Coventry has become a popular destination for students looking to study at university, and people looking for city breaks and excursions. What’s more, you can easily travel to this city from almost anywhere in the UK.
Getting to and around Coventry
You can get to Coventry from most other destinations in the UK very easily due to the central location and transport links. You can travel by coach from Coventry to London, and there are also bus connections to most other major towns and cities. Train and car are also very easy ways to reach Coventry, whilst the city centre is also walkable although having a car makes visiting most of the main locations easier.
Top Places to Visit in Coventry
Here are the top severn things to see and do in Coventry.
1. Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral is one of the most iconic places on the city skyline, and one of the oldest buildings in the city. The tower, spire, and outer wall of the church survived the bombing, but the rest of this historic building was destroyed. After the war, the cathedral was not rebuilt on site but left in ruins as a testament to the futility of war.
2. Visit The Coventry Transport Museum
This museum is one of the best places to see in Coventry, especially if you are fond of cars and other automobiles. Since the 1980s, this museum has homed collections of British vehicles, including cars, motorbikes, motorcycles, and even books and photo artifacts.
You will love the two major exhibits in this museum: Thrust SSC and Thrust 2, which are reputable for their speed and recognized as the world’s fastest cars.
If you have children, they are not left out as the museum has interactive sessions perfect for learning, so its the perfect destination to visit during the school holidays.
The Coventry Transport Museum opens from 10 am to 5 pm daily. It is however advised to arrive before 3 pm to guarantee your entry. It is open all year round except the 24th-26th of December and the 1st of January.
3. FarGo Village
Fargo Village is one of the trendiest places to go shopping and relax, due to the amount of independent local shops here. Its really cool, and a great place to go shopping. There are lots of food and drink outlets too.
4. Enjoy Some Fine Tunes At Coventry Music Museum
Music lovers are sure to enjoy the treasures of Coventry city. Visit the Coventry Music Museum, where lovers of music from all over the world come together. This museum is where exhibitions of musical instruments from ancient and notable artists are seen. The entire songs released by the famous 2-Tone record of Jerry Dammers are on display. Do you like reggae, punk, and pop? Then you would surely love this place.
You can also view the Coventry Music Wall of Fame here and have the opportunity to attend concerts, often held during weekends. If you are in the city for some time, you can also witness the Band or Artist of the month at the underground Knights site. This attempts to bring to fame the trending talent based in the city at that time. It is open from 10 am to 4 pm from Thursdays to Saturdays, then 10 am to 3 pm on Sundays.
5. Discover The Herbert Art Gallery And Museum
If you are a lover of art, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum can satisfy your cravings.
It is filled with world-class artworks ranging from old to contemporary. There are varieties of natural history exhibits, archeological artifacts, history of Coventry way back from the 1500s to date, and all art classes. This museum is one of the best tourist centers in Coventry set on a spacious site.
There is also a museum shop here where you can purchase beautiful art items as your take home. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum does not only serve as a fun center but also as an archive. The presence of experts in various fields who give talks and lectures about the exhibits also makes the museum a learning center.
So, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is your best bet if you are in for a good blend of fun and education.
6. Explore the Coombe Abbey Park
Refresh yourself in the beautiful and serene sight of Coombe Abbey Park.
This 500-acre park contains gardens, woodland, and a crispy lake that would give you a sweet taste of nature. There are numerous fun activities to do while appreciating the blossoming Bluebells that form like a carpet throughout the park. The place also offers adventures and games with stimulating effects.
A particularly challenging but engaging activity you could do is the Go Ape. It includes a Treetop challenge and adventures, ax throwing, mini land rovers, and many more that can unleash your hidden warrior potential.
Don’t forget to come with a camera that will help you capture the beautiful scenery during your tour and create long-lasting memories.
7. Watch a Live Football Game
Football is a huge local passion and here you can watch Coventry City FC, one of the oldest teams in the English football league. They play at the Rioch Arena in the Championship division, and there are regular games here from August to May.
Plan a Trip to Coventry
Coventry is a destination which isn't likely to be top of any of the lists with the best places to go in the UK, but the city if full of art, culture and offers something for everyone. It has grown from a city near destruction to a place that attracts tourists from around the world.
When walking around the city centre be sure to stop for photos at the Lady Godiva Statue and St. Mary's Guildhall. Coventry also has a lively night scene with lots of bars and clubs. For live entertainment be sure to visit the Belgrade Theatre for events.
If you have more time there are plenty of other places to check out, including the Midland Air Museum, Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve, War Memorial Park and also there are lots of day trips and places nearby to checkout including Birmingham and the countryside.