Coventry - Medieval City & Centre

Essential Intel

The final clue on this Trail is set at a location that is locked from 4pm daily, so please leave plenty of time to complete your mission.

Priory Gardens gates may also be locked. If that happens, follow the alternative route through Trinity Street and around the front of the church.

Coventry Transport Museum is chargeable.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Coventry Medieval City & Centre, with Agents helping Top Secret Agent crack Lady G. Diva's code, stop Dr Horribly Badd's wheel-changing device and save the day around the heart of Coventry.

The mission covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll begin at Coventry Cathedral by the main visitors' entrance, by the 11 big stone balls, then head through the city's historic heart, pedestrianised shopping areas, precincts, churchyards, Bayley Lane, Broadgate Square, Priory Gardens and towards Coventry Transport Museum before looping back to the cathedral area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is mainly through pedestrianised zones around shops and commercial areas, but there are several large roads to cross, busy streets, two lots of steps into Priory Gardens and some access via precincts and churchyards. Ramp access into Priory Gardens is stated through Priory Place, but the overall route remains not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

Take extra care at the large road crossings and around the road that allows buses and taxis through. Keep Mini Agents close in the busy streets and pedestrianised areas, especially if Dr Horribly Badd's scheme has everyone marching at top speed.

Getting There

By car: Start your mission at Coventry Cathedral by the main visitors' entrance, by the 11 big stone balls (CV1 5FJ). Park your vehicle at Cox Street (CV1 5QJ), then walk to the mission start point.

By public transport: Make your way to Coventry Cathedral by the main visitors' entrance, by the 11 big stone balls, to begin the operation. This circular Trail loops back to the cathedral area once the code-cracking is complete.

Need the Loo?

There are toilets within the museum at the start of the route, in the shopping centre and in Coventry Transport Museum along the way.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents may be able to join the mission, but plan the operation carefully. 🐾

We are currently unaware of any restrictions for dogs on this Trail, and whilst most of our Trails can be enjoyed with dogs, those in towns and cities may be less suitable due to traffic and a lack of open spaces. There may be restrictions in parks.

This route includes busy streets, pedestrianised areas, several large road crossings, a road used by buses and taxis, churchyards, precincts and steps into Priory Gardens, so keep canine recruits close throughout.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking is hungry work, Agents. There are plenty of refreshment stops and snack shops along the route, so your squad should have options for refuelling while you track Dr Horribly Badd through the city centre.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Coventry Cathedral

The mission begins at Coventry Cathedral, a powerful place to spend extra time before or after the operation. The cathedral was bombed on 14/11/1940 and set on fire for the first time at around 8pm. Volunteer firefighters put the first blaze out, but further direct hits followed and new fires were soon out of control. The cathedral tower can be climbed between 10:00am and 3:30pm Monday - Saturday if you are over 8-years-old.

Broadgate Square

The Trail leads into Broadgate Square and references the Lady Godiva display here. If you are here on the hour, you can enjoy the drama of the Lady Godiva story with 'herself' seated upon her horse appearing, and the 'peeping Tom' looking down upon her - prime surveillance material for observant Agents.

Coventry Transport Museum

Coventry Transport Museum is chargeable, but the mission strongly recommends popping in if you have time. For Agents who like their gadgets fast, you can travel faster than the speed of sound in the specially designed simulator.

Priory Gardens

The route goes up into Priory Gardens, with ramp access via Priory Place if needed. If the gates are locked, use the alternative way in via Trinity Street and around the front of the church. The Trail also takes you down among the excavated ruins near the West Front, making this a good spot to slow the mission down and investigate Coventry's older layers.

Herbert Art & Gallery

The route passes the Herbert Museum and Herbert Art & Gallery area in the vicinity of Bayley Lane. Keep an eye out here for the steel remains of former homes nearby - a striking piece of city evidence for Agents who like their history with something solid to inspect.