This year’s National Heritage Open Days will take place between Friday 9 September and Sunday 18 September 2022. Here is a quick overview of what is going on when.
City Centre Walking Tours
Saturday 10 September: 11am – Medieval Tour
Saturday 10 September: 2.30pm – Literary Tour
Sunday 11 September: 11am – Coventry Tour
Saturday 17 September: 2.00pm – Coventry Tour
Sunday 18 September: 2.30pm Literary Tour
Please meet outside the Council House on Earl Street. Tours will last 1 – 1.5 hours approximately. Limited to 20 per tour (If too many people turn up then it will be a first come first served basis).
Other tours taking place
The venues below are offering tours throughout the event. Please check individual venues for details.
Olde Tower Beer Launch & City gatehouse tours – must pre-book
Drapers Hall – must pre-book
Charterhouse tours – must pre-book
London Road Cemetery resident tours – must pre-book
King Henry VIII School – must pre-book
St Johns Church – just turn up
Mid Century Art & Architecture Walk – must pre-book
Phil Silvers Archival Museum – just turn up
The Great Meeting House, Coventry Unitarian Church – just turn up
Holy Trinity Church – just turn up
Walk With Me – Self-guided walking tour. See www.talkingbirds.co.uk for info
The Twentieth Century Society – Tile Hill Walk – must pre-book [email protected]
Old Bluecoat School (Back of Holy Trinity)
Venues taking part in Coventry’s Heritage Open Days 2022.
Bagot’s Castle, Church Road, Baginton, Coventry, West Midlands, CV8 3AR
Friday 9 September: 10.30am-4pm
Saturday 10 September: 10.30am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 10.30am-4pm
Friday 16 September: 10.30am-4pm
Saturday 17 September: 10.30am-4pm
Sunday 18 September: 10.30am-4pm
A castle lost for hundreds of years – the original building is believed to have been constructed on the site in the 11th century, at the time of King Henry I. Lots to see, as well as the castle ruins there are Bagot’s Goats, a beautiful riverside walk, picnic areas and uncovered Alvis armoured vehicle test track. www.bagotscastle.org.uk
Bridge View Light Railway, F Russell & Sons Ltd, Mill Hill, Baginton, Coventry, West Midlands, CV8 3AG
Saturday 17 September: 11am-3pm
Sunday 18 September: 11am-3pm
The BVLR is a heritage-themed miniature railway along the beautiful river Sowe in Baginton Village. This year we’re exhibiting the engineering inside our trains, built from the mid-20th-century to the latest designs. www.bvlrail.org.uk
Catch the Conservators – Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordan Well, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5QP
Wednesday 14 September: 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm
Thursday 15 September: 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm
Friday 16 September: 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm
Sunday 18 September: 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pm
Come and meet the Herbert’s conservators and watch them in action, working on precious items and preserving them for the future. They will be available to answer questions about the processes and factors involved in conserving historical artefacts. More information.
Central Library (formerly the Locarno Dance Hall), 17 Smithford Way, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1FY
Friday 9 September: 2pm-3pm
Sunday 11 September: 12:30pm-13:30pm
Tuesday 13 September: 11am-12noon
Thursday 15 September: 5:30pm-6.30pm
In 1986 the new Central library opened in the former Locarno dance hall building on Smithford Way. The library team will be conducting behind-the-scenes tours (booking preferred) as the building was a big part of Coventry’s music scene in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. More information.
Charterhouse, Charterhouse Drive, London Road, (opposite London Road Cemetery), Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 2JQ
Sunday 11 September: 11am-4pm
Charterhouse is a Grade I listed 14th Century Carthusian Monastery, one of only nine ever built in Britain. Built between. 1381 and 1410, with its foundation stone laid by Richard II in 1385.
Through the following centuries, it had numerous owners and uses, from Tudor home to Victorian Country Estate.
Join us for an exclusive Historic Coventry Trust hard hat tour at this exciting point in the building’s restoration and development. Hear from heritage construction specialists and get a fascinating insight into the history of the house and gardens. Find out more about archaeology recently excavated within the grounds and hear about our ambitious plans for Charterhouse in the 21st Century, as a beautiful heritage attraction. Pre-booking: Required. More information.
