Top 10 Things to do in Coventry, United Kingdom (UK)

If you're looking for a fantastic FREE 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, and a visit whisks you away into a world of stories of real people, real passions and real hope.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. The journey continues through the Boomtown, Spirit of Speed and Ghost Town galleries to bring you right up to the present day.A visit to the Museum brings you face to face with Royal cars, military vehicles, and cars that played vital parts in their drivers' life stories - none more so than the current Land Speed Record holding vehicle, ThrustSSC, which lives at the Museum. Not only can you marvel at this spectacular piece of British engineering, you can experience for yourself what it's like to travel through the sound barrier at over 760mph in the ThrustSSC Simulator. ***Please Note*** Coventry Transport Museum is undergoing a major redevelopment programme during 2014 and the early part of 2015. The Museum remains open throughout this work but you are advised to check the Museum's website to see how your visit may be affected.***

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.

For a family day out, or a quiet little picnic in the open air, visit Coombe Country 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. Parking charges are as follows: *Cars Up to 1 hour - £1.00 Up to 2 hours - £2.00 2 to 4 hours - £3.80 All Day - £5.00 *Charge for both BLue Badge and Coventry Passport to Leisure Holders is £1 all day regardless of length of stay. Coaches - £25.00 Minibus - £10.00 We look forward to welcoming you into our award-winning Country Park

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.