Heart of England - Warwickshire

Most people are familiar with the tale of what happened to Coventry Cathedral on the night of November 14th 1940, but there is way more to us than just the Ruins. Now is your chance to find out more!

Coventry has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years, where visitors are greeted with a warm welcome, and we are proud that this continues within Coventry Cathedral today. Your group will be welcomed in the Benedictine tradition of hospitality before embarking upon a journey through the fascinating history of three Cathedrals.

Your group can see the remains of St Mary’s Priory, built in the 12th Century and then destroyed by Henry VIII during the Reformation. You can then walk through hundreds of years of history to view the ruins of the ‘old Cathedral’, originally a Medieval parish church which was only granted Cathedral status in 1918, a mere 22 years before it was destroyed during the Coventry Blitz in WWII.

Your group can explore the Ruins at your own pace, taking in the peaceful atmosphere and viewing the features which still stand today, including the iconic charred cross and various industry chapels, whilst seeing if you can spot the remnants of glass left in some of the windows.

Should you choose to visit The Blitz Experience*, located within the Cathedral Ruins, you will hear inspiring stories of the resilience of the people of Coventry, and their determination to build a more peaceful world in the face of this destruction.

You will then follow Basil Spence’s vision down the Queen’s steps into the New Cathedral, taking in one of the most significant collections of artworks from the 1950’s and 60’s , including works by John Piper, Patrick Reyntiens, John Hutton, Graham Sutherland, and Elisabeth Frink amongst others.

Your group can see the various treasures donated to Coventry Cathedral from all over the world, including our roof made from wood from Canada, our Font from just outside the Holy Land, and the floor in the Chapel of Unity, a gift from Sweden. There are numerous other features from all over the globe for your group to appreciate.

In order to really bring the building to life, we highly recommend taking a guided tour from one of our experienced and enthusiastic guides, many of whom have been a part of the Cathedral community for many years. Each tour will take you through the history of the Ruins and the New Cathedral, with the option to add the Priory ruins should your party wish to. Aside from the history element, we also offer a broad range of themes, including Arts and Architecture, Reconciliation, and Reconciliation Though Art, but can tailor your tour to your specific interests.

Alternatively should you wish to self guide, we sell a range of maps and guidebooks which give plenty more information, and can be purchased at the Welcome Desk.

You can pick up a souvenir of your day from our gift shop, located at the side of the Ruins. Here you can browse a range of Cathedral gifts, books, and foodstuffs. Our ‘Coventry Blitz’ range of sweets will surely stir feelings of nostalgia for all who see them!

And finally no visit to Coventry Cathedral would be complete without a visit to our hugely popular 1940’s themed ‘Rising Café’. Located in the undercroft of the New Cathedral, Rising serves a range of hot and cold drinks, light bites, main meals, and delicious treats, all with a 1940’s twist.
We can cater for parties of any size, and will tailor your visit to your individual group’s needs. Whether you choose to take a guided tour, or to self-guide, there is plenty for your group to enjoy.

As the UK’s favourite 20th Century building, Coventry Cathedral is a remarkable and inspiring place for groups to visit and we would love to welcome yours.

Please contact visits@coventrycathedral.org.uk for more information, or visit our website at www.coventrycathedral.org.uk

*Limited opening hours, please check availability at the point of booking.