The Portrait Benches project commemorates local heroes nominated by their communities by immortalising them as life-sized steel figures. You'll find them on National Cycle Network routes across the UK. This latest iteration of the project is in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.
Portrait Bench figures can be found on National Cycle Network routes all across the UK.
As part of the Portrait Benches project, we're celebrating the record-breaking athletes of bicycle racer Eileen Sheridan and middle- to long-distance runner David Moorcroft.
The Lias Line travels through Warwickshire on a largely traffic-free path.
It starts at the town of Warwick, where you’ll find the medieval Warwick Castle founded by William the Conqueror.
It passes on through Leamington Spa and Long Itchington to skirt Draycote Water.
This peaceful reservoir is surrounded by a five-mile, off-road loop, perfect for a stroll and a picnic.
Continue on the Lias Line to reach the market town of Rugby.
Explore the National Cycle Network
Find walking, wheeling and cycling routes near youCelebrating Long Itchington's local heroes
Eileen Sheridan
Eileen Sheridan was born in Coventry in 1923 and lived there through the wartime bombings.
She began bicycle racing after the war and won many national championships.
In 1951 she turned professional for Hercules Cycles, and during the next four years she rewrote all 21 British women's road records.
This culminated in her Land's End - John O'Groats and 1000-mile records, the latter surviving until 2002.
Eileen and world champion Reg Harris were the most famous British cyclists of their time.
David Moorcroft
David Moorcroft OBE is a former Olympian and middle- and long-distance runner born in Coventry.
In 1982, he broke the 5,000m world record while competing for Great Britain in Oslo.
He later served as the Chief Executive of UK Athletics (1997-2007) and was a pundit for the BBC.
David is the current Chair of the parkrun UK Board and a sports consultant, sharing his experience and expertise in sports and volunteering.