Historic Coventry
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about Coventry from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover Coventry's listed buildings and places
Introducing some of Coventry's most significant historic sites, curated from the National Heritage List for England.
Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre
Coventry
Swimming Baths with attached sunbathing terraces.
Coventry Synagogue and Rabbi's House
Coventry
The Synagogue, Barras Lane, Coventry is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: This is a good survival of a rare building type -...
Mural at the Three Tuns Pub
Coventry
Mural at The Three Tuns pub. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Coventry City Library building (former Locarno Dancehall)
Coventry
The Coventry City Library building (former Locarno Dancehall) is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: for its contribution to the...
Coventry Retail Market
Coventry
A market hall built in 1957 to designs by Douglas Beaton, Ralph Iredale and Ian Crawford of Coventry City Architect's Department.
The Register Office, formerly the Cheylesmore Manor gatehouse and cross-wings
Coventry
Gatehouse and cross-wings to a C14 manor house, restored in the mid-C20 by FWB Charles.
London Road Cemetery, Coventry
Coventry
An urban cemetery designed in 1845 by Joseph Paxton. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Former Nurses' Home and Outpatients' Clinic at Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital
Coventry
The former Nurses’ Home and Outpatient’s Clinic at the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital are designated at Grade II for the following principal...
Broadgate House
Coventry
Office buildingDeveloped from a masterplan of 1941, built 1949-53 by Coventry City Architect's Department, Chief Architect Donald EE Gibson, assistant...
Church of St John the Baptist
Coventry
Newly constructed in 1842-43 by George Gilbert Scott and William Bonython Moffat. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Whitefriars Gate, 36-37 Much Park Street
Coventry
Postern gatehouse to the Carmelite friary, late C14 or C15, later converted to form two dwellings. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Former Leofric Hotel
Coventry
The former Leofric Hotel, Broadgate, Coventry is listed at Grade II, for the following principal reasons: for its contribution to the post-war, Upper...
The former Woolworth Building, Upper Precinct
Coventry
The former Woolworth Building, Smithford Way, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons: as a clear assertion of the spirit of the...
Former British Home Stores Building and Carphone Warehouse
Coventry
Former department store, built 1951-1955 by George Coles of London for British Home Stores (BHS), and retail premises of 1955 for Dolcis by their...
War Memorial Park, Coventry
Coventry
A War Memorial Park, laid out by Coventry City Council between 1921 and 1935, which commemorates Coventry’s soldiers and civilians who lost their...
Remains of the west front, nave and aisles of Coventry Priory
Coventry
The remains of the west front, nave and aisles of the medieval cathedral of Coventry Priory. Read the official list entry to find out more.
War Memorial in Coventry War Memorial Park
Coventry
A War Memorial built in 1925-7 to a design by Thomas Francis Tickner (1864-1924).
Church of St Thomas
Coventry
Church designed in 1874 by John Cotton of Birmingham. Minor alteration with the enlargement of the vestry in 1880s.
Church of St Mark and boundary walls to Stoney Stanton Lane and Bird Street
Coventry
A former parish church, built in 1869 to the designs of Paull and Robinson, internally remodelled and converted to an outpatients department c.1973,...
The Old Grammar School (St John's Hospital Chapel)
Coventry
Former hospital chapel, 1340s, used as a school from 1558 until 1885, with an early-C20 extension.
Church of St Lawrence
Coventry
Known phases from late middle ages with west tower and north aisle, although earlier building existed on site.
Upper Precinct, North and South Link Blocks and Piazza
Coventry
Two ranges of shops, placed on the north and south sides of a piazza and joined by aerial pedestrian walkways at first floor level.
Marks and Spencer and 4-10 Smithford Way
Coventry
A retail store designed and built for Marks and Spencer by Norman Jones Sons and Rigby, 1953-1955. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Sherbourne Viaduct
Coventry
A railway viaduct of 1838 by Robert Stephenson, for the London and Birmingham Railway. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Christ Church
Coventry
A parish church with tower, meeting rooms and hall. Designed by Alfred H Gardner in 1953 and built between 1956 and 1958.
Levelling Stone
Coventry
A levelling stone designed by Trevor Tennant and unveiled on 8 June 1946. Read the official list entry to find out more.
St Paul’s Foleshill War Memorial
Coventry
St Paul’s Foleshill War Memorial by the Bromsgrove Guild, unveiled on 11 September 1920, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:...
3B Series 1 Sculpture
Coventry
3B Series No.1, a welded steel sculpture of 1968 by Bernard Schottlander, is sited in the courtyard in front of the Rootes Residential Building at the...
The Biggin Hall Hotel public house
Coventry
The Biggin Hall Hotel. Designed in 1921 by T F Tickner for the brewery Marston, Thompson & Evershed Ltd. Opened in 1923, later alterations.
Former Blue Coat School
Coventry
Former Blue Coat School building of 1856-1857 by James Murray, incorporating part of the remains of the medieval Coventry Priory.
3-5 Priory Row
Coventry
3-5 Priory Row, a building of 1414-1415, originally associated with Coventry Priory, restored and extended around 1855.
