St Mary's Priory Ruins, Coventry. Open daily. Free entry.

Details

Accessibility:

There is very limited on-street parking at the south side of Coventry's cathedral and the area is largely cobbled with narrow pavements. The north side is entered via a cafe and restaurant area that is well paved and wheelchair-accessible, although there are gentle slopes.  This area leads down to the city's main bus station (Pool Meadow) and a pay-and-display car park on Fairfax Street. This car park is currently seeing some construction work and as such parking spaces are prone to being relocated regularly within the site.

The nearest public toilets are at the bus station and Coventry Motor Museum (disability facilities are available at the latter). Please see http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/24984/disabled_access_facilities_in_coventry

The area is accessed either by steps or by a wooden slatted ramp with very gentle slopes, offering wheelchair access to both levels and a 'flyover' view off the garden and ruins.

Brief Description:

St Mary's Priory was founded in the 12th century out of the former monastery of St Mary which was founded by The Earl of Merica and his wife, Lady Godiva. The original priory and cathedral of St Mary's was destroyed during Henry VII's Dissolution of the Monastries. The ruins lay largely hidden and were buried under a Victorian graveyard for many years before a huge project in the late 1990s unearthed the remains and opened up the site and surrounding area to the public. 

Further Information:

Address:

Priory Row, Coventry, CV1 5EX

Telephone:

024 7655 2242 (for the Priory Visitor Centre & Undercroft, Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX)

Email:

carole@inspirationclub.org.uk (for the Priory Visitor Centre & Undercroft, Priory Row, Coventry CV1 5EX)

Website:

www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/wpsite/tourism/other-places-of-interest/

https://www.coventrypriory.co.uk/

https://www.coventry.gov.uk/directory_record/5755/priory_visitor_centre_and_undercroft

Opening Hours:

Grounds and public park open at any time.

Visitors centre:

Mon-Wed by appointment 

Thurs-Sat 11am - 3:30pm (with guided tours on the hour (cost applies))

Closed Sunday

Directions:

To get to Fairfax Street car park: From Coventry Ring Road take junction 2 into the city centre. Follow Hales Street past the Old Fire Station and Whittle Arch and onto Fairfax Street, turning left onto Cox Street and under the ring road. Take the next left into the car park.

To get to the ruins (limited on-street parking and cobbles): From Coventry Ring Road take junction 2 into the city centre. Follow Hales Street past the Old Fire Station and Whittle Arch and onto Fairfax Street, turning right onto Priory Street under the Priory Hall student accommodation block. Pass the New Cathedral and the end of the Old Cathedral and turn right onto Bayley Lane, past the Old Cathedral and right onto Cuckoo Lane.

OS SP335791

Transport:

For more travel information go to  https://www.tfwm.org.uk/ or call 0345 303 6760.

Amenities:

There are no amenities on site, but there are a number of restaurants, public houses and shops within the immediate area surrounding the Cathedral Quarter.