Coventry Trails guide (single pages)

#THISISCOVENTRY
OF
A BOOK
TRAILS
This is Coventry.
Explore some of the city’s hidden gems,
from ancient thinkers to modern innovators and everything
in between, jump in and discover the unexpected.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Coventry Uncovered 4
If Medieval Walls Could Talk 6
The Best in 20th Century Architecture 8
Industry - The Beating Heart of the City 10
Amazing Art & Sculpture 12
Guided Walks 14
Authors & Actors - A Real Page Turner 16
The Tale of 2-Tone 18
Coventry on Screen 20
Alive After Five 22
The World in a Mile 24
Trail maps 26
The Coventry Book of Trails is available to download digitally
at www.coventry2021.co.uk and www.visitcoventry.co.uk.
Peeping Tom - credit Francis Stojsavljevic

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At your own pace, under your own steam, we invite you to
discover the sites of interest, the levels and layers which have
made Coventry the fascinating city it is today.
Our trails take you on a journey through Coventry’s streets highlighting architecture,
music, literature, art, sculpture; they encourage you to immerse yourself in our story, to
understand our past and embrace our future; and they give you plenty of ideas for a
quick stroll, a themed tour, or just a good read.
Grab a picture with yourself and Coventry’s
Elephant! Intrigued, find out more in
The Best in 20th Century Architecture
trail or speed over to the Transport
Museum and take a selfie with Frank
Whittle, the inventor of the turbo jet
engine as you immerse yourself in
The Beating Heart of the City trail.
If you’re looking for A Real Page Turner,
our literature tour is a must. Call in at St
Mary’s Guildhall, following in the footsteps
of William Shakespeare who certainly saw
and acted in plays here, or picture yourself
on the set of the ‘Nativity’ as you stroll
around Coventry Cathedral as part of the
Cov on Screen tour.
Take time to reflect at Coventry Cathedral
or peer into the secluded courtyard of
Ford’s Hospital as you follow our story
through the If These Medieval Walls
Could Talk trail.
Uncover our Amazing Arts and Sculpture
following this bespoke trail and see
Peeping Tom and Lady Godiva appear
every hour. Or those looking for a musical
adventure, move to the rhythm and head
to the Music Museum, a highlight in The
Tale of 2-Tone trail.
Finally, relax in one of our many bars and
restaurants and plan your next adventure.
Take a sip of our cultural heritage at
The Golden Cross, one of Coventry’s
oldest pubs or pick your favourite
cocktail in our Alive After Five trail.
Follow the routes at the end of the
guide and don’t forget to check
websites under the maps for
opening times if you want to see
inside the buildings. Whichever
trail you choose, you can be
sure of a fascinating feature at
every turn.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
There is so much to see in Coventry that hints at a
much more historical past, but where to look?
1) 26 Twin Cities
Coventry created the concept of twinning
with other cities in 1944 when they reached
out to Volgograd, formerly Stalingrad, after a
ferocious battle took place there. Her
Majesty Queen Elizabeth, The Queen
Mother unveiled a dedication in 1990 near
the Herbert Art Gallery's café entrance.
2) Galati/Galatzi Place
Unveiled in June 1975, by the Ambassador
of the Socialist Republic of Romania, the
Mayor of Galati and Coventry's Lord Mayor,
the plaque is a symbol of international
understanding and peace.
3) Coventry Cathedral Garden
This memorial garden contains dedications
to those lost in the 1939 Coventry terrorist
attack and in the sinking of HMS Coventry
during the Falklands War. There are also
Japanese Oak trees planted by Yoko Ono
on her visit to Coventry.
4) Aten the Egyptian Sun God
The symbol of Aten is engraved on the left
pillar when looking down the precinct. The
inspiration for Donald Gibson’s precinct
design was the discovery, in the 1930s, of
Arkenaten’s city, with its wide-open precincts
and garden city feel.
5) The Coventry Martyrs Mosaic Mural
This mural, which can be viewed through the
downstairs window of Broadgate House,
depicts eleven sixteenth-century martyrs
who were burned at the stake for opposing
the worshiping of images and believing that
church services should be held in English.
6) Peeping Tom
Legend has it that Peeping Tom looked at a
naked Lady Godiva as she rode past his
house and was struck blind.
26 Twin Cities - credit Francis Stojsavljevic

