Discover Coventry

Coventry, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coventry_Council_House_8o08.jpg
Author: Snowmanradio


Coventry is a city in West Midlands County, England. It is the second biggest city in the English Midlands after Birmingham. It has a population of 310,000. The city is 153 km (95 miles) to the northwest of London, and 30 km (19 miles) to the east of Birmingham.

The Coventry area has seen evidence of human habitation going back to the Bronze age. There was also a settlement established during the Roman period. A nunnery was established here by St Osburga in AD 700. It was destroyed durin the Danish invasion in 1016. A Benedictine monastery dedicated to St Mary was founded on the remains of the nunnery in 1043. The monastery is connected to Lady Govida, who according to legend rode naked through the streets of Coventry, so that her husband Leofric would abolish oppressive taxes .

Ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral beside the new Coventry Cathedral: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coventry_cathedral.jpg
Author: Tornad


Coventry grew around the Benedictine monastery. By the 14th century, it has become an important trading center for textile. Coventry was given city status in 1345, at which time it was one of the most important cities in England. The term "sent to Coventry", which means to be ostracised, is said to have originated in the 17th century, during the English Civil War, when Royalist prisoners were held in Coventry.

During the Industrial Revolution of the 18th and 19th centuries Coventry carved a niche for itself as a center for clock making. When competition from Swiss clockmakers brought a decline to the industry in Coventry, its skilled workers were reemployed in the budding bicycle-manufacturing industry, a precursor to the automotive and aircraft industries.

By the 20th century, Coventry's bicycle-making industry has evolved into an automobile manufacturing industry, with over 100 different automotive companies having their plants in the city. The golden years of the industry were between 1918 and 1955. It reached a peak in 1950, when Britain produced 52% of the world's exported vehicle. It was downhill from there. By 1955, it slipped to second place in Europe, overtaken by Germany, and by 1960, it was in third, weighed down by manufacturing costs and labor-intensive methods.

Over the course of the 20th century, British automotive industry took a battering from more competitive European rivals, and the last car to be produced in Coventry rolled off the assembly line in 2006. Cars such as the Jaguar are still being designed in Coventry, although manufactured elsewhere.

Herbert Art Gallery and Museum: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Herbert_art_gallery_25s06.jpg
Author: Snowmanradio


Coventry suffered severely from World War II bombings by the Nazi which destroyed its historic cathedral and large parts of its city center. The fact that the city was a manufacturing base for aircrafts and armaments made it a particular target.

After the war Coventry was rebuilt with a new pedestrian shopping precinct. It was the largest of its kind in Europe. During the golden years of the 1950's, when Coventry garnered the lion share of the automotive industry, the prosperity translated into swimming pools and art gallery for the city. However, as the industry declined, so too Coventry's economy.

By the 1980's Coventry was struggling along with high unemployment rates. The city continues to reinvent itself by moving to newer industries, while the automotive industry, which is was so famous for, recedes into the sunset.

Going to Coventry

Budget travelers will find that the most convenient way to reach Coventry is by bus. MegaBus and National Express both have services to the city. The fare is around £13 to £20.

You can also take the train to Coventry. It is on the London-Birmingham line operated by Virgin. Coventry is about 25 minutes by train from Birmingham.

Presently visitors flying to Coventry lands at the Birmingham International Airport, as Coventry's airport no lonver take regular scheduled flights. At taxi from Birmingham Airport will cost you £ 20 to reach Coventry.

Going around Coventry

It is quite possible to explore the city center of Coventry on foot. For greater distances, take the Coventry City Council buses, which is really meant for the commuters living in Coventry.

Places of Interest in Coventry

Coventry is on the Map of cities in England

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

Map of Ceremonial Counties of England

About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.