5 Fun and Unusual Facts About Coventry

So you’ve moved to a new place, but you want to know more about where you are? This article will give you a quick overview of some of the city’s quirky past to help you get to know Coventry better!

1. The legend of Lady Godiva

You’ve likely seen mention of Lady Godiva somewhere by now (Godiva Place, anyone?), or perhaps seen the statue of her in the city centre. She is famous for the legend of her riding on horseback through the town while completely nude - although it turns out that this legend actually first appeared over 100 years after her death. The legend is unlikely to be true, but she still remains an important icon in Coventry’s history.

2. Coventry is the home of the modern bicycle

James Starley, sometimes referred to as “the father of the bicycle industry”, designed and produced several different early bicycles in Coventry, but it was his nephew John Kemp Starley who designed the first “safety bicycle”, a bike with two wheels of the same size, which went on to become the basis of bike designs for years to come.

3. Coventry’s famous black cabs

The iconic black taxi cab seen across the UK, and especially in London, has been manufactured in Coventry since the 1940s. They are still made here today, although the company have shifted into producing electric vehicles to help reduce emissions in busy cities.

4. The elephant in the room

You might have seen a big grey metal building near The Hub, but did you know this building is called The Elephant Building? The building, part of the former Coventry leisure centre, was built to look like an elephant, with a glass covered walkway representing its trunk. Can you see the resemblance?

5. Coventry is the most central city in England

Okay, the actual centre of England is in a little village called Fenny Drayton, but Coventry is just 12 miles (18 km) south-west of the country's geographical centre. 

So there you have it, 5 facts to show you a little of Coventry’s history! Perhaps now you’ll notice more of the art and monuments that are dotted around the city as a nod to this varied past.

If you want to learn more about Coventry, keep an eye on the ResLife social media feeds for upcoming activities like walking tours, days out, and more!



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