Coombe Abbey Country Park Boat House, Brinklow Road, Binley, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 2AB
Saturday 10 September: 11am-2pm
Sunday 11 September: 11am-2pm
Saturday 17 September: 11am-2pm
Sunday 18 September: 11am-2pm
Capability Brown’s Boat House, not normally accessible to the public, is being opened. Discover the history and creation of Coombe Pool Coombe Abbey. Country Park offers 500 acres of beautiful gardens, woodland, lakeside walks and bird watching all set against the stunning Coombe Abbey. More information.
Council House, Earl Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5RR
Saturday 10 September: 10am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 10am-4pm
The Council House is a Grade II early Tudor style listed building with rich heraldic decoration. It was built in 1913-17 although due to the start First World War, the building was not officially opened until June 1920 by the Duke of York. Take a look at the Council Chamber and Lord Mayor suites
Coventry Cathedral, 1 Hill Top, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5AB
Friday 9 September: 10am-4pm
Saturday 10 September: 10am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 12.30pm-3pm
Monday 12 September: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 13 September: 10am-4pm
Thursday 15 September: 10am-4pm
Friday 16 September: 10am-4pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am-4pm
Sunday 18 September: 12.30pm-3pm
The ruined Cathedral church of St Michael stands as a symbol of the triumph of Peace and Reconciliation over the horrors of war and the urge for retaliation. The ruins are known globally and attract visitors from all walks of life. More information
Coventry Model Railway Club, Unit 3, Coventry Canal Warehouse, Leicester Row, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 4LH
Saturday 17 September: 10am-4pm
Sunday 18 September: 10am-4pm
The origins of the Coventry Model Railway Club lie in the history of the much older Coventry Model Engineering Society, which had existed before World War II, and catered mainly for live steam modelers. More information
Coventry Transport Museum, Millennium Place, Hale Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JD
Saturday 10 September: 10am-5pm
Sunday 11 September: 10am-5pm
Largest collection of British road transport in the world. Includes the City’s nationally important collections of vehicles, motorcycles and cycles as well as one of the fastest cars in the world: Thrust SSC. Themed tours available across the weekend. Please pre-book. More information.
Dame Goodyver’s Daye, Broadgate, Coventry City Centre. CV1 1NF
Friday 16 September: 11am-12noon
After a very brief meet and greet around the Godiva Statue, Lady Godiva and the Godiva Sisters will weave a colourful musical procession from Broadgate through to Priory Gardens, each wearing their traditional costume that makes up the Godiva Family of Coventry. The main event will take place in Priory Gardens only yards away from Broadgate. This is scheduled to last approximately one hour in total. The event finishes at 12 noon in Priory Gardens with a blessing of the small tokens of different foods offered by each Godiva sister, representing different cultures and faiths, and will be shared among us. People may stay around longer to chat and socialise if they wish.
Drapers’ Hall, Bayley Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5RN
Sunday 18 September: 11am-5pm
Drapers’ Hall is Coventry’s finest Regency building. It was built in 1832 as social rooms for the Coventry Drapers’ Company, who moved out in 1960.
Historic Coventry Trust invite guests to wander around the impressive society rooms or book a place on a tour of Drapers’ Hall. The renovation of this stunning Regency Hall built in 1832 for the Drapers’ Guild of Coventry was completed last year and the site opened as a music venue in November 2021.
Drapers’ Hall will open to the public on 18 September for a site visit and bookable tours with spaces available via the Historic Coventry Trust website, www.historiccoventrytrust.org.uk. Tours lasting 45 minutes will run from 11am until 4pm. The day provides an opportunity for guests to view most rooms in this impressive building that has been restored to its former Glory. The building comprises two levels, the upper containing four society rooms and the lower kitchens, wine store, and other key historical spaces used by the Drapers’ Guild of Coventry and subsequently as an Air Raid shelter in the second world war, and a youth’s magistrates court before being closed in the 1960s. The building project to bring the site back into usage has been made possible with significant capital redevelopment by Historic Coventry Trust. Pre-booking: Required: More information.
Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Transfiguration, 264 Westwood Heath Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV4 8GP
Thursday 15 September: 4pm to 7pm
A Presentation in conjunction with Westwood Heath history group centred on the former Westwood Heath school which has been a Greek orthodox church since 1976.
