Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Coventry is no longer a ghost town " a Coventry Travel Page by denise16

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Europe » United Kingdom » England » West Midlands » Coventry » Coventry is no longer a ghost town - Coventry, United Kingdom

"Coventry is no longer a ghost town " a Coventry Travel Page by denise16

See the Entire Coventry Travel Guide

Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


denise16    
When can I get off this plane?


Real Name:
Lives In: Warwickshire, UK
Member Since: Jun 20, 2004
VT Rank: 3273

 

Page Views: 5,090            Last Visit to Coventry: December, 2004      I Work Here

Coventry is no longer a ghost town

by denise16 - last update: Aug 6, 2006

History

Part of Medival Spon St. 2mins walk from my office
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.
The gothic cathedral

The city of 3 cathedrals

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

Today's City

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.
The Frank Whittle arch over Millenium Place

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

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"
denise16's Coventry Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Restaurants
Tips: 6 - Photos: 3
Hotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
Transportation
Tips: 1
Local Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 1
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

denise16's Coventry Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Coventry Canal art trailOctober, 2004 4
Latest Coventry picturesMay, 2007 8

Comments for denise16 about Coventry
sue_stone Tue Sep 27, 2005 07:25 UTC
 Now I know where to dine when I eventually make it up your way!
LozziIsATraveler Sun Jan 16, 2005 14:19 UTC
 I love the Turmeric!! Is lovely!!
freya_heaven Sat Jan 1, 2005 20:48 UTC
 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 (~_~)
LizD Tue Aug 10, 2004 09:11 UTC
 Sounds a great restaurant not heard of anything like this before

Coventry Hotels

Find:       Matching:  Advanced