The Jigsaw of History Tour: Discover Coventry's Innovative Industrial Past
5.0
2 Ratings
West Midlands
Uncover Coventry's innovative industrial past on the Jigsaw of History Tour. Explore the city's weaving, watch making, bike, and car industries, as well as its rich cultural history and iconic landmarks.
Duration:
2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Lady Godiva Statue - We start off the tour Broadgate around Godiva’s Statue, at the heart of the ‘City of Tomorrow’, Donald Gibson’s masterplan for the post-war reconstruction of Coventry.
- New Buildings - At the last surviving former ribbon weaving factory in the City Centre, hear about the rise and fall of this industry, next to the surviving wall of the original Coventry Cathedral; St Mary’s.
- Sir Frank Whittle statue - Next to his statue, here the story of Earlsdon born Engineer and RAF officer, Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine.
- Lady Herbert’s Garden - In and around Lady Herbert’s Garden, you’ll find out about the birth of the bicycle industry and how the modern bike came into being. Turn around and we see the start of the best preserved section of the Coventry City Wall, the story of how it was built and why industrialist Alfred Herbert saved if from destruction, before hearing the tale of the one time the wall was needed, the tale of the true beginning of the English Civil War.
- A4053 - That’s right, we’ll spend a couple of minutes on this tour to learn about the engineering marvel that is the Coventry Ring Road!
- Millennium Place - Next to the Coventry Transport Museum, hear the story of the Coventry Motor industry; How Coventry became the motor city of England and a global centre of car manufacture, and then how it almost all disappeared forever.
- Palmer Lane - Very much off the beaten track see a few things in the heart of the city that many of the locals don’t know are there.
- Old Grammar School - On one street corner, you can see the building we shouldn’t call the Old Grammar School, an artwork celebrating the Coventry motor industry, and the building names after the most famous poet from the city.
- Belgrade Theatre - Walking around the outside of the Belgrade Theatre, various artworks will be used to help tell the stories of the theatre itself, the long history of plays which Coventry was famous for, Ira Aldridge who 200 years after Othello was written became the first Black man to play the led character, and the three most prominent women of the arts in the history of the city.
- Bond’s Hospital - Here we spend 5 minutes to take in a few things including the building built in1505 by Thomas Bond, which are still used for the same purpose he intended today, over 500 years later.
- The Parish Church of St John the Baptist - Outside this church, originally built as a private church for the richest in the city, your guide will explain why it is claimed to be the original of the phrase ‘Sent to Coventry’.
- Historic Spon Street - In and around Spon Street, we’ll talk more about industries like dying, tanning, watchmaking and bicycles as well as how the street was for centuries one of the major roads in the country, and while not everything is as it may first seem in the area.
- Coventry Market Shopping Centre - Just a quick pop into the market. Not on Sundays.
- Bull Yard - In The Bull Yard and Shelton Square find out more about the ‘City of Tomorrow’ and the stories behind some of eclectic public artworks in the area, as well as finding out what the area had been back in days gone by.
- Cheylesmore Manor House - Here highlights of the story of one of the real hidden gems of Coventry, Cheylesmore Manor House, a 700 year-old Royal Palace in the heart of he city.
- New Union Street - Hear the story of Coventry’s great survivor: Greyfriars Spire.
- Fords Hospital - A travel writer in 1902 said “Perhaps there is nothing so exquisite in the whole Kingdon as Ford’s Hospital in Coventry”…
- Hertford Street - To wind up, we spend a couple of minute looking at a handful of things in Hertford Street as we meander back to the starting point
What's Included
- Guided historical walk with a local guide
Additional Information
Embark on an off-beat journey that snakes through the heart of the city, bypassing cathedrals, and immerses you in the tale of a city perpetually writing its own history by crafting the future. Experience this rich narrative which puzzles together harmoniously, as we invite you to unveil its secrets.
Feature attractions include:
Witness Coventry’s manifold industrial epoch comprising weaving, horology, and the production of bicycles and automobiles.
View the most intact portion of the City Wall, and uncover the true origins of the Civil War.
Discover the Royal Palace nestled in the city core, once residence to the monarchs during Coventry’s tenure as England’s capital.
Delve into the lives of the ingenious minds who presented us with the bike and the jet propeller.
A selection of explanations regarding the origin of the idiom “Sent to Coventry”.
Exploring myriad pieces of artwork dotting the city centre, complete with context and interpretations.
A comprehensive account of Coventry’s rich cultural lineage.
Resurrection tales of the Phoenix City, fondly referred to as the ‘City of Tomorrow’, risen from the Blitz’s ashes.
- The walk is just over two miles and should take two hours and forty-five minutes. It is mostly flat with some inclines and ramps and one small area of cobbles.
Location
Sky Blue City Walks
Broadgate
The meeting point is in Broadgate, between the statue and the clock. If there is an event or stalls in Broadgate, the meeting place will be under the clock on the south wall. Either way, just look for the man with the Sky Blue top hat, tailcoat and flag. (9.50am Tues/Thurs/Sat, 12.50pm Weds/Fri)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2 Ratings)
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Evie_d
Apr 28, 2024
Brilliant - We had a great time on our tour of Coventry even tho we live not far , their was allot of great information learnt.
Our tour guide was funny and joyful which made this to very enjoyable I would definitely recommend !
Review provided by Viator
133willyf
Feb 17, 2024
Fabulous Tour - Was a brilliant tour, Joe are tour guide was very informative full of information about Coventrys history and also very funny.
Was very entertaining. Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynn
May 15, 2023
Amazing Knowledge told with great humour - Brilliant tour - Joe had an amazing spiel and all those facts, figures, dates, information just came rippling out in a really fun and informative way. He poked fun at himself, Coventry Council and highlighted features that locals haven't noticed either. A really really good tour of the city. Thanks Joe!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