The former Westwood school which closed in 1963 was consecrated as a Greek Orthodox church in 1977, the original shell will be familiar to former pupils. The site now also includes a function hall which is where the display materials will be and the building also houses a Greek supplementary school that also offers adult lessons in Greek language. The Westwood history group will also be displaying the history of the suburb & the Lord Leigh estate. Booking Details: No booking required: More information
Holy Trinity Church, 5A Priory Row, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5EX
Friday 9 September: 11am-3pm
Saturday 10 September: 11am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 1pm-4pm
Wednesday 14 September: 11am-3pm
Thursday 15 September: 11am-3pm
Friday 16 September: 11am-3pm
Saturday 17 September: 11am-2.30pm
Sunday 18 September: 1pm-4pm
Founded in the 12th century first recorded in 1113, it is one of the largest medieval churches in England. Features the famous Doom painting of the Last Judgement. This extraordinary building has survived fire, reformation and Blitz.
The church building will be open to explore the Medieval Doom painting, ancient artefacts and wonderful architecture.
There will be a Saturday lunchtime recital taking place on 10 September at 1pm. This will last for approximately one hour and is free to attend. Further details will be available on our website: Booking Details: No booking required
King Henry VIII School, Warwick Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 6AQ
Saturday 17 September: Tours commencing at 10.30am; 12noon and 1.30pm
Founded in 1545 in the aftermath of the Reformation, King Henry VIII School has stood on its present site since 1885. The mock Tudor facade dates from this time although the interior was extensively re-modelled following the 1941 Blitz.
Take a walking tour of the School site and take the opportunity to view documents and other artefacts illustrating the 476 years since the School’s foundation in 1545. Former and current staff and pupils will provide guided tours of the most historically important parts of the school building, including its Memorial Library (an official war memorial) and its Jeff Vent Archive. See where the bombs dropped on 8 April 1941 and walk the same corridors as famous alumni such as Philip Larkin, Martin Jacques, Roger Harrabin, Jerry Dammers and Peter Ho Davies. We are very proud of our heritage and we look forward to showing you around. Tours start at the front of the School on Warwick Road and last about an hour, finishing in the Archive. Tours include the ascent and descent of several staircases. Pre-booking: Preferred: Email: mailto:[email protected]
Kingsfield Orchard, A444 island junction of Binley Road, 23 Binley Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV2 4EW
Saturday 17 September: 11am-3.30pm
Sunday 18 September: 11am-3.30pm
The site was part of ‘King’s Fields’, so named as it is said this was where King Richard set up his camp prior to the Battle of Gosford Green. More information
Lanchester Interactive Archive – Lifting The Bonnet on Engineering: A display of Lanchester cars, owner restoration experts and heritage skills providers; Outside space of the Lanchester Library, Coventry University, Gosford Street Coventry CV1 5DD
Sunday 11 September:11am – 4pm
The event forms part of MotoFest celebrations on the same weekend and is a rare opportunity to find out more about the unseen workings of Lanchester cars and the engineering heritage skills that work with these historic vehicles and the current skills and opportunities to get involved. Lanchester was a pioneer of design and innovation and spent his whole life coming up with concepts, theories and prototypes in many areas of life. From the first theories of Aerodynamics and powered flight, early amplification of sound, research into optics and early colour photography to business strategies and even re-inventing the western music scale! He has been described as Britain’s Leonardo DaVinci. And yet, he remains mostly unknown and his work unseen.
The role of the Lanchester Archive and our online and interactive work is to change that. We hold the largest collection of Lanchester’s work in the world at the University and make this available to inspire the students and public in our year-long programme of events and outreach. On 11th September, we will be ‘lifting the bonnet’ on a range of heritage vehicles, engaging with those whose knowledge and skills have rescued, repaired and renovated these amazing cars and showcasing the amazing work of the University automotive, engineering and design courses and a range of other organisations and training providers where you can learn more and access information about the skills that keep heritage vehicles on the road and enjoyed by us all. Join us for a great day and see the inner workings of these amazing vehicles, chat to those who know every nut and bolt and see the amazing student work that builds on this engineering innovation for the next generation.
London Road Cemetery Resident tours, London Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 2JT
Saturday 10 September: On the hour tours between 10am and 4pm
Opened in 1847 it was landscaped by Sir Joseph Paxton at the site of an old quarry near the old London turnpike. The old quarry would not seem like an ideal place for a cemetery, Sir Joseph used the terrain to create a beautiful haven for the dead.
