The Best Things in Coventry, West Midlands*

If you're around, be sure to check these things out

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The Best Things

• The view of Coventry through your rearview mirror when you leave it!
• cathederal, guild hall, transport museum
• the best things have all gone to make way for new coventry. there seems to be a tesco on every corner if thats any good?????
• The fact that if somebody showed you a photo of Cov city centre you'd know it was Cov - proof that the place has a very clear architectural identity. I just worry that the planners are going to turn it into the blandest town in England. Also the musical heritage/current scene and the decent range of venues.
• Since Poster Place was demolished years ago, can't get any decent tickets for rock gigs before they come out on the mass market. Any idea if poster place has opened up somewhere else in Coventry that I don't know about ? or anywhere you can buy decent tickets and not get the crap seats left ?
• being able to get a faggot & pea batch (aka bread roll)
• The shopping centres been jazzed up a bit! The people arent as bad as they say, u get good and bad in all places!

• THE BEST THINGS ARE DEFINATLY THE SIGHT OF NEW ALTERNATIVES JOINING THE STATUE AND OBSERVING THE CULTURE CHANGE. THEYR ALL COOL, EVEN IF IT IS ALL EMO KIDS NOW DAYS...
• were famous for being bombed
• always will be my home
• h&M
• we have loads of fit lads
• Coventry has improved so much in the last 8 years. I moved here in 1996 from London and since then, the City has somewhat been transformed. There are many things to do in town now and Cov is looking better year by year.
• a444 out of it

• RUSTY SNAILS .COM - www.rustysnails.com
• handy 4 the motorways makes 4 a quick escape.
• Me, the dancefloor at chicago's, the flaming lambourghini shot cocktail at old orleans, the odeon, scholars, the fact that you can walk through town barefoot when your shoes hurt on a night out.
• Going away from the decay and grime of Coventry for a few days- providing the car escapes damage from the pot holed streets.
• Hank McSpank, The Specials, The Selecter, The Primitives, Roger Lomas, Paul Sampson, Chip Batches, Croggys, Flapjacks.
• The best things bout Cov r dat der is quite alot of gud shops n ders quite alot 2 do..swimmin, cinema, sk8in etc
• me n my mates r in cov so its not all bad...yh its full of chavs n townies but luk closely n ul c sum utha specimen
• Good people, friendly atmosphere
• a general mix of all types of people
• coventry is a wondefull city, its beautifull and the goths (plenty of them) can still dress with style which is a rarety inthis country!!!
• the best thing is that everyone (well most) people are polite to talk to also i LOVE the cathedral (old one) its the best place in cov.
• drugs are rife! you can score no problem just grab the nearest 15 year old and ask him where he gets his stuff.
• My parents , my bikes and friends
• I'm far too lazy to read all these , but , from what i can see , nobody has mentioned THE ROLLS ROYCE FACTORY , which are building parts for the BEST jet engine in the world! The JET ENGINE was invented here in Coventry ! Sir Frank Whittle. And somebody mentioned Jaguar - Big deal , one Trent 900 (Jet engine) equals about 500 Jaguar XK8s in terms of price ,and about 10 Billion times more reliable! Oh and Peugeot , aren't they the crappy little french car manufacturer that made the discrace-of-a-car 206?
• The diversity of coventry people.....from all over the world.
• It'll ceese to exist one day.
• Live music scene. Curry houses a plenty
• the ppl r gr8
• Being in love! Even in coventry its really nice and gives a hope to us and everyone around us....
• The Godiva Festival held in the memorial park over a weekend in June - loads of things to do and see, bands to listen to, and as long as it doesn't piss it down it's a great weekend, AND IT'S FREE
• I live in Coventry.
• its cov, its not that great. there r quite a few good pubs tho.
• the love of my life!
• Megabowl, Chicago Rock, Frankie & Bennies...oh and forgot to mention...thereis a great place to eat in Withybrook called the Pheasant (i recommend the apple pie)!
• The shops, the car-free city centre, the Sky Dome, The cathedral (old and new)
• That the city centre is now being rejuvinated as it was a bit concrete and lifeless before
• IT produced me and it is cheaper than most places to live there!