Nonconformist Cemetery Chapel
Coventry
Nonconformist cemetery chapel, 1847, by GH Stokes under the direction of Joseph Paxton. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Broadgate Standard
Coventry
A mast standing at 15m tall carrying the city standard, erected in March 1948. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Coventry Civic Centre 2
Coventry
An office and studio block, built for the Architecture and Town Planning Department of Coventry City Council in 1957-1959 to the designs of George...
Natwest Bank
Coventry
The NatWest Bank building, Broadgate, Coventry, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: Interior: A degree of alteration has...
Historic Coventry through time
The National Heritage List for England contains hundreds of details about buildings and places, including the periods in which they were built and the uses they've had over the years. Explore how your local area has changed through time.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Early medieval AD 410 to AD 1066
This period, often associated in England with Anglo-Saxons and Vikings, saw a reduction in urban living from the Roman period and increased migration from northern Europe.
Traces of this period can be found in cemeteries, particularly in artefacts and in some of the very early churches, as this period also saw the growth of Christianity in Britain.
Medieval AD 1066 to AD 1540
This period, sometimes known as the Middle Ages, began with the Norman invasion in AD 1066. It saw a significant rise in military and defensive buildings such as castles and earthworks, as well as religious houses dominating a largely agricultural landscape.
The monarchy and Church dominated the period, which also saw the break with the Roman Church and the English reformation.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanantly altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of Coventry
Historic aerial photography shows the growth and changes in England's urban and rural landscapes, revealing secrets that are impossible to see from the ground.
Coventry
The city centre, Coventry, 1920
Coventry
Ring road and city centre, Coventry, 1970
Stoke
Telephone works and environs, Stoke, 1924
Stoke
The Peel-Conner Telephone Works, Stoke, 1926
Coventry
The Hillman Motor Car Works, Coventry, 1924
Coventry
The Hillman Motor Car Works and Humber Road, Coventry, 1929
Canley
Thomas Bushill and Sons Ltd Burnsall Road Printing Works, Canley, 1951
Canley
Thomas Bushill and Sons Ltd Burnsall Road Printing Works, Canley, 1951
Canley
Coventry Radiator and Pressing Works and environs, Canley, 1931
Canley
Coventry Radiator and Pressing Works, the Standard Motor Car Works and environs, Canley, 1931
Historic England Archive images of Coventry
The Historic England Archive holds and cares for over 15 million images, from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of Coventry's past.
Eric de Mare
Coventry
Date created: 1945 - 1980
Exterior perspective view of Ford's Hospital in Coventry showing the entrance front.
John Gay Collection: Miscellaneous
Coventry
Date created: 1955 - 1956
The foundation stone for Coventry Cathedral inscribed 'To the glory of GOD this Foundation Stone was laid by Queen Elizabeth the Second on the 23rd...
John Gay Collection: Counties
Coventry
Date created: 1954
Detail of a large vent at the Armstrong Siddeley car and aircraft engine works
John Laing Collection
Walsgrave On Sowe, Coventry
Date created: Jul 1969
Two physiotherapists in front of the Staff Quarters at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Greyfriars Green, Coventry, Coventry
Date created: 1908 - 1913
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING ACROSS TO THE THREE SPIRES
Eric de Mare
Coventry
Date created: 1945 - 1980
General view of Ford's Hospital looking towards the street from a narrow courtyard.
John Gay Collection: Miscellaneous
Coventry
Date created: 1955 - 1956
The foundation stone for Coventry Cathedral inscribed 'To the glory of GOD this Foundation Stone was laid by Queen Elizabeth the Second on the 23rd...
John Gay Collection: Counties
Coventry
Date created: 1954
Two men at working on aircraft engine parts in an extractor chamber at the Armstrong Siddeley car and aircraft engine works
John Laing Collection
Walsgrave On Sowe, Coventry
Date created: Jul 1969
A view, looking south, of the sloping driveway up to the main entrance of Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry
Alfred Newton and Sons
Coventry
Date created: 1929 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW FROM NEIGHBOURING STREET SHOWING CARS
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Greyfriars Green, Coventry, Coventry
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING ACROSS GREYFRIARS GREEN TOWARDS THE "THREE SPIRES"
Stories about heritage in Coventry
Historic England publishes news, blogs, videos and podcasts celebrating England's heritage. Discover the stories we have about Coventry.
English High Street Architecture Through the Ages
Mentions Coventry, Ruined Cathedral Church of St Michael, Broadgate House
Explore how the architecture of the English high street has evolved over the centuries.
The History of Ukrainians in England
Mentions Coventry, Church of St Mark and boundary walls to Stoney Stanton Lane and Bird Street
Ukrainians have influenced several sites across England. Here is a small selection.
12 Lost English Football Grounds
Mentions Coventry
Take a trip back in time to grounds once home to clubs of the English football leagues.
8 of England’s Most Beautiful Cathedrals to Visit
Mentions Coventry, Cathedral of St Michael
From Norman to Modernist, there are many different architectural styles on show in England’s cathedrals.
10 Eccentric English Customs, Traditions and Ceremonies (and the Stories Behind Them)
Mentions Coventry
10 eccentric English customs, traditions and ceremonies and the stories behind them.
