An abbey was built in Merevale in 1148 by Robert de Ferrers, 2nd Earl of Derby. It was a relatively small abbey with only around 10 monks. The abbey was dissolved in October 1538, during the reign of Henry VIII and fell into ruin, but traces of it remain to the present day. One of the most significant parts to have survived is the gate chapel, now used as the parish church. The church is significant for its Cistercian stained glass, including its Jesse window, and for being the only Cistercian gate chapel to be open for regular weekly services throughout the year. William de Ferrers, 5th Earl of Derby is buried here.
Merevale Hall
Designed by Edward Blore, Merevale Hall was completed in 1840 and has been the home of the descendants of Sir William Dugdale since this time. Dugdale was a strong royalist supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War, and was appointed as his 'Garter Principal King of Arms'. Many of his artefacts, including ceremonial clothes, can be seen at the hall.
Governance
The village has its own parish called Merevale Civil Parish although for some purposes it is merged to form Bentley and Merevale Civil Parish. The community is served by Bentley and Merevale Parish Council. Merevale was part of the Atherstone Rural District. In 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 the Atherstone Rural District became part of the newly formed district of North Warwickshire. Inside North Warwickshire Merevale is part of the Baddesley and Grendon Ward and is represented by Andy Wright and Bernadette Davey who are both Conservative, Merevale is covered by the Baddesley Ensor Ward in Warwickshire County Council and is also represented by Andy Wright a Conservative Councillor. It is part of the North Warwickshire constituency and the current MP is pro-Brexit Conservative Craig Tracey. It is also part of the West Midlands European Parliament constituency which is represented by 6 MEPs.
The village lies in the North Warwickshire NHS trust area. The village does not have its own doctor's surgery or pharmacy. The nearest GP's surgeries can be found in Atherstone. The George Eliot Hospital at Nuneaton is the area's local hospital. It has an Accident and Emergency Department. Out of hours GP services are also based at George Eliot.
Transport
The A5 at runs to the east of Merevale. The village has one bus stop on the A5 and is served by routes 48 and 765, the nearest railway station is Atherstone. The nearest airports are Birmingham and East Midlands