Coventry lies within the West Midlands metropolitan area, which is the most heavily urbanized area in the U.K. Fortunately the city is separated from the Birmingham urban area by a 25 kilometres ‘green belt’, which gives the town a modicum of space. The city is a busy, bustling centre, well known for its Cathedral and shopping, and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the county of Warwickshire, which is famous for the stunning Cotswolds and Shakespeare’s birth place!! Located approximately 150 kilometres north-west of London, the city is home to roughly 300,000 residents, and is easily accessible via the motorway network of roads that covers the U.K.
Coventry has a history going back to Anglo-Saxon times and has been an important mining and industrial centre since the 14th century. It was almost totally destroyed during the Second World War by the German Luftwaffe on 14th November 1940. When the War was over, Coventry was a mass of rubble with only a few medieval buildings and city gates intact. The old St. Michael’s Cathedral is a blackened ruin but still remains as an approach to the new. Two burnt roof timbers, made into a wooden cross, stand on the original altar with the inscription ‘Father Forgive’. The new Cathedral, designed by Sir Basil Spence and consecrated in 1962, is made of pink-grey sandstone, stark and Gothic. Inside, a huge tapestry of ‘Christ in Glory’ dominates the nave and slanted stained-glass windows throw strips of light across the nave towards the altar. The Cathedral’s design still excites some controversy. Other medieval buildings still intact are St Mary’s Hall, once a merchant’s guildhall, St John’s Church and St John’s Hospital, the majestic Church of the Holy Trinity and lovely timbered houses in Priory Row. Apart from these few survivors, Coventry is now a new modern city with shopping centres, parks and gardens, and a civic theatre, the Belgrade.
Of course, Coventry’s other claim to fame is ‘Lady Godiva’. In the 11th century, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, was lord of Coventry; Lady Godiva was his wife. She asked her husband to deal less harshly in taxing the people of the town, and he stated that if she would ride through the streets of Coventry naked he would do it. This she did, covered only by her long hair, and, it is said, he kept his word. A statue of Lady Godiva stands in Broadgate.
Other sites, in the city, worthy of mention:
The Herbert Museum and Art Gallery, Coventry’s museum of local history with fine art, Chinese ceramics and sketches of Graham Sutherland’s cathedral tapestry.
The Museum of British Road Transport, with cars, motorbikes, bicycles and buses, many built in Coventry itself.
The Toy Museum in Whitefriar’s Gate, with toys going back to 1720.
Other places of interest within 30 kilometres:
Kenilworth Castle, has a ruined Norman Keep and 14th century great hall, and a recently restored gatehouse, originally built by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester for Queen Elizabeth. It is in the care of English Heritage.
Baddesley Clinton, a medieval moated manor house and garden in the care of the National Trust. It even has three priest holes!
Warwick Castle, now in the hands of the Madame Tussaud’s organization, has maintained its splendour but at the same time has been turned into a family attraction.
Did you know that – the expression ‘Peeping Tom’ comes from the story of Lady Godiva? At the time of her ride through Coventry, she requested the citizens not to look. Of course, there is always one, and ‘Tom’ is said to have watched her progress through a keyhole and been struck blind!
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