Join the Historic Coventry Trust research team as they lead timed walking tours of London Road Cemetery. Discover the characters through time in the cemetery. Pre-booking: Required. More information
LTB SHOWROOMS (Above the ‘Litten Tree’ Pub), 1 Warwick Row, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1EX
Friday 9 September: 12noon-4pm
Saturday 10 September: 12noon-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 12noon-4pm
Monday 12 September: 12noon-4pm
Tuesday 13 September: 12noon-4pm
Wednesday 14 September: 12noon-4pm
Thursday 15 September: 12noon-4pm
Friday 16 September: 12noon-4pm
Saturday 17 September: 12noon-4pm
Sunday 18 September: 12noon-4pm
A self-guided tour route around the spaces – comprising 4 floors – with heritage displays and film content telling the story of this fascinating building. More information
Mid-Century Art and Architecture Walk, Godiva statue, Broadgate, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1LL
Saturday 10 September: 10.30am-12.30pm
Organised by the Twentieth Century Society this walk through the centre of Coventry examines its post-war architecture and public art which were important features when planning and rebuilding the city.
MotoFest Coventry, Hertford Place, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3JZ
Saturday 10 September: 10am-5pm
Sunday 11 September: 10am-5pm
MotoFest is a weekend of non-stop cultural celebration and motoring madness. Free family fun in the UK’s motoring city. It brings together thousands, young and old, to celebrate the industry that moves us – past, present and future. More information
Old Bluecoat School (Holy Trinity church centre)
Saturday 10 September: 10am-2.30pm
Sunday 11 September: 1pm-2.30pm
Old Bluecoat School (Holy Trinity church centre) on Priory Row. We can offer tours of the building on Saturday 10 September from 10am – 2:30 pm, and on Sunday 11th from 1- 2:30pm. Tours will take about half an hour.
Olde Tower Beer Launch, Lady Herbert’s Garden, Hales Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JQ
Saturday 17 September: 11.30am-6pm
Historic Coventry Trust has created a special beer, in celebration of Coventry’s medieval heritage. Inspired by the historic city gates, the beer will be launched on Sat 17 September at an event in Lady Herbert’s Garden for Heritage Open Days 2022.
Historic Coventry Trust is excited to be launching a special new beer, created in collaboration with Dhillon’s Brewery in celebration of the recently restored city gates. Built in the 14th century, the Grade I listed gates are the only surviving two of an original twelve gatehouses that punctuated Coventry’s medieval town wall. Cook Street and Swanswell Gates now stand in the city centre separated by Lady Herbert’s Garden, an urban green space developed in the 1930s. Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Historic Coventry Trust has restored the medieval gatehouses and removed them from the Heritage at Risk Register, transforming them into unique visitor accommodation. Lady Herbert’s Garden has also been revived, restoring the space to the ‘haven of floral beauty’ that Sir Alfred Herbert intended.
‘Olde Tower Mild’ was inspired by the Olde Tower Inn, a timber-framed pub dating to the 15th century once adjacent to Cook Street Gate. Before its demolition in the 1960s, the pub was built directly onto the gatehouse, providing the only access following the destruction of the city walls in 1662. A traditional midlands mild, Historic Coventry’s Trust’s new beer will highlight the amazing history of the site, and visitors are invited to try it for the very first time in Lady Herbert’s Garden in a day of food, drink and live music, especially for Heritage Open Days.
As well as the launch event in Lady Herbert’s Garden, both city gates will also be open for visitors to explore. More information
Riley Cars archive, Unit 8, Coventry Canal Basin, St. Nicholas Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 4LY
Saturday 10 September: 11am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 11am-4pm
Tuesday 13 September: 10.30am-4pm
Wednesday 14 September: 10.30am-4pm
Friday 16 September: 11am-4pm
Saturday 17 September: 11am-4pm
Archive history of Riley motor cars from the first Riley built in 1898 to the last Riley Elf built in 1969. Opportunity to see a replica of the first car designed by Percy Riley in 1898.
St John the Baptist Church, Fleet Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AY
Friday 9 September: 10am-2pm
Saturday 10 September: 10am-2pm (café open 10am-12noon)
Sunday 11 September: 11.30am-2pm
Monday 12 September – Thursday 15 September 11am – 2pm.
Wednesday 14 September – 12.45 pm – Service of commemoration for 97 people listed on the First World War memorial window.
Friday 16 September: 10am-2pm
Saturday 17 September: 10am-2pm (café open 10am-12noon)
Sunday 18 September: 11.30am-2pm
You can just turn up for our guided tours or take take in our mystery trails inside and outside and our popular family walk. The church will be hosting an art exhibition, musical interludes and poetry readings.
A stunning photographic exhibition is on permanent display in the hall, and there will be several history collections on show in the church.