Working from Home: England’s Domestic Textile Industry
Mentions Coventry, 64 to 94, Cash's Lane
Explore the story of England’s domestic textile industry, the buildings that housed them and the people who worked within them.
Small Projects, Big Impact: How John Laing Influenced Our Everyday
Mentions Coventry
The John Laing construction company are most famous for their landmark post-war projects such as Coventry Cathedral, the M1 motorway and Berkley...
The Destruction and Rebirth of Coventry Cathedral
Mentions Coventry
In the 12 hours of the raids, 568 people were killed and over 4,000 homes destroyed.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Site 5
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Site 4
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Site 1
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Site 3
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Site 2
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Where Light Falls Coventry Audio Description - Scene Setting and Instructions
Audio Description for Where Light Falls, a spectacular installation of light, history and poetry at Coventry Cathedral on 14-16 November 2019.
Mentions Coventry
This episode looks at architecture for all and explores two fascinating Cathedrals.
St Paul's Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral
This episode looks at architecture for all and explores two fascinating Cathedrals. Join host Dr Suzannah Lipscomb as she learns more about St Paul’s Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral. The 100 places featured in this series have been nominated by the public and chosen by a panel of judges. Together they help tell England’s fascinating history. Irreplaceable: A History of England in 100 Places is a Historic England podcast, sponsored by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical ecclesiastical.com
Mentions Coventry
Picturing High Streets was a 3-year partnership between Historic England and photography champions @photoworks_uk, who worked with 9 regional partner...
Photographing England's Historic High Streets
Picturing High Streets was a 3-year partnership between Historic England and photography champions @photoworks_uk, who worked with 9 regional partner photography organisations to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets.
Southend-on-Sea Civic Fountain Listed
Mentions Mural at the Three Tuns Pub, Coventry
The Civic Fountain in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, has been listed at Grade II by DCMS on the advice of Historic England.
Historic England Supports University of Sussex Plans for Listed Library
Mentions Cathedral of St Michael, Coventry
Historic England supports plans to improve access to the University of Sussex’s Grade II* listed Library, designed by architect Sir Basil Spence.
Picturing High Streets: Over 200 Images Taken by the Public Enter Historic England Archive
Mentions Coventry
Documenting a year in the life of the English high street, images taken by the public as part of 'Picturing High Streets' can be viewed online.
Grant Awarded to Rare Horticulture Heritage Site
Mentions Stoney Road Allotments, Coventry
The grant will help to repair three delightful summer houses in Coventry’s Victorian era Stoney Road Allotments.
Cambridge University’s Darwin College Protected
Mentions Houses For Visiting Mathematicians Warwick University
The Dining Hall and the Rayne Building at Darwin College, Cambridge have been listed at Grade II.
Picturing High Streets: Major National Photography Competition Launched
Mentions Coventry
Look at the high street as never before and share your photographs to a fortnightly challenge that will uncover the secret lives of our high streets.
Five New Historic England Commissioners Appointed (2022)
Mentions Coventry
Nairita Chakraborty, Jane, Lady Gibson,David Laing, Sir Jonathan Marsden KCVO, FSA andRobert Sackville-West are appointed for a four-year term.
Historic England Highlights Captivating Heritage Sites Listed in 2021
Mentions Coventry
Highlights from over 400 historic places which have been added to or amended on the National Heritage List for England in 2021.
Explore your social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about heritage in their local area.
Woodlands School, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
The Main Block at Woodlands School was built in 1952-57 by the City Architects Department with the Ministry of Education Development Group.
Woodlands School, Coventry, West Midlands
Whitley Abbey School, Whitley, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
Whitley Abbey School was built in 1955-7. Its landscaped grounds include a lake.
Whitley Abbey School, Whitley, Coventry, West Midlands
Wellington Street, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: 1950s (1950 - 1959)
A view of therear of a terrace of houses with former upper storey workshops.
Wellington Street, Coventry, West Midlands
Upper Precinct, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
General view of the shopping precinct with the spire of the medieval cathedral in the distance.
Upper Precinct, Coventry, West Midlands
Two men carving an inscription in Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: 1960s (1960 - 1969)
Ralph Beyer with his assistant Michael Watson carving an inscription in Coventry Cathedral.
Two men carving an inscription in Coventry Cathedral, Coventry, West Midlands
The Old Grammar School, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
This building was originally a 12th century chapel and the Hospital of St John. It was used as a Grammar School from 1545.
The Old Grammar School, Coventry, West Midlands
The Cottage, 22 Bayley Lane, Coventry, West Midlands
Period: Medieval (Middle Ages) (1066 - 1484)
A motorcycle and sidecar parked outside 22 Bayley Lane. The Cottage has exposed timbers and was built around 1500.
The Cottage, 22 Bayley Lane, Coventry, West Midlands
Stoney Road Allotments, Coventry
Period: 2000s (2000 - 2009)
During the 19th century the demand for allotments grew dramatically and became an important political issue.
Stoney Road Allotments, Coventry
Discover more Heritage nearby
Have you got another local place, or somewhere you're planning to visit? Take a look at these other places nearby
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