Coventry

Coventry is a large city in the West Midlands region of England, part of the United Kingdom. It has a population of just over 365,000 (2018), making it the eleventh-largest city in the country. Locally, the city is known as 'The Three Spired City', because of the church and cathedral spires that form the most striking aspect of the city's landscape. Coventry is perhaps best known for its association with the 11th century legend of Lady Godiva and for its two cathedrals, one of which is preserved as ruins after heavy bombing in the Second World War. Although an old city, visitors should not expect much in the way of old-world charm. Extensive rebuilding of the city following the war in the 1940s and 1950s replaced much of its pre-war appeal with questionable concrete structures and a highly pedestrianised city centre, enveloped by a partially-elevated ring road.

History
The area that Coventry now occupies has been inhabited for over 1,000 years. The city is known for its association with Lady Godiva, who rode naked through the city streets in order to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation imposed by her husband on his tenants. Lore has it that the term 'Peeping Tom' is derived from this tale, describing a man named Tom who did not cover his eyes as she rode through the streets. Coventry has been an economically important city in the past, being a hub for the cloth trade in the Middle Ages and for the burgeoning automotive industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city's industrial prowess helped Britain's war efforts in the early 20th century; it also however made it an obvious target in the Second World War. A series of German bombing raids from 1940-42 (the Coventry Blitz) destroyed much of the city's infrastructure, although the single night of bombing in November 1940 dealt the largest damage, killing more than 500 people.

In the succeeding decades after the war, most of the old medieval dwellings were not rebuilt, being replaced instead by more modern constructions, often brutalist concrete structures. Subsequent to these, Coventry has undergone extensive remodelling most notably within the city centre, making it more pedestrian-friendly. Major regeneration projects have attempted to make the city a more attractive place, such as the Phoenix Initiative (completed in 2004) which was shortlisted for the Stirling Prize.

Climate
In common with most of the UK, Coventry experiences cool winters and mild summers with moderate annual rainfall. Winter temperatures seldom drop below -10°C (14°F) and the summer months rarely exceed 30°C (86°F). Moderate but occasionally disruptive snowfall is possible in January or February. Daylight hours range from 4:45AM to 9:30PM in the summer, to 8:15AM and 3:45PM in the winter months.

Visitor information

 * Visit Coventry website

By road
Coventry is near the centre of the UK motorway network. The M6 passes the north of the city. The M1 is easily accessible via the A45 towards London and the M69 northbound. The M40 is accessed along the A46.

To enjoy the drive into Coventry approach along the A46, exiting at Kenilworth. Drive through central Kenilworth and past the Abbey Fields park before turning right towards Coventry. The broad tree-lined Kenilworth Road offers a beautiful boulevard into the city.

The city also provides a Park and Ride facility, see National Park and Ride Directory.

You can reach Coventry from London using Megabus which starts at roughly £13 return, but it arrives in Cannon Park, near Tesco, not the city centre. National Express has buses arrive at Pool Meadow Bus Station (see listing below), which can be cheaper at some times, though on average, Megabus proposes more options that are almost as cheap as the cheapest, yet less common National Express's equivalents.

One possible problem visitors to Coventry City centre may encounter is the infamous Coventry ring road. It can be very confusing to first time users, with its single on/off ramps. Speed is limited to 40 mph, but don't be surprised to see cars pass by at [sometimes] much higher speeds, racing to get off at the next junction! If you plan to come to Coventry (and want to visit the city centre), it's advisable to have someone who understands the ring road drive you around first.

By rail




By bus
There are a plethora of buses serving Coventry, all run by National Express, although first time users or those unfamiliar with city bus transport can find the number of different routes intimidating. Cost within the city boundaries is standardised at £2.10 per journey, apart from single journeys within the ring road, which are £1. Daysaver tickets for unlimited travel within the Coventry area for one day are £4 for adults and £3.10 for those under 16.

If you plan on travelling frequently by bus, travelcards are available.


 * Adult Coventry Faresaver allows unlimited travel at any time around Coventry. 1 week costs £13.00 (available only from participating agents) and 4 weeks costs £45.25.
 * Adult Coventry Off-Peak Faresaver are valid in the Coventry area all day Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. Travel on weekdays (M-F) is limited to between 9:30AM and 3:30PM, and from 6PM onwards. 1 week costs £9.50 (available only from participating agents)

By car
Coventry's city centre is not very car-friendly. With the pedestrianisation of large tracts of the central business district, travelling in the confusing patchwork of roads winding around the pedestrian quarters can be very frustrating. The ringroad surrounding the city centre is a very quick method of getting around, but its frantic pace and multiple sudden exits make it notoriously difficult for visitors. There is ongoing construction work outside the town hall and Herbert Art Gallery which will further restrict accessibility by car, narrowing the road down from two lanes to one.

