Coventry luggage storage

About Coventry

Located roughly halfway between the larger cities of London and Manchester, Coventry often falls under the shadow of its bigger neighbor Birmingham. However, with a population of over 300,000 and a long history of its own, Coventry is more than just a stop on the way to more well-known destinations.

Coventry's history goes back at least to Roman times, when a fort was established at nearby Baginton. In 1043, a monastery was founded by Leofric, the Earl of Mercia, and his more famous wife Lady Godiva. A thousand years later, this noblewoman is still famous around the world for her naked ride through Coventry's streets to protest her husband's taxes.

During the Middle Ages, Coventry became a center of the textile trade and was one of the largest cities in the entire country. This medieval wealth left the city with many historic buildings, and Coventry was once regarded as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the country.

During the Industrial Revolution, Coventry became a center for watchmaking, bicycle manufacture, and, later, the automobile industry. Famous car brands such as Rover (best known for the Range Rover) and Jaguar were born in the city, and Jaguar still maintains a presence there.

Coventry's industrial importance made it a target for bombing during the Second World War. As a major source of munitions for the war, Coventry was heavily bombed in 1940, and the resulting firestorm destroyed almost all of the city's medieval buildings.

Following the war, the city was rebuilt, buoyed by its manufacturing base. In the last few decades, this manufacturing base has declined, and Coventry has reinvented itself as a university town and logistics hub. It was designated the UK City of Culture for 2021 to recognize its growing importance in the cultural scene.