Sign in with Facebook"Coventry is no longer a ghost town" Top 5 Page for this destination Coventry by denise16
Coventry Travel Guide: 199 reviews and 411 photos
Coventry has had a very long and checkered history. It has seen the good times and the bad. There was a priory there in 1086, but was still a small community at that time.
By 14th century Coventry was 4th largest town in England, by 1530's the town's wool industry was in decline and a down time started. From the 19th century the town first had a ribbon industry, followed by watch making, then by cycle and finally car manufactoring and aircraft works.
Much of the city's medival building were distroyed during the 2nd war, with a mass of civilian deaths durign 2 raids. The cathedral was distroyed in November 1940.
Coventry is famous for Lady Godiva's naked horse ride through the town, as a protess against her husband's taxation laws. She now proudly sits at the top of the shopping area, and is still overlooked by peeping Tom Clock, who has legend has it broke the rules agreed before her ride.
Another legend is that if you get sent to Coventry it means no one is speaking to you. I'm not sure of the origins of that but will find out.
The car industry started to disappear in the 1980's there are now only a handful of factories in the area producing cars and we are about to say goodbye to the most famouse car manufacturer Jaguar Cars.
Coventry is offically a city of peace and reconciliation and the site for this is the old cathedral.
Coventry is proud of its multicultural makeup and often there are events marking this.
Photos to come very soon.
It is well know that Coventry's St. Michael's cathedral was destroyed in November air raids of 1940 and that a modern building was openned in the 1960's. Unless you watch channel 4's time team you maynot be aware that there was an older priory on the site, which served as a cathedral until dissolved by Henry VIII. This has now been excuvated and there is now a preminant display and visitor centre. It is also possible to book guided tours of the undercroft by visiting the nearby tourist information centre.
Very close the cathedral area is priory place and the garden of the whispering trees. Sit there on a sunny day and listen to the voices of Coventry people celebrating the diversity of the city. Sit there when you have had an drink and you might before convinced you are 'hearing voices' The parish church of Holy Trinity just a few metres from the new cathedral is home to a doom painting, only uncovered during restoration.
Photos to come soon
In recent years there has been a lot of redevelopment. This has made the medival history more accessible, blended in the new and looked to the future.
There are 2 universities in the city. Coventry University is a former poly and is a city centre based university, it has recently had a new award winning library built that is also environmently friendly. And a conference and technology park on the former site of Rolls Royce.
Warwick University is a green field campus in the Canley area of the city, about 3-4 miles from the centre, but serviced by bus or taxi. Warwick is one of the top universities in the UK and hosts the famous Arts Centre.
Right in the centre of the city is Millenuim Place and the home of the Transport museum. The transport museum is of course home to the landspeed collection including Trust SSC, you can expereince what it felt like to break the landspeed record in 1997.
The final area to undergo development is the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery in Jordan Well, this is due for completion in 2007 but remains open to the public.
Just south of the city off the Keniworth Road is the Memorial Park. Planted up with trees makign the lives of men women and children killed in the Coventry Blitz raids. A wide open space for children to play, people to walkdogs and lots of football pitches. A site used frequently for different festivals and events.
Photos coming soon.
- Pros:A city that is starting to take pride in itself
- Cons:The post war developments, but even these are slowly being replaced
- In a nutshell:more than just car city. A city of diversity
Reviews (9)
small city easy to see the sights
Things to Do
(1)
Although much of Coventry was damaged beyond repair by the air raids during the war and the the city council's... more travel advice
Update on Habibbis
Restaurants
(6)
Since my last tip on this wonderful palce, the resturant has been awarded the Coventry Godiva Award and updated their... more travel advice
Taste of India in Medival Coventry
Restaurants
(6)
A delightful Indian resturant that has recently won awards for its food. The outside is decorated with hanging baskets... more travel advice
Taste of the Middle East
Restaurants
(6)
looking for somewhere a little different, this is the place. Downstairs is laid out like a traditional resturant but... more travel advice
Travelogues (2)
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Written Aug 6, 2006
4 photos
Coventry Canal art trail
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Written Jun 1, 2007
8 photos
Latest Coventry pictures
- 1
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Coventry Travel Guide
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Comments (5)
My grandfather was born at 9 Spon Street. It was The Plough Inn at the time and his father was a licensed victualler there. I wish there were some existing photos of the building, since the original was bombed.
Now I know where to dine when I eventually make it up your way!
I love the Turmeric!! Is lovely!!
Great restaurant tips Denise, my husband is from Coventry, we shall have to visit Habibi next time we are up there for a visit. The Basin is a pleasant area. Nice Page (~_~)
Sounds a great restaurant not heard of anything like this before