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Coventry Cathedral — Daylight view of the cathedral ruins beside the modern cathedralPhoto: DeFacto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · edited
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Coventry Cathedral

Churches & cathedrals ·Coventry ·Closed
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About

Coventry Cathedral is the Anglican cathedral on Priory Street in Coventry, England. Its modern church stands beside medieval ruins and is centred on peace and reconciliation.

More photos 10

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Coventry Cathedral — The cathedral ruins and modern building across the open square Jaggery · CC BY-SA 2.0 · edited
Coventry Cathedral — The cathedral ruins and modern building across the open squareCoventry Cathedral — The roofless cathedral nave framing a rainbow beyond its Gothic windowsCoventry Cathedral — The ruined cathedral beside the modern cathedral from across the squareCoventry Cathedral — The Altar of Reconciliation beneath the old cathedral's open archesCoventry Cathedral — The ruined cathedral tower rising above its Gothic entranceCoventry Cathedral — Close view looking up the cathedral's surviving stone spireCoventry Cathedral — The cathedral ruins and spire viewed along a pedestrian approachCoventry Cathedral — A bronze sculpture displayed against the cathedral's red stone ruinsCoventry Cathedral — A memorial cross in the old cathedral's ruined courtyardCoventry Cathedral — Gothic window openings and carved stonework in the cathedral ruins

What's on here

Lord Mayor Peace Lecture: "Reconciliation - Coventry's Gift to the… Lord Mayor Peace Lecture: "Reconciliation - Coventry's Gift to the… Thursday, 19:00Free WEIMAR: A warning from History - in conversation with Katya Hoyer WEIMAR: A warning from History - in conversation with Katya Hoyer Friday, 19:00Free Diocesan Celebration - installation of new Archdeacons Diocesan Celebration - installation of new Archdeacons Saturday, 15:30Free Installation of the Dean of Coventry Installation of the Dean of Coventry Saturday, 14:00Free Valentines Ghost Tour - Coventry Valentines Ghost Tour - Coventry Saturday, 19:304.25 GBP in the dark: coventry cathedral in the dark: coventry cathedral Saturday, 19:0040.07 GBP

Why go

  • A modern cathedral and medieval ruins form one church.
  • The cathedral inspired the Community of the Cross of Nails, which works for peace in more than 30 countries.
  • Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem premiered here in 1962.

Opening hours

Today10:00 – 16:00Show all
Monday10:00 – 16:00
Tuesday10:00 – 16:00
Wednesday10:00 – 16:00
Thursday10:00 – 16:00
Friday10:00 – 16:00
Saturday10:00 – 16:00
Sunday12:30 – 15:30

Don't miss

  • Great West WindowJohn Hutton engraved 66 saints and angels into the glass; the screen preserves views between the new building and the ruins.Geographic south end of the New Cathedral
  • St Michael defeating SatanJacob Epstein’s bronze depicts the Archangel Michael triumphing over Satan.East exterior wall
  • Ruins of St Michael’sThe tower, spire and outer walls survived the 1940 bombing, along with Bishop Huyshe Yeatman-Biggs’s tomb and bronze effigy.Beside the New Cathedral
  • Cross of NailsThree medieval roof nails salvaged after the bombing form the Cross of Nails.At the centre of the New Cathedral’s altar cross

Know before you go

  • Open Monday to Saturday, 10:00–16:00; Sunday, 12:30–15:30.
  • General public access is free; donations support the New Cathedral and the Ruins.
  • Volunteer-led guided tours are available for groups that book in advance.
  • The Tower Climb and Blitz Museum open on selected days.
  • The New Cathedral gift shop sells a guidebook to key points of interest.

Services and visiting hours

Sunday
Traditional Eucharist and choral evensong
Contemporary worship
A service with contemporary music
Annual remembrance
A service commemorating children who have died; a book of their names is displayed

Interesting facts4

1/4
  1. 86.6 metres

    The medieval spire reaches about 86.6 metres to the base of its weathervane and is Coventry’s tallest structure.

    Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia
  2. 1962

    A helicopter lowered the new cathedral’s 24.4-metre roof spire into place in April 1962.

    Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia

  3. Ralph Beyer carved eight stone Tablets of the Word into the nave walls.

    Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia
  4. 1962

    Built in 1962 by Harrison & Harrison, the organ has 72 stops across four manuals and a pedal, with sections north and south of the choir.

    Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Coventry has had three cathedrals: St Mary’s, medieval St Michael’s and the present building.

  1. 1043Leofric and Godiva endowed the Benedictine monastery of St Mary.
  2. 1539The Dissolution of the monasteries destroyed St Mary’s Cathedral and moved the bishop’s seat to Lichfield.
  3. 1918St Michael’s became a cathedral, restoring Coventry’s cathedral-city status after nearly 400 years.
  4. 14 Nov 1940The Coventry Blitz almost destroyed St Michael’s. The decision to rebuild came the next morning. A replica Charred Cross stands on a rubble altar in the ruins; “Father Forgive” was inscribed behind the ruined altar.
  5. Christmas Day 1940Provost Howard broadcast from the ruins six weeks after the Blitz.
Show all
  1. Design competitionScottish architect Basil Spence won the competition for the new cathedral.
  2. 23 Mar 1956Queen Elizabeth II laid the new cathedral’s foundation stone.

How to get there

  • On footApproach the Ruins via Cuckoo Lane, then enter the New Cathedral through the Ruins.
  • BusCoventry bus station is about 100 metres from the cathedral.
  • ParkingSalt Lane multi-storey car park, postcode CV1 2GY, is about 300 metres away.

Sources: Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia · Coventry Cathedral · Our history - Coventry Cathedral · Plan Your Visit - Coventry Cathedral · Coventry Cathedral - Wikipedia · Cathédrale Saint-Michel de Coventry - Wikipedia · checked 7 Oct 2026

Where
Priory Street, Coventry

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

How much does it cost to visit Coventry Cathedral?

General public access is free. Donations help maintain the New Cathedral and the Ruins.

Are the ruins of Coventry Cathedral still used for worship?

Yes. The ruins remain consecrated ground and continue to be used for worship.

Why is Coventry Cathedral associated with reconciliation?

Its postwar mission inspired the Community of the Cross of Nails, which works for peace in more than 30 countries.

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