Visit Coventry by narrowboat- The City of Culture 2021
Last night it was announced that Coventry had won its bid to become the City of Culture 2021. It came top above Swansea, Paisley, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland. Hull is the current City of Culture; cities bid for the title every 4 years. Hull has gained an investment of around 1 billion and the economy is estimated to have grown by 60 million since it was awarded the title.
Located in the heart of England, Coventry is the 9th largest city in England. Coventry suffered severe damage during the Second World War. A strike by the Luftwaffe hit Coventry’s historic Cathedral and destroyed many parts of the city. The infamous medieval Spon Street is a must-see when visiting the city. The street dates back to the 12th century and features buildings that have lovingly undergone restoration projects due to wartime damage. Others have been relocated here to form one of the most important collections of timber-framed medieval buildings in England.
Other attractions in the city include St Michael’s Cathedral and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, located next to the Cathedral ruins in the cultural hub of the city. The legend of Lady Godiva is still prevalent in the city; a statue of the iconic figure stands in the plaza. The Godiva Clock on Broadgate House is another testament. Every hour the clock doors open and Lady Godiva appears on a white horse. Another window opens above her and ‘Peeping Tom’ makes an appearance, fulfilling the second part of the legend. The free three-day ‘Godiva Festival’ is an annual event and attracts thousands of festival-goers each year.
Coventry is easily accessible on a boating holiday; there is a canal basin in the city centre- just a short 10 minute walk from the Cathedral. Hire a narrowboat from our base at Coventry, alternatively Coventry is accessible from our other bases such as Rugby, Stoke Golding and Braunston. Starting a boating holiday in the Heart of England opens up a great variety of route options in beautiful countryside with a fantastic array of villages, cities and attractions to visit- just make sure the City of Culture is one of them!
To find your perfect boating holiday:
Visit our website for live availability: www.waterwaysholidays.com/canal_boat_holidays.htm