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City Wall and Gate
7) City Wall and Gate
Greyfriars Gate once stood where
the Bull Yard is now. Its shape is
marked nearby by means of
shading in the pavement. Only two
of the twelve gates that once
surrounded the city still stand today.
Peeping Tom - credit Francis Stojsavljevic
Guy of Warwick - credit
Francis Stojsavljevic
8) Guy of Warwick
A sculpture of Guy of Warwick
slaying the legendary Dun
Cow which was ravaging
Dunsmore Heath, can be
seen above Shelton
Square, originally
located on the
north side of
Broadgate House.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Coventry was the ‘boom town’ of late medieval England.
Coventry’s population recovered rapidly from the Black Death
so that by 1377, it grew to be the fourth largest town in the UK.
Despite wartime damage and post-war rebuilding, Coventry has a remarkably
high number of surviving domestic medieval buildings. Most are in the former
medieval suburbs of Spon Street and Far Gosford Street.
1) St Mary’s Priory Undercroft
The first definitive event in Coventry's history
was the foundation of the Benedictine Priory
of St Mary in 1043 by Leofric, the Earl of
Mercia and Godiva, his wife. The Priory
church was elevated to the status of a
cathedral in 1102 but was destroyed under
the orders of Henry VIII in 1539.
2) Holy Trinity Church
Inside Holy Trinity, the 14th-century wall
painting of The Last Judgement, can be
seen above the west crossing arch. It was
revealed in 2004 after years of conservation.
3) Cathedral Ruins
St Michael's was founded in the 12th century
by the Earl of Chester. Before it gained a
cathedral charter in 1918 it had been one of
the largest parish churches in England, its
spire only exceeded in height by those of
Salisbury and Norwich cathedrals.
Whitefriars
Carmelite
Friary
4) St Mary’s Guildhall
See opposite page.
5) Whitefriars Carmelite Friary
The East Cloister and Gate of the friary
remains, tucked incongruously under a
section of the ring road. Whitefriars was
founded in 1342 and dissolved in 1538.
From 1801 it was used as a workhouse.
6) Charterhouse
Extend your route to the Charterhouse, the
remains of the Carthusian Priory of St Anne,
founded in 1381-2 by Richard II. Here you’ll
see fragments of a massive 15th-century wall
painting that depicts Christ on the Cross and
St Anne teaching her daughter, the Virgin
Mary, to read.

St Mary’s Guildhall
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Ford’s Hospital
7) Ford’s Hospital
These almshouses were founded
in 1509. For the exuberance of its
carving, it has been called 'one of the
most perfect examples of timber-framed
architecture in the country'. The central
doorway leads to an enclosed and secluded
courtyard where the rich variety of carving can
be examined at leisure.
St Mary’s Guildhall
One of the grandest medieval
guild halls in the country, this was
originally constructed between
1340 and 1344 and later rebuilt.
The magnificent early 16th-century
tapestry commemorates Queen
Margaret of Anjou and her
husband King Henry VI, who
moved the royal court to Coventry
in the 1450s. Check website for
opening times.
www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk
8) St John the Baptist Church
The church was built on land granted by Queen Isabella
in 1344 to the Guild of St John the Baptist for the
building of a chapel. The church also served Bablake
College, a community of priests, whose buildings
lay immediately to the north.
9) Old Grammar School
This was originally a church built in the 1100s
as part of the Hospital of St John for the
sick and infirm of Coventry. The building
which replaced this structure became a
grammar school in 1558 a few years
after the hospital and church were
closed during the Dissolution of
the monasteries.
St John the Baptist Church - credit Graeme Peacock
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THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Paul Maddocks
www.coventrysociety.org.uk
Rising from the shadow of heavy bombing in 1940, Coventry’s
architecture has become a defining feature of the modern city.
The post-war period marked a new movement in urban design characterised
by architect, Donald Gibson’s clean lines and traffic-free shopping areas.
Coventry’s remarkable architecture reflects the modern jet age as well as the
city’s commitment to peace and reconciliation.
1) Coventry Cathedral (1962)
Listed Grade I, Coventry’s new
Cathedral was constructed next
to the ruins of the 14th century
old Cathedral and is one of the
most important post-war
buildings in Britain.
Coventry Cathedral - credit Graeme Peacock

