Coventry

As part of new resolve to get out & explore Great Britain more, we're thinking of taking a Sunday day trip up to Coventry...obviously there's the cathedral, but what else is good to do?  It'll be the coach up there & back, so everything has to be walkable/busable from the centre of town.

Hi, I can't help you on Coventry itself, but I used to work on the archive of the architect of Coventry Cathedral, Sir Basil Spence, and I have become very fond of his work! His design for the cathedral was very controversial at the time, but it was a project he cared deeply about, and he insisted that all the work on the cathedral was done by real artists and artisan tradespeople. It is a lovely building, I think.

If you are interested in learning more before you visit the cathedral, here is a link to the webpage of the project I was involved with, and their background information on the cathedral:

http://www.basilspence.org.uk/worship/buildings/coventry-cathedral

There are a handful of other more modest Spence churches in and around Coventry, if you find the cathedral to your liking. Enjoy your trip!

If you are interested in learning more before you visit the cathedral, here is a link to the webpage of the project I was involved with, and their background information on the cathedral:

http://www.basilspence.org.uk/worship/buildings/coventry-cathedral

Wow, thanks!  I love history, so this should be really fascinating.  I think places are more interesting when you know a bit about them first .

The transport museum is great and free. If I remember correctly it's also right in the area of the cathedral.

Well we have lots of Tesco's, two Starbucks, a football club and a new Ikea! I've lived here for several years and don't really know of any touristy places to visit besides the Cathedral and Motor Museum. We're only about 20 mins from Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon if you get bored too quickly with Coventry.

Ooh wow. I went to Warwick Castle when I was a kid. Maybe we'll go back when we go up!

I went to Warwick Castle when I was a kid.

I did on a school trip in the late 1970s.   Did you go down into the old dungeon? 

I did on a school trip in the late 1970s.   Did you go down into the old dungeon? 

I did!  I went when I was 16 (on a whole tour-of-Britain type thing)...it was really good!

Yeah I did, but I haven't been back since. Would really love to explore the place again,although I'm sure it hasn't changed that much

We took the kids last Easter. It was a gorgeous warm spring day and they had some cool shows on. Book tickets online to save a few £ and LOTS of time queuing up. The lines were so long when we went they actually had street entertainers working the crowds. Pre paid ticket holders went straight to the front of the line.   

Also, if you go in season, the trebuchet is fully operational and they fling it twice a day.  It's worth the price of admission, right there! Check on their website. 

We've enjoyed Warwick castle every time we've gone.