The Cathedral and other Coventry, United Kingdom Things to Do Tips

The cathedral has always played a mayor role in the history of Coventry and can be seen as Coventry’s heart. The founding year of the city is mostly given as 1043 – the year when Eral Leofric founded an abbey on the spot where the old cathedral stands now. Only few remains of this abbey which was replaced by the gothic St. Michael’s cathedral by the 13th century. On Noevmber 14th 1940, Coventry was “blitzed” and, like large parts of the town center, destroyed. Only the tower and the outer walls remained. Rather than rebuildiding the Cathedral, it was decided to build a new one next to it. In this process, a focus of partnership with Germany took place. For example, the new Cathedral was consecrated on the same day (may 25th 1962) as the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, which suffered a similar fate. Both churches, together with the Cathedral of Volgograd (former Stalingrad) are in possession of an artwork called the Stalingrad Madonna, which was drawn by a german soldier during the battle of Stalingrad. Also, some other church treasury is shown in the new cathedral making it worth a visit. Outside, the large bronze sculpture “St. Michael’s Victory over the Devil” is worth to notice. For further information about the old cathedral, which can still be visited, please check out my separate tip about it.

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Address: 7 Priory Row
Directions: In the town center, southwards from the coach station

Until November 14th 1940, when it was bombed by Nazi Germany, St. Michael’s Cathedral was one of the most impressive clecrical buildings in England. What could be saved out of it was transferred into the new building which was finished in 1962. The old cathedral is still hallowed ground and is used as a monument for peace and understanding. The wooden cross, made out of two former beams and placed behind the alter directly after the bombing, still stands on its place. Regularly, memorial services take place here. The tower can still be climbed. Tickets for it are sold in the small souvenir shop directly at the base of the tower. There, you’ll also get a card which you have to return when you come back from the tower. This is to ensure that nobody is locked down in the tower (I wonder, if this has ever happened…). It will give you a wonderful view over the city.
For further information about the cathedral’s history and the new building, please check out my separate tip about it.

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Address: 7 Priory Row or 1 Top Hill
Directions: In the town center, southwards from the coach station
Website: http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/

Although it is a bautiful gothic church, the Holy Trinity Church does not receive much attention due to the neighbouring Cathedral. Finished in the late 14th century, it replaced an older chapel which stood on the same place. Although frequent renovations and modernization replaced some of the original material, the church has kept its style almost purely gothic. The spire is from 1667 after the original one crashed down udirng a thunderstorm two years before. A painting from 1430 is regarded as the main treasure of this church.
It should be mentioned that the most remarkable buildings in Coventry’s skyline are the often-mentioned three spires. Only the one of the Holy Trinity Church belongs to a church still in function!

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Directions: Close to the old cathedral
Website: www.holytrinitycoventry.org.uk

The Millenium Place has a couple of things worth to notice, even if you don't go into the Transport Museum. First, the arches and bridges over Millenium suqare which must give an astonishing panorama at night. Then, of course, the transport museum. It focuses on cars as Coventry was a home to several assembly lines until the late 20th century and has always been a city with a focus on the car manufacturing industry. A small part is also dedicated to aviation as also parts for aircraft manuifacturers were produced here.
At the Millenium Place, you will also find the statue of Sir Frank Whittle. The legacy of this coventrian was the invention of the turbojet engine which he developed independently from his german counterpart von Ohain in the 1930s. However, none of them can claim this invention without considering the efforts of romanian Henri Coanda who flew a motorjet-powered aircraft in 1910 without further following its development. Part of the museum is also dedicated to Sir Frank Whittle and his invention.

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Address: Millenium Place, Coventry
Directions: Close to the Coach Station and the Holy Trinity Church
Website: www.transport-museum.com/