Belgrade Theatre - credit Dave Worrall
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4) Lower Precinct (1960)
Built shortly after the Upper Precinct, the
Lower Precinct features neon displays
depicting the city's industries. It was
redeveloped in the late 1990s with the
addition of a glass and steel roof.
Elephant Building -
credit Tara Rutledge
2) Elephant Building (1977)
Appearing as a series of abstract prisms all
clad in grey zinc was an extension to the
Coventry Swimming Baths and takes its
influence from the elephant in Coventry’s
coat of arms.
3) Belgrade Theatre (1958)
The Belgrade was the first civic theatre built in
England after the war, with its modern design
helping to distinguish its progressive nature
with traditional commercial theatres.
5) Coventry Market (1957)
This bustling doughnut-shaped 200-stall
market was given a flat roof to allow for car
parking. The mural inside is by a group of
Dresden students led by Jürgen Seidel.
It was commissioned after World War II in an
exchange between the two cities in the spirit
of peace and reconciliation.
6) Upper Precinct (1956)
The first large pedestrian precinct in the UK,
the Upper Precinct is listed as a fine example
of 1950's architecture. Underneath a Phoenix
carved into the green slate in the centre is a
time capsule that contains the story of
Coventry’s bombing and the plans for the
new precinct.
7) Railway Station (1966)
Influenced by Scandinavian design, Coventry’s
railway station consists of high glass sides and
an open structure.
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THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Eleanor Nesbitt
After being a thriving medieval centre of woollen cloth production
Coventry became a national leader in silk ribbon weaving and
watchmaking and then in manufacturing bicycles and cars,
including 'London' taxis.
Follow this trail to meet the designers and artisans who called Coventry home.
1) Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
The History Gallery displays Coventry’s
industrial heritage. The revolutionary
Jacquard loom (in the atrium) worked on
punch card technology. This inspired
Charles Babbage’s ‘analytical engine’,
a forerunner of the computer.
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum

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2) Ribbon making -
Ribbon factory, New Buildings
This former factory building (best seen
from the wooden walkway over the
excavated site of the first cathedral) is a
reminder that, in the 1700s and 1800s,
many Coventrians were employed in
making silk ribbons, mainly sold to
decorate women’s dresses and bonnets.
3) Transport -
Transport Museum, Millennium Place
See speed-record-breaking cars, royal
limos, the first bicycles, 'London' taxis,
tanks, tractors, buses... and (opposite) the
Whittle Arch and statue of Frank Whittle
(1907-1996), inventor of the turbo-jet
engine. Next to the museum is Lady
Herbert's Garden, created by 'machine
tool tsar', Sir Alfred Herbert (1866-1957).
4) Canal Basin Factories -
St Nicholas Street
The Canal Basin opened in 1769. See
the statue of Derbyshire engineer James
Brindley (1716- 1772) who designed 365
miles of canals. Cash’s, later known for
name tapes, Daimler (car factory), and
Courtauld’s (fabric manufacturer) were
built beside the canal.
Weaver’s House - credit Graeme Peacock
Millennium Place
5) Watches - Watch Museum,
Rear of Shakespeare Public House,
Spon Street
Charles Dickens visited Coventry’s
major watchmaker’s, Rotherhams. Hear
the full story at the volunteer-run Watch
Museum, open Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Further down Spon Street, on the left,
was Rudge’s 6-storey factory, which
supplied bicycles to Europe’s
royal families.
6) Cloth - Weaver’s House,
121-122 Upper Spon Street
In 1540 John Croke, a weaver, was living
and working here. Upstairs is a ‘narrow
loom’ like the one he used. Coventry was
famous for cloth dyed a particular shade
of blue called ‘Coventry Blue’.
7) Bicycles - Loveitts, Warwick Row
The memorial outside is to James Starley
(1830-1881) who started manufacturing
bicycles. He is widely viewed as the father
of the bicycle industry. His invention, the
differential gear, is embedded in his
memorial. His nephew, John Kemp
Starley, devised the Rover safety bicycle.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Paul Maddocks
www.coventrysociety.org.uk
From the iconic statue of Lady Godiva in Broadgate to the
best of 1960s sculpture at the New Cathedral,
the people of Coventry express themselves,
their culture and civic pride, through a
stunning showcase of public art.
Credit - Richard Nelmes (Inpress Images)
Bucephalus
1) Man's Struggle by Walter Ritchie
Now on the wall of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum,
these two 1959 sculptures originally faced each other over
a water fountain in the precinct.. They show the struggles
inside and outside of the human mind.
2) St. Michael and the Devil by Jacob Epstein
This bronze sculpture on the east wall of the new cathedral
depicts St Michael, Coventry Cathedral’s namesake,
standing over the Devil.
3) Elisabeth Frink Statue by F. E. McWilliams
Commemorating the sculptor of the eagle lectern in
Coventry Cathedral, this 1965 casting was made specially
for the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, and now stands by
its original entrance.
4) Self Sacrifice by Sir William Reid-Dick
Unveiled in October 1949, Coventry’s most famous statue
of Lady Godiva resembles a traditional equestrian statue,
like you would expect for a ruler or military hero.
Man's Struggle - Graeme Peacock

