English Tourism Week, the annual celebration of the UK’s tourism industry, is back this year and taking place on 14th – 23rd March.
Highlighting the importance of tourism for local communities and economies, the theme for this year has been chosen as the incredibly apt, ‘Supporting people and places to drive growth.’
Here in Coventry, we’ll be celebrating alongside our incredibly popular tourist hotspots… but did you know that we also have some fantastic lesser-known attractions in the city that you can visit too?
Head off the beaten track with us to explore some of Coventry’s hidden gems...
The Coventry Music Museum
An independent museum run by Coventry music historian and journalist Pete Chambers and his wife Julie, the Coventry Music Museum has been celebrating local music since it opened in 2013. Located in the 2-Tone Village on Walsgrave Road, passionate volunteers share their time to bring a variety of exhibitions to life, sharing historical insight into music from across the local area. For a small entrance fee, visitors can tour the museum and even get hands-on in a studio to give music-making a go – a great trip out for families of all ages… and all music tastes!
St Mary’s Guildhall
A proud piece of Coventry history, St Mary’s Guildhall is a remarkable building in the heart of the city that survived the bombardment of World War II to share its medieval roots with visitors today. Take a tour of the stunning interior, marvel at the famous Coventry Tapestry, and discover the many stories that the site has to tell. Ideal for visitors of all ages, St Mary’s has been brought to life with immersive augmented reality and interactive digital tours – and what you discover may change the way you see Coventry forever.
Blitz Museum
Tucked away in the corner of the Cathedral ruins, you’ll find the Blitz Museum, housing a treasure-trove of wartime artefacts. In the period school room, discover what happened in the Coventry Blitz on 14th November 1940, before travelling through a typical house of the era, finding out more about our recent past. With plenty to see, do and learn, this wonderful museum is free to visit, earning a well-deserved place on our hidden gems wish list. Opening times during tourism week are Saturday 11am-3pm and Sunday 12pm-3pm.
FarGo Village
Steeped in a rich cultural history, FarGo Village is a hub in the heart of the city for creatives, innovators and entrepreneurs. There are 40 independent businesses that call FarGo Village their home, selling everything from vintage clothing to vinyl records, along with the new addition of an Indie Mart for one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures. With regular events throughout the year, it’s a great idea to keep an eye on their website for all the latest news and upcoming activities.
Blue Badge Tours
If you’d like a genuine, in-depth tourist tour of the city, Roger Bailey is your man. As an official Heart of England Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Roger offers Blue Badge Tours of Coventry and the surrounding towns and villages for small, private groups. Specialising in our beautiful city, join him on a walking tour to learn about 1,000 years of history in just one afternoon.
Celebrating English Tourism Week in Coventry
However you choose to celebrate, Coventry has plenty for tourists and locals-alike to discover this English Tourism Week. Become a tourist in your own city with our not-so-secret hidden gems, before heading to see the sights of some of our more famous landmarks, such as the ruins of the original Cathedral and the statue of Lady Godiva. Packed full of amazing restaurants, drinks venues, entertainment and shopping destinations, alongside a whole lot of history, Coventry is the city that has something for everyone.