Holiday rentals in Coventry

Coventry might not register on the typical tourist radar, but it packs a punch when it comes to history, and its cultural footprint belies its size. Since legendary Queen Boudica led the Iceni tribe of Norfolk to rebel against Roman rule in the area in 60 A.D., Coventry’s eventful past has left it littered with fascinating features, not least the reconstructed Lunt Roman Fort, used in that battle. Despite heavy bombing during the Second World War, many intriguing historic buildings remain, from the Tudor almshouse of Ford’s Hospital to the grand ruins of the cathedral and the medieval St Mary’s Guildhall. Not to mention there’s a glut of quirky museums, including the Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry Watch Museum, and the Police Museum.

Much of the small city centre is taken up by the university and shopping precincts, but for alternative vibes the creative quarter around FarGo Village gathers studios, food markets, and independent shops. Being named UK City of Culture for 2021 has revitalised and unified the music, arts, and theatre scenes, boosting venues like the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, which has contemporary exhibitions alongside archaeological artefacts and artworks, and the cutting-edge Arcadia Gallery Space.

It’s ideal to book one of Coventry’s apartments for a time of year that coincides with one of many superb cultural festivals that take place here.

The annual Godiva Festival usually features big-name musical acts and local talent at the War Memorial Park in August. July welcomes acoustic bands for Warwick Castle’s Folk Festival, while gearheads can revel in the city’s status as a centre of motoring and car manufacturing at MotoFest each summer. The sunny season brings food festivals, including the Embracing Africa Food and Music Festival, with live bands and lashings of Nigerian jollof rice. Look out for the vegan markets, plant and vintage fairs, and comedy nights at FarGo Village; and in summer, consider hitting one of the River Avon’s wild swimming spots outside of the city.

The Weaver’s House

Spon Street, one of Coventry’s best-preserved thoroughfares, is home to the Weaver’s House, whose domestic setting whisks you back to 1540, when it was home to a loom weaver and his family. In the garden, traditional medicinal plants and herbs scent the air.

2-Tone Village

The unusual 2-Tone Village is a collection of venues celebrating ska music. Try Caribbean and English cuisines, shop for merchandise and collectables, hear 2-Tone, reggae, and ska acts at a live music venue, and learn more at the Coventry Music Museum.

Godiva spotting

At the centre of town is a statue of Lady Godiva, the 11th-century Coventry noblewoman who legend says rode through town naked on horseback to protest against local taxes imposed by her tyrannical husband. A mechanical figure of her rides out on the hour from the clock on Broadgate House.