Nestled Between London and Manchester: A Vibrant City Alive with Nightlife and Local Charm

England is a wonderfully historic country, from Truro in the south to Carlisle in the north. Dotted in between are cities full of culture  and nightlife, with excellent art, food, and sport scenes to boot. London and Manchester rightly get a lot of love, but, if you want to venture off the beaten path, then head to the heart of the country, where you’ll find Elizabethan gardens, quintessentially English villages, and one of the coolest cities on the map: Coventry.

With World War II relics, medieval pubs serving local craft ale, and world-class performing arts, Coventry is worth a trip from one of the country’s more popular destinations, and being just an hour away from London by train, you could do it in a day if you had to. The city is well-connected to the rest of the country by motorway, train, and bus (via the central Pool Meadow Bus Station). It’s also just a short 20-minute journey from Birmingham International Airport.

There’s plenty going on in Coventry all year round, including one of the United Kingdom’s most affordable music festivals, Godiva, in the summer and magical Christmas markets in the winter, but English weather is notoriously rainy, so you should plan your trip accordingly. The best time to visit England for optimal weather is early or late summer, when the city comes to life and a walk in the park or nearby nature reserve is as delightful as can be.

One of Coventry’s marquee attractions is the cathedral, whose history dates back to the 2nd century. You can wander the World War II ruins of the old St Michael’s Cathedral, which was destroyed during the blitz in 1940, as well as marvel at the stained glass of the New Cathedral that was erected as a symbol of hope in the late ’50s. Classical concerts are sometimes held by candlelight in this mesmerizing space. Other local sites for history buffs include the medieval Spon Street, lined with fascinating timber architecture, the nearby Kenilworth Castle (accessible by local train or bus), bursting with Tudor history, and the quaint market town of Stratford-upon-Avon, best known as William Shakespeare’s birthplace.

To match this marvelous history, Coventry’s arts scene is equally wonderful. Catch an original musical or national tour at the Belgrade Theatre, some dance or comedy at the Warwick Arts Centre, or one of the many events throughout the warmer months at War Memorial Park. The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is also a local favorite, with exhibitions on everything from the fine arts to a life-size Diplodocus replica named Dippy that’s visiting from London’s Natural History Museum.