The following provides information about places of interest; cafes, restaurants and pubs; and self-catering accommodation, all with medieval connections.

The information is subject to change and it is advisable to check opening times with venue websites or to email/call in advance of your visit to avoid disappointment.

Places of interest

Coventry city centre

St Mary’s Hall
Founded by the Guild of St Mary in the 1340s and rebuilt in stone in the early 1400s. Features medieval kitchens, the oldest part of the hall, and a magnificent early 16th-century tapestry hung beneath a stunning stained glass north window.
Bayley Lane
CV1 5RN

www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk
024 7643 0545
smgh@noordinaryhospitality.com

Opening times
Please see website

Golden Cross Inn
On the site of the Coventry mint established by Edward IV in the 1460s minting gold and silver coins. Built c.1583. Atmospheric half-timbered building.
Hay Lane
CV1 5RF
www.thegoldencrosscoventry.co.uk
024 7655 1855

Opening times
Monday: 11.30am–5.30pm (Food: 12 noon–4pm)
Friday to Saturday: 11am–11pm (Food: 12 noon–8pm)
Sunday: 12 noon–6pm (Food: 12 noon–4pm)

Holy Trinity Church
Earliest part of the church dates from the 1100s when it was built as a chapel to the adjacent priory church. Further architectural developments over several centuries. Crowning glory is the magnificent Doom painting c.1430s. Medieval treasures include the fragment of the 14th-century Godiva window and 15th-century pulpit and font.
5a Priory Row
CV1 5EX

www.holytrinitycoventry.org.uk
024 7622 0418
htoffice@holytrinitycoventry.org.uk

Opening times
Wednesday to Saturday: 11am–3pm

Coventry Cathedral Ruins (St Michael’s Church)
On the site of a castle chapel founded by Ranulf de Gernon, fourth Earl of Chester, in the 1100s. Rebuilt in the late 13th century and spectacularly enlarged and developed over the next 200 years. One of the largest churches in the medieval kingdom.
Priory Street
CV1 5AB
www.coventrycathedral.org.uk
024 7652 1200
Enquiries via website: www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/wpsite/contact-us-3

Opening times
Monday to Saturday: 10am–4pm
Sunday: 12.30pm–3pm

St Mary’s Benedictine Priory Ruins and Garden
Remains of the vast priory church built in the 1300s, destroyed in the 1500s during the dissolution of the monasteries, the only church to experience this fate. Features include sections of the west wall, nave columns and base of the north-west tower.
Priory Row
CV1 5EX
Accessible throughout the day

Priory Row Cottages
Originally part of Priory precinct and an example of the many buildings that were part of the extensive priory site that dominated the town. Located near to the priory gate, which led to the marketplace, and opposite Holy Trinity Church, the chapel to the priory church.

Priory Row
CV1 5EX

Opening times
Heritage Open Days only

Swanswell Gate, Cook Street Gate and remains of city wall
A vital part of Coventry’s defence system, the wall encircled the entire town apart from the area protected by the natural defences of the river Sherbourne. Construction began in the 1350s and took many decades to complete.

Swanswell and Cook Street Gates were two of twelve city gates punctuating the wall and controlling access in and out of the town.
Chauntry Place
CV1 1JD (Swanswell Gate) CV1 1RA (Cook Street Gate)

Opening times
Heritage Open Days and special open days only

The Burges
Medieval buildings hidden behind brick facades that date from the late 1700s, so it’s difficult to imagine that this was a major thoroughfare in the middle ages. Extending from the marketplace near the priory gate out towards the north, the road traversed though the area originally known as St John’s Bridge due to the two crossing points over the river Sherbourne.