• The shops, Cinemas and annoying the cops. Tis funny getting chased by one thru town and people who are polite, are class!
• The dog and trumpet!!!!!
• kong
• The best thing about Coventry is The Earlsdon cottage. I remember many things over the years but, however good Hazel o'conner was or however 'local' it is, the memory that always spings to mind is seeing Four kings there for the first time. They hadn't been around for long then, it was probably about june 2000, but they were really tight as a band. It started quite rockie but with in 15 minutes they started to become 'restless'. It was a gig organised by Tile Hill college as part of some kind of asessment suppossedly but, it seemed Four kings didn't care. By the 4th song it was quite apparent that it wasn't just adrenaline these, resonably young, boys were buzzing off. The songs became longer, the structures more 'trippy' and the smiles further across the face. I am now an old man with very different values then I had at the same age Four kings were back then but, for a short time, in the Earlsdon cottage i was transported, thanks to a bunched of 18 year olds failing there course, to a place were love was free and the music even free-er. Thank you for make an old man young again.
• Hot days sitting in the Flanker's beer garden.
• the local music scene
• By far the best asset Coventry has is the Memorial Park. Its an oasis of green in a dismal sea of grey. And the cathedral is amazingly beautiful.
• The road out of Coventry. Dead town full of dead-heads. Coventry could be a real gem of the Midlands - but in the real world that 'aint gonna happen!The Germans had the right idea.
• Good transport for getting out
• STRAGHT JACKET KICK ASS!! gordon is king aswel
• It's where I grew up and I always love coming back there. Don't know why. It's pretty cool having bits of grass in the city centre during summer. All the staff at the Varsity in town.
• colosseum
• magna
• The sign that reads "A4053 Birmingham 22"
• I've lived in Coventry all my life. I even stayed here for Uni and I admit there may be better places out there but I can't believe how negative everyone is. In truth, the violent behaviour in town everyone describes is only in the townie scene and most of them aren't from the area anyway. The town is what you make it so if you don't like it who's to blame?
• The roads leading out of Coventry
• The Priory Place 'museum' where Time Team did a dig.
• You can go there for a quiet night out, or a mad one! Taxis are always around and wont over charge you (You tell them how much your gonna pay!). The bouncers in clubs are friendly apart from ikon and diva!
• The history, I have been away from the UK for several years and will always give a yarn to someone who will listen, about the Cathedral, The War (don't mention the War) and a lot about the way it was.
• Beauty in Coventry is the beast especially when you visit Blushers very professional and friendly.I travel from London for my treatment because they are the best in the u.k.
• Me. (Tony said Kerry Ball (end) )
• 2 MANY 2 MENTION BUT AT THE MOMENT IM GOING TO SAY HOW GREEN COVENTRY IS MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT THINK AN INDUSTRIAL CITY LIKE COVENTRY 2 B GREEN BUT GOD DAMN IT IS PARKS AND GREEN EVERYWHERE TREE ALONG THE SIDES OF ALL ROADS AND FLOWERS AND PLANTS THROUGHT HE MIDDLE EACH RONABOUT HAS BENN DESIGN AS IS BY A LANSCAPE GARDENER FEATURING FLOWERS TREES PANTS SHRUBS ETC, MY FAVOURITE AREA IS STOKE STARTING FROM COPESWOOD POOL RUNNIN ALONG THE BINELY ROAD AND ENDING AT SKY BLUE WAY NEAR THE FOOTY GROUND THERE IS A LON LINE OF TREES FOR THIS LONG STRETCH ON ALL SIDES, AND ON EACH SIDE THERE IS A PARK FIRST ON THE LEFT IS COPESWOOD POOL A SMALL KINDA FOREST NEXT ON THE LEFT IS A SMALL GREEN NEAR THE MARCONI PLANT NEXT IS STOK GREEN MADE UP OF 3 PARKS 2 ON THE LEFT AND ON ON THE RIGHT (IF HEADING TOWARDS CITY CENTRE) THE FIRST ON THE LEFT SMALL BUT LONG WITH ABOUT TEN OR SO TREES AND SEVERAL PLAUES