Coventry Historical Walk and Cathedral Tour

Highlights include:
The legend of Godiva, her historical significance and why there may have been an agenda to whitewash her from history.
The loss of St Marys Cathedral in the dissolution of the Monasteries and how that changed Coventry forever.
Moonlight Sonata, the Blitz of the 14th of November 1940 and what authorities really knew before the attack.
The crucial part that Coventry was meant to play in the Gunpowder Plot.
The legacies of international peace and reconciliation which followed the destruction and rebuilding of St Michaels Cathedrals.
Six different theories as to where the name ‘Coventry’ came from.
Why Coventry has actually been a city forever, since “Time Immemorial”.
The short-lived history of Coventry Castle.
The story of the two time capsules of Coventry; St Marys Guildhall and Drapers Hall.

Meeting Point

Sky Blue City Walks

Broadgate, Coventry CV1 1NE, UK

The meeting point is in Broadgate, between the statue and the clock. However, occasionally there are events or stalls in Broadgate. When this happens the meeting place will be under the clock on the south wall. Either way, just look for the man with the Sky Blue top hat, tailcoat and flag.

What's included:

• A guided historical walk

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes

Lady Godiva Statue

Broadgate, , Coventry

While you might know about the 1000 year old legend of Lady Godiva, the woman behind the most famous tax protest in history, what do you know about he woman herself?

15 minutes

Golden Cross

8 Hay Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RF

On Pepper Lane outside the Golden Cross your guide will explain the truth about the building which claims to be the oldest pub in Coventry, the literal treasure hunt which the streets are paved with and what sued to happen on those very cobbles.
Nearby, a mural will help explain some of the theories as where the name 'Coventry' comes from.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

St. Mary's Guildhall

Bayley Lane, , Coventry, CV1 5RN

See the outside of the Guildhall, a medieval time capsule and the last remaining part of Coventry Castle

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Council House

Earl Street, Coventry

In front of the gothic council house, hear why Coventry has been a city since the beginning of time!

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Drapers Hall

Drapers Hall Bayley Lane, Coventry, CV1 5RN

Outside Drapers Hall, your guide will tell you about the 'Great Drapery' and why Coventry became an international trading centre as long ago as the twelfth century

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Holy Trinity Church

5A Priory Row, Coventry, CV1 5EX

Your guide will talk briefly about the history of the 12th century church.

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Coventry Cathedral

Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5AB

See the ruined cathedral church of St Michael as your guide tells the tale of its' destruction in the 'Moonlight Sonata' air raid of Coventry during World War II. You'll also see Sir Basil Spences modern cathedral, with both structures being monuments to international peace and reconciliation.
Tours normally include a quick look inside the modern cathedral building, with a longer while spend inside the ruins, but on occasion, events take place in the Cathedrals which will mean entry is not possible.

25 minutes

Priory Visitor Centre

6 Priory Row, Coventry, CV1 5EX

Overlooking the ruins of Coventry's Original St Mary's Cathedral, you'll hear about it's beginnings with St Osburg, through the time of Godiva and Leofric and when it became a cathedral.
Then downstairs on the floor of what was one of -if not the- richest cathedrals you'll be told about some of the times when it was this country's parliament, and of course why, due to Henry VIII, it's not there any more.

15 minutes