WHY?

This vibrant, multicultural and youthful city is home to two top UK universities – Coventry and the University of Warwick – and is famous for its Fifties brutalist architecture and 2-Tone ska bands, including The Specials and The Selecter. Historically, Coventry was part of Warwickshire. Victorian novelist George Eliot lived here in the 1840s and based Middlemarch on the city. One of the most scenic (& prestigious) tree-lined avenues – Kenilworth Road – is within walking distance to the University of Warwick campus, close to Earlsdon, Gibbet Hill, Styvechale and Kenilworth with a dedicated cycle-path. The train station, city centre and War Memorial Park (which hosts Godiva Festival each year) are also in close proximity.

EAT

Street grill restaurant Birmingham — Street

In family-friendly/studenty suburb Earlsdon there’s Pan-Asian restaurant Street and fine dining from Earlsdon Supper Club – a zero-waste BYO experience by Chef of the Year 2021 & 2022 winner Tobias Reutt. For casual dining and laid- back vibes check out 2025’s Muddy Award-winning Surf & Slice for wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas. The Farmhouse Restaurant is worth a trip for British and Kashmiri dining and shisha – heads up, it’s alcohol-free, so don’t expect a cold glass of chablis with your meal. In neighbouring Coundon, the Muddy Award-winning Best Café for 2025 Kitchen 126 is a must for a colourful, Instagrammable Med-style brunch. If scones and clotted cream are your jam at Coombe Abbey, (2025’s Muddy Award-winning Hotel, next to Coombe Abbey Country Park and Go Ape tree top high ropes trails) is a fave spot for afternoon tea, a special occasion dining with the option of a pretty walk.

FarGo Village is home to a range of small indie street-food style food outlets including 2025 Muddy-Award best restaurant Gourmet Food Kitchen which has a huge waiting list, so book well in advance. Like curries? You’re in luck as there’s some fine Indian restaurants in Coventry including Turmeric Gold. For Korean BBQ head to Jinseon which is just down from the cathedral. There’s also Tales of Tea at St Mary’s Guildhall, perfect for a lazy lunch or afternoon tea.

SHOP

Earlsdon has had its own organic shop and veggie box scheme for more than 25 years. Independent Down-to-Earth was founded by Suzanne Bristow when her two sons were small. Other indie’s on Earlsdon’s eclectic high street include award-winning artisan bakery Lily & Fox, with many setting up shop in boxed outlets at FarGo Village near the city centre.

Love a bloom? For beautiful sustainable and seasonal cut flowers head to our national Muddy Award-winning florist Paintbox Blooms, just outside Cov at East Chase Farm in Kenilworth. Lower Precinct and West Orchards Shopping Centre in the city centre, with out-of-town retail parks at Ricoh Arena and Central Six for big retailers and fashion stores – such as Primark, M&S, Lush and H&M.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

The War Memorial Park is pretty much a one-stop shop for activities. A 1.6 mile-path around the perimeter is great for cycling, jogging and walks. Other facilities include a children’s play area, 10 floodlit tennis courts, 12 football pitches, a skatepark and summer waterpark. For some relaxation head to Mana Spa and if hot yoga is your thing then there’s classes here.

And if you’re looking for an excellent PT, look no further. Just beyond Earlsdon in Allesley Village is our national 2025 Muddy Award-winner PT Mick Burrows, based at the family-friendly Revive Wellness Club, a gym and sports therapy clinic run by husband-and-wife team (also a regional award-winner for Best Wellbeing Specialist).

COMMUNITY

There’s the annual Earlsdon festival filled with traders and family-friendly things to do. Residents often get together to help keep their town clean, through sweeping sessions and litter picking (which usually end in the pub) – so if you fancy yourself as a bit of Mrs Hinch this could be the place for you. In the centre of Cov there’s the annual Santa Dash for local Myton Hospice and there’s a super popular half marathon.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Sir Basil Spence’s post-war cathedral – a modernist masterpiece – stands aside the ruins of St Michael’s Cathedral, destroyed during The Blitz and opposite Coventry University. Also in the centre of town is St Mary’s Guildhall, one of the city’s only remaining medieval buildings. Kids will go mad for the city’s multi-million pound indoor waterpark, The Wave while parents can zen out at Mana Spa.

Just outside of the city centre is the 500-acre Coombe Abbey Park with Go Ape high ropes and the Lunt Roman Fort in Baginton. Just 10 mins by train is Resorts World Arena for big concerts and Bear Grylls Adventure centre. Birmingham is 20 mins away via the fastest rail link.

CULTURE

Warwick Arts Centre. Photo by Dave Freak

For great heritage and culture check out The Belgrade Theatre, The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, the Coventry Transport Museum, housing the largest public collection of British-made road vehicles in the world, and Warwick Arts Centre on the University of Warwick campus. Celebrating the city’s music scene is Coventry Music Museum , The Tin Music & Arts with big gigs held at the Coventry Building Society Arena, the former Coventry City FC stadium (now home of Wasps) and HMV Empire.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES

For those considering a move, Prominence Estates is one of Coventry’s leading estate agents, with strong local knowledge across the city and surrounding postcodes.

£266,035, with most sales being terraced properties which went for an average price of £234,298. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £511,667; while flats sold for an average of £173,120.

HOT PROPERTY

A substantial four-bed character semi-detached family home backing onto Spencer Park, Earlsdon, on the market with John Payne Estate Agents in Earlsdon for £530,000. — A substantial 4-bed character semi-detached family home backing onto Spencer Park, Earlsdon – on the market for £530,000.

NURSERIES

Pattison School welcomes children from aged two, while there’s also a nursery for Bablake and King Henry’s in Coundon. Little Crackers Nursery is part of Crackley Hall School, in nearby Kenilworth, a co-educational 4-11 yrs independent Catholic day school and feeder for Princethorpe Colllege.

Local nurseries in Earsldon include ABC, Jigsaw Day Nursery, Davenport Lodge and Tiny Teddies Day Nursery all rated Good providers by Ofsted. Outstanding Ofsted rated nurseries across the city include All Sorts at All Soul’s Catholic Primary School, Stepping Stones Nursery and the Warwick Uni Nursery.

SCHOOLS

Poet Philip Larkin was famously a pupil at King Henry VIII School, an independent co-ed school for 3 – 18 yrs; Bablake is another leading UK co-ed independent dating back to 1344 and Pattison College for children with a talent for the performing arts. Out of town The Kingsley School in Leamington Spa offers an excellent all-through education; while Princethorpe College, is a top-rated co-ed senior Catholic independent day school in the rural village of Princethorpe, close to Coventry.

The majority of state primaries are rated ‘Good’ with Sidney Stringer Primary Academy rated Outstanding in 2024. Eden Girls’ School, an Islamic faith-based secondary, Barr’s Hill School, Finham Park‘s Sixth Form all rated ‘Outstanding’. Also within reach of ‘Outstanding’ Kenilworth School & Sixth Form and two Rugby grammars – ‘Outstanding’ Lawrence Sheriff boys school and ‘Good’ Rugby High for girls – both with co-ed Sixth Forms. There are several ‘Good’ secondary schools nearby.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Earlsdon is the birthplace of Sir Frank Whittle, the aviation pioneer credited with inventing the jet engine. Local folklore says that, as a child, Whittle once saw an airplane land on Hearsall Common, and the force of the prop wash supposedly blew his hat off. That moment ignited his passion for flight.

COMMUTE

The quickest rail commute is 68 mins direct to London Euston from Coventry’s main train station.

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