16
5) The Godiva Clock by Trevor Tennant
Popular with tourists, these wooden statues
of Godiva and Peeping Tom emerge on
the hour, every hour on a mechanical track.
6) The People of Coventry by
Trevor Tennant
These four groups of figures, carved in
doulting stone, represent the creativity,
hard work, family values and youthfulness
of Coventry people.
7) Bucephalus by Simon Evans
Depicting the horse of Alexander the
Great, this black metal sculpture symbolises
strength and hope. Fondly known by locals as
‘Trigger’; like Coventry, it resolutely rears up to
face all challenges ahead.
9) Three Tuns by William George Mitchell
This concrete mural in the Bull Yard, in an
Aztec-inspired style, blends industrial imagery
with a map of the city. It originally housed the
Three Tuns pub.
10) Lower Precinct Tile Mural by
Gordon Cullen
This 1958 ceramic mural encompasses
Coventry’s history. You can see Coventry’s
medieval past, manufacturing heritage,
post-war architecture – and even some
dinosaurs!
8) Phoenix Rising by George Wagstaffe
This sculpture symbolises Coventry’s
regeneration and the resilience of its
people in the wake of the Blitz. It shows a
young person rising, like the mythical
phoenix, out of the ashes of a fire.
Lower Precinct Tile Mural
- credit Andrew Brooks

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS

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‘Coventry Uncovered’ and
other guided walks of
Coventry
Hear about Lady Godiva, William
Shakespeare, the three cathedrals,
St Mary's Guildhall and more.
Roger Bailey is an experienced tour guide
who offers a variety of guided walks in
Coventry and Warwickshire. Roger was
awarded the 'Outstanding Contribution to
Tourism Award' in 2010.
Find out more and contact him at
bluebadgecov@aol.com or call
+44 (0) 24 7669 1212.
‘Connecting for Good’
Walk & Talk
Grapevine Coventry & Warwickshire is
sparking a movement against isolation.
We welcome people with disabilities, job
seekers, recent arrivals, new parents, younger
people, older people. Some, perhaps will not
be isolated. And through taking part in our
walk and talk we hope they never will.
Along the route there will be thoughtprovoking
storytelling and performances
that will engage you in thinking about
people's capacity to help themselves and
those around them.
Find out about the walks at the Connecting
for Good Walk and Talk Facebook page, on
the Grapevine website:
www.grapevinecovandwarks.org or via Mel’s
twitter account: @GrapevineMel
‘Welcome to Coventry’ Walk
‘Welcome to Coventry’ Walks bring our
city centre hot spots to life.
The informal and interactive walks are led by
the award-winning Coventry Ambassador
volunteers who have welcomed the world to
Coventry since the city hosted the London
2012 Olympic Games.
Our tours help participants gain an
understanding of the city’s rich past,
exciting present and promising future.
If you are interested in arranging a
Welcome Walk for your group or organisation
please contact ENV (Coventry) CIC at
info@env.uk.com or call 07818 574444.
Discover the Truth, the
Legend and Lady Godiva
Walk through time and history with
Coventry’s official Lady Godiva,
Pru Porretta MBE.
Pru is the only woman in Coventry’s history
to have re-enacted the famous ride many
times in the major Godiva procession, a
tradition since 1678.
Beautiful themed medieval costumes,
performance and so much more. Wonderful
photo opportunities. Suitable for all ages and
abilities. Time tailored to specific requirements
very little physical walking.
Qualified heart of England Tourist Guide,
Equity member, celebrated speaker.
Find out more at www.godiva.uk.com
pru.godiva@gmail.com, 024 7659 8901.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Eleanor Nesbitt
For too long Coventry's unique literary and dramatic heritage
has been overlooked.
This trail offers a glimpse of just a few of the city's many connections with great
writers and actors. Visit the old haunts of George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans),
William Shakespeare, Philip Larkin and other international celebrities.
1) Ellen Terry Building, Jordan Well
This Coventry University building (once a cinema) is named
after the famous Coventry-born actress, Dame Ellen Terry
(1847-1928). With Sir Henry Irving, she played major
Shakespearian roles as well as acting in plays by Ibsen and
Shaw and toured extensively in the UK and USA.
2) John Harold Hewitt & Alfred Lord Tennyson -
Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Philip Larkin’s Belfast friend, the poet John Harold
Hewitt (1907-1987), was Art Director here 1957-1972.
In the Godiva exhibition room, enjoy reading
Tennyson’s poem written in 1840 which immortalised
the legend of Lady Godiva’s famous ride on
horseback through the city.
3) Drapers’ Hall - Bayley Lane
This neo-classical Drapers' Hall (built in 1832 and
Grade II* listed) was a private club and assembly
rooms, with a prominent ball-room and a suite of
side rooms incorporating tea-rooms, card-rooms,
a library and a dining space. It occasionally saw
dramatic productions, concerts and lectures.
Drapers' Hall

