Places to visit in Coventry on a short break

Coventry Cathedral, voted one of England’s most popular 20th-century buildings, is a place where medieval history meets modernist architecture. Explore the magnificent New Cathedral, which features works by some of the greatest artists of the 1950s and 1960s, before navigating the stone and brick remnants of the neighbouring Old Cathedral, which was partially destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War.

Continue your time travelling at St Mary’s Guildhall. Walk in the footsteps of Henry VI, whose court was based in Coventry during the War of the Roses, and Mary Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned here in 1569. Admire the impressive stash of paintings, centuries-old armour and magnificent stained-glass windows. You can even enjoy lunch in the atmospheric undercroft.

For more than 50 years, 157 Corporation Street was home to the city’s newspaper. Today, the landmark Telegraph building is now one of Coventry’s most stylish hotels. Walk the halls that once were abuzz with journalists and machinists producing four printed editions every day before slinking into your chic, headline-grabbing bedroom that’ll whisk you back to the 1950s with its retro design.

Like your art al fresco? For a more laid-back exploration of Coventry’s artistic side, take a stroll along the canalside art trail, which stretches five and a half miles from Hawkesbury Junction to the Canal Basin. Dotted with 39 sculptures, mosaics and murals, this outdoor art gallery is inspired by local history and culture.

A few minutes’ walk from Coventry Cathedral is Jinseon Korean BBQ, one of the best restaurants in the city. Here you can grill your own grub on a live charcoal fire at your table. We recommend the bulgogi beef – marinated strips flavoured with soy sauce and sesame oil – with a side of KFC (Korean Fried Chicken – yum) and a glass of sake.

Start your day with a hearty cooked breakfast at Cogs Bar & Kitchen. Egg fans can indulge in Benedict, Florentine or Royale dishes, or tuck into American-style pancakes if you have a sweet tooth. While sipping on your morning coffee or tea, you can watch the chefs working creatively in their open-plan kitchen or admire the bicycle-themed decor on the walls – they even have a penny farthing mounted on the wall!

One of the most popular museums in Coventry. The Coventry Transport Museum is home to the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world. The museum tells the story of a city that revolutionised transport. Explore captivating displays, galleries and exhibitions, alongside 300 bicycles, 120 motorcycles and 250 cars and commercial vehicles.  Look out for two of the world’s fastest cars, the Thrust SSC and Thrust 2.

Whether you’re into contemporary art, local history or the natural world, the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum has it covered. Coventry’s leading gallery is an open and inviting space where you can immerse yourself in world-class art – from modern works to the Old Masters – archaeological artefacts and interactive displays, while admiring the building’s eye-catching architecture.

Tuck into a hearty roast at The Artisan Bar & Grill, which frequently features on the best restaurants in Coventry lists. Set in a Grade II-listed building and former watchmakers’ workshop, this date-worthy restaurant is a must-visit for carnivores (don’t worry, they cater well for vegetarians too!). The fixed-price menu features locally sourced produce, which means occasionally it is subject to change. Be sure to book in advance – this is a popular lunch spot!

Coventry’s food scene brings together some of the most exciting flavours from across the world and nowhere showcases this better than FarGo Village. This repurposed industrial space is also home to an array of creative businesses, from coffee shops to jewellers to upcycled furniture stores, and a microbrewery where you can choose from up to 16 draught taps. Cheers!