Having signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Liberation Route Europe early last year, it is an honour for HistoryFare to partner up with Ben Mayne fellow historian & tour guide and Director of Liberation Route Europe (UK) to put on this Coventry Blitz walking tour to mark the 85th Anniversary of the air raid on the night of the 8th/9th April 1941.
Today, Coventry’s damaged Cathedral remains a symbol of the impact of war, and stories of local bravery from the Blitz are commemorated by a new walking tour, “Destruction, Courage, and Coventry’s Spirit”.
The Second World War left a lasting mark on Coventry, especially due to heavy bombing between 1940 and 1941. Seventeen raids during the Battle of Britain dropped around 198 tons of bombs, resulting in 176 deaths and about 680 injuries.
The most devastating attack occurred on 14 November 1940, when 515 German bombers targeted the city’s industrial areas, also causing significant damage to monuments and homes. Another major raid in April 1941 killed approximately 451 people and seriously injured over 700.
No 136 Bomb Disposal Company who were based at The Spinney in Melton Mowbray were despatched to Coventry and other places such as Birmingham and Grimsby to clear the unexploded bombs left after the Luftwaffe air raids.
Sapper Leslie Tipping from Liverpool was one of the Sappers with 136 BD Coy in Melton. He recalls “We left Melton in the early hours of the morning after the raid and as the convoy entered Coventry, we were all deeply shocked at the sight of the destruction”.
TOUR OVERVIEW
The ‘Destruction, Courage, and Coventry’s Spirit’ themed route brings many of these stories back to the forefront of remembrance: tales of bravery from teenagers, and the selfless acts of doctors, nurses, and fire and police officers. The route follows in the footsteps of some of these people and the actions they took during those terrifying nights.
Alongside the locations around the city, visitors can explore several museums that portray and commemorate Coventry’s experiences during the Second World War, including the Blitz Museum and Police Museum.
After walking around the city centre, we will head down to London Road Cemetery where the impact and realities of war are powerfully evident in the mass graves of civilians who lost their lives during the enemy raids.
Close to the communal grave lie numerous Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones, marking the resting places of members of the armed forces who also died during this period, some as direct casualties of the Blitz.
DURATION
3-4 Hours
LENGTH
Approx 4 miles
MEETING LOCATION
Steps at the new Coventry Cathedral, University Square, Priory Street, CV1 5FB
PARKING
Recommended locations include:
West Orchards Shopping Centre, West Orchards Way, Coventry, CV1 1FD (10 minute walk to tour start point at the Cathedral)
NCP Coventry Belgrade Plaza, Ringway Hill Cross, Coventry CV1 4AJ (15 minute walk to tour start point at the Cathedral)
MAX GROUP SIZE
30
WHEEL CHAIR ACCESSIBLE
Suitable for mobility scooters providing the battery will last the duration of the tour (4 hours) but NOT suitable for wheelchairs due to the tour length.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
Assistance dogs as well as well behaved pets are welcome on the tours. Please note that you may be asked to leave the tour if your dog becomes a nuisance and disturbs the tour.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Professional Guides
- Walking tour through the historic city of Coventry, visiting key locations associated with the devastating Blitz Raids of the Second World War.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
- Gratuities
- Refreshments
- Admissions to museums etc
WHAT TO BRING
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Wet weather clothing/umbrellas
CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund or a voucher for a future tour. We know that plans can sometimes change and that’s why we offer a generous cancellation policy.
