Coventry Cathedral

Discover Coventry Cathedral with a 30 min car ride from Birmingham city centre. This historic attraction is found in the city centre, is easily accessed and family friendly. Dig deep into the history of the Cathedral with a guided or self guided tour around this famous old landmark. A great day out for all the family.

They recommend that you start your journey by visiting the Ruins first (ideally entering from Cuckoo Lane) which was destroyed in the Coventry Blitz during WW2, and now recognised as an international symbol of The story of Coventry Cathedral, then onto explore the New Cathedral which is a modernist masterpiece featuring works by some of the greatest artists of the 1950s and 1960s.

They welcome groups to the Cathedral for those who want to dive a little deeper into the history. Their dedicated volunteers team provide guided tours and for group bookings (which include a guided tour), please contact them in advance for tours and group bookings to book in your slot. The Tower Climb and Blitz Museum are also open on select days, so please plan ahead.

Alternatively, if you’d like to do a self-guided tour they recommend purchasing their Guidebook, which you can buy from the Gift Shop in the New Cathedral. The guidebook has the top points of interest in it, great for those short on time too!

Founded with a Saxon nunnery circa AD 700, Coventry has endured conflict with King Canute (whose army destroyed the nunnery), Henry II (whose army largely destroyed Coventry Castle), Henry VIII (whose Reformation saw the destruction of the first cathedral), Charles I (Coventry was a parliamentary stronghold) and, in 1940, with Hitler’s Luftwaffe. The city and cathedral share a history of conflict just as, today, they share a determination to build justice and peace, by healing wounds and learning to live with difference.