Days Out in Coventry
Choose Your Day Out in Coventry
Planet Ice Coventry
Things to do in Coventry
Discover Great Days Out in Coventry
When planning a day out, Coventry probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind, and that’s exactly why it catches so many people by surprise. For many people it’s somewhere they pass on the motorway rather than somewhere they stop and explore, but spend a few hours here and you’ll quickly realise there’s much more to this city than first meets the eye.
Don’t Judge Coventry by the Motorway…
Coventry is one of those cities that keeps you guessing. One minute you’re standing in the ruins of a medieval cathedral, the next you’re discovering one of the world’s best transport museums or wandering around FarGo Village. It shouldn’t work, but somehow it really does. It’s probably no surprise that being named UK City of Culture 2021 encouraged more people to discover what locals have known for years: there’s far more to Coventry than most people expect.
If you’re looking for somewhere that’s a little different, Coventry is well worth adding to your Great Days Out list.
Looking for the best things to do in Coventry? Don’t miss Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry Cathedral, St Mary’s Guildhall, The Wave, Coombe Abbey Country Park and FarGo Village. Add nearby attractions like Warwick Castle and Drayton Manor Resort, and you’ve got one of the West Midlands’ most underrated family days out.
Things to do in Coventry
If you’re only visiting for one day, we’d start at Coventry Transport Museum even if you’re not particularly interested in cars, don’t let that put you off because this isn’t just a museum for petrolheads. Home to the world’s largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles, it’s one of those museums that manages to entertain children and adults alike.
Just around the corner you’ll find Coventry Cathedral, and this is where the city really starts to tell its story. The ruins of the original cathedral sit alongside the modern cathedral that replaced it after the Second World War, creating one of the most striking landmarks anywhere in England. Even if history isn’t usually your thing, it’s worth taking a look!
If you’ve still got plenty of energy left, head over to St Mary’s Guildhall, dating back more than 700 years, it’s one of the best-preserved medieval guildhalls in the country, with grand halls, fascinating stories and plenty to discover as you wander around.
Looking for a Little More Adventure?
Coventry isn’t just about history, if you’ve got children with energy to burn, The Wave is one of the UK’s best indoor waterparks and a brilliant option whatever the weather. With thrilling slides, splash zones, a wave pool and a lazy river, it’s somewhere the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re looking for something a little more daring to push you out your comfort zone, then Go Ape – Coombe Abbey Country Park is for you. From high ropes and zip lines to challenging obstacles high up in the trees, it’s the perfect attraction for adventurous families, teenagers and adults alike.
Need to Stretch Your Legs?
One thing that often surprises people about Coventry is just how much green space it has, Coombe Abbey Park is perfect if the kids need to burn off some energy, with woodland walks, lakes, play areas and acres of open countryside to explore. Or if you’d rather stay closer to the city centre, War Memorial Park is another firm favourite of ours as it’s a lovely place to slow the pace down for an hour or two.
If the weather decides not to cooperate, don’t worry, Coventry has plenty of indoor attractions too. Alongside the Transport Museum, The Wave swimming pool, you’ll also find Herbert Art Gallery & Museum which offers interactive exhibitions, family activities and fascinating displays covering everything from archaeology to modern art, making it an easy way to while a few hours whatever the weather.
Beyond the City Walls
One of the best things about Coventry is where it’s located, within half an hour you could be exploring Warwick Castle, wandering around the spectacular ruins of Kenilworth Castle or visiting Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
Travelling with younger children? Drayton Manor Resort is also less than 30 minutes away, making Coventry a great base if you’re planning a weekend packed with family adventures. Whether it’s Thomas Land, thrilling rides or the zoo, it’s easy to combine one of the UK’s best-loved theme parks with everything Coventry has to offer. It’s one of the reasons so many people end up turning a day out in Coventry into a full weekend away.
Time to Refuel?
You’ll probably have worked up an appetite by now, and Coventry has quietly built a brilliant food scene over the last few years. One of our favourite places to start is Coventry Market where you’ll find everything from freshly made sandwiches and baked goods to street food and local favourites, it’s been at the heart of the city for decades and still has that proper market atmosphere that’s becoming harder to find.
If you’re after something a little different, FarGo Village is well worth a visit. Home to independent cafés, street food vendors, craft beer and small local businesses, it’s one of Coventry’s most unique places to spend an afternoon and somewhere that feels completely different from the usual city centre experience. Coventry’s multicultural community has also shaped its food scene, so whether you’re craving Indian, Turkish, Caribbean, Italian or something a little different, you’ll find plenty of independent restaurants alongside familiar favourites. One of the things we really like about Coventry is that many of its best places to eat still feel like local discoveries rather than tourist hotspots. It’s a city where asking a local for a recommendation usually pays off.
We’ve pulled together the attractions we’d recommend to our own friends and family, along with a few places that are easy to miss if you don’t know the city. Hopefully you’ll discover somewhere new while you’re here.
Know Somewhere We Should Feature?
At Great Days Out, we’re always looking to help families discover even more amazing places to visit across the UK. If you know a hidden gem, a fantastic family attraction or an experience you think should be featured, we’d love to hear about it.
Send an email to: info@great-days-out.co.uk and include:
- Name of attraction
- Website URL
- Type of experience
Own or manage an attraction in Coventry? Get in touch to find out how your business can be featured on Great Days Out and reach families searching for their next adventure.
Is Coventry worth visiting?
It gets our vote. Coventry is one of England’s most underrated cities, combining medieval history, fascinating museums, beautiful parks and family-friendly attractions all within easy reach of the West Midlands’ biggest destinations. Whether you’re interested in history, looking for a fun family day out or planning a weekend away, Coventry offers far more than most people expect. It’s one of those cities that quietly exceeds expectations.
Map of Coventry
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