The Jigsaw of History Tour
4.9 / 5 · 7 traveler reviews
This tour zig-zags through the city centre away from the cathedrals, and takes participants on a walk through a city which has kept making history by inventing the future. It’s a history that fits together like a jigsaw, come and explore it with us. Highlights include: The industrial booms which saw Coventry as the centre of weaving, watch making, bikes and cars. The most complete part of the City Wall, and learn where the Civil War really started. The Royal Palace in the city centre where the King and Queen stayed when Coventry was the capital of England. The story of the inventors who brought us the bicycle and the jet engine. Different theories as to where the phrase “Sent to Coventry” came from. Explanations and information about of dozens of artworks around the city centre. Details of the rich cultural history of Coventry. Stories of the Phoenix City, the 'City of Tomorrow', risen from the ashes of the Blitz.
Your experience
Stop 1
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.
Stop 2
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.
Stop 3
Next to his statue, here the story of Earlsdon born Engineer and RAF officer, Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine.
Stop 4
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.
Stop 5
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!
Stop 6
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.
Stop 7
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.
Stop 8
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.
Stop 9
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.
Stop 10
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.
Stop 11
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'.
Stop 12
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.
What’s included
- A guided historical walk with a local guide.
Meeting and pickup
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)
Before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- 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.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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