 |
Training |
Coventry
Coventry, like London and most other major cities in Britain, reflects its historical past but also has a modern face. Its population of 300,000 is multicultural, multi-ethnic and multi-faithed and it is typical of modern Britain. Geographically, Coventry is ideally situated as a base from which to visit all corners of Britain.
| The history of Coventry can be traced right back to the Romans, when Lunt Fort was built on the outskirts of what is now the city boundary. Coventry was still a scattered settlement when Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and his wife Godiva founded a church which was dedicated here in 1043. Lady Godiva later became famous when she rode naked through the streets of Coventry to protest against taxes imposed by her husband on his tenants. |  |
 |
Coventry's royal charter of 1345 was the first of its kind in England and by the end of the 14th century Coventry had become the fourth most powerful city in England. On several occasions between 1456 and 1459 parliament was held in Coventry, which for a while served as the effective seat of government.
During the English Civil War the protection provided by the city's two-mile around and 3 metre thick town wall helped to guard Royalist prisoners – hence the term 'sent to Coventry'. However, because of its Parliamentary leaning the city fell out of favour when Charles II acceded to the throne and he ordered its town wall and defenses to be destroyed.
From humble beginnings in the 1860s the city quickly became the home of the bicycle industry in Britain. Then in 1896 the Daimler company began building cars in a disused Coventry cotton mill, and another new industry was born, one that would lay the foundations for the city's extraordinary 20th century expansion.
| On the 14 November 1940 Coventry was subjected to the single most concentrated attack on a British city in World War 2. Lasting 11 hours, the raid by the Luftwaffe killed 568 people and damaged or destroyed 43,000 homes. The great medieval cathedral of St Michael's was also destroyed, although what remained has been preserved to this day. |  |
Following the war, the city that emerged from the rubble had the first pedestrianised shopping centre in Europe. Its new cathedral, consecrated in 1962 and dedicated to the cause of international peace and reconciliation, symbolised a prosperous and outward-looking future for the city. Coventry still possesses monuments of its glorious past – one of the country's finest medieval guildhalls, almshouses and monastic foundations, and timber-framed shops and pubs.
| Modern Coventry is typified by the new home of Coventry City Football
Club, the 32,000 all seated Ricoh Arena. This has been built on formerly
derelict land, complete with a new railway station. As well as sporting
events the stadium hosts concerts.
The site of Coventry City's old ground is now being redeveloped. |
 |
 |
Recent years have also seen the redevelopment of the 1950s shopping centre, the building of a new stadium for Coventry Rugby Football Club, the redevelopment of the Transport Museum, the rebuilding of the coach and bus station and the building of the Skydome, a city centre entertainment and indoor ice rink complex. And there is more to come...
Geographically, Coventry is positioned in the very centre of England and sits at the hub of Britain's transportation networks. There are excellent communication links with the rest of Britain by both road and rail.
Just a few miles outside Coventry is Warwick Castle and also Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. These are 2 of England's most visited places, right on the doorstep.
Coventry is within easy distance of the coastlines of Devon and Cornwall, the mountains and beaches of South, West and North Wales, the industrial heritage of the Midlands and the North of England, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the Lakes of the North-West. Scotland and Ireland are also conveniently close. London is less than an hour away from Coventry by train. It takes longer to reach some London suburbs by public transport from central London than that! London is a fantastic place to visit, with so many famous sights and attractions. While it is a great place to visit, London is not necessarily a great place to live. The crowds of people always rushing, traffic congestion, overcrowded underground trains and hordes of tourists may be interesting at first, but the novelty soon wears off.
Coventry is excellently served by airports. Coventry airport is rapidly expanding and currently serves 15 European destinations. Birmingham International airport is just 10 miles away. Flights from Birmingham go to over 100 destinations in Europe, North America and the Middle East. London Heathrow airport is also easily accessible by car, bus or train, without having to travel through central London.
Multicultural Coventry can be demonstrated by the large range of cuisines on offer. You can find Italian, Indian, Mexican, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, Thai and Chinese restaurants as well as traditional British fish and chips and traditional carveries and pub food.
Religious faith is equally diverse. There are a large number of churches catering for a variety of Christian denominations, as well as temples and mosques catering for Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus.
Next: Studying at Act Training
The information provided is for guidance only. While every effort is made to keep it up-to-date, it should be independently verified. Act Training accepts no responsibility for any consequential loss as a result of acting upon any information provided.