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9) Angela Brazil - The Quadrant
Walk back across the green towards the
Quadrant. From 1911 Angela Brazil (1868-1947)
fiction writer lived here. Brazil was one of the first
British writers of modern schoolgirls’ stories.
Ellen Terry Building
4) Shakespeare - St Mary’s Guildhall
William Shakespeare almost certainly
saw and acted in plays here. The hall was
recreated by George Eliot as the court
room in Adam Bede. In 1978, Philip Larkin
received the Award of Merit here.
5) Sarah Siddons - Holy Trinity Church
Actress Sarah Siddons (1755-1831) married
here. George Eliot attended services with her
father in the 1840s.
George
Eliot
6) Ira Aldridge - Upper Precinct
In 1828, aged 20, the UK’s first black
Shakespearean actor, Ira Aldridge (1807-1867),
became manager of Theatre Royal (blue plaque
shows where it stood). Ira Aldridge was an African
American and interestingly Coventry had already
petitioned Parliament to abolish slavery.
7) George Eliot - Warwick Row
Number 29, formerly 'Nant Glyn', faces onto
Greyfriars Green. Mary Ann Evans (George Eliot)
attended school here from 1832 to 1835. (She had
previously attended schools in Attleborough and
Nuneaton.) The trough nearby commemorates
her friend, local animal welfare pioneer, Cara
Bray. Cara’s ‘freethinker’ husband, Charles
(1811-1884), influenced Mary Ann’s thinking
and they introduced her to the literary
celebrities of the time.
8) Philip Larkin - King Henry VIII School
The poet Philip Larkin (1922-1985) studied
here. Wander over to the train station, and
see lines from his poem: ‘I remember, I
remember’ beside the customer services
office on platform 1.
Pictured - Philip Larkin
The actor Earl Cameron, who was taught
by Ira Aldridge’s daughter, was guest of
honour at the plaque unveiling in 2017.

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Pete Chambers
www.covmm.co.uk
Pick up a 2-Tone 40th Anniversary Magazine and delve deeper
into the story of 2-Tone to discover how the late seventies and
eighties saw Coventry moving and shaking onto the international
music scene.
Retrace the steps of chart dominators The Specials and The Selecter and see how
a new age of race relations developed amidst the backdrop of a changing Britain.
Walk this trail, and feel part of this exclusive piece of Coventry history.
1) Coventry University
Pauline Black, Jerry Dammers and
Horace Panter studied here. The 1980
‘Rat Race’ video was recorded in the main hall.
The Specials and The Selecter played here.
2) Tiffany’s (The Locarno)
Now a library, this was once a night club which
saw The Specials, The Selecter, The Swinging
Cats, The Bodysnatchers, and Madness and the
Beat perform.
3) Mr George Nightclub
Coventry’s Punk palace in the late seventies, the
Coventry Automatics won a residency here,
later becoming The Specials.
4) Virgin Records City Arcade
A small but influential record shop that employed
John Bradbury who later became The Specials
drummer. One-time Specials manager Pete
Waterman ran ‘The Soul Hole’ upstairs.

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5) Holyhead Youth Club
The walls still bear the graffiti of those seminal
moments, where many who would become
The Specials and The Selecter first met.
6) 51 Albany Road
The birthplace of 2-Tone. Jerry Dammers the
man that created the 2-Tone genre lived here;
his flat became 2-Tone HQ as featured on
many documentaries.
7) Butts Road
The 1981 Rock against Racism gig took place
at the grounds here. It was the last time the
original Specials played together in Coventry.
8) The Canal Basin
It was here in 1979 that Carole Starr & Chalkie
Davies shot what would become the iconic
front and rear cover of The Specials first album,
and the rear cover of their ‘More Specials’
album.
9) Coventry Music Museum
Continue your journey of discovery and visit
Coventry’s award-winning Music Museum for
more on the 2-Tone story.
Coventry Music Museum is a 20 minute walk
from the city centre, it is situated at 80
Walsgrave Rd, Coventry, CV2 4ED.
Butts Road - credit Pete Chambers

