Summary
England’s ninth largest urban center possesses the distinction of being both a historic cathedral city and a modern manufacturing center.
The 14th-century St Michael’s Cathedral was severely damaged during the war, and its remnants have been preserved as a symbol of peace adjacent to a striking, contemporary cathedral constructed in the post-war era.
In the Cathedral Quarter, one can observe remnants from when Coventry was renowned as a cloth-making center in Medieval times, exemplified by the remarkable St Mary’s Hall from the 14th century.
Throughout much of the 20th century, Coventry was a significant hub for British automobile and bicycle manufacturing, with the esteemed brand Jaguar still headquartered in the city.
Let us examine the prominent attractions in Coventry:
1. Coventry Transport Museum
Given its manufacturing legacy, Coventry serves as an appropriate location for a transport museum.
Here, one can explore the world’s most extensive collection of British-made vehicles, including numerous Jaguars, Triumphs, Humbers, and Standards.
Some of these vehicles have fascinating histories, such as the Austin Metro owned by Lady Diana, a Humber Staff Car used by General Montgomery during the Second World War, and the bus that transported the Coventry City football team during their FA Cup victory parade in 1987. Notably, the Thrust2 and the ThrustSSC, which set world land speed records in 1983 and 1997 respectively, are also displayed; the latter achieved a speed of 763 mph and became the first road vehicle to break the sound barrier.
2. Coventry Cathedral
The Gothic St Michael’s Cathedral, dating back to the 14th century, was bombed on November 14, 1940, during the Second World War.
This edifice has been left in a state of ruin to serve as a memorial, allowing visitors to walk through the nave and appreciate the window tracery.
The tower remains the largest surviving structure, functioning as a bell tower that houses a visitor information center on its ground floor, and individuals can climb it for £4. The new adjacent cathedral, designed by Basil Spence and consecrated in 1962, has been recognized as the UK’s favorite 20th-century monument.
Visitors should take the opportunity to view the significant tapestry of Christ designed by Graham Sutherland, the stained glass windows by Lawrence Lee, and the Expressionist Great West Screen by John Hutton.
3. St Mary’s Guildhall
A reflection of Coventry’s distinguished Medieval heritage, St Mary’s Guildhall was constructed in the 1340s and subsequently expanded to its current dimensions by the end of the century.
This establishment served as the headquarters for the influential St Mary’s Guild, which was later united with other guilds until they were disbanded by Henry VIII in the 16th century.
At that point, the mayor and corporation of Coventry relocated there, remaining until the 20th century.
Admission to St Mary’s Guildhall is complimentary, and it stands as one of the most exquisite surviving guildhalls in the UK. Visitors can learn about Shakespeare’s and Mary Queen of Scots’ stays at St Mary’s during Tudor times while admiring collections of art, weaponry, armor, and furniture.
The Great Hall is particularly noteworthy, featuring Medieval stained glass, angels intricately carved into the ceiling beams, and one of the UK’s most treasured tapestries.
4. Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Commonly referred to as The Herbert, this exceptional gallery and museum possesses substantial collections in visual arts, archaeology, natural history, and social history.
Commence your visit at the British Life and Landscapes exhibition, showcasing works by notable 20th-century English painters including Paul Nash, L. S. Lowry, Stanley Spencer, and David Bomberg. The standout piece is Lady Godiva by the Pre-Raphaelite John Collier, appropriately exhibited in Lady Godiva’s hometown.
The archaeology collection spans from Prehistory to the Stuart period in the 17th century, featuring items such as Stone Age ceramics, Roman artifacts from Coventry’s Lunt Fort, and Anglo-Saxon tiles, vessels, and weapons.
However, the Medieval collection is particularly rich, recalling the period when Coventry thrived.
Highlights include a 15th-century helmet, intricately carved choir stalls from a Carmelite friary, and high-quality stonework from a Benedictine priory.
5. Holy Trinity Church
The only Medieval place of worship in Coventry to emerge from the war unscathed, Holy Trinity Church features one of the tallest spires (73 meters) of any non-cathedral church in the country.
Consecrated in the 12th century, the church underwent updates in the 17th century and further renovations in the 1850s by the noted restorer George Gilbert Scott.
What distinguishes Holy Trinity is its captivating “Doom” painting of the Last Judgment located above the tower arch.
This artwork, completed in the 1430s, was covered with limewash during the Reformation, rediscovered in 1831, and restoration initially began in the 1990s, with the painting unveiled once again in 2004.
6. War Memorial Park
Following the First World War, the city acquired 50 acres of land from the Lords of Styvchale Manor to establish a park in honor of Coventry’s war casualties.
The gardens were completed during the 1920s and 30s, centering around a 27-meter monument constructed from Portland stone and inaugurated in 1927. In the early 2010s, the park underwent a multimillion-pound renovation, earning notable Green Flag status for its maintenance and facilities.
The park features a memorial and garden in one section while another encompasses playing fields, a “Splash ‘n’ Play Park,” a golf course, and tennis courts.
During spring and summer, the park hosts various events, including the Sikh and Hindu Vaisakhi Mela festival, the Caribbean Festival, and the renowned Godiva Festival, which will be discussed later.
7. Warwick Arts Centre
Located less than five miles southwest of Coventry is the esteemed University of Warwick, which boasts the second-largest arts complex outside of London’s Barbican.
Situated within the university campus, Warwick Arts Centre hosts over 3,000 distinct events each year.
This includes performances by leading theater companies, art exhibitions, national opera, discussions with Nobel Prize-winning authors, and a diverse array of music and dance events across five venues.