Coventry glazier, John Thornton, had his stained-glass business here in the 1400s. He and his family lived in a workshop tenement, with a yard at the back that extended to the river from The Burges.
The Burges
CV1 1HL
www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/projects/the-burges

Palmer Lane
Off The Burges, accessed through a small archway, a walkway leads to Palmer Lane, once the location of the Pilgrims’ Rest Inn, where, in medieval times pilgrims visiting St Mary’s Priory received board and lodging here. The regeneration of this area by the Historic Coventry Trust will see it transformed – the river will be opened up and an extensive public area created. It will enable people to appreciate the medieval features of The Burges’, still visible from the back of the buildings.
The Burges
CV1 1FN
www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/news/new-plans-to-open-up-the-river-sherbourne-at-palmer-lane

St John’s Hospital/Old Grammar School
Dating from the 1300s, the building is located on the site of a hospital founded by St Mary’s Priory and run by the Knights Hospitallers who originally provided care to those returning from pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Rebuilt in sandstone, the hospital tended to the sick and infirm of the town and offered hospitality to travellers and pilgrims.
Hales Street
CV1 1JD
www.theherbert.org/collections/the_old_grammar_school_coventry

Opening times
Special events and Heritage Open Days only

Cheylesmore Manor Gatehouse (Coventry Register Office)
Only surviving part of Cheylesmore Manor, originally established by the Montalt family, the Earls of Chester, in the 1200s and set within vast parklands. Became a royal residence for Queen Isabella two hundred years later and passed to her grandson, Edward the Black Prince. The remaining 16th-century gatehouse and part of two wings of the manor, dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, is today used as the city’s register office.
Manor House Drive, off Corporation Street
CV1 2ND
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1299033

Opening times
External viewing only

St John the Baptist Church
Fleet Street
CV1 3AY
www.achurchnearyou.com/church/12935
024 7671 1687
parish@stjohnthebaptistcoventry.org.uk

Opening times
Every Friday: 10.30am–1.00pm
Every Saturday: 10.00am–12 noon

Bablake School and Bond’s Hospital
Bablake School was an ecclesiastical college established in the mid-1300s for priests who served the adjacent guild chapel of St John the Baptist by saying Mass in the church for the souls of the college patrons. Within twenty years its focus widened to that of a school providing education.

Within 150 years, an almshouse was built, attached to the existing school. Founded by Thomas Bond, a wealthy draper, the almshouse provided accommodation for elderly men who agreed to pray for Thomas in exchange for their keep. Bablake and Bond’s functions as an almshouse to this day for older Coventry residents.
Hill Street
CV2 4AN

Home

Opening times
Heritage Open Days only

Medieval Spon Street and remains of city wall
Half-timbered medieval buildings, many in the Whealden style, both extant and those relocated from Much Park Street and reconstructed in Spon Street as part of the Townscape Scheme in the 1970s. Spon Street is today occupied by shops, restaurants and pubs (see Restaurants below).
Spon Street
CV1 3BA

Weavers House and Black Swan Terrace
Reconstruction of a house belonging in the middle ages to narrow-loom weaver John Croke to show how it would have looked in 1540. Part of Black Swan Terrace, restored buildings from the late medieval period.
121 Upper Spon Street
Spon End
CV1 3BQ

The Weaver’s House, Spon End

024 7625 7117
info@theweavershouse.org

Opening times
Heritage and Special Open Days only

Chapel of St James and St Christopher remains
Dating from the 1300s, the chapel is situated near Spon Bridge that spans the river Sherbourne to the west of the city. It was renowned as a wayfarers chapel, a place of rest and refuge for visitors to the town in medieval times. At one point the chapel and the surrounding land belonged to the members of the weavers' craft guild. The building fell into disuse in the 1600s.
Upper Spon Street
Coventry
CV1 3AR

Opening times
External viewing only

Ford’s Hospital
Founded as almshouses by merchant William Ford in his will dated 1509 for five men and one woman, each chosen by members of the Trinity Guild. Originally called Greyfriar's hospital because of its proximity to Greyfriars Gate, Ford’s Hospital appointed a priest to say mass twice a week and to pray for the souls of the founder and his family. It serves as an almshouse today for older Coventry residents.
Greyfriars Lane
CV1 2GY

Home

Opening times
Heritage Open Days only

Greyfriar’s Church Tower and Steeple
Located on the site of a wooden church and friary built by the Franciscan order of Greyfriars who arrived in Coventry in 1234. In 1359, Edward, the Black Prince, gave the order permission to quarry stone from nearby Cheylesmore Park to build a more substantial church building, the tower and spire of which is the only feature remaining. The base of the tower is the venue for Dhillons Spire Bar (see below).
New Union Street
CV1 2PS
https://dhillonsspirebar.com/about-us/
024 7622 5905
info@dhillonsspirebar.com

Opening times
External viewing only unless as a patron of the café bar.

