St Mary's Guildhall

Superbly preserved 14th-century guildhall with medieval tapestry

One of the best-preserved medieval guildhalls in England, and almost nobody outside Coventry seems to know it exists. Built in the 1340s and 1350s, it served as the seat of the powerful Guild of the Holy Trinity and later as the city's civic hall. The great hall has a magnificent oak-timbered ceiling, a 15th-century tapestry depicting the Last Judgement, centuries-old armour on the walls, and a row of original stained glass windows.

Below the main hall, the undercroft — a vaulted medieval cellar — operates as a café, making it a civilised place to stop. Opening hours are limited; check before visiting.

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A story
Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner in St Mary's Guildhall in 1565, during a visit that turned into a brief confinement at the request of the Earl of Leicester. The city fathers later apologised — which perhaps explains why Coventry subsequently displayed particular loyalty to her cause. A tapestry in the hall depicts her image, along with Henry VI, who was also entertained here.

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