The Music and Motor City
Discover Coventry: Your Official Visitor Guide Come and discover a city with stories to tell
There’s a lot to discover in Coventry.
A city where medieval streets meet bold modern architecture, where ancient stories sit alongside a thriving creative scene, and where every corner has a story waiting to be uncovered.
Whether you're coming for a day, staying for a weekend or making Coventry part of a longer trip, our brand-new Coventry Visitor Guide is here to help you experience the very best of the city.
Packed with inspiration, insider ideas and carefully planned itineraries, it takes you beyond the obvious and helps you discover the places, people, experiences and stories that make Coventry special.
So, whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to see the city through fresh eyes, open the official guide, pick your adventure and come and explore Coventry.
Your Coventry adventure starts here
Wondering what to do in Coventry?
Start with the landmarks that have helped shape the city's story.
Stand among the extraordinary ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral, then step inside Sir Basil Spence's remarkable modern cathedral and experience one of the most powerful symbols of peace and reconciliation in the world.
Walk through the doors of St Mary's Guildhall and step back through centuries of history. Discover the story of Britain's motor industry at Coventry Transport Museum, home to an incredible collection of vehicles and stories that put Coventry at the heart of motoring history.
Then see another side of the city.
Discover art, exhibitions and local stories at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. Browse independent makers and creative businesses at FarGo Village. Catch a performance at the Belgrade or Albany Theatre, explore Coventry's musical heritage or simply wander through the city and see where the day takes you.
And don't forget to look beyond the famous attractions.
Some of the most memorable moments can come from the unexpected, a hidden courtyard, a great little café, an independent shop, a conversation with a local, a beautiful stretch of canal or a green space you didn't know was there.
That's the beauty of Coventry.
You never quite know what you'll discover next. Make the most of your time with our Coventry itineraries
Sometimes the hardest part of visiting a new city is knowing where to begin.
That's why we've created the new Coventry Visitor Guide with ready-to-use itineraries designed to help you make every moment count.
Whether you have a few hours, a full day or an entire weekend, you'll find ideas to help you explore at your own pace.
Got one day in Coventry?
Follow an itinerary that takes you through some of the city's most memorable sights, from fascinating history and heritage to culture, food and places worth stopping to explore along the way.
It's the perfect way to experience the highlights of Coventry without feeling like you're rushing from one attraction to the next.
Staying for a weekend?
That's when Coventry really starts to reveal itself.
Take your time. Explore the historic heart of the city, discover museums and galleries, browse independent businesses, enjoy great food and drink and experience the city's culture and nightlife after dark.
Our Coventry weekend itinerary ideas help you see more, while still leaving plenty of time to follow your curiosity.
Bringing the family?
There's plenty to keep curious minds busy.
Discover family-friendly things to do in Coventry, from fascinating museums and interactive experiences to parks, outdoor adventures and attractions where children can learn, play and explore.
Because the best family days out aren't just about keeping everyone entertained, they're about creating memories you'll still be talking about on the journey home.
Looking for something different?
Follow one of our alternative itineraries and discover another side of Coventry.
Explore its creative spaces, musical heritage, independent businesses, green spaces, food scene and hidden gems. The guide is yours to explore your way.
A city shaped by its past – and looking firmly to the future
Coventry's history is extraordinary.
From its medieval beginnings and remarkable historic buildings to the devastation of the Second World War and the city's extraordinary post-war rebirth, Coventry has continually reinvented itself.
You can feel that story as you walk through the city. The cathedral ruins stand as a poignant reminder of the past, while the new cathedral rises beside them with a message of hope, peace and reconciliation.
The city's motor heritage tells another story, one of invention, ambition and ingenuity. Coventry helped put Britain on wheels, and that remarkable story lives on at Coventry Transport Museum.
But Coventry isn't a city that simply looks backwards. Today, it's a vibrant place filled with artists, performers, makers, musicians, independent businesses, students, families and communities creating the next chapter.
It's a city with history in its walls and energy in its streets.
Find your own favourite places in Coventry
Ask different people what they love about Coventry and you'll get very different answers.
For some, it's the cathedral. For others, it's discovering a brilliant independent restaurant, finding a favourite coffee spot or spending an afternoon exploring the market. It might be live music, theatre, shopping, art, architecture, sport, a walk beside the canal or a peaceful afternoon in one of the city's parks.
Perhaps it's simply sitting somewhere in the city centre and watching Coventry go by.
Our Coventry Visitor Guide brings together these experiences and more, giving you the inspiration to find the places that you'll remember long after you've gone home.
There's more to Coventry than a day out
Coventry's location in the heart of England makes it an easy and rewarding destination for a day trip, weekend break or city break.
And once you've arrived, you'll find a city that's easy to explore. Spend the morning discovering Coventry's history and heritage. Take your time over lunch. Explore a museum or gallery in the afternoon. Find somewhere special for dinner, then stay out and experience the city's evening atmosphere.
Or slow things down completely. Enjoy a coffee. Browse the independent shops. Take a walk. Sit in a park. Follow the canal. Find somewhere you've never been before.
There is no right way to do Coventry. That's what makes it such a rewarding place to visit.
Eat, drink, shop, explore
A great city break isn't only about ticking attractions off a list. It's about the moments in between. The smell of fresh coffee in the morning. Finding somewhere unexpected for lunch. Discovering a restaurant you can't wait to tell your friends about. Browsing independent shops. Enjoying a drink before a show. Hearing live music. Sitting down for dinner after a busy day exploring.
Coventry's food and drink scene has something for every taste, from independent cafés and restaurants to traditional pubs, international flavours, cocktails and evening entertainment. And when you're ready to shop, you'll find a mix of familiar favourites, independent businesses, makers and local treasures.
So leave a little room in your itinerary for spontaneity. Some of your favourite Coventry memories might not be in the guide at all.