Medieval Stone building remains
Open to the elements and close to Whitefriar’s Monastery, this is possibly the former house of a wealthy medieval merchant. It might have had connections with the monastery, but this isn’t certain.
Much Park Street
CV1 2LT

Opening times
External viewing only

Whitefriar’s Monastery remains
Founded in 1342 by Sir John Poultney, a London merchant, for the Carmelite order of monks famed for their white hooded habits. The friary was not only renowned for the hospitality of the friars, but also for its extravagant banquets and guild feasts in which the friars served the guests. The friary church was enormous – the largest in England at this time. All that remains of the vast complex of monastic buildings covering over ten acres of land are the cloisters and gatehouse.
Gosford Street
CV1 2DS

Opening times
Heritage Open Days only

Whitefriar’s Gatehouse
Originally the outer gatehouse to Whitefriar’s friary and church, recently acquired by the Historic Coventry Trust for renovation and repurpose into self-catering holiday accommodation.
35–37 Much Park Street
CV1 2LT
www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk/projects/whitefriars-gatehouse

Opening times
External viewing only

Medieval timber-framed domestic building
Originally located within the boundary of Whitefriars friary, the earliest surviving parts of the building – which is actually two buildings made into one – date from the 14th century. The timbers from one of the buildings have been tree-ring dated to the 1350s.
Gosford Street
CV1 2DS

Opening times
External viewing only

Far Gosford Street
In the middle ages, the main arterial road from Gosford Gate on the periphery of the medieval town to Leicester. So called as it combines 'ford' and 'goose', as this is where geese were taken over the river near the Gosford Gate. Today, many of the surviving medieval buildings along Gosford Street are occupied by shops, cafes and residential accommodation.
Far Gosford Street
CV1 5DZ

Medieval Gallery, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
Tells the story of Coventry in the middle ages, the importance of the priory, the role of the guilds, the townspeople at work and play, and the devastation and impact of the Dissolution on the town. Excellent display of objects, both precious and everyday domestic, and illustrations.
Bayley Lane
www.theherbert.org

Opening times
Monday to Saturday: 10.00am–4.00pm
Sunday: 12.00pm–4.00pm
Closed: 24, 25 & 26 December and 1 January

Coventry Archives Centre, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum
The extent and importance of medieval documents held in the Archives Centre is breathtaking, ranging from straightforward agreements between two townsfolk to exquisite documents written, signed and sealed by royalty.
Bayley Lane
www.theherbert.org/history_centre
Reading Room
For local history resources.
Open during opening hours (see below) without an appointment.
Research Room
For consulting original archive material.
Appointment only – phone 024 7623 7583 or email archives@culturecoventry.com

Opening times
Wednesday to Friday: 10.30am–3.30pm
Alternate Saturdays: 10.30am–3.30pm (Reading Room only)

Coventry Suburbs

Gosford Green

Site of the proposed duel – in the presence of King Richard II – in 1398 between Henry Bolingroke, Duke of Hereford (later Henry IV) and Thomas de Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, who stayed beforehand at nearby Caludon Castle (his Midlands residence).
Binley Road
CV3 1HZ

Stoke St Michael’s Church
On the site of a church founded in 12th Century by Hugh, Earl of Chester, the nephew of William the Conqueror. The 14th-century tower is the oldest part of the building.
Walsgrave Road
CV2 4BG
024 7644 3691
office@stokestmichaels.co.uk

St Mary Magdalene Church
On the site of the first chapel built by Ranulf, Earl of Chester in about 1100 for use by the monks from St Mary’s Priory. Features 800-year-old Norman font and 15th-century wall paintings.
Wyken Croft
Wyken
CV2 3AD
https://warwickshirechurches.weebly.com/wyken---st-mary-magdalene.html
024 7661 2316
email: risen.christ01@gmail.com

