In 2004, it was estimated that around 102 million people visited the West Midlands region of the UK. The best-known city in the area, Birmingham, is often considered England’s second city and has an estimated population of 1,006,500. It is also surrounded by smaller towns and cities such as Wolverhampton, Solihull and West Bromwich; however, separated by several miles of greenbelt, is the city of Coventry that lies to the east.
With a population in excess of 305,000 Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the most in-land city, being further away from the coast than any other in Britain. And, of the 102 million visitors to the West Midlands in 2004, 16 million headed for Coventry.
There are of course many attractions to visiting Coventry and a huge draw for many tourists is the renowned Coventry Cathedral. Open most days between 9am and 5pm, the cathedral houses St. Michael’s Hall Treasury, which is designed for the assembly of choir and clergy before services, and St Michael’s Tower. For a small charge, visitors are able to climb the tower and experience city-wide views of Coventry from the top.
Alternatively, the Midland Air Museum offers the opportunity to view a range of air-based exhibits, including the Avro Vulcan bomber and more than 30 other historic aircraft, ensuring a fascinating visit for the aerospace enthusiast. Furthermore, of special local interest is the heritage centre dedicated to Sir Frank Whittle, the Coventry-born engineer who designed the jet engine which made modern high-speed aircraft and economical air travel possible.
For those who are looking for a more relaxing visit, Coombe Country Park offers 500 acres of beautiful historic parkland. Widely popular with local residents all year round, it is made up of cultured gardens, natural woodland and special lakeside walks. What’s more, the Visitor Centre and Discovery Centre add yet more interest to the park, as do the Heron Table Restaurant and gift shop, but the varied wildlife will perhaps be a main highlight for most visitors, with one of Warwickshire’s largest heronries at the site.
But once the day is over, there is still plenty on offer for visitors to Coventry, with the city’s nightlife being both varied and extensive. Depending on your interests, the theatre is one option, with the Belgrade offering many productions, performances and concerts; also, least forgetting the Butts Theatre, which is famous for its classic 1930s interior. In addition, there are a varied range of pubs and clubs on Spon Street, or in the Bull Yard, as well as live music venues dotted around the city.
Therefore, when looking for Coventry hotels, it may be a good idea to choose one that is close to the major sites of interest. And, with continued development in the city, there are likely to be further reasons to visit over the coming years.
For many, the city is ideally placed for a short break in the UK and although it may take time for it to rival London as the destination of choice, there are plenty of reasons to explore it as an alternative.
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
