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The ruins of St Michael’s, the old Coventry Cathedral. Photo from Pexels.
The top things to do in Coventry are the cathedral and its ruins, the Coventry Transport Museum, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, FarGo Village and the canal towpath. The cathedral and the Herbert are free. Coombe Abbey Country Park and Kenilworth Castle are within a 15-minute drive.
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What are the best historic places to visit in Coventry?
The best historic places in Coventry are in the cathedral quarter, within a few minutes’ walk of each other.
Coventry Cathedral
The bombed ruins of St Michael’s beside the 1962 cathedral. Free to enter, with donations welcome.
Holy Trinity Church
Next to the cathedral, with a medieval Doom painting over the chancel arch.
St Mary’s Guildhall
A medieval guildhall on Bayley Lane, opposite the cathedral ruins.
Spon Street
A street of timber-framed buildings, several moved here from elsewhere in the city.
See our full guide to visiting Coventry Cathedral.
Which museums in Coventry are worth visiting?
Coventry’s two big museums are the Transport Museum and the Herbert. Both are in the city centre.
| Museum | What it covers | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry Transport Museum | Cars, bikes and buses made in Coventry | Paid for visitors, free for Coventry residents |
| Herbert Art Gallery and Museum | Art, local history and Lady Godiva | Free |
| Coventry Music Museum | The 2 Tone sound and Coventry bands | Paid |
| Coventry Cathedral Blitz Museum | The city in the Second World War | Seasonal opening |
Check prices and times on each museum’s website before you go, such as the Coventry Transport Museum.
Coventry’s car-making history is on show in the city centre. Photo from Pexels.
Where can you walk or relax outdoors in Coventry?
You can walk the canal towpath, the city’s parks or the country parks on the edge of the city.
- The Coventry Canal towpath, 5.5 miles from the Canal Basin to Hawkesbury Junction
- War Memorial Park on Kenilworth Road, about a mile from the centre
- Coombe Abbey Country Park, with woodland and a lake, about 5 miles east
- Ryton Pools Country Park, south-east of the city
Our guide to the Coventry Canal Basin covers the towpath walk.
Where are the best places to eat and drink in Coventry?
The best places to eat and drink in Coventry are FarGo Village, Earlsdon Street and the pubs around Spon Street.
| Area | What you will find |
|---|---|
| FarGo Village, Far Gosford Street | Street food, independent shops and bars |
| Earlsdon Street | Restaurants and cafés, a short taxi ride from the centre |
| Spon Street | Historic pubs in timber-framed buildings |
| Coventry Market | A circular indoor market with food stalls |
What live sport and shows can you see in Coventry?
Coventry has football, rugby, ice hockey and theatre most weeks of the year.
- Coventry City at the Coventry Building Society Arena
- Coventry Rugby at the Butts Park Arena
- Coventry Blaze ice hockey at the Skydome
- Plays and pantomime at the Belgrade Theatre
- Comedy and music at the Albany Theatre in Earlsdon
Local tips for visitors to Coventry
Check cathedral times on the dayThe cathedral is usually open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, but services and events can close it. Check its calendar first.
Look up at the Godiva clockIn Broadgate, the Godiva clock shows Lady Godiva riding past on the hour, watched by Peeping Tom.
Combine free sightsThe cathedral, the ruins and the Herbert are side by side and free. Together they fill a morning.
Where to stay for sightseeing in Coventry
£120 / night3-bed house, Coventry
- 3 double bedrooms
- 6 beds
- Free parking
Near the Canal Basin, on foot to the city centre, the Transport Museum and the Belgrade Theatre. Free parking for day trips.
See the 3-bed house
£160 / night5-bed en-suite house, Coventry
- 5 bedrooms
- 5 en-suite shower rooms
- Garden
Five en-suite bedrooms and good road links to Kenilworth, Warwick and Coombe Abbey.
See the Coventry houseFrequently asked questions
What is Coventry famous for?
Coventry is famous for Lady Godiva, its cathedral rebuilt after the 1940 Blitz, and its history of making cars, bikes and black cabs. It was UK City of Culture in 2021 and is home to the University of Warwick.
What can you do in Coventry for free?
Free things to do in Coventry include the cathedral and its ruins, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and the canal towpath. War Memorial Park is free, and so is Coombe Abbey Country Park, though its car park is charged.
Is Coventry worth a day trip?
Yes. The cathedral quarter, the Transport Museum and the Herbert fill a full day. A weekend gives time for FarGo Village, the canal and a day trip to Kenilworth or Warwick.
What is there to do in Coventry at night?
In the evening, Coventry has theatre at the Belgrade and the Albany, live sport, and food and drink at FarGo Village, Spon Street and Earlsdon Street.
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Planning a few days in Coventry?
Send us your dates, and we will check which house suits your plans.
