Top 10 Things to do in Coventry, England

Our multi awatd winning museum celebrates music from Coventry and Warwickshire in all its forms. Not just 2-Tone. From Delia Derbyshire to King, from The Specials to The Enemy, Hazel O'Connor, The Primitives and even the famous John Lennon Yoko Ono visit to Coventry are all exhibited here. We are open 10 to 3.00 (last entry ar 2.30) on every Bank Holiday Monday BTW.

For a family day out, or a quiet little picnic in the open air, visit Coombe Abbey Park. It offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, woodland, lakeside walks, and bird watching. Visitor Centre: Shop, Information Centre, Cafe, Toilets, Baby Changing Facilities, Discovery Centre, Education Rooms, Conference and Event Facilities, Disabled Access Park Facilities: Picnic/BBQ Areas, Play Areas (Climbing Forest and Playground), Formal Gardens, Fishery, Bide Hide and SSSI, Duck and Swan Feeding, Pond Dipping Platforms, Woodland Trails, Birthday Parties, Family Events and Activities throughout the year - see our website for more details. Coombe Abbey Park is also home to Go Ape! Parking charges apply from as little as £1 for a 1 hour stay to £5 all day (over 4 hours). Annual car park season tickets are also available and represent excellent value for money.

Investigate the natural world, modern art, and the Old Masters. Wander through dazzling interactive displays, and enjoy the latest exhibitions while admiring the building’s unique architecture. As well as the art gallery’s ever-changing displays which are often created in partnership with national museums, the Herbert offers a wide range of detailed talks, fantastic events and inventive workshops for adults and families. The Herbert Art Gallery encourages creativity, exploration and fun. Gain a fresh perspective on the legend of Lady Godiva, discover your ancestors’ history in the Coventry Archives, and explore British & European paintings from the 1500s onwards. All of this is just a stone’s throw away from Coventry Cathedral.

If you're looking for a truly unique day out for all the family, you can't beat Coventry Transport Museum. In the heart of Coventry city centre, this huge Museum is home to the world's largest collection of British road transport in public ownership. You'll discover the stories behind the people who made Coventry the centre of the world's motor and cycle industries, and get up close and personal with the actual vehicles that defined some of history's most important moments. The Museum is laid out as a journey through time - you'll wander 19th Century streets and discover the first bicycles, carriages and cars, then explore the first car factories and gasp as you witness their wartime destruction in the Blitz Experience. Moving through the rise and fall of the city's largest industry, you will come face to face with the world's fastest car - Thrust SSC. No where else on Earth will you find such a unique experience for the whole family.

Celebrated as the UK's favourite 20th century building, Coventry Cathedral is known all over the world as a beautiful and unique venue. Designed by architect Sir Basil Spence following the bombing of the city in 1940 it was opened in 1962, and contains some of the finest examples of 1950's and 60's art and architecture in the country.

St. Mary's Guildhall is one of the finest surviving medieval guildhalls in England, and has been one of Coventry's premier historic venues for more than 600 years. First built in the 1340s for the merchant guild of St. Mary, with its magnificent medieval interiors, and fine artworks the Guildhall offers a window into Coventry's glorious past. Once a prison to Mary, Queen of Scots, and even a playhouse where Shakespeare is thought to have performed, the Guildhall provides a fascinating free experience for all ages, at the historic heart of the city. St. Mary's Guildhall also offers a memorable venue for weddings, meetings, conferences and private functions, whilst in the vaulted undercroft beneath the Great Hall is the atmospheric Godiva's cafe, offering tasty, good value snacks and refreshments.

Brandon Marsh Nature Centre is the headquarters of the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust. Set in 220 acres, the Reserve, consists of large pools created by gravel extraction. The Visitor Centre is a great place to visit including a Tea Room and well stocked gift shop. Around the Centre you'll find the orchard, mouse maze, mini-beast homes, bird watching hides, recycled garden and a newly designed sensory garden (link to sensory garden project page) as well as an under-cover picnic area. Then it's off to the Onyx Nature Trail which guides you around the wildlife habitats of the nature reserve. The Reserve This reserve contains large areas of pools created by gravel extraction. It consists of reedbeds, willow carr, grassland and woodland. It is outstanding for birds and there are seven bird hides throughout the reserve. Gift Shop and Badgers Tearoom At the end of your visit what could be nicer than a cup of tea or snack in our 'Badgers' Tea Room and a leisurely browse around our gift shop. The shop is well stocked with animal homes, bird seed, bird feeders and an extensive range of gifts and books. The tearoom serves a variety of hot and cold beverages, fresh cakes, and a comprehensive menu of snacks and meals. The Education Centre Brandon Marsh Nature Centre includes the Lafarge Education Centre - a purpose-built classroom, home to School Visits to Brandon for a variety of curriculum-related activities. We also have children's activities during the school holidays, and even Really Wild Birthday Parties! For grown-ups we also have a programme of Events and guided walks. The Sensory Garden After 1500 volunteer hours, the first chapter in the story of how our garden grew is complete with the official opening of the Sensory Garden at Brandon Marsh Visitor Centre on 19th May 2012.