Adventures around Coventrywith PlusBus
Third largest city in the Midlands after Birmingham and Leicester, Coventry was a huge centre for the bicycle industry in the 19th century and for car-making in the 20th century. So, it’s the perfect place to visit one of the world’s biggest road transport museums. The location of strategic industries meant the city was bombed in the second world war and much of it was destroyed. In 1962, a new cathedral was built in the ruins of the original medieval one and has become an iconic visitor attraction. The city is also a hub for canals, which provide some great waterside walks in the area. If you’re heading for Coventry by train, add a PlusBus ticket for a small extra fee to get unlimited bus and tram travel across the West Midlands. Here are just a few of the adventures you could have.
-
-
1. Coventry Cathedral
Rising symbolically from the war-torn ruins of the old building, Coventry Cathedral has come to represent international peace and reconciliation. It’s home to several striking 20th-century artworks: a tapestry by Graham Sutherland, a bronze statue by Jacob Epstein, stained glass by John Piper. Benjamin Britten wrote his War Requiem for the opening of the cathedral.
- How do I get to Coventry Cathedral by bus? Bus X30 and several others run every half an hour from Coventry railway station to the stop called Herbert Gallery, passing city landmarks like the Wave Waterpark. Buses 11 and 12X also run to Herbert Gallery from Rail Station Bridge (Stop WR5).
- The Herbert Gallery has all kinds of collections, from stuffed wildlife to Victorian dresses. There’s a fine collection of art and an exhibition about Lady Godiva, the eleventh century noblewomen who rode naked through the streets of Coventry.
- The cathedral is three minutes’ walk from the bus stop. Next to it, you will see the ruins of what was once a medieval parish church, consecrated as Coventry’s cathedral in 1918. Just 22 years later, in November 1940, Luftwaffe bombs fell on Coventry and the city and cathedral burned.
- If you want to visit the Transport Museum now, it’s five minutes’ walk away. Otherwise, you could head out of town for a short country stroll. Read on for more…
-
-
2. A canalside walk
Transporting coal and other industrial materials around the country in the 19th century used the new network of canals. Nowadays, this system of waterways provides walkers with some easy-to-follow options for a pleasant stroll. One great thing about getting to a walk by bus is that it makes it much easier to walk from A to B without needing to get back to a parked car.
- Here is a short waterside walk that you can get to by bus from Coventry. It passes an impressive flight of locks and two country pubs. Bus 87 takes a scenic route through Temple Balsall, a village with Knights Templar Connections. Look out too for the University of Warwick, the half-timbered Saracen’s Head pub and a lot of white blossom in springtime.
- Start by catching hourly bus 87 towards Solihull from Coventry Rail Station Bridge (WR6). If you’re starting from the cathedral, simply stroll down Priory Row to hop on the bus at Ironmonger Square (Stop TS5). After 45 minutes, get off at the Golden End Drive bus stop, walk back a few steps and turn right along the canal with the water on your right, passing Knowle Locks and the Kings Arms pub.
- Reaching the Black Boy pub, you could stop for a drink and plan ahead to stroll down to Bakers Lane bus stop in time for hourly bus 188 back to Coventry. Stagecoach buses even have a live bus tracker so you don’t need to wait for too long.
- The whole walk is about 1.5 miles and you can find a map here. Bus 188 ends at the Transport Museum – scroll down for more.
-
3. Coventry Transport Museum
Hundreds of bikes, motorbikes and cars, including the world’s two fastest cars, a 1935 Daimler limousine and an E-type jaguar: Coventry Transport Museum has an immense collection of British Road transport.
- There are galleries of buses, bikes and cars. For kids, there are interactive trails and play boxes, a craft zone and lots more. And when you need refreshments, you’ll find the fabulous Baxter Baristas in the museum cafe.
- How do I get to Coventry Transport Museum by bus? Follow Good Journey’s directions. Bus X30 leaves every half an hour from Coventry railway station (Stand WR4) and stops at Hales Street outside the museum. Bus 9 Platinum Electric runs from Rail Station Bridge (Stop WR5) to Well Street, close to the museum. Alternatively frequent bus 21 leaves from Queen Victoria Road (Stop GR1), a seven-minute walk from the station. It stops after about five minutes outside the museum.
- If you’ve taken the trip out of town to do the walk outlined above, bus 188 stops at the Transport Museum at the end of its journey back into town.
- With iconic British makes like Jaguar and Triumph, simulated rides and lots more to see nearby, this is a family-friendly destination in a fascinating city. The cathedral and art gallery are both nearby (see 1 above).
-
For more adventures by bus in the area...
… don’t miss our guides to Birmingham, Leicester, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Kidderminster. PlusBus tickets can help you explore all these areas and more. Have fun!
