Visitors to the city centre have already voted with their feet and decided that the new Priory Gardens are the ideal place to while away a few moments, right in the heart of the city centre. The Priory Gardens and Cloisters, part of the Phoenix Initiative, is a haven of peace and tranquility on the site of Coventry's first cathedral, St Mary's, surrounded by the newly restored Blue Coat School and Holy Trinity Church.
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According to Tony Robinson, the development is in the top-3 of any visited by the Time Team television program - and it's easy to see why. Astonishing finds, waxworks, singing monks, information screens and gardens that whisper to you as you walk around them, the Priory development brings history to life in the most vital way. And what more fertile place for an historical exploration can you imagine than Lady Godiva’s demolished cathedral and its 13th century undercroft. Quite extraordinary.
For hundreds of years the ruins of Coventry's first Cathedral lay hidden beneath the City Centre. 'The Phoenix Initiative', Coventry's Millennium project, gave archaeologists the opportunity to excavate this important site. For several years the remains of many of the medieval buildings were uncovered. Some of the ruins have been reburied for their protection but gardens have been designed over them to reflect the archaeology below. The garden built over the site of the cloister includes the new Visitor Centre which, not only houses some of the incredible finds from the excavation, but also tells the story of this amazing part of Coventry.
Bluecoat School overlooks the Priory gardens, and is generally closed to the public, except for Heritage Open Weekend, on the second Saturday/Sunday every September. For information on Heritage Open Weekend visit www.heritageopendays.org.uk/ (external)
Opening Hours
Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 12pm – 4pm
Admission
Admission to the Visitor Centre is free.
Priory Undercrofts Tours
Monday – Saturday 11.30am and 2.30pm
Sunday 12.30pm and 2.30pm
Undercroft tours have a charge of £1 per person. Passport to Leisure & Learning holders receive a 10% discount.
Opening hours may be subject to change, to confirm opening times please contact us before your visit on 024 7655 2242. To book a place on a tour please call 024 76552242
For security reasons you will be required to leave handbags/luggage secured in the Centre. You will need to be at the Visitor Centre 10 minutes before the tour is due to start.
Ramp entrance. Toilet suitable for most wheelchair users.
Opening times
Please contact the attraction direct for details of opening times.