Coventry City Tour

1 From the tourist information office by Coventry University in Priory Street, go left (southwards) to reach Earl Street, then left along Earl Street and into Jordan Well. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing and head right, down Whitefriars Street. At the bottom of the street, go right along Whitefriars Lane, passing beneath the Whitefriars Gateway (remains of a Carmelite Friary founded in 1342) into Park Street. Go right along Park Street, then left along St John's Street to Little Park Street, with the police station, probation service offices and the magistrates courts on the corner.

2 Go right along Little Park Street and then left over the pedestrian crossing in front of the impressive Council House, built between 1913 and 1917 in Tudor style - note the corner clock and the statues of Godiva, Leofric and Justice. Head left along the High Street, past the Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre to the 1949 Lady Godiva statue, by Sir William Reid Dick.

3 When you have seen the statue, walk back towards the High Street and go right down Greyfriars Lane opposite. Just after you pass by Salt Lane is Ford's Hospital. Continue along Greyfriars Lane and take the pathway to the right of the impressive 230ft (70m) Greyfriars Spire, all that remains of the 14th-century Church of Christ Church, to arrive in New Union Street. Cross the street and go through the archway to see Cheylesmore Manor (the gatehouse is all that remains of the Manor of the Earl of Chester), until you come to Manor House Drive. Go right and when you get near to the road corner, go right again down a 'no entry' road which takes you to Warwick Row and the Quadrant. Cross Warwick Row and head down into Shelton Square. Bear right and continue along Market Way into the centre of the main shopping area.

4 By the central fountain, go left into the Lower Precinct passing by a number of large, high street stores. At the traffic island by St John's Church, cross the road and head down Spon Street, a fascinating street of medieval buildings. At the end do not attempt to go over the Ringway but retrace your steps to the traffic island by St John's Church. Go left just before the church and stroll past the buildings of Old Bablake School, which was founded in 1560 for the education of poor boys of Coventry, and into Hill Street. Bear right along Bond Street and cross over Lamb Street on to a footpath that leads towards the Canal Basin. Cross the footbridge over the Ringway to visit the Basin which has been carefully renovated and displays a Y-shaped terminus, canal warehouses, coal vaults and a fine canal house.

5 Retrace your steps over the footbridge and walk down Bishop Street. Go left along Tower Street then right down Cook Street past the Museum of British Road Transport, with the UK's largest display of British-made vehicles. After going beneath 15th-century Cook Street Gateway turn right and stroll through Lady Herbert's Garden to reach Hales Street by the Swanswell (Priory) Gate. This 15th-century gate was probably a private access into St Mary's Priory. Go right along Hales Street until you reach a road junction, then go left up The Burges. Bear left around Ironmonger Row and cross the road. Go right and then left into Priory Row and proceed down between the New and the Old Cathedrals. After visiting the New Cathedral, cross over into the Old Cathedral which was devastated by bombs in 1940 and walk back through the damaged building up to Cuckoo Lane. Go left along the lane, then left down Bayley Lane. St Mary's Guildhall is on the right. You will find the tourist information office at the bottom corner.