Coventry Heritage Open Days

Whose bringing the wine ?

Hi all Risk of another shower from 3pm.

Fantastic day! Holy Trinity, Bluecoats, Lychgate Cottages, Guild Hall and Saint John's. And then to top it off a trip to the top of the Ramada.

We enjoyed our day in Coventry today too. We started at St Mary's Hall and it was excellent to see not only the hall but the Prince's Chamber, the Old Council Chamber, the Armoury and various other parts. Nice to bump into Rob for a chat there too. We visited a few other locations, including the Watch Museum in Spon Street, Ford's Hospital and the crypt under Civic Centre 2. I had been looking forward to the visit to the Godiva clock but I have to say that it was a complete waste of time. We were met in Broadgate by a woman with a clipboard and badge, who then took us to the bottom of the steps by the clock. There were about 25 of us, despite it stating the group was limited to 10. It made no difference though. At the top of the steps, the woman opened a door and we took it in turns to peer briefly at the mechanism. Some of us took a photo. And that was it. No commentary or information about it whatsoever, no handouts, nothing. No chance to see the workings of Lady Godiva. Just a glance through the door and back down again. A real opportunity was missed here. Later, at the Watch Museum, we saw a video that discussed the designer of the mechanism, the fact that it was originally in the Market Tower, and how it surpassed even the clock at the Houses of Parliament for accuracy.

What is the crypt under Civic Centre 2?

All I can say is that it is a crypt. After the less-than-informative look at the clock, this was the second part of the tour. But the woman at the clock just told us to go to the council house reception and we would be taken from there. Instead, a chap there just pointed us across the road where, after a few minutes, another bored and apathetic chap appeared and took us down and showed us into this crypt. It had a vaulted ceiling but not much else. It was completely empty and there was no signage, nor did anyone tell us anything whatsoever about it. So as far as its history is concerned, your guess is as good as mine.

We had a nice weekend, Saturday, the Charterhouse where we scrumped apples in the overgrown orchard, followed by the wonderful and slightly bonkers Watch Museum, a quick pause for a Pork Pie in the old Windmill Pub, then St Mary's Hall and the Freemans Guild. Today we went up The Old Cathedral Tower, St Mary's Hall again to take some pics, The New Cathedral, which was duller and greyer than I remember, and then to Cafe Italia for a terrific lunch. I'm glad we didn't bother with the clock or crypt in light of the above comments.

Is it a medieval cellar like the one under the Herbert? The booklet didn't give much information. Today we did Charterhouse, which is absolutely stunning. Fascinating history, and great gardens. The kids thought it was a National Trust venue when we dragged them in! I could imagine in summer spending a whole day here when it's been tidied up and the river is no longer full of shopping trollies. We also did Lunt, which was interesting, despite not being much more than a mound and some ramshackle wooden reconstructions. And that Electric Train Museum was quite interesting, despite my lack of interest. The helpful and passionate staff deserve credit for making it interesting and pointing out and talking about some of their exhibits. Overall, a nice alternative weekend spend mainly in Coventry. Quite why these places aren't attracting more tourists is beyond me...

I could have spent the whole day exploring Charterhouse, but the kids were whinging for lunch and generally being a pain so we left after a quick look around the gardens. Lots of people picking blackberries! I was fascinated by a ruin in the far corner, but couldn't reach it due the undergrowth. The watchmakers scare me with their top hats and aprons. The New Cathedral isn't grey, though?!? It's clad in red/pink sandstone. We also went to Caffe Italia for lunch. Good value, good quality and friendly staff.

We would agree with your comments on the watch museum. Our friend got into a detailed discussion with one of the old chaps there about one of his ancestors who married into a watchmaker family and it was all quite fascinating. Then I got collared by another chap in the shelter at the back. When we came out we had to decide whether to go to the Old Grammar School or adjourn to the Old Windmill. Unsurprisingly, the pub won and I enjoyed a fine pint of Timothy Taylor's Landlord. We'd had lunch but I did note the pork pie menu. Can you recommend it? Flapdoodle: The crypt does seem to be an underground cellar as you describe. As I said, though, no information forthcoming from the chaps there other than it used to be the place where they held the Christmas party. Even a few notices around the place would have been useful.

It's a shame there wasn't much information, as everywhere we visited at the weekend people were only too pleased to talk about the history of the places (At Charterhouse I got the impression they would speak all day if they had the chance!). I may do a bit of digging. I guess there were a lot of medieval houses around there so there are are few old vaulted cellars around. (I believe there's one under a bank on the high street.)

Is this thread the one you're thinking of?

I had a good day yesterday. I found out how little of Kirby House remains. But was intrigued to find out the previous building was probably Jacobean. The story of the CAB was rather sweet and tied nicely into saving what was left of the building. Had a look behind the scenes at the Herbert. Saw the bits of the Cathedral that aren't normally open. I didn't know they just built a floor over the rubble. Got to see Fords and the Bluecoat school, by which time I was pooped. Everybody was very friendly, a credit to the city. I have to say all those who were wandering around from place to place looked ever so slightly bewildered but determined to appreciate their heritage.

Hi all After bumping into a very longstanding member of our forum, I was seeing my Pam off to Salisbury. It's amazing just how fast these vintage buses travel. We had been in church until mid-day, left my car in the church car-park whilst we travelled aboard the No4 into Pool Meadow. Had time for a coffee & snack in Esquires before boarding the bus to Salisbury. Upon our return into Coventry, had time for another coffee in café Italia & was back in time for organ duty at 4pm.