In contrast, the city's suburbs are much better suited for car transport, although as expected in a city, rush hours tend to be very busy.

By taxi
Many firms operate within Coventry. Black cabs can be flagged down on the street but private hire taxis must be booked. Popular firms include:



By bike
Central Coventry is fairly flat, and good for cycling. Cyclists may use the ring road, but are best advised not to do so; quieter side roads are available for the same journeys.

Other

 * Christmas Lights Switch-On, city centre. This annual event is usually around mid-November, and features a line-up of music acts, presenters, fireworks, etc. There is also a parade, with businesses and schools providing floats that travel through the City Centre streets.

Learn
There are plenty of opportunities to learn in Coventry. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum runs classes for adults in vocational subjects and sometimes in unusual topics. Classes in skills such as maths, English, and computing along with British qualifications such as NVQs are run in the city's central library. For slightly younger learners there are four further education colleges in the city: Henley College Coventry and City College Coventry (both in the north-east of the city), Hereward College (in the west) and Coventry University College (in the city centre).

Coventry is home to two universities:

Buy
Coventry has a variety of shopping complexes in and around the area. These range from retail parks, to the pedestrian Coventry City Centre -one of the first of its kind. Shopping in Coventry mainly consists of the high street chain stores, although there are independent record shops and clothes shops dotted about here and there and there is also the large indoor Coventry Market, which are well worth the visit.

Eat
Coventry is host to a range of eateries. From cafés to restaurants, and from Thai to Italian, a wide range of cuisines can be found here. Indian cuisine is well-represented, with a large variety in quality. Most of the restaurants and establishments are in the city centre, but there may be a few surprises in the suburban areas if you are willing to look and travel out.

Drink

 * Sky Dome Complex, Croft Road, Coventry. A flagship mixed-use urban entertainment complex, featuring:
 * Multiplex cinema

Night clubs

 * JJ's

Spon Street
Coventry's bar scene is mostly concentrated along reconstructed medieval Spon Street on the western edge of the city centre. This includes the adjacent Skydome complex which includes popular nightclubs.



Centre
In the centre of the city you will find the usual pub chains as well as some bars close to Millennium Place.
 * Flamingo, Priory Place. bar & grill
 * The Yard, a gay club in the Bull Yard.
 * Inspire
 * Flamingo, Priory Place. bar & grill
 * The Yard, a gay club in the Bull Yard.
 * Inspire

Eastern
Towards the eastern side of the city centre close to the University campus buildings can be found another concentration of pubs and bars that are popular with students centred close to Jordan Well and Gosford Street.

There is a limited gay scene in Coventry: the city is not very gay-friendly and lacks any real gay nightlife. For a much better scene, head out to Birmingham's Gay Village.

Out of Centre


For a more sedate experience, try Craven Street, set amongst Victorian-era watchmaker's cottages in the suburb of Chapelfields, has several traditional pubs.

Connect
As of Aug 2021, Coventry has 5G from Three and 4G from the other UK carriers.

Free public Wi-Fi is available at all Coventry public libraries as well as the railway station.

Stay safe
Like the rest of the UK, in emergencies you should call 999 or 112 with ambulance, fire and police services available.

For a city of its size, Coventry has a rather low crime rate, particularly in the city centre. This can be attributed to its well-lit pedestrian sections. Take general precautions as you would in any other city in the United Kingdom.

Go next
Take a short trip into the attractive Warwickshire countryside to:
 * Kenilworth, a quiet and pleasant town home to Kenilworth Castle 6 miles (9 km) south of Coventry
 * Royal Leamington Spa, an affluent spa town 11 miles (18 km) away
 * Warwick, a classic example of a rural English town home to the eponymous 11th-century castle is 12 miles (20 km) away
 * Rugby, the purported birthplace of rugby football, 14 miles (22 km) to the east

Head north-west into the metropolitan West Midlands county to:
 * Solihull, an attractive town home to some of the West Midlands' richest citizens is 14 miles (22 km) away
 * Birmingham, the United Kingdom's second largest city and the West Midlands region's travel and economic hub is 23 miles (37 km) away.
 * Wolverhampton, a former industrial city and the gateway to the Shropshire countryside is about 33 miles (53 km) away.