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Naomi De Souza
www.facebook.com/naomicovlive
For years Coventry has been the backdrop for some
of TV and film’s biggest hits.
The city has been a revolving door to stars of the big screen, so
why not hunt down and re-live your favourite on-screen moments?
Nativity
1) Nativity (2009 onwards) -
Cathedral Quarter
Hollywood came knocking, but esteemed
Midlands’ director Debbie Isitt kept Coventry
at the heart of her star-studded ‘Nativity’
films. Head to the Cathedral quarter and
Broadgate which feature heavily, and retrace
the steps of Catherine Tate, Alan Carr and
David Tennant
2) Spooks (2015) - Ring Road
Our ring road may get a lot of flack, but it
was the seat of a nail-biting car chase in the
Spooks spy flick. Start from the bottom of Far
Gosford Street and walk towards the city
centre. As you continue under the ring road
– with the rainbow lights illuminating the
underpass at night and the cars roaring up
ahead – feel a piece of the excitement.
3) Doctor Who (2006) -
Ford‘s Hospital
and the Registry Office
Speaking of Mr Tennant,
he’s no stranger to
filming in the city.
The Tardis brought the
city to a standstill as the
Doctor and Martha were
entangled in another adventure,
this time in the ‘The Shakespeare Code’,
Episode 2 / Season 3.
Ford’s Hospital on Greyfriars Lane and the
Registry Office (CV1 2GY) were transformed
to portray the areas surrounding the Globe
Theatre in Shakespeare’s time.
Ford’s
Hospital
Keeping up Appearances (1990 – 1995)
The 1988 Rover Auto may no longer be there, but at 117 Heather
Road (Binley Woods, Coventry) you can see how the Bouquet
household looks now. Keeping up Appearances was filmed
throughout Coventry and Warwickshire, including Stoke
Aldermoor and Leamington. Number 117 is now a private house.

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It is this eclectic mix of Coventry’s
architecture and varied locations that
keep film crews from across the globe
coming back. One last thing before
you switch over!
The BBC sitcom ‘Home Time’ was written by Cov kid
Emma Fryer who said she “feels her happiest” when at
home in Coventry. The show was filmed across the city,
from Mount Nod to Careys nightclub, which is actually
now a day nursery.
Angels, a gritty BBC soap, ran from the 1970s to the 1980s.
Featuring Pauline Quirke, the exterior shots of the hospital
were actually Walsgrave Hospital.
Love and Marriage, the 2013 ITV sitcom was another
project from Cov talent Debbie Isitt and Steward Harcourt.
The show filmed scenes in the Ricoh, Earlsdon and Bablake
School. Be sure to make a trip to Earlsdon High street, a
thriving centre of independent shops and cafes.
And how can we not mention the
Italian Job. Film buffs might even say
that the famous tunnel chase is one of
Coventry’s best exports!
The Minis racing through the
tunnel were filmed in the
underground pipes near
Stoke Aldermoor.
Keeping Up
Appearances
The Italian Job

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Enjoy the delights of a superbly crafted cocktail and
take a sip of our cultural heritage at the same time.
Why not visit www.coventrycitycentre.co.uk more great bars
and restaurants located in the heart of the city.
Bayley Lane Kitchen - credit Esmé Spurling
Start of in Hay Lane in our winding Cathedral
Quarter. Drink at the seat of history, happy in the
knowledge you’re enjoying a pint in Coventry’s
oldest streets.
1) Bayley Lane Kitchen
Created in our hidden speakeasy, ‘The Cathedral’ cocktail is
gin, honey and blackberries, shaken up with lemon and Earl
Grey tea syrup and soda. Bayley Lane is a historic street in the
centre of Coventry and follows the line of the outer ditch or
bailey of the former Coventry Castle, founded by the Earls of
Chester between 1088 and 1147.
2) The Castle Grounds
An airy bar with pale wood decor inside and a beer terrace outside.
‘The Naiad’ cocktail with gin, rum, elderflower and lemon, is named
after one of Coventry’s best-loved statues, a bronze water nymph
who sat for 50 years in a courtyard pond off Earl Street, although can
now been seen in the window at One Friargate near the station.
3) The Cosy Club
The Godiva cocktail, named after the Countess of Mercia, who according
to legend rode naked – covered only in her long hair – through the streets
of Coventry in a stand against the taxes her husband was imposing on his
tenants. Like Godiva herself, sip a strong concoction of gin, red berry syrup,
lime and orange juices. Sip it underneath the stars of the Victoriana interior bar
and restaurant.

