City Gates and Priory Row Cottages
City Gates at Lady Herbert’s Garden and cottages at Priory Row, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JQ
The Lychgate Cottages at 3-6 Priory Row is a row of timber-framed properties dating to around 1415. It is a remarkable survival of a pre-Dissolution building at the heart of Coventry’s city centre. The building’s location and date indicate that it originally formed part of the precinct of the 12th century St Mary’s Priory, and it is the only upstanding building which survives from the priory complex. Its close-studded timbers and jettied floor make it an evocative example of a timber-framed building of the early 15th century. The principal timbers throughout show little evidence of re-use and demonstrate that the original structure survives well. For these reasons, the building has been recently upgraded to listed grade II*, for its architectural and historical interest.
Records from the 16th and 17th centuries mention these as cottages, but by the 19th century the cottages were in poor condition and were acquired by the adjacent Blue Coat School in 1855 when they were restored and extended. The internal fireplaces and chimneys date from this time, as does the external stair and rear room to the east end. These buildings now have a new lease-of-life thanks to Historic Coventry Trust, who have completed a restoration of these much-loved buildings. These have been carefully restored and fitted out as four holiday cottages – visitors will be able to have some modern luxury in these 15th-century buildings; and the Trust will continue to open them to the public.
Timings & Tours
- Sunday 21 September:
- 1230 – 1630
Location & directions
City Gates at Lady Herbert’s Garden and cottages at Priory Row, Coventry, West Midlands, CV1 1JQ
- Contact on day:
- Jennie Rutte
- Telephone number:
- +442475270337
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking not required
