Updated in September 2026, this Coventry Cathedral guide covers opening hours, entry, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Coventry Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral in the West Midlands, made up of a bombed medieval ruin standing beside Basil Spence’s 1962 modernist New Cathedral. As of September 2026, entry remains free, though the cathedral notes it costs £3,000 a day to keep the building open, funded entirely through visitor donations rather than regular government support. Opening hours and access details were checked on the official website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | New Cathedral & Ruins: Mon–Sat 10am–4pm; Sun 12pm–3:30pm |
| Ticket prices | Free entry; donations welcome |
| Address | 11 Priory Row, Coventry, CV1 5EX |
| Nearest transport/parking | 10–15 minute walk from Coventry station; nearest car park on Cox Street |
| Typical time needed | 45 minutes – 1.5 hours; longer with the Tower Climb or Blitz Museum |
Coventry Cathedral opening hours
The New Cathedral and Ruins open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 3:30pm.
As a busy working cathedral, hours can change for services and events, so checking the online calendar before visiting is recommended. Other locations within the cathedral complex, such as the Tower Climb and Blitz Museum, keep their own separate, more limited hours.
Coventry Cathedral ticket prices
There is no charge to visit the Ruins or the New Cathedral, though donations are strongly encouraged, either via collection boxes inside the New Cathedral or online.
The Tower Climb costs £5 for adults, £4 for students, and £2.50 for under-18s (no climbers under 8); Go CV members get 10% off adult tickets. The Blitz Museum is also free, with donations welcomed. A guidebook, sold in the Gift Shop, supports a self-guided visit.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
How to get to Coventry Cathedral
The cathedral stands at 11 Priory Row, in the centre of Coventry, a 10–15 minute walk from Coventry railway station.
It is about 200 metres from Pool Meadow coach station, and cycle docking stations are available at the station and Pool Meadow. The main entrance to the New Cathedral is off Priory Street, opposite Coventry University, or via St Michael’s Avenue from the city centre; first-time visitors are advised to enter via the Ruins from Cuckoo Lane.
Parking at Coventry Cathedral
There is limited disabled parking on site, next to the Chapel of Unity on St Michael’s Avenue.
The nearest public car parks are Cox Street (5-minute walk, short stay), Salt Lane (6-minute walk), and Lower Ford Street (10-minute walk, long stay). Coaches can set down on Priory Street or Hales Street, with dedicated parking at White Street Coach Park.
How long to spend at Coventry Cathedral
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours exploring the Ruins and New Cathedral.
Adding the Tower Climb (180-plus steps) or the volunteer-run Blitz Museum, which recommends at least 20 minutes, extends a visit to 2 hours or more, particularly at weekends when both are open.
Accessibility at Coventry Cathedral
Level access serves the Ruins from Bayley Lane and the Tower entrance, and the New Cathedral via the West Screen doors; most of the Nave level is accessible, aside from the Chapel of Unity and Chapel of Christ the Servant.
Disabled parking is available on Cuckoo Lane, about 100 yards from the New Cathedral entrance, and accessible toilets are inside the New Cathedral at Nave level. Paving across the site mixes cobbles, flagstones and modern surfaces, so care is advised, especially in wet weather. Assistance dogs are welcome throughout.
Inside Coventry Cathedral
The Ruins are the remains of the medieval parish church of St Michael, gutted by incendiary bombs during the Coventry Blitz on 14 November 1940.
Sir Basil Spence’s New Cathedral, consecrated in 1962, stands alongside, combining stark modern architecture with striking artworks born from the city’s story of reconciliation and forgiveness.
The Tapestry of Christ in Glory, designed by Graham Sutherland and hand-woven on a 500-year-old loom, was at one time the largest continuously woven tapestry in the world.
John Piper’s Baptistery Window, made of 198 coloured glass panels and standing 26 metres tall, floods the Nave with light, opposite John Hutton’s West Screen, a glass wall engraved with 66 figures over ten years of work.
The Millennium Chapel houses a replica of the Stalingrad Madonna, created in 1990 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Blitz, while the Chapel of Unity reflects the cathedral’s ecumenical mission born from wartime suffering.
The cathedral tower, over 100 metres high and one of the tallest in England, survived the bombing and can be climbed for panoramic views over the city.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Enter via the Ruins from Cuckoo Lane on a first visit, as recommended by the cathedral itself. |
| Crowds | Weekends bring the Tower Climb and Blitz Museum into operation, so expect more visitors than midweek. |
| Layout | Allow time to see both the outdoor Ruins and the New Cathedral interior, which sit side by side. |
| Entry process | There is no ticket or gate for the main buildings; just walk in during opening hours. |
| On-site logistics | Wear sturdy shoes, as paving across the site includes uneven cobbles in places. |
Frequently asked questions about Coventry Cathedral
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Coventry Cathedral suitable for children? | Yes. Groups should contact the Schools Team in advance, and the Blitz Museum is a popular family stop. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, for individual visits. Group bookings and guided tours should be arranged ahead of time. |
| Is Coventry Cathedral open on Sundays? | Yes, from 12pm to 3:30pm, outside of Sunday services. |
| Can you climb the Coventry Cathedral tower? | Yes, usually Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–3pm, weather permitting, for £5 per adult. |
| Is Coventry Cathedral wheelchair accessible? | Largely yes, with level access to the Ruins and most of the New Cathedral’s Nave level. |
Things to do near Coventry Cathedral
- Coventry Transport Museum — a free museum on the city’s motor industry, about a 5-minute walk away.
- Herbert Art Gallery and Museum — a free gallery and local history museum, about a 10-minute walk away.
- Lady Godiva Statue, Broadgate — a well-known city-centre landmark, a short walk from the cathedral.
- Coventry Music Museum — a small museum on the city’s music heritage, about a 10-minute walk away.
- War Memorial Park — a large park with a war memorial, about a 20-minute walk away.
Alternative attractions
- Birmingham Cathedral — about 20 minutes away, a small English Baroque cathedral with Pre-Raphaelite windows.
- Lichfield Cathedral — about 45 minutes away, notable for its three medieval spires.
- Worcester Cathedral — about 1 hour away, overlooking the River Severn.
- Gloucester Cathedral — about 1 hour 30 minutes away, known for its Norman architecture and cloisters.
- Ely Cathedral — about 1 hour 45 minutes away, famous for its distinctive octagonal lantern tower.
More West Midlands travel
Other West Midlands travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- British Motor Museum visitor guide: The cars are the stars in Warwick.
- What to know before visiting the Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick.
- Practical tips for visiting Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire – one of the greatest English Heritage sites in the Midlands.
- A practical guide to visiting Shakespeare’s Birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon.
- What to know before visiting Tudor World in Stratford-upon-Avon.
