There’s a reason why Coventry has proved so popular with visitors in recent years. The West Midlands’ second largest city is full of character with stunning architecture and a bustling city centre.

It’s also the ninth largest city in England with a population of over 360,000. Since 2011, 11.8% more homeowners have settled down in the historic city taking advantage of its attractions and excellent location. Coventry is a short drive from major cities like Birmingham, Leicester and London, and Warwickshire towns, Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa.

Is Coventry a nice city?

Coventry is home to some beautiful timber-framed buildings located in the Medieval Spon Street. The street dates back to the 12th century where weavers and dyers set up shop after receiving complaints of smells from the dyes. They also used the River Sherbourne (which runs under the city) to create the iconic shade, Coventry blue. The street is now a tourist hotspot with organised tours and a choice of restaurants, cafes and pubs.

There’s also the elegant Coventry Cathedral, founded in 700 AD as a Saxon nunnery. The original cathedral was destroyed in World War Two along with much of the city centre but today, it hosts shows, concerts and exhibitions, and visitors can explore the old ruins. The New Cathedral, which is the third tallest in England, was built alongside the existing one, so unlike many cities, Coventry has two cathedrals.

St Mary’s Guild Hall is another historical landmark. The 700-year-old Grade I listed building once hosted the Crown Jewels and was used as a prison for Mary Queen of Scots.

Along with the architecture, Coventry has some stunning green spaces like War Memorial Park near the city centre and Coombe Abbey Park – around 500 acres of gardens, woodland and a lake, just a 20-minute drive from the city centre. It also houses Go Ape, a thrilling treetop rope course.

What’s the nicest part of Coventry?

Coventry is an up and coming city with a fast growing population. It has a rich history but is also a diverse, modern city with shopping centres, universities, restaurants, hotels and pubs all within close range (more on this below).  

Coventry train station can get you to all major cities and you can travel within the city using the bus service, taxis, Uber and West Midlands Cycle Hire.

City centre

The city centre was largely destroyed during the Coventry Blitz in the ‘40s but it was rebuilt shortly after by Donald Gibson in the ‘50s.

It’s now got a lively high street, shopping centre, restaurant, the Belgrade Theatre and a climbing wall. It hosts an annual Christmas Market with 25 stalls and the iconic big wheel.

Earlsdon

Earlsdon is a much-loved suburb just one mile from the city centre. Renowned for its Victorian architecture and watch-making history, the area has a thriving high street and is home to Coventry Rugby Club. It’s also a 13-minute drive from Miller Homes’ Southcrest Rise development, a collection of modern 1-5 bedroom homes.

Kenilworth

Kenilworth town is a hidden gem just a 20-minute drive from Coventry. It’s home to the beautiful Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, a golf course and Faerie-Tale Alpacas – a small alpaca farm. There’s also the Kenilworth School and Sixth Form, which received Outstanding in all five Ofsted categories in 2023.

Our Southcrest Rise development is based in Kenilworth.

Binley

Binley is another nice area in Coventry. It was once a mining village with the Binley Colliery producing coal in the early ‘90s. Binley Mega Chippy peaked a couple of years ago when it went viral on social media bringing in audiences from countries across the world including Australia and the US.

Binley is less than a 15-minute drive from Miller Homes’ new Kingston Meadows development.

What's special about Coventry? 

Coventry is ‘special’ for many reasons – one one of them being the fact that British ska band, The Specials, formed in the city and later reached number one in the UK singles chart.

The legendary Lady Godiva is also said to have made her famous horse journey through the city to free the locals from the high tax her husband supposedly imposed. Her Grade II statue stands in the city centre marking her heroism and a clock, with a mechanical horse and Lady Godiva prop that makes its rounds.

Coventry is also known as the ‘motor city’ with Britain’s first car manufactured in 1987. Since then, it’s home to 50 car manufacturers including Jaguar, Rover and the London Taxi Company, which produces the iconic black London cabs.

Shopping 

There’s no shortage of shops in the city from national retailers, independent boutiques and shopping centres.

West Orchards Shopping Centre is based in the city centre and Arena Shopping Park, a 20-minute drive away. The high street is full of shops including Flannels, Flying Tiger and Lush, and there’s also Coventry Market Shopping Centre, a large flea market.

Food and drink

Coventry is a diverse city, which means there’s plenty of cuisines.

The Farmhouse restaurant attracts visitors from across the country with its Asian fusion menu. There’s also the popular Sri Lankan Street Food and Cafe, Botanist Bar & Restaurant and Ristorante Da Vinci.

You’ll find top steakhouses, vegan-friendly restaurants and gluten-free options too. Sketts Farmers Market, opens on the 3rd Friday of the month, offering fresh produce like honey, jams, croissants and cheese.

Coventry is also a party city with no shortage of pubs and bars. The Yard has live music and Boom Battle offers karaoke and games.

Entertainment

There’s plenty of family-friendly activities like the cinema, escape rooms, climbing wall and go karting.

The Geek Retreat offers gamers and superhero fans the chance to socialise, eat and trade, while Fargo Village is an industrial space where creatives can come together.

Giving a nod to its automotive history, the Transport Museum opened in the 1980s with a collection of cars, cycles and motorcycles. The Herbert Art Gallery also hosts workshops and events alongside its exhibitions and collections.

Schools

There’s a range of schools and colleges, from public and private, to faith schools and special educational needs. The city is ideal for growing families with the schools listed by Coventry City Council.

Coventry University, which won the Queen’s Award in the Teaching Excellence Framework in 2023, recently joined a £6.75m programme along with other UK universities to boost creative technology innovation in the area. Coventry is also home to the University of Warwick – a Russel Group university ranked 10th in the UK.

Developments near Coventry

There’s something for everyone in Coventry from scenic green spaces to family-friendly activities.  There’s also easy access to motorways like the M40 and M6, so it’s easy to commute to work or visit nearby cities like Birmingham.

Check out our new developments near Coventry:

• Southcrest Rise
• Kingston Meadows – coming soon
• Christie Meadows – coming soon