Doing a research degree can feel rather isolating at times, and overwhelming at others. One of the best ways to help keep your spirits from being low is to get to know your surrounding area. In 2017, Coventry won the accolade of “2021 City of Culture”. As a result it is more than worth it to go for a wonder round this new city you have found yourself in.
Historic Buildings and Coventry’s History
Cathedrals
As a result, it is a city undergoing a lot of redevelopment, but the old historic parts are being preserved. The most famous of these historic buildings must be the Cathedrals. There have been 3 Cathedrals in Coventry over the last Millennium. The original Coventry Cathedral (Priory Church of St Mary) was built in the 12th Century under supervision of the Earl of Mercia. This Cathedral was around for close to 400 years before the dissolution of the monasteries saw to its decline in 1539. The remains of the original Cathedral can be seen at The Priory Centre. In fact. On Saturday 2nd June 2018 they are running an educational workshop.
Around the corner to these remains we can see the more recent Cathedrals. The 2nd Cathedral, built in the 15th Century, was destroyed during a bombing run by the German Luftwaffe in November 1940. Having only gained Cathedral status in 1918, this did not deter the people of Coventry, who set the ball in motion for rebuilding the Cathedral the very next day. These ruins can be seen from The Student Union, and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
Finally, we have the current Cathedral, opened in 1962. The Cathedral is open to visitors from 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon to 4pm on a Sunday. It is a beautiful building designed by Sir Basil Spence. What’s even better, is that Students at Coventry University get to go for free (a word I’m sure most students love to hear). All you need to do is bring your Student Card. The Cathedral also offers the opportunity to go to the Blitz Museum for only £2. Though, do check if they are running other events, as this often means this Blitz experience is pre-booked.
Churches
As well as these Cathedrals, those of you who like more religious architecture will be happy know that Coventry still has some of the oldest, still operating Churches in the Midlands. Holy Trinity Church was built in the 1200s and was restored in the 1800s. They hold open services for students, right on the edge of the main University Campus.
The Church of St John the Baptist in the city centre was built in 1343, and restored in the 1800s. Their stained-glass windows and awe-inspiringly beautiful building are something that any person with an interest in religious or cultural history should not miss out on.
Other Buildings
The Weavers House is a 15th Century medieval terrace house located from a 20-minute walk from the Hub in Spon End. The cottage has been restored to show how it would have looked in 1540 and shows how John Croke, a Coventry narrow-loom weaver and his family would have lived and worked. At the back of the Weaver’s House is a medieval garden showing the plants that would have been grown for food, flavouring, medicine and household use. Free open days are held throughout summer, with the next on the 16th of June, and a Tudor Games Day on the 22nd of July, or take a go at weaving yourself for a small fee in one of the workshops 10am - 12pm every Monday and Thursday.
Fords Hospital located on a quiet street off New Union street is an Alms-house built in the early 1500’s. Though being hit during the Coventry Blitz, the original wood and stone was used to rebuild the building in the 1950’s. The building was studied by historians in the late 20th century when Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London was being reconstructed, and featured in a 2009 episode of Doctor Who, ‘The Shakespeare Code’. The exterior can be easily viewed from Greyfriars street, but the building is often open the annual Heritage days each September.
Memorials
The War Memorial Park is just over a half hour walk, or less than 10 minutes on the bus from near the hub. Roughly 48.5 hectares in size, the park is made up of two areas, the formal garden with the War Memorial and the sports areas, with playing fields, golf course, Splash ‘n’ Play Park and play areas. There is also a 1.6-mile circular footpath around the park, and hold special events all throughout the year.
The Coventry Martyrs Memorial found on Ringway, St Patrick’s. The 6-metre high monument revealed in 1910 commemorates the Coventry Martyrs, a group of Lollard Christians burnt at the stake for teaching English versions of the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments and the Apostles’ Creed. A number of streets in the area are named after the martyrs.
Museums
- The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
As mentioned above, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum (HAGM) next to the CUSU Hub building is open from 10am to 4pm Monday-Saturday and from 12noon to 4pm on Sundays. They have a fantastic collection of art, historic pieces, archaeological finds and natural history exhibits. As well as these collections, they run events for people to see a wider variety of art and also occasionally host a “Museum Late”, which includes Street Food and DJs among other “After Hours” events. They will be hosting a One Night Stand as part of Gay Pride week on the 8th June.
- The Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry was once a well-known production hub for the British transport/motor industry. Initially the HAGM started exhibiting some of the old cars that were staples of the British car industry before they realised the collection was getting too large. So, in 1980, they moved to their present site in the North of the City, about 10-minute walk from the main campus. The museum was revamped in 2015, so it is now one of the most modern museums in the Midlands. Admission to the museum is FREE
NEW 4D Land Speed Record Simulator tickets:
Adults *£5*
Groups of 10 or more: *£3.50* per person
The 4D simulator ride is open from 10.00am - 4.30pm daily.
- Coventry Music Museum.
A more recent treasure in Coventry is the completely volunteer-based music museum. This museum, which opened in just 2013, seeks to collect music made in Coventry, Nuneaton, Rugby, Leamington Spa and even nearer Birmingham. They specialise in hosting 2-tone music (the precursor of ska-punk), but also host a variety of other music. Among their attractions, they have a 2-tone village with a Caribbean restaurant, a music studio that is free to use and. Being an independent museum and ran by volunteers, there is a nominal charge of £3.00 for Adults and £1.00 for Children between the ages of 5 and 15. This is a very small price to pay to start indulging in one of Coventry’s recent arrivals that contributed to the winning of the 2021 City of Culture award.
More to come in Part 2
In future parts of this ‘Coventry Tour’ series, Sarah will be looking at Places to go to Eat and Drink, Shopping, and Venues for events and clubs.
Sarah Charles is a first year psychology PhD student in the Brain, Belief, and Behaviour Lab. Her research focuses on the neurochemical and behavioural mechanisms associated with social bonding, and is a REPO and editor of the PGR Newsletter. She also is a cofounder of Coventry University’s Development of Open Science group.
*Danii Chippett is a first year sports and exercise science PhD student. Her research focuses on improving sleep and QoL for individuals living with dementia in residential care. She is a REP and is also on the PGR Newsletter team.