Top 3 things to do in Coventry when it’s raining

The Coventry Transport Museum in the heart of the city
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


The past week or so has been torrential, with only brief moments of sunshine to break up the ongoing downpours. While those sunny respites are nice, it can be hard to plan a day out if the one sunny day you get doesn’t perfectly line up with your schedule.

Parks, country walks, and other outdoor pursuits can be off the cards, unless you've got a sturdy jacket or a natural hardiness to the cold, wet, and rain. Not only that, with flood warnings in certain areas, some river walks are ill-advised until the weather turns around.

So what do you do if you and the family are getting stir crazy at home but the weather isn’t playing ball. Here’s a reminder of the top three things to do in Coventry, as chosen by visitors on Trip Advisor.

READ MORE: Coventry Transport Museum is named UK’s 'most fun' visitor attractions

Coventry Transport Museum

The Transport Museum is the most obvious indoor attraction, located right in the middle of the city. The museum contains a wealth of cars, trucks, buses, bicycles, and memorabilia from Coventry’s motoring heritage, as well as activities and colourful displays to keep visitors engaged as they wander the museum’s path.

The museum takes visitors through the city’s history from the perspective of its motor industry. Hence, there is the Blitz experience, sections about the industrial action during the British Leyland era, as well as modern concepts and experiments from companies like JLR and formerly Peugeot who are (or were) based in the area.

Visitors especially lauded the accessibility of the content, and said the section for the supersonic cars was a particular highlight for children. The cafe at the entrance was also well received.

It’s a staple outing in Coventry and perfect for those rainy days. And if youve tried that motoring museum already, Gaydon’s British Motor Museum is another option in Warwickshire that’s only 20 miles south.

Coventry Music Museum has become a staple attraction within the city
Coventry Music Museum has become a staple attraction within the city

Coventry Music Museum

For a museum celebrating Coventry’s other global export, the Music Museum located off Walsgrave Rd is a definite shout for a rainy day. The Museum stocks a wealth of music memorabilia from the city’s iconic two-tone era, with the car from The Specials’ iconic Ghost Town music video being one of the highlights.

The museum has a cafe attached and is close to the city centre. Visitors on Trip Advisor described it as “a proper trip down memory lane” and praised the volunteers for their knowledge and passion for the Two Tone era.

For those who have a love for this era of music when bands like The Specials and The Selecter burst into the British musical consciousness, it’s an absolute must-do. And for fans of the BBC TV series This Town, it’s a chance to get a bit more of a background to what the cultural landscape was like in Coventry during the late 70’s and early 80’s.

Coventry Cathedral was voted the most popular landmark in the city by readers
Coventry Cathedral has previously been voted the most popular landmark in the city by readers -Credit:Tristan Potter

Coventry Cathedral

While the old Cathedral will leave you soaked to the bone on a rainy day, the post war cathedral is a chance to see one of the most unique spiritual sites in the UK. Designed by architect Sir Basil Spence following the bombing of the city in 1940 it was opened in 1962, and contains some of the finest examples of 1950's and 60's art and architecture in the country.

While visitors to the city will see the road signs describing Coventry as the “city of peace and reconciliation,” the Cathedral is at the heart of this mantra, with its story very much rooted in both the tragedy and loss of the Blitz and the determination to rebuild.

One visitor described the building as “peaceful and relaxing, while giving me so much knowledge and insight in my hometown.

“Everyone should go here and get a glimpse of the great stained glass window and tapestry.”

Others described it as a “very moving experience with the new and old buildings together. A great setting with reasonable access for all.”

What are your favourite things to see and do around the city when the weather’s poor?