FOR THE DEAD AHEAD OF THIS IS THE MAIN GREEN WITH THE FOOTBALL PITCH AND A OPEN GREEN AREA CUT IN 2 BY AROUND 10 2 15 LAGE CONKER TREES LINING A PATH AND CREATING A TUNNEL FOR PASSERS BY RUNNING PARRELEL TO THESE TWO ON THE RIGHT IS A LONG GREEN WITH SEVERAL LARGE CIRCULAR PLANT BEDS BEUTIFULLY ARANGED AND VERY COULERFULL,THATS IT U MUST THINK BUT NO JUST A LITTLE FURTHER ON THE LEFT IS THE OLD PADDLING POOL AND THE CLOCK TOWER COMMEMRATING SOME CAHP OR OTHER NEXT ON THE LEFT IS A PARK CONECTINNG STOKE TO STOKE ALDERMOOR IT HAS SEVERAL HILLS AND BUMPS IN IT AND A RCKERY FROMATION WITH BENCHES AND PATHS ALSO HERE IS A BASKETBALL COURT AND A PLA AREA FOR HOLDRN A THE BACK OF HERE IS ALOMENTS AND MANY A FOX AND HEDGEHOG CAN BE SEEN. AFTER THIS THE NEW ROAD BEGINS AND SO U THINK THE GREEN JOURNEY ENDS WELL NOT SO MY FRIEND CAUSE THE NEW RONABOUT A VERY LARGE ONE MIGHT IT B SAID IS IN THE CENTRE OF TH NEXT FOCAL POINT AND THIS IS PURE GREEN ITSELF ALL GRASS AND FOUR LAGE SOAKS EITHER SIDE NOT TO UNLIKE AND OASIS IN THE MDDLE OF A DRY ARID TARMAC DESERT, TO THE LEFT OF IT A SNALLER GREE WITH A FOOTBALL PITCH WICH IS SURRODED BY A LARGE WAVY HILL AS TO DETER THE GYPSYS OF NUNETON FROM EVER GRACING OU FAIR LAND AND THE LAST AND BY NO MEANS LEATS IS GOSFORD GREEN MANY A SCENCE ON RAPE MURDER AMD MUGGING, THE OLDRAILLINE USED TO RUN ABOVE IT CREATING A HILL TOP CASTLE FOR THE STALKERS OF THE NITE TO WAIT IN AMBUSH NOW THE NEW ROAD RUNS ABOVE, BELOW LIES ET MORE GREAT TREES A PLAY AREA FOR CHILDREN AND A PATHWAY THIS IS THE GRASS THAT EVREY COVNETRY CITY FOOTBALL SUPPORTER HAS CROSSED AS IT IS RGHT NEXT TO THE FOOTABLL GROUND AND THIS ENDS THE TOUR OF STOKE GREEN, AHEAD IS THE CITY CENTRE AND BEHIND IS A BUNCH OF OLD MEMORIES AND ALL OF THIS ALIGNED WITH A BRAND NEW CYCLE PATH, GOD BLESS AMERICA. MIGHT IT B ADDED I WAS A BIT DRUNK WHILE WRITNG THIS SO SORRY ABOUT THE SPELING BUT NOT ABOUT HE CONTENT
• SEX
• Having lived in Coventry for most of my life I can see where some of the negative comments on this site have come from. When I was growing up,there were barely three pubs in the city centre to go to and if you were brave enough to visit them you always made sure that you had pre-booked your ambulance (the injuries sustained in my Coventry youth were:broken fingers, a broken nose, 4 stitches and 2 missing front teeth. However, Coventry is reinventing itself after a very difficult period in it's history and, on the whole, it's OK. The city centre is (despite recent reports)relatively clean and tidy and the redeveloped (redeveloping) area around the cathedral is rather pleasant and very interesting. There are plenty of bars, but not quite enough restaurants. This is because Coventry people have been starved of decent places to eat for so long that demand has fallen away somewhat, but seems to be recovering. The Belgrade Theatre puts on some truly excellent productions (better off here than in snobby, pretentious and expensive Stratford - sorry didn't mean to slag anywhere else off). I take great exception to some of the comments made about Coventry people; you wouldn't make such comments about an ethnic group (rightly so) and so why is it acceptable to label the entire population of a city inbred. In fact,the mix of people within Coventry is probably similar to that in most cities in the country. Problemswith teenage pregnancy and violent behaviour etc.,are problems in society as a whole and not just in Coventry (look at the plank in your own eye). Coventry has become an easy target for people to slag off (particularly some visiting students who believe themselves to be very sophisticated), but in reality we have not looked after any of our towns and cities in this country, and so Coventry is no better or worse than anywhere else of a similar size, but it is my home and I like it. NB I concur with the view that the Kenilworth Road entrance into the city is one of the most striking entrances to a city that I have seen in the UK (and Europe).