This striking Grade 1 collegiate church was described by Sir Gilbert Scott, the eminent Victorian architect as possibly the most beautiful church in the Country. ts history is unique having been founded by Queen Isabella in 1344. It served as a place of worship until the 1530s, after which it was used for a variety of purposes, such as a dyer’s yard, and as a prison during the Civil War. It is believed that the phrase “sent to Coventry” originated from the use of this church as a prison at that time. More information
St Mary’s Church, Stoneleigh, Church Lane, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, CV8 3DN
Saturday 17 September: 10am-4pm
Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin was first mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1086. The building is essentially Norman. More information
St Mary’s Guildhall, Coventry, West Midlands
Saturday 10 September: 11am-3pm
Sunday 11 September: 11am-3pm
St Mary’s Guildhall is one of the finest surviving examples of a Medieval Guildhall in the country. Recently re-opened after major refurbishments which included the restoration of the medieval kitchens and the cleaning and re-hanging of the world-famous tapestry. More information
The Great Meeting House, Coventry Unitarian Church, 116 Holyhead Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3AE
Saturday 10 September: 10am-3pm
Sunday 11 September: 11am-1.30pm
Fizzy pop, the internet, lightning conductors and many other useful and delightful things were invented or discovered by Unitarians — come discover more. Stained glass window features, organ, antique wainscot, and a pleasant inviting building. More information
The Nest / Walk With Me self-guided walking tour, Unit 3 Sandy Lane Business Park, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 4DQ
Saturday 17 September: 11am-4pm Nest Open for visitors.
Visit Talking Birds’ artist creation space The Nest, part of the historic Daimler Powerhouse, where there will be family-friendly arts activities and a chance to find out more about the company’s work.
Talking Birds is a Coventry-based theatre company celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The Nest is its creation space run by and for artists making work in Coventry and beyond, offering supported residencies and co-working, as well as being home to the F13 independent artists’ network. Family-Friendly activities and light refreshments available. You can also take a Walk With Me walking tour (mobile device and headphones required) from Naul’s Mill Park which finishes at The Nest. Booking Details: No booking required. More information
The Phil Silvers Archival Museum – Celebrating 111 years, Unit 2C, Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 5ED
Friday 9 September: 11am-5pm
Saturday 10 September: 11am-5pm
Sunday 11 September: 11am-4pm
Monday 12 September: 11am-5pm
Tuesday 13 September: 11am-5pm
Wednesday 14 September: 11am-5pm
Thursday 15 September: 11am-5pm
Friday 16 September: 11am-5pm
Saturday 17 September: 11am-5pm
Sunday 18 September: 11am-4pm
The Phil Silvers Museum proudly opened its doors on November 1, 2015, with nationwide television and press coverage. More information
The Twentieth Century Society – Tile Hill Guided Walk
Saturday 10 September: 2.30pm – 4pm
Meet at St Oswald’s Church Jardine Crescent. Max 25 people. Walk takes 90 minutes.
A tour of Tile Hill, Coventry. Tile Hill was the first Neighbourhood Unit in the country. Designed almost as a satellite town by Donald Gibson who did both the layout of the estate and the individual buildings. Tile Hill was built as a Neighbourhood Unit, the first in the country. It was a large area of social housing built in response to the chronic post-war housing shortage. Donald Gibson, its architect and planner was responsible for both the architecture and the planning of the site. And the plans show the thinking extended from the whole area layout to the provision of individual pram and bike storage. The Jardine Crescent shopping area with its covered shopping area could be seen as owing something to the Festival of Britain’s shopping area. Pre-booking essential: mailto:[email protected]
War Memorial Cenotaph Chamber of Silence, War Memorial Park, Kenilworth Road, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 6PT
Saturday 10 September: 10am-3pm
Sunday 18 September: 10am-3pm
The Friends of War Memorial Park are giving visitors a chance to see inside the 90-foot Cenotaph at the Chamber of Silence which is only normally open for Remembrance Sunday. More information
Weavers’ House and Garden (Spon End Building Preservation Trust), 121 Upper Spon Street, Spon End, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 3BQ
Saturday 10 September: 10am-4pm
Sunday 11 September: 10am-4pm
A terrace of six timber-framed artisan cottages built in 1455 known as the Black Swan Terrace. More information.
Our thanks to Coventry City Council for the information on this page which can be seen in an easier format at Heritage Open Days Coventry pages
Heritage Open Days national website.