History walks

This page contains information on local walks through Coventry's history from visiting local buildings and landmarks to art trails and factory tours.

Coventry’s Historic Heart – A Walking Tour (£1.00)

“It’s a walking tour, art trail and historic guidebook in one – but above all, it’s the story of a city.”

This publication is only available from the Tourist Information Centre, St Michael’s Tower, within Coventry Cathedral Ruins, Coventry, CV1 5AB

Telephone: 024 7622 5616
Fax: 024 7622 1980
E-mail: tic@cvone.co.uk
Website: www.visitcoventryandwarwickshire.co.uk (external)

Tourist Information services are also available from:

Tourist Information Centre, within Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hales Street, Coventry, CV1 1JD, Telephone: 024 7623 4297

Tourist Information Centre, Ricoh Arena, Phoenix Way, Coventry, CV6 6GE, Telephone: 0844 8736397

Coventry City Centre Trail (Heritage Plaques)

The trail is intended to take the visitor around sixty of the most important historical buildings and sites in the city centre and demonstrate the wealth of Coventry's architectural and archaeological heritage. The circuit measures 4 miles (6.5km) and begins at the Tourist Information Centre on Bayley Lane. A trail guide booklet including map is also available from the Centre.
The trail is free of charge, however, a trail guide booklet (including map and historical details of sites) costs £1.00 from the Tourist Information Centre.

Coventry Canal Art Trail

Check out our new online guide to the award winning Coventry Canal Art Trail, five and a half miles of art, the longest waterside art gallery in Britain. Use this site to find out more about each of the 39 unique artworks that make up the art trail, and the artists that created them.

Walking the trail makes for thirsty work, so why not stop off for a hearty pub lunch at one of the many historic pubs you can find along the route!

Telephone: 024 7623 1306
E-mail: foleshillcanalsalive@coventry.gov.uk
Website: www.visitcoventry.co.uk (external)

Godiva Associates

Did you know: Coventry has three spires, three Cathedral, two Universities, two Museums, but only one official Lady Godiva? Come on a tour with your own costumed guide and discover more. You'll be amazed! People said it was 'inspiring', 'unforgettable', 'educational', 'scary', 'funny', 'stimulating', 'spiritual'. Less a tour - more an experience. Choose the Original Godiva Heritage Tour or for the brave the Ultimate Coventry Ghost Tour.

Member of the official recognised bodies of Equity and an associate member of Institute of Registered Tour Guides (ITG).

How to find us: Godiva Associates, Spring House, Radford Road, Coventry, CV6 3BU
Telephone: 024 7659 8901/7051
Fax: 024 7660 1789
E-mail: godiva@associate.co.uk
Admission: The Original Godiva Heritage Tour - . The Ultimate Coventry Ghost Tour
Minimum 10 per tour Special Rates for large group sizes/corporate entertainment. Please contact for prices.
Groups: Walking tours normally last one and a half hours, but can be shortened or lengthened if requested. Tailor-made itineraries to suit group requests and needs. Minimum group fee. Maximum group size: 25 people. Free advice on itineraries, meals and refreshments, where to go etc. Places can be pre-booked. Free quality souvenirs to each member of the group.

Blue Badge Guided Tours

Blue Badge and Coventry Green Badge Tour Guide, offering coach and walking tours in Coventry (day and night and including the three cathedrals), Stratford upon Avon, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Birmingham, Oxford, the Cotswolds and other parts of the Heart of England. Conference support with meet and greet a speciality, also hotel and airport transfers.

Member of the Heart of England Tourist Guides Association and the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides. He also has a 2012 Events endorsement. Roger is a member of the Coventry Guild of Tourist Guides, has lived in Coventry all his life and has written several books on local history. He is therefore uniquely qualified to give talks and take people on guided tours of Coventry and the surrounding area. He has so far conducted over 1,300 Coventry tours over the years.

Contact: Roger Bailey
Telephone: 024 7669 1212
Fax: 024 7669 1212
E-mail: bluebadgecov@aol.com
Website: www.bluebadgetouristguide.co.uk (external)
Admission: Full day £150 per guide (7.5hours).
Half day £95, 1.5 hour walking tour £60, 1.5 hour Coventry walking/coach tour £75.
Groups: Maximum group size for daytime walking tours is 25. Maximum group size for evening Coventry walking tours is 20.

Historical Quests

Spend a day exploring the historic heart of England - with an expert guide and his classic Rolls-Royce car. Kenilworth, Warwick and Stratford on Avon and the Cotswolds are all within easy reach. The Rolls will collect you from the hotel or airport to give you a day to remember.

This is a personalised and totally individual service, putting the Rolls-Royce and driver/guide at the guests' disposal for a full or half day. It is limited to a maximum of three people.

How to find us: 90 Armorial Road, Styvechale, Coventry, CV3 6GJ
Telephone: 024 7641 3300
E-mail: john@histquest.com
Website: www.histquest.com (external)

Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust Tours

Portraying over a century of outstanding automotive design, fine engineering, and world leading car development. The vehicle collection is Jaguar's living heritage, mainly on display under one roof at the JDHT Museum, its spiritual home at Browns Lane in Coventry. Suitable for disabled visitors. Entry is free of charge and there is ample free parking on site.

How to find us: Browns Lane, Allesley, Coventry CV5 9DR
Telephone: 024 7640 1289
E-mail: tokeeffe@jaguar.com
Website: www.jdht.com(external)
Admission: Free admission to Jaguar dealer parties. Private parties by arrangement.
Opening Times: Monday to Thursday: 9am until 4.30pm, Friday 9am until 3pm. Last Sunday of the month (excluding December) : 10am until 4pm..
Groups: By appointment only.
Suggested Duration: one hour.

Local history walks