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4) The Botanist
Lose yourself in the secret garden that climbs
the walls of the Botanist whilst sipping your
‘Mill on the Floss’ cocktail of poppy seed,
pomegranate and raspberry liqueurs with
vodka and lemon, and topped with raspberry
candy floss. The Mill on the Floss, published
in 1860, was written by Coventry’s Mary Anne
Evans, who wrote as ‘George Eliot’ so that her
works would be taken seriously.
5) Bistrot Pierre
Coventry is famous for having had three
Cathedrals. Why not take the climb up St
Michael’s Tower to view the unique skyline
of Coventry before rewarding yourself at
Bistrot Pierre after with the amaretto,
sparkling wine and orange cocktail named
‘The Three Spires’.
6) Leave it to Esme
FarGo Village is an artistically re-purposed
industrial space in Coventry City Centre,
designed exclusively for creative,
independent businesses and like-minded
visitors. Located on Far Gosford Street, a
recently regenerated area with a rich cultural
heritage and home to an eclectic mix of
over 40 independent businesses.
7) The Yard
Relax with a drink or two in Coventry's award
winning bar and enjoy a ‘Basil Spence’
cocktail named after the architect of the new
Cathedral whose radical design beat off 200
other entries in 1950. Enjoy a mixture of
Whitley Elderflower gin and the basil infused
Gin Lane gin, combined with cucumber tonic
and muddled together with fresh basil.
Deliciously refreshing!
8) Ramada Hotel & Suites
Enjoy a ‘City Gates’ cocktail with gin,
limoncello, soda and lemon in this
comfortable modern high-rise hotel.
In 1662, Charles II got his revenge on
Coventry supporting Parliament during the
Civil War by ordering the walls of Coventry
to be pulled down and now only two gates
remain intact, Cook Street Gate and
Swanswell Gate.
The Yard - credit Esmé Spurling
The Cosy Club - credit Esmé Spurling

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
Navkiran Mann
www.coventry2021.co.uk/foleshill-mile-map-launched/
Foleshill Road is a modern-day international bazaar with food,
fashion and heritage just 1.5 miles outside Coventry city centre.
Take in the local sounds and flavours and browse the shops for treasures to take home.
1) Standard Sweet Centre and
Punjab Sweet Centre
Popular during festivals like Diwali, Vaisaiki,
Eid and Christmas, Foleshill’s sweet centres
are great for freshly-made Indian sweets. Try
Standard Sweet Centre’s Bhatura (bread),
Sholay (chickpeas) and Masala tea, and try
Punjab Sweet Centre’s Pakora and Samosas!
2) Tahims Drapers
One of the first Asian clothes shops on the
Foleshill Road, Tahims has been selling saris,
bangles, shoes, fabrics and turbans for nearly
40 years.
3) Dhaliwal Supermarket and Opus Foods
Keep an eye out for everything from chapattis
to chutneys and all sorts of exotic fruits at
Foleshill Road’s various global food stores.
4) Ravidass Temple
Ravidass was a revered 15th century saint in
north India. You can’t miss the temple’s
beautiful white domes.
5) Indian Jewellery Shops
Foleshill Road is home to a number of shops
selling elaborate cultural jewellery.
6) St Paul’s Church
Opened in 1841 and bombed in 1940,
St Paul’s Church now serves as both a
church and local community hub.
7) Restaurants of all nationalities
Explore both sides of the road, filled with
restaurants of all nationalities. From Iraqi
to Eastern European and everything in
between, you’re spoilt for choice!
8) Courtaulds
The Courtaulds Factory, first built in 1905,
produced artificial silk, textiles and plastics.
While it is no longer active as a factory, its
buildings are listed are currently undergoing
an ambitious construction project.
9) Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple
‘Nanaksar’ Sikh temple has an interesting
history – before it was a temple, the building
was home to both a cinema and a bingo hall!
10) The Bangladesh Centre/Bird Grove
Now home to The Bangladesh Centre,
Number 9 George Eliot Road was home to
Mary Ann Evans in the 1840s. Pen name:
George Eliot!

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Livingstone Road
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Lockhurst Lane
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Broad Street
THE WORLD IN A MILE
Cash’s Lane
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Foleshill Road
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St. Paul’s Road
1 Standard Sweet Centre and
Punjab Sweet Centre
2 Tahim Drapers
3 Dhaliwal Supermarket and
Opus Foods
4 Ravidass Temple
5 Indian Jewellery Shops
6 St. Paul’s Church
7 Restaurants
8 Courtaulds
9 Nanaksar Gurdwara
Gursikh Temple
10 The Bangladesh Centre/
Bird Grove
Foleshill is a short bus ride from the city
centre via routes 20, 20A, 20B, 20C.
George Eliot Road
By car, the Holmsdale Road Car Park
(CV6 5AN) is just a two-minute walk
from the Standard Sweet Centre.
Shah’s Pan House - credit Navkiran Mann

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
THE TRAILS
COVENTRY UNCOVERED
1 Twin City Stone
2 Galati Place
3 Coventry Cathedral Garden
4 Aten the Egyptian Sun God
5 Coventry Martyrs Mosaic Mural
6 Peeping Tom
7 City Wall and Gate
8 Guy of Warwick Sculpture
8
IF MEDIEVAL WALLS COULD TALK
1 St Mary’s Priory Undercroft
2 Holy Trinity Church
3 Cathedral Ruins
4 St Mary’s Guildhall
5 Whitefriars Carmelite Friary
6 Charterhouse
7 Ford’s Hospital
8 St John’s Church
THE BEST IN 20TH CENTURY ARCHITECTURE
1 The New Cathedral, Coventry
2 Elephant Building
3 Belgrade Theatre
4 Lower Precinct
5 Coventry Market
6 Upper Precinct
7 Railway Station
St Mary’s Guildhall

