional mixed farming practices. The Arden landscape to the north features dispersed farmsteads, ancient woodlands, and undulating terrain with hedgerow oaks, transitioning into the Dunsmore plateau's wooded glacial lowlands around Rugby. These rural zones, including the Avon Valley's prosperous farmlands with orchards and meadows, contrast with urban influences, preserving a patchwork of enclosed pastures and remnant heaths that define the area's lowland character. Green belts encircle , buffering suburban sprawl and maintaining open spaces like those in the Mease Lowlands and High Cross Plateau, where small villages dot clay wolds. Environmental features enhance the CV area's geographic diversity, with the River Avon forming a vital corridor through the Avon Valley, supporting floodplains, wetlands, and leisure navigation near and . The River Sowe and River Leam contribute to local hydrology, feeding into canal networks that include the Grand Union Canal, Coventry Canal, and Canal, which weave through the landscape providing historic transport routes and habitats. Protected elements extend to the northern edge of the , where escarpments and calcareous grasslands border southern villages like , promoting scenic views and ecological conservation amid the agricultural matrix.

Postal Structure

Postcode Districts

The CV postcode area encompasses 24 postcode districts, which serve as the primary subdivisions for mail sorting and delivery within the region. These districts are numerically designated from CV1 to CV47, with gaps in the numbering to accommodate future expansions or historical adjustments, and they cover a mix of urban, suburban, and rural locales primarily in and parts of the West Midlands. The districts can be categorized based on their predominant character: urban districts are concentrated in densely populated centers like and ; suburban districts include areas on the outskirts of major towns such as and ; and rural districts span agricultural and sparsely populated regions around Rugby, , and . This categorization reflects the varying densities and land uses, with urban areas handling higher volumes of mail due to residential and commercial concentrations.
DistrictPrimary CoverageCategory
CV1–CV6Central Coventry (city center, Hillfields, Spon End)Urban
CV7Northern Coventry suburbs including Exhall and BulkingtonSuburban
CV8 and southern CoventrySuburban
CV9 and northern WarwickshireUrban
CV10–CV12Urban
CV13Eastern Nuneaton outskirtsSuburban
CV21–CV22Central RugbyUrban
CV23Rural areas around RugbyRural
CV31Southern , Whitnash, and Radford SemeleUrban
CV32Central and Urban
CV33Rural southern Rural
CV34 townUrban
CV35Rural areas near Rural
CV36Rural
CV37Urban
CV47 and surrounding villagesRural
This table enumerates all districts with their key areas and categories, based on standard postal mappings. Each postcode district is further subdivided into sectors for more precise mail routing, where the sector is indicated by a numeral (0–9) following the district code, such as CV1 1 for the city center or CV1 2 for Hillfields in Coventry. These sectors typically encompass 2,000 to 4,000 addresses and facilitate automated sorting at local delivery offices, with the full postcode including a unit code for individual properties. For instance, CV1 divides into sectors CV1 1 through CV1 5, covering diverse neighborhoods from commercial hubs to residential zones.

Post Towns

The CV postcode area encompasses 11 designated post towns that function as central hubs for mail sorting and outward code assignment in the Royal Mail system, enabling efficient organization of postal delivery across urban and rural locales. These post towns are integral to the addressing format, where the post town name appears in capital letters immediately above the postcode, directing mail to the appropriate local delivery office for final distribution. In the CV area's blend of densely populated cities and dispersed villages, this structure streamlines sorting by grouping multiple postcode districts under each post town, reducing transit times and errors in mixed environments. The post towns and their associated postcode districts are as follows:
Post TownPostcode Districts
CV9
CV12
CV1–CV7
CV8
CV31–CV33
CV10–CV11, CV13
RugbyCV21–CV23
CV36
CV47
CV37
CV34–CV35
This assignment allows larger post towns, such as , to manage several districts (e.g., CV1 through CV7), serving as primary nodes for high-volume processing in the region's core urban areas. Smaller post towns like and , each covering a single district, support targeted delivery in rural pockets, enhancing overall postal efficiency by tailoring operations to local densities.

History

Establishment of the Postcode System

The United Kingdom's postcode system originated from efforts to modernize amid rising volumes in the era. A pilot scheme was launched in in 1959 under , introducing a six-character alphanumeric to facilitate machine-readable sorting on adapted equipment. The system used an outward code for geographic areas and an inward code for precise delivery points, building on earlier postal districts established in the 1850s. Refinements followed in the early 1960s, with the modern format officially introduced in in 1966, marking the start of broader implementation. This phase involved dividing the country into postcode areas, each centered on major post towns and linked to regional sorting hubs. The nationwide rollout progressed through the late 1960s and early 1970s, achieving full coverage by 1974, when all addresses were assigned codes to support efficient distribution. The establishment was necessitated by a shift from manual to mechanized sorting, as traditional methods struggled with increasing mail traffic. Early machines like the "Elsie" sorter required structured addressing for , prompting the postcode's to encode locations for optical and later electronic reading. Phosphor dots printed alongside codes further enabled mechanical processing until advanced in the 1980s. In the CV postcode area, the system was applied during the 1960s rollout as part of the sector, with "CV" assigned to as the central post town. This designation reflected 's position as a key hub in central , encompassing surrounding locales.