Opening times
Heritage Open Days and by request

Charterhouse Carthusian Priory of St Anne and Heritage Park
Founded by King Richard II in 1385, the priory housed an order of Carthusian monks, who held strict observances. Fragments of a vast Crucifixion painting dating from c.1430 survive on the lower part of the south refectory wall.
London Road
CV2 2JB
www.charterhousepriory.org.uk

Opening times
Priory of St Anne (Heritage Open Days and special open days)
Heritage Park (open)

Within ten miles of Coventry

Coombe Abbey
Hotel with original medieval features dating back to the 12th-century monastery and set within extensive parkland.
Brinklow Road
Binley
CV3 2AB
024 7645 0450
www.coombeabbey.com

Opening times
External viewing only, unless a hotel guest or diner

St Mary the Virgin, Stoneleigh
Predominantly Norman church, its nave and chancel separated by a magnificent semi-circular single arch with Norman chevron design and rare carving. Medieval features include a 12th-century decorated font and 14th-century effigies, one in the chancel to an unknown priest in ecclesiastical vestments and another in the porch of a woman and child.
Church Lane
Stoneleigh
CV8 3DN
024 7641 5506
www.stoneleighchurch.co.uk

Opening times
Outside of service times, the church is open to visitors and for private worship from 10am to 3pm in winter and from 10am to 4pm in the summer.

Stoneleigh Abbey
Founded as a Cistercian monastic house in 1154. Only the vaulted undercrofts remain from the middle ages and are currently inaccessible. Tours will be available in the future.
Entrance off Mary Lodge Drive
Stoneleigh
Kenilworth
CV8 2LF
01926 858 535
www.stoneleighabbey.org

Opening times
Sunday to Thursday:
House: open by guided tour only
Tour times (house only): 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm
Grounds: 10am–5pm (last admission 4pm)
Tea Rooms: 11am–4pm

Kenilworth Castle (English Heritage)
Built on the site of a motte and bailey castle in the late 1100s and developed over several centuries. One of Margaret of Anjou’s dower houses as part of her Midlands estates in the 15th century.
Castle Green
Off Castle Road
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 1NG
01926 852 078
www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/kenilworth-castle

Opening times
See website for details

Coventry cafes, restaurants and pubs in a medieval venue

Tales of Tea, St Mary’s Hall
Bayley Lane
CV1 5RN
www.stmarysguildhall.co.uk/cafes-in-coventry
Opening times
See website for details

Golden Cross Inn
Hay Lane
CV1 5RF
www.thegoldencrosscoventry.co.uk
024 7655 1855

Opening times
Monday: 11.30am–5.30pm (Food: 12 noon–4pm)
Friday to Saturday: 11am–11pm (Food: 12 noon–8pm)
Sunday: 12 noon–6pm (Food: 12 noon–4pm)

Dhillons Spire Bar
New Union Street
CV1 2PS
info@dhillonsspirebar.com
https://dhillonsspirebar.com/about-us/

Opening times
Sunday 12 noon–10pm
Tuesday 4pm–midnight
Wednesday 4pm–midnight
Thursday 4pm–midnight
Friday 4pm–1am
Saturday 12pm–1am

Selminas Restaurant
16 Spon Street
CV1 1BA
024 7798 0627
info@selminas.co.uk

Opening times
https://selminas.co.uk
Tuesday to Thursday: 5pm–11 pm
Friday and Saturday: 3pm–11pm
Sunday: 3pm–10.30pm

The Green Dragon
Constructed in 1450 and first became The Green Dragon Inn in 1500.
21 Spon Street
CV1 1BA
024 7767 0498
info@the-gd.co.uk

Opening times
Call for details

The Old Windmill
22–23 Spon Street
024 7625 1717
www.facebook.com/TheOldWindmill.Coventry

Opening times
Call for details

Turmeric Gold
166 Spon Street
CV1 3BB
024 7622 6603
www.turmericgold.co.uk
Opening times
Monday to Saturday: 5.30pm–10pm

The Pod Vegan Café
31a Far Gosford Street
Coventry
CV1 5DW
POD.enquiries@coventry.gov.uk
www.coventry.gov.uk/pod-1/pod-cafe

Opening times
Tuesday to Thursday: 12 noon–4pm
Friday: 8.30am–12.30pm