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Trails are designed for viewing buildings from the outside however some buildings may be open to the public – please check websites for opening times.
Please note that Charterhouse, St Mary’s Guildhall and Drapers’ Hall are undergoing major redevelopment leading up to Coventry’s exciting year as City of
Culture in 2021.
www.coventrycathedral.org.uk www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk www.historiccoventry.org.uk/project/charterhouse-priory www.belgradetheatre.co.uk

INDUSTRY - THE BEATING HEART OF THE CITY
1 Herbert Art Gallery and Museum,
2 Ribbon factory, New Buildings
3 Millennium Place, Hales Street
4 Loveitts, Warwick Row
5 Watch Museum, 9-27 Spon Street
6 Weaver’s House, 121 Upper Spon Street
7 Canal Basin Factories, St Nicholas Street
AMAZING ART & SCULPTURE
1 Man’s Struggle
2 Epstein’s St Michael and the Devil
3 Elizabeth Frink lectern
4 Self Sacrifice (Lady Godiva Statue)
5 Godiva Clock
6 The People of Coventry
7 Bucephalus (Trigger)
8 Phoenix rising
9 Three Tuns
10 Cullen Mural
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AUTHORS & ACTORS - A REAL PAGE TURNER
1 Ellen Terry Building, Jordan Well (Dame Ellen Terry)
2 Herbert Art Gallery and Museum (John Harold Hewitt)
3 Drapers’ Hall - Bayley Lane
4 St Mary’s Guildhall (William Shakespeare)
5 Holy Trinity Church (Sarah Siddons)
6 Upper Precinct (Ira Aldridge)
7 The Quadrant (Angela Brazil)
8 29 Warwick Row (George Eliot)
9 King Henry VIII School (Philip Larkin)
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Weavers House - credit Graeme Peacock

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Trails are designed for viewing buildings from the outside however some buildings may be open to the public – please check websites for opening times.
Please note that Charterhouse, St Mary’s Guildhall and Drapers’ Hall are undergoing major redevelopment leading up to Coventry’s exciting year as City of
Culture in 2021.
www.theherbert.org www.transport-museum.com www.theweavershouse.org www.coventrywatchmuseum.co.uk

THIS IS COVENTRY - A BOOK OF TRAILS
THE TRAILS
THE TALE OF 2-TONE
1 Coventry University
2 Coventry Central Library (Tiffany’s)
3 Mr George Nightclub
4 Virgin Records City Arcade
5 Holyhead Studios (Holyhead Youth Club)
6 51 Albany Road
7 Butts Road
8 The Canal Basin
9 Coventry Music Museum
5
COVENTRY ON SCREEN
1 Cathedral Quarter (Nativity)
2 Ring Road towards Far.Gosford St (Spooks)
3 Ford’s Hospital (Dr Who)
4 Registry Office (Dr Who)
7
ALIVE AFTER FIVE
1 Bayley Lane Kitchen
2 The Castle Grounds
3 The Cosy Club
4 The Botanist
5 Bistrot Pierre
6 Leave it to Esme
7 The Yard
8 Ramada Hotel & Suites
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Butts Road - credit Pete Chambers

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WALK
WITH
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ME
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Tara Rutledge/Enjoy Coventry; or Alan Van Wijgerden accordingly
Logos?
Trails are designed for viewing buildings from the outside however some buildings may be open to the public – please check websites for opening times.
Please note that Charterhouse, St Mary’s Guildhall and Drapers’ Hall are undergoing major redevelopment leading up to Coventry’s exciting year as City of
Culture in 2021.
Style?
www.coventry.gov.uk/centrallibrary
www.covmm.co.uk

WALK WITH ME isaseries series of trails of the
unexpected around four neighbourhoods
of Coventry, created by acclaimed Coventry
theatre company Talking Birds.
On the tours you’ll wear headphones which allow
you to tune in to sounds from the past, present (and,
occasionally) future, accompanied by a friendly guide.
The tours last just over an hour, the routes are ramp
accessible and are suitable for all ages 8+
Find out about the latest tours at
www.talkingbirds.co.uk or via the Info/Booking Line
0800 012 2401 (freephone, 24hrs) or by e-mailing
access@talkingbirds.co.uk
WALK WITH ME IS PART OF THE COVENTRY 2021
GREAT PLACE PROJECT, SUPPORTED BY HERITAGE
LOTTERY FUND AND ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND.