Coventry has a rich history dating from the late Saxon period but the city really started to boom during the Industrial Revolution when it became a major manufacturing centre, which in its heyday counted over 500 car, cycle and motorcycle manufacturers.

Practical information

Coventry Tourist Information Centre

Bayley Lane, Coventry

Tel (024) 7622 7264

Website www.visitcoventry.co.uk

Open summer Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4.30pm; winter Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4.30pm

Coming & going

AIR

Coventry has easy access to Birmingham International Airport (tel 0870 733 511), which is only 20 minutes by train from the centre of Coventry.

BUS & COACH

National Express (tel 0870 580 8080) has coaches from Coventry to Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Leicester, London and Manchester. Buses depart from Pool Meadow bus station.

TRAIN

There are frequent trains linking Coventry and Birmingham and there are also direct trains to Rugby, Milton Keynes and London (Euston).

Local transport

Travel West Midlands run most buses in the Coventry area with one-way bus fares ranging from £1.20 to £1.50 and the n-bus day ticket costs £3.60 and is good for one day of unlimited bus travel within West Midlands county.

Coventry is part of the Network West Midlands transport network that also covers Birmingham and Network West Midlands travel passes can be used here.

Hostel accommodation

Coventry doesn't have a hostel and most budget travellers stay at one of Birmingham's hostels and visit as a day trip.

Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions

Coventry Transport Museum

In its heyday Coventry had over 500 car, cycle and motorcycle manufacturers so it stands to reason that Coventry's Transport Museum is among the world's best.

Hales Street, Coventry

Bus 17, 27, 49 Train Coventry

Tel (024) 7683 2425

Website www.transport-museum.com

Admission free

Open 10am-5pm daily

Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

This museum has exhibits on Coventry's history with displays of archaeology, natural history and its industrial heritage.

Jordan Well, Coventry

Tel (024) 7683 2381
Website www.theherbert.org

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun noon-5pm

Lunt Roman Fort

This ancient Roman fort in Baginton, near Coventry was established in 64 AD and was excavated between 1960 and 1973.

Coventry Road, Baginton

Tel (024) 7683 2565
Website www.luntromanfort.org
Admission £2.50
Open Apr-mid Jul Sat-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm; mid Jul-mid Sep Wed-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm; mid Sep-Oct Sat-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm

St Mary's Guildhall

Built in the 1340s and altered in the 15th century, St Mary's Guildhall is one of England's best surviving medieval guildhalls. It was used as Coventry's city hall from 1421 until the 1860s.