Boundary Adjustments and Changes

The CV postcode area's boundaries have undergone targeted modifications to address demographic and developmental pressures, with the most notable change being the establishment of the CV47 district in June 1999. This district was created by reallocating portions of the CV23 district (encompassing rural areas around Rugby) and the CV33 district (covering southern , including parts near ) to serve the expanding communities centered on . Postcodes within CV47 were formally introduced in December 1999, reflecting the Royal Mail's response to increased residential and commercial activity in these previously underserved rural locales. These boundary adjustments have enhanced the postcode system's alignment with local administrative divisions in and the adjacent West Midlands, promoting more efficient mail distribution and better integration with evolving settlement patterns. By adapting to growth around hubs like , the changes ensured sustained operational effectiveness for the Royal Mail while mirroring broader trends in .

Demographics and Economy

Population and Distribution

The CV postcode area is home to approximately 899,200 residents according to 2021 estimates, reflecting a diverse demographic spread across its urban, suburban, and rural zones. Population density varies significantly, exceeding 4,000 people per in central districts like CV1 and CV5, where compact urban development drives high concentrations, while rural districts such as CV36 and CV47 record densities below 100 people per due to expansive agricultural landscapes. Approximately 60% of the population resides in urban areas, primarily concentrated in the core districts of CV1–CV6 around city center and CV10–CV12 encompassing , where industrial and residential hubs support dense settlement patterns. The remaining 40% is distributed across suburban and rural locales, including CV21–CV23 in Rugby and CV31–CV35 near and , offering a mix of commuter belts and countryside communities. Recent growth has been most pronounced in the Rugby (CV21) and (CV10–CV11) areas, with increases of around 14% and 7% respectively since 2011, driven by housing developments and economic opportunities. The median age across the CV area stands at about 40 years, indicative of a balanced age structure with a slight skew toward working-age adults. Ethnic diversity is most pronounced in , where roughly 30% of residents identify as non-white, including significant South Asian communities that contribute to the area's multicultural fabric. Overall, the broader postcode area shows lower diversity, with white ethnic groups comprising over 80% of the in suburban and rural districts. Demographic trends since 2000 highlight from densely populated urban cores to suburban districts like CV8 (Kenilworth) and CV21 (Rugby), fueled by preferences for improved housing quality and access to green spaces, resulting in steady suburban expansion. As of 2024, the population of the CV postcode area is estimated at around 970,000 residents.

Economic Characteristics

The CV postcode area sustains a anchored in advanced manufacturing, , and , reflecting its position within the West Midlands' industrial heartland and 's cultural attractions. The advanced manufacturing sector, where operates major facilities, employs over 40,000 people across and in automotive, rail, aerospace, and motorsport activities. leverages Stratford-upon-Avon's global renown for Shakespeare-related heritage, drawing around 2.7 million visitors annually and bolstering and cultural enterprises. Meanwhile, services such as retail and digital industries flourish in , supported by its vibrant town center and proximity to business parks. Employment data as of 2023 reveals an unemployment rate averaging approximately 4.5% across the region, with at 5.8% and at 3.5%, amid a workforce where services account for over 80% of jobs—encompassing , retail, and roles—while comprises about 10%. The tourism industry contributes roughly £1.3 billion to 's each year through visitor spending, supporting around 22,000 jobs and underscoring its role in regional GDP. These figures highlight a balanced yet service-oriented labor market that sustains the area's through diverse opportunities. As of 2024, 's unemployment rate has decreased slightly to 5.6%. Coventry (postcode districts CV1–CV6) functions as the primary industrial hub, driving output in engineering and vehicle production, while Rugby (CV21) excels as a logistics node within the UK's "Golden Logistics Triangle," where the sector represents 14.7% of local businesses due to excellent motorway connectivity. Rural areas in southern districts (CV35–CV47), including parts around Stratford and , maintain agricultural contributions, focusing on arable farming and that complement the broader economy. Post-Brexit, the area faces challenges from supply chain disruptions in but is pivoting toward growth in and green energy, particularly in and districts, where investments in renewable projects and digital innovation aim to foster job creation and economic resilience amid national shifts to low-carbon industries.

References

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