• Gettin drunk up the Copthorn
• I FIND THE BEST THING ABOUT COVENTRY IS THAT YOU CAN GO OUT, NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, THERE IS NO PRETENCESIOUSNESS (?) IN COV.
• It is freindly and there is hardly any trouble, compared to Leamington it is the safests place in the world!
• cock
• SEX
• The Cross in the Days when they did slippery Nipples. Hours of fun swivling that twister board thing on the wall next to the bar. Many a fantastic night in there with my mates. It's not where you go but who you're with.. Biggup CUPA.
• Coventry has a nice atmosphere and the place has a nice Cathedral.
• nothing!
• THE ROADS LEADING OUT
• The councils attitude to skaters and such.....let them, but protect the stuff we dont want damaing (except strangely enough the famous Lady Godiva statue)
• The City's history is interesting.
• That round modern cafe in the Precinct - the only bit worth keeping. Apart from the bit where you join the main Precinct frm the Lower Precinct and the old Cathedral spire is bounded by the post-war buildings - great view and great piece of planning.
• As coventry is quite a down market city you can go out in basically anyting and look good, people are really freindly and are a brillient laugh when their out, men are very forward and will often buy you a drink, every one talks to each other any you know you will always have a good night out.
• The morris dancers
• We are not Brummies or Yam-yams
• The Craven Street Run!
• The best thing about Coventry is that you are never too far away from anything
• Aloy of history wether u like it or not one of the most important citys in this country but not aknowledged. Lady Godiva, arebtransport industry, the blitz and how we came through it, the specials, ccfc, good pubs clubs and food cov is unique and not as shity and rough as people say its like any whre else u get along with eberyone else while out and not act like a twat then sound go looking 4 trouble then wel YOULL SEE! therea alot of twats her keep out of there way any u will b sound!!
• Coventry City reserve games - two quid to get in, and it's only ten minutes walk from the student area. Also the guy with the jacket potato stall in the centre of the city - welcome in winter!
• Down to earth, unpretentious attitude of most locals
• Coventry Cathedral, Coventry University Campus, The City Centre Trail, the Transport Museum and the Canal Basin.
• The slating Coventry got in the 'Lonely Planet' Guide to Britain. Those Aussies got the place figured out.
• Coventry is a beautiful, historical City in Warwickshire. Many are surprised that it is not a grimy industrial place. It now attracts business, so new offices and many business parks have sprung up recently, homing the headquarters of many prestigious firms. Coventry is the home of Jaguar cars. They are designed here. Pergeot have their UK base on the outskirts of the City. Our motoring history is fascinating and a trip to our well-stocked Motor Museum is an eye-opener. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is also worth a look with frequently changed displays. It is a friendly place, with two Universities (Warwick and Coventry)so it has a good student population. It also has the largest Arts Centre outside London. Coventry City FC have been in the top flight of football for 33 yrs....longer than virtually every other club in the Premier League. The Sky Blues have a loyal fan base, and Jimmy Hill coined the Sky Blue song way back in the 60s. The City centre is changing rapidly, with the lower precinct next to be developed. A fine view of the Cathedrals will be available when Millenium Walk is finished, and the City centre is opened up, with gardens encompassing the Medieval town walls that still exist. The Medieval buildings that weren't destroyed in the Blitz remain, and Spon Street has some fine examples, as well as good watering holes for the thirsty sight-seer. Coventry has become a bit of a Mecca for people of the Midlands with the opening of one of the UK's largest leisure centres, the Sky Dome, in the City Centre. This boasts two night-clubs, cafes, bars, a cinema, and the adjoining Arena will become the home of British basketball, as well as provide an ice-skating rink. Coventry's suburbs are mainly green and pleasant places, despite what you may have read from previous juvenile posters. All cities and towns have council estates...Coventry's few are trouble-free, by and large. The Kenilworth Road in the City has to be one of the most glorious and impressive tree-lined roads anywhere in the UK. In the Autumn it is spectacular. Finally, Coventry Kids are warm and friendly and proud of their lovely City and their heritage....so please come and visit us.
