What can I do during a day visit to Coventry?

[Kim A]

I have to spend the day alone in Coventry next month whilst my husband attends meetings.

Can those of you who live there please tell me what there is of interest in the city, where I can go if i need a bit of retail therapy and/or culture (I'm not averse to a good gallery or museum) and what the bus services are like, bearing in mind I'll be marooned there without a car from about 9.00am til 5.30pm. Nice lunch venues would also be appreciated ! Ta very much!

[vehelpfulguy]

I dont live in Coventry but nearby in Birmingham.

Coventry is a fairly small city centre, and it does have a small ring road that acts as a bit of a concrete collar.

There is a large pedestrianised shopping area in the middle and you can easily while away a few hours there.

Coventry cathedrial is also in the centre. The cathedral was badly bombed during the war (as was a lot of the centre of Coventry) so they kept the old cathedral as a ruin and bult a new one alongside.

It is well worth a visit. More here

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/History.ht ml

[vehelpfulguy]

While searching for things for you to do I found this site which gives a bit of history of Coventry and some places to visit.

http://www.historiccoventry.co.uk/main/main.ph p

[vehelpfulguy]

Coventry Canal finishes very close to the centre of Coventry and a few years ago they spent a lot of money tidying up the canal basin and added some shops.

Never been there so not sure if there is much to do, but it is a short stroll from the city centre and may be a nice place to stroll if the weather is fine.

More here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/features/days-ou t/coventry-canal-basin.shtml

http://www.coventry-walks.org.uk/booklets/cana l/coventry-canal.html

[vehelpfulguy]

Whenever I am visiting a new city or town (or area) I always go in the local Tourist Information Centre.

You can usually get a free map of the area, and of course they can give you advice on places to go and things to see.

Here is the address of the Coventry Tourist Information Centre.

http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leis ure-and-culture/tourism/tourist-information-ce ntres/

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is a good map of the centre of Coventry (hope the link works as it is to a pdf file)

http://mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/publication/wm- cv1/downloads/maps/CityCentre.pdf

I got it from here where there is a number of Coventry related maps.

http://www.visitcoventry.co.uk/info-maps.asp?p aram1=info

[sddsddean]

I went to Uni in Coventry, so was marooned there for 4 years!! (but that was 24 years ago). You've only got a day! As said the cathedral is worth a visit and if you are still allowed up St Michaels tower its well worth it for the view. All the eateries will have changed, so no point me saying anywhere. There is a Transport Museum ( if thats your sort of thing) which from memory is close to the canal basin.

[cockroach]

Very sorry to hear that you are going to be sent to Cov for a day !!!... Its a nasty place. Lived there for 25 years.
Anyway..make the most of itr..You can vist the Transport Museum (free I think).Lots of cars & a bit about the Blitz that destroyed the City. Also the Catherdral ne & old is quite impressive & Tony( baldrick) person dug up some very old tile thingys near by which is on display. As for lunch steer clear of a road called Spon Street!!. The is another Meseum the Herbert Gallery near the council house & several places to eat there . Browns Bar.
Keep your Purse safe.

[Kim A]

vehelpfulguy - living up to your name - ta v much!
sddsddean and cockroach - thanks, v helpful also, but in a slightly more depressing way......................will hold onto my (tiny) purse very tightly, and a packed lunch might seem to be the way to go!

[cockroach]

your getting the gist of cov already...it is depressing. Ghost Town by the Specials was written about Coventry & somethimes they have it playing in the precinct !!! say no more. Look out for the Chav's. I know its not all Coventrians but there is a certain scallyness there.
I couldnt wait to move out...I live about 8 miles out (had to stay close family issues). & only go if I really really have to to the centre. Snob & proud of it. Have a good day there.:0)

[mia the gr8]

Hi,

I live in coventry and hate it! me and my partner are currently saving to move out! yep theres the cathedral, herbert art gallery , transport museum and st micheals but be careful walking around the streets near the cathedral alone, can be a tad too quiet during the day,
Theres a big shopping centre called west orchards, top floor debenhams coffee bar, nice big brown leather chairs, too expensive for chavs and great mochas!
theres saint marys guild hall which is stunning for your culture side and like i mentioned west orchards is probably the best for shopping we have here in cov.
Buses? i really wouldnt bother and it takes forever to get anywhere! around the world in 80 days.
Lunch, id suggest old orcleans its not right in the centre, not so loud and no drunks. My preferred option when eating out, they do a bar menu for lighter meals. Browns is ok, very studenty, bit dirty.

oh and wouldnt suggest the canal basin, one pub and one corner shop and a lot of junkies.

Have fun :)