Coventry
Coventry City Guide
Introduction
Having suffered extensive bomb damage during World War Two as a result of its booming manufacturing industries, the medieval city of Coventry is now a very modern place. Despite its lack of surviving historic buildings, it nevertheless has a wealth of attractions for visitors and the contemporary atmosphere makes it a lively and exciting city to visit.
Attractions
Coventry Cathedral
This stunning piece of post-war architecture combines the ruined medieval St Michael’s Cathedral with an elegant modern place of worship. Destroyed as a result of wartime bombing, the central focus of the design is the theme of peace and reconciliation, which is echoed in the artworks adorning the walls of the cathedral.
Coventry Transport Museum
Housing the largest number of British transport vehicles in world, the Coventry Transport Museum is a must-see. Admission is free to this vast collection of cars, buses, vans and motorcycles.
Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust
Coventry was once at the heart of the British car manufacturing industry and it has a rich motoring heritage. Daimler set up the first British car manufacturing plant here at the end of the 19th century and a whole host of other manufacturers followed. By the first third of the 20th century the industry was booming in the city, making it a target for German attack during the Second World War and leading to its eventual decline. This museum displays some of the types of car manufactured by the Jaguar Daimler company, with many of them still in full working order.
Midland Air Museum
Coventry is sheer heaven for transport enthusiasts. This excellent museum holds a large collection of military and civil aircraft and has a fascinating exhibition on the history and mechanics of the jet engine.
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Named after local industrialist Sir Alfred Herbert who donated the funds to establish the museum, the Herbert Centre is the key focus of Coventry’s cultural scene. It’s currently undergoing an extensive programme of renovation but there’s still a lot to see, from paintings and sculpture to artefacts chronicling the city’s history. Don’t miss the gallery of paintings of Lady Godiva, Coventry’s most famous citizen. Legend has it that this beautiful and elegant lady, the wife of local nobleman Leofric, earl of Mercia, who was shocked and saddened by the deprivation among the city’s inhabitants, begged her husband to relieve their poverty by reducing the oppressive taxes he levied upon them. He agreed on the condition that she rode naked though the streets of the city on horseback, without believing she’d ever do it. However, he underestimated the strength of her compassion and generosity. After issuing a proclamation for all citizens to remain indoors, she rode through the city with only her long hair to conceal her modesty. Her husband stuck to his word and subsequently lowered the taxes. Incidentally, the phrase ‘Peeping Tom’ also originates from this legend. He was the only citizen to disobey Lady Godiva’s order, and was struck with blindness when he cast his eyes upon her.
St John’s Church
Another linguistic oddity for which Coventry is well known is the phrase ‘to be sent to Coventry’, meaning to be spurned or ostracised by one’s peers. Some believe that the phrase originated during the English Civil War, when the small red sandstone church of St John’s in the staunchly Parliamentarian city of Coventry was used as a prison for Royalist dissenters from all over the region. The captives were treated with hostility by local residents, thus giving rise to what is now a common idiom across the English-speaking world.
Spon End
Formerly a residential suburb outside the medieval city walls, Spon End is one of the oldest areas of Coventry. Despite bomb damage in World War Two, it has survived to become a popular visitor attraction. The buildings vary in age from medieval to 20th century, and it’s an interesting area to walk around. Heritage trail maps are available from the tourist information office.
Ryton Organic Garden
Coventry is famed for innovation and progress, and the Ryton Organic Garden is a prime example of this. It’s the British National Organic Gardening Centre and it’s very informative and educational as well as great fun. There are interactive displays on British vegetables and their part in the country’s social history – such as the Irish potato famine and the Dig for Victory campaign in World War Two. The centre is also carrying out a key project on genetic diversity and is trying to recultivate vegetable varieties that have been lost in the UK since the introduction of intensive farming methods in the mid 20th century.
Lunt Roman Fort
This partially reconstructed first century Roman cavalry fort on the southern outskirts of Coventry is a fascinating place to visit. Entry to the fort is through the impressive reconstructed Eastern Gate, and the clearly visible foundations of the key buildings give a good impression of the scale of the complex. There’s an excellent visitor centre and museum explaining the history of the fort and Roman military life.
Eating Out
Although not traditionally famed for its cuisine, the Coventry dining scene has really taken off the ground in the last few years and there are now some excellent award-winning restaurants in the city.
Some of the 2006 nominees for the prestigious Godiva awards, the region’s mark of excellence in leisure, tourism and entertainment, include: Akbar’s Indian Restaurant at The Butts, Queen’s Road; The Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant, also on Queen’s Road; stylish designer restaurant Dogma on Fairfax Street; Lino’s exclusive French restaurant on Brinklow Road; and the long-established Quo Vadis Italian Restaurant on Barkers Butts Lane, which has had a deservedly shining reputation among locals for over 25 years.
Many of the best restaurants are located on and around Queen’s Road, so if none of these take your fancy, you’ll be sure to find somewhere good just by wandering around this area.
Nightlife
The Godiva Awards also encompass bars and pubs, which is pushing up standards in the city. Whether you’re looking for a traditional pub for a good pint of real ale or a trendy modern style bar, you’ll find something to suit your tastes.
The Beer Engine on Far Gosford Street has a good selection of ales and beers as well as live music several times a week. The Golden Cross on Hay Lane is one of the oldest pubs in the city centre, and the Hope and Anchor on Whitefriars Lane is one of the friendliest, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Among the best fashionable new bars are Inspires on New Union Street, which is housed in a converted 13th century church; the Liquid Café Wine Bar in the City Arcade, which is the city’s only completely non-smoking bar; Prague Phoenix I on Fairfax Street, a funky yet quirky style bar; and the Tin Angel on Spon Street, a cool live music venue with a Sixties vibe.
Many of the city’s best clubs can be found in the shiny new Skydome complex, which also has a cinema and various restaurants and bars. Check out Lava, Jumpin’ Jaks and Ignite.