• We object to the commments about Hillfields......it may have a bad reputation, but hey we are getting there.......
• The Belgrade Theatre - a regional rep which still has the courage to encourage small scale companies onto the main stage. Arts Alive is a six week festival in the summer where you can can choose from a really varied range of local, national and international companies. Also the local paper (Coventry Evening Telegraph) is really quite good with a generally even mix of local and national issues.
• Im leaving it! History, Automotive Heritage. Scholars on a Friday night. The Curry Houses.
• Drink, Sex, and having a laugh with your mates in the JAG pub
• The memorial park Paddling in the fountain by the Belgrade. Going up the tower in the old cathedral
• COVENTRY CITY FOOTBALL CLUB The XJ8, XJR and 'S' type Jags - all designed and built in Coventry Kenilworth Road - best entry in to a town anywhere in Britain.
• Highfield road, watching Gordon Strachan shout at referees. Browns cafe ina new location by the university is excellent
• The best thing about Coventry is its heritage: Lady Godiva, cars, bombs, etc... proving that once upon a time Coventry was one of Britain's great cities.
• Coventry Cathederal
• The dome of the West Orchards shopping centre. It's well cool. Also loads of decent '50s architecture: the Bull Yard, the Salvation Army building, the Herbert Art Gallery, Broadgate... it's all soooo 1950s you feel you're in a timewarp.
• Coventry University
• Warwick University
• Best Ring Road in Europe (Architectural Award)
• City Centre Shopping with ample parking and easy access
• The sports centre is shaped like an elephant.
  • - new indoor shopping complex - all outdoors refurbished
• No drinking within the radius of the City Centre - automatic fine if caught
• Plenty of good pubs & wine bars
• Good Night Club: Mr G's
• Coventry City Football Club
  • 27 years in the top flight
  • never been relegated
  • 1987 F.A. Cup winners - only major achievement
  • Could you please amend the facts about Coventry City FC... 30 years in the top flight!!
  • Lots of good chippies, The comedy of the christmas decorations
  • Plenty of small shopping precints around the city
  • Best bus service in Europe
  • Excellent shopping for Ethnic groups (Foleshill Rd)
  • Easy access into and out of the city.
  • "It's very easy to get out of the place!!"
  • After living there for 21 of my 28 years I vouch for the guy who said it was easy to get out of .... Except that this is one of the good things.. In Fact it is probably the best thing Cov has going for it... Horrible Place
  • The architecture! History. It's association with the car industry. Lady Godiva. It has a good bus and train service. Accessibility to anywhere in the UK as it's right in the centre of England (supposedly Meriden is the geographical centre of England). Two Good Universities.
  • For fine foods and ales try the Humber, Humber RD. Then for the best hair cut in town go to Keiths barbers next door.
  • All this stuff is true - Coventry is awful. I can't think of anything much good to say about it.
  • Good Market, nice atmosphere, and busy to boot. Most of the goods are shoddy, but I like the hubbubb of the place. Lots of lovely countryside with some wicked country lanes to drive like a bastard around. Worth doing this on the off chance of finding another cracking country drinking hole. Accessible - Central to the Country. Trains run just about everywhere. Lots of motorways nearbye. Plenty of pubs with good lively Friday and Saturday nights. The town has been described as one big pub.
  • blushers hair and beauty salon. do you want your hair done badly by a grumpy 16 year old temp? yes? go there. dogs walk in and out (yes the canine and homosapien variety) there is a gym conveniantly situated in the toilets and it has the campest desk man in the whole entire world. lovely!birmingham is only 20 minutesx away
  • Any road out, and Earlsdon, the centre of the universe
  • CCFC - the Sky Blues of course! Town Wall Tavern Ma Browns Memorial Park Showcase Cinema Can get to ANYWHERE fast
  • Earlsdon High Street, a rare example of a working community not dying on its feet. Pity about the traffic though. The city has hundreds of small useful businesses such as engineering firms, car sprayers, fabrication, etc. Handy if you ever need that sort of thing. Houses are cheap. Best area to live in Coventry is definitely Earlsdon.

