Coventry may not have the best reputation of all the cities in the United Kingdom. But if you find yourself in this part of the country there is plenty to see and do in Coventry city centre and the surrounding area. Here are 10 unusual things to do in Coventry.
Is Coventry worth visiting?
Coventry does not have the best reputation, but there are some real gems in this city. We would recommend visiting if you are in the area or if you plan to come here to also visit the wider area. For example, Warwick Castle and Stratford Upon Avon are nearby. If you do find yourself in Coventry, there are plenty of unusual things to do in Coventry to keep you entertained!
11 unusual things to do in Coventry
Visit the Herbert Art Gallery
Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry is a great space in the city centre. The Art Gallery is free to enter, but sometimes you have to pay for special exhibitions and events held at the gallery. The current exhibit is called Dippy and is all about Dinosaurs. Whilst inside, you can also enjoy a visit to the bright and modern cafe too.
Battle it out at Boom Battle Bar
Boom Battle Bar has to be the ultimate fun hangout with friends in Coventry. This bar has such a great selection of games. From Axe Throwing, Shuffle Board, American Pool, to Beer Pong. Grab some pals, drink some beers and throw some axes (maybe not in that order!) A great evening out and one of the most unusual things to do in Coventry.
Visit the Transport Museum in Coventry
The Transport Museum in Coventry is a world-class museum, not to be missed for history lovers. At £14 a ticket, the entry is not cheap, but the museum houses the largest collection of publicly owned British transport vehicles anywhere in the world. Plus, it is very well curated.
Drink at Dhillon’s brewery
Dhillon’s Brewery is a little way out of town, but beer loving friends will love the chance to visit a local brewery. For £20 a head, you can arrange a brewery tour or simply book a table in advance to visit to taste a few beers.
Head to a pub quiz in Coventry
There are a number of pub quiz’s in Coventry throughout the week. As of 2023, we found at least 4 regular pub quiz events in the city. Our favourite is on a Tuesday at Dhillon’s Spire Bar in the city centre. Here you can enjoy a quick fire quiz event with a nice pint of locally brewed beer. The quiz is held outside, so wrap up warm!
Alternative pub quiz events are at The Cottage Pub in Earlsdon, a cute and popular pub in an upmarket Coventry district. The pub is dog friendly and welcomes children too. Find the quiz on a Thursday night. Book a table to avoid disappointment.
The Aardvark in the City Centre also runs smart phone pub quiz events on Thursdays and Sundays. This is more of a student haunt, but the quiz is fun.
A pub quiz is one of the most fun and unusual things to do in Coventry.
Have a bite at an independent restaurant or cafe in Coventry
Coventry has a number of chain restaurants that are “so so”. But there are a number of independent cafes and restaurants that we would recommend instead.
For something really unique, head to the Korean cafe Croffle Bank in the city centre. You can get your fix of Korean fried chicken or one of the super interesting Croffles – that’s a cross between a Croissant and a Waffle.
If you’re after a great dinner, try Taste Vietnam. This is a great place to go with friends, as you can share some delightful plates of food in a laid back atmosphere.
Finally, we like the Warwick Row Espresso cafe for probably the best coffee in town. Be sure to check it out with your best buddy.
Watch the ice hockey in Coventry
Coventry might not be the first place you think of when you think about Ice Hockey, but Coventry has a well established ice hockey team called Coventry Blaze. Throughout the winter you can grab a ticket to see the team play in the heart of the city. Tickets are inexpensive but we recommend booking in advance.
Sweat it out at Hot Yoga
Hot Yoga might not be the first thing you think of when you think “fun things to do with friends.” But, here me out. The Hot Yoga studio in Coventry is a fantastic studio. It has a super friendly atmosphere and is popular with people of all ages. You can take one of the many classes held each week, including Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Bikram in a studio heated to 40 degrees centigrade.
The Hot Yoga studio does some great offers for new students. The classes last 90 minutes, so it’s a great alternative and healthy night out with a pal in Coventry.
Visit the oldest pub in Coventry
The Old Windmill Pub on Spon Street is the oldest pub in Coventry. Here you can grab a pint in a traditional pub. Picture red carpets, beer mats and lots of oak furnishings. Look out for events at the Old Windmill Pub, they run a popular cheese night and host live music events.
Visit the war memorial park
The war memorial park just of the Kenilworth Road in Coventry is a huge sprawling park. On a sunny day, this is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends. Whether hunting for cherry blossom (there’s plenty here in the spring), visiting the Japanese peace garden, playing tennis or crazy golf. There’s loads to do. Not to mention the popular Park Bistro and the gelato place. You can even find a weekly boot camp in the park if rolling about in the mud is your thing.
Find out more about the different facilities in the park here.
Try craft beer in leafy Earsldon
Earsldon is one of the most upmarket areas of Coventry. Close to the Memorial park, is the leafy area of Earlsdon. There are a few cute cafes on the high street, as well as lots of charity shops to browse. But, the best place, in our opinion, is Gonzo Beer. A beer in this place is definitely one of our favourite unusual things to do in Coventry, because some of the craft beers are extremely rare!
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