• Lady Godiva Statue - The tour begins at Broadgate, centered around Godiva’s Statue, which is a key part of Donald Gibson’s visionary plan for Coventry’s post-war redevelopment, known as the ‘City of Tomorrow’.
• New Buildings - At the last remaining former ribbon weaving factory in the City Centre, discover the history of this industry alongside the preserved wall of the original Coventry Cathedral, St Mary’s.
• Sir Frank Whittle Statue - Beside his statue, learn about Sir Frank Whittle, the Earlsdon-born engineer and RAF officer who invented the jet engine.
• Lady Herbert’s Garden - Explore Lady Herbert’s Garden to uncover the origins of the bicycle industry and the evolution of the modern bike. Nearby, view the best-preserved section of the Coventry City Wall and hear about its construction, preservation by industrialist Alfred Herbert, and its role in the English Civil War.
• A4053 - Take a brief moment to appreciate the engineering feat of the Coventry Ring Road!
• Millennium Place - Adjacent to the Coventry Transport Museum, delve into the history of Coventry’s motor industry, its rise as England’s motor city, and its near disappearance.
• Palmer Lane - Venture off the beaten path to discover hidden gems in the city’s heart that even locals may not know.
• Old Grammar School - On a street corner, view the building often mistakenly called the Old Grammar School, an artwork celebrating Coventry’s motor industry, and a building named after the city’s most famous poet.
• Belgrade Theatre - As you walk around the Belgrade Theatre, various artworks will narrate the theatre’s history, Coventry’s rich theatrical tradition, Ira Aldridge’s groundbreaking role as Othello, and the city’s three most influential women in the arts.
• Bond’s Hospital - Spend five minutes appreciating the building constructed in 1505 by Thomas Bond, still serving its original purpose over 500 years later.
• The Parish Church of St John the Baptist - Outside this church, initially built for the city’s wealthiest, your guide will explain its connection to the phrase ‘Sent to Coventry’.
• Historic Spon Street - Explore Spon Street to learn about industries like dyeing, tanning, watchmaking, and bicycles, and discover its historical significance as a major road.
• Coventry Market Shopping Centre - Make a quick visit to the market, except on Sundays.
• Bull Yard - In The Bull Yard and Shelton Square, uncover more about the ‘City of Tomorrow’ and the stories behind the area’s diverse public artworks, as well as its historical significance.
• Cheylesmore Manor House - Discover the highlights of Cheylesmore Manor House, a 700-year-old Royal Palace and one of Coventry’s hidden treasures.
• New Union Street - Hear the tale of Coventry’s resilient Greyfriars Spire.
• Fords Hospital - A travel writer in 1902 remarked, “Perhaps there is nothing so exquisite in the whole Kingdom as Ford’s Hospital in Coventry”…
• Hertford Street - To conclude, spend a few minutes exploring Hertford Street as the tour returns to the starting point.

• Guided historical walk with a local guide

Embark on an off-beat journey that snakes through the heart of the city, bypassing cathedrals, and immerses you in the tale of a city perpetually writing its own history by crafting the future. Experience this rich narrative which puzzles together harmoniously, as we invite you to unveil its secrets.

Feature attractions include:

Witness Coventry’s manifold industrial epoch comprising weaving, horology, and the production of bicycles and automobiles.
View the most intact portion of the City Wall, and uncover the true origins of the Civil War.
Discover the Royal Palace nestled in the city core, once residence to the monarchs during Coventry’s tenure as England’s capital.
Delve into the lives of the ingenious minds who presented us with the bike and the jet propeller.
A selection of explanations regarding the origin of the idiom “Sent to Coventry”.
Exploring myriad pieces of artwork dotting the city centre, complete with context and interpretations.
A comprehensive account of Coventry’s rich cultural lineage.
Resurrection tales of the Phoenix City, fondly referred to as the ‘City of Tomorrow’, risen from the Blitz’s ashes.

• The walk is just over two miles and should take two hours and forty-five minutes. It is mostly flat with some inclines and ramps and one small area of cobbles.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.