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  All the information in the Knowhere Guide has been contributed by users over the years. No one person is responsible for it all and not all contributors will agree with all the opinions included.

  Parts of this information have been supplied by: BRIAN, Colin Mitchelmore, dan burrow, Mark R, jenny, wob, garry, nicky, Leanne, geo, maria, airz, dave4@gmail.codave butcher, The sett, Hannah Goodall, Faye, b dover, john mclester, lauren, Tom, sadie Ray, Grace, Martin Dalziel, Frejya, p bliss, doyf, Neil, ClaireR, a.keilloh, Natalie Klym, Rich E, Iain Steane, dan the man, rachel, roger wing, stee, jblack, Fergus, Simon Jacobs, Phil Thomas, Donna, Mike, sammy, Stephanie Alderman, Charlene McCleave, Patch, meg, dave smith, Joe Sergiew, Anne-Marie, gemma, Steve Baxter, schmitt, john andrewson, gav savage, ryan, Jonny, jo, Anna, Darren Nilsson, ashleigh, Nathan, nick squires, Lester Mc Abe, Rusty Snails, JENI, Andie, G.L.Hesketh, andrew, agent23, Rich mulligan, DK, Louise Rocks, sara rachel bain, iain, mandy henderson, duve, cheney, al, da feng, Matt White, kasie and abi, Andrew Clover, coco, Rob Roach, debbbie, Phi Thomas, James Thomas, Graham Cox, Robby, Phil Reynolds, James Jorge, KT, Dave b, Mick Sutton, E.A. Townsend, Hettie, Kerin Cosford, Jack Wood, Ade, julios'en'cov-one, Beardos, dan hobson, ian, joanne, carla krissy and beth, daniel reeves, Keith Coventry, abi scott, L. Thomas, emma, liam, Skater's Mum, vic, generic, BIG E, Lucinda Hill, elle, penny, Mark, craig white, Cathryn Goodwin, Jonny Mac, jimmy, hoho, Steffie, S. Brookes MBE, StevO, Steven Halle, baybee, Andrea, Rob, Ian..., Emma Caven, johnny knoxville, Helen Jones, george, Ali Kelly, Vicky M, Martin North, Someone who hates Coventry a lot!!!, gaz, M8, sean, Chris, steve k, Katie Ledger, Stevie Rusty, J, natalie, danny, Capt, Spyda, frank, Anthony Jaggard, hades, David Hook, Greg C., Krissy, Zoe Dacre, mark cherrington, Robert McNulty, nick seale, jenjenjuloola, Rob Orland, Terry Smith, dave trotter, seamus, Martin, beth, Julie Wilkinson, micheal jackson, Liam Butcher, Mick Peake, mat fraser, Jonothan Hope, Jonathan, Selina, Romana, Daz, joe, Lisa JOnes, DAVE, Robert Williamson, Sam, tony, simon karacinski, N.Garland, vicky, saz, Mark Barnes, tracy, Bea Simon, baz jobson, m, Lola, bernie brannan, harry myers, gordon, kit, paul, usef islam, Chrisfmail10@yahoo.co.uk, Chris Ryan, pixie, Shellie, kevin wise, conor, Fluffster, gruve, rick, Carl, Hank, Karl, debbie, JNlufsit, James, CARLITO, julian lewis, Mr A Baxter, hollie, kdh, Phil, G Smith, abradshaw, bob mobed, Paul Taylor, blud, Lisa Bartle, Bob, Sharon, roger greasby, Kassie, Rich Stacey, Dee Delieu, TomS & TonyE, nath, Andrew Fuller, punk2101, david goodwin, Mat, Adam Barker, ANDY, Dave Wilson, matty aldersley, Steve Talbot-Terry, frocker, Sarah, Pablo, Peter Davies, BFG, Phil Travers, Cliff Maynarf, Stuart, azaxsxxsx, alienboy, Steve, Bob Bones

  Last updated: 2008-10-14