As a significant educational institution, post-performance discussions often feature artists and actors, alongside theater workshops conducted by some of the country’s finest companies.
8. Coventry Music Museum
Coventry and Warwickshire have birthed several modern musical pioneers, and they are memorialized at this dynamic museum.
Visitors can delve into the works of artists such as the electronic music innovator Delia Derbyshire, who was part of BBC’s Radiophonic Workshop and produced the iconic electronic version of the Doctor Who theme.
Coventry also served as the foundational location for the Two-tone movement, representing a cultural fusion of punk and ska.
The museum features substantial exhibition space dedicated to this genre and its most eminent band, The Specials.
Moreover, there is a timeline chronicling the region’s musical history dating back to Roman times, a replica of a record shop booth, and an interactive recording studio.
9. Midland Air Museum
Encompassing two hangars and an outdoor space at Coventry Airport, the Midland Air Museum showcases post-war aircraft design from both British and international origins.
This includes the Frank Whittle Jet Heritage Centre, named after the Coventry native who invented and patented the first turbojet engine in 1930. Notable exhibits include a Gloster Javelin, Lockheed Starfighter, MiG-21, Panavia Tornado, Avro Vulcan, and Dassault Mystère IV. Furthermore, there is an exhibition detailing Frank Whittle’s career as well as a variety of piston, gas turbine, and rocket engines, including five by Rolls-Royce and five by Armstrong Siddeley.
10. Lady Godiva Statue
Lady Godiva was a genuine historical figure, an 11th-century noblewoman married to Leofric, Earl of Mercia.
According to a prevalent legend, she rode naked (only covered by her long hair) on horseback through Coventry to protest her husband’s excessive taxation of his tenants.
Her decency was preserved as the entire city averted their gaze, except for one man, dubbed “Peeping Tom,” who supposedly was struck blind as poetic retribution.
This serves as the origin of the term “Peeping Tom,” and the statue depicting Godiva’s legendary ride stands on a solemn plinth on Broadgate, installed in 1949. Also located on Broadgate is a clock featuring a figure of Godiva that appears on the hour, observed by Peeping Tom.
11. Lunt Roman Fort
Located in the southern part of Coventry is a Roman fort, partially reconstructed by the Royal Engineers in the 1970s following an archaeological evaluation.
The precise origins of the fort remain uncertain, but it is believed to date back to around 60 AD, established after the Roman conquest over the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudica.
The fort exhibits the typical square outline characteristic of Roman forts, with one section on the east side featuring a circular bulge that has been reconstructed.
This unique “gyrus” is thought to have been utilized for horse training, a feature not replicated elsewhere in the Roman Empire.
The granary and gatehouse have also been restored, and the fort includes a small museum which features a color representation of the frieze from Trajan’s Column in Rome.
12. FarGo
Since 2014, a former industrial area situated east of Coventry University has transformed into a vibrant hub for creative, young, and independent businesses.
Within repurposed warehouses and the alleys between them, you can discover vintage clothing shops, graphic design and animation studios, candle-making establishments, a microbrewery and pub, and a vegan café.
The Box is a contemporary performing arts venue with a 500-capacity, while perhaps the most eccentric feature at FarGo is a museum dedicated entirely to the American 20th-century television actor Phil Silvers, renowned for his role as Sergeant Bilko.
13. Kenilworth Castle
This impressive castle was established during Norman times and has witnessed significant events throughout English Medieval and Tudor history.
The six-month Siege of Kenilworth, noted as the longest in English history, took place here in 1266 during the Second Barons’ War.
Later, Queen Elizabeth I was received with grand celebration at Kenilworth in 1575 by her friend and suitor, the Earl of Leicester.
The structure underwent various renovations during this time but was greatly damaged by Parliamentarians in 1649 to prevent it from being repurposed.
The ruins remain vast and captivating, featuring an 18-meter tower built for Elizabeth I which visitors can ascend, and the magnificent Gothic Great Hall, commissioned by John of Gaunt in the 14th century.
A full day is recommended to explore everything, from the interactive exhibition in the Tudor stables to the elegant Elizabethan garden.
14. Stoneleigh Abbey
Another compelling reason to visit Kenilworth is Stoneleigh Abbey, a stately home constructed on the site of a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century.
The abbey was passed to the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Leigh in 1558 after the dissolution of the religious order by Henry VIII. The opulent residence that followed showcases a combination of Elizabethan and English Baroque architecture, including a ceremonious west wing completed in 1726, alongside features from the original abbey, notably the gatehouse from the 1300s.
Notably, Jane Austen was a regular guest at Stoneleigh, having had friendships with the Leigh family.
Today, special Austen-themed tours of the house are offered, and the venue is accessible five days a week.
The grounds include beautifully restored gardens designed by the prominent 18th-century landscaper Henry Repton.
These scenic views, coupled with the vista over the River Avon, can be enjoyed from the café located in the abbey’s orangery.
15. Coventry Godiva Festival
Coventry hosts the UK’s largest free family festival, which takes place in War Memorial Park over a three-day period at the end of August and beginning of September.
Initiated in 1997, this event has consistently featured a strong alternative rock lineup, complemented by more mainstream artists.
In recent years, well-known bands such as Happy Mondays, Echo and the Bunnymen, the Buzzcocks, and the Stranglers have performed here.
The festival divides into two sections: The Family Field, which offers various activities for children, including a funfair, petting zoo, and falconry demonstrations, as well as a charity village and community stage.
The Main Field caters to musical tastes across the spectrum.
In 2018, headliners included 90s pop stars Ronan Keating and Gabrielle, but attendees are encouraged to explore various offerings around the food stalls, acoustic stage, and craft and vintage market.
