Drapers' Hall

A 15th-century timber-framed guildhall that survived the Blitz, now housing a small museum of medieval trade guilds and Coventry's cloth industry. The building showcases original oak beams, carved details, and period furnishings across three floors, with guided tours revealing hidden medieval features. It sits below the headline sights but earns its place on a longer visit to Coventry, especially paired with nearby Spon Street medieval buildings. Tickets cost £4 adult, £2 child, guided tours £6 and 1 hour is enough to see everything without rushing.

Priority: Medium - include with 2+ days Time needed: 1 hour Best for: rare chance to enter a medieval guildhall Skip if: You're visiting on weekdays when it's closed or prefer larger museums Cost: £4 adult, £2 child, guided tours £6

You climb creaking wooden stairs through rooms lined with dark oak beams and diamond-paned windows. Period displays show medieval cloth samples and guild artifacts while the guide points out architectural details like concealed priest holes and original medieval graffiti.

Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible due to narrow medieval stairs and doorways

Rare chance to enter a medieval guildhall and learn about Coventry's forgotten role as England's cloth capital. It is not the first thing you should see in Coventry, but with two or more days it fills a gap the major sights leave. It pairs naturally with Spon Street medieval buildings and Spon Street - together they fill a solid half-day. Afternoon tends to work best here.

Skip if: You're visiting on weekdays when it's closed or prefer larger museums

• Book guided tours in advance for access to upper floors.
• Check website for special medieval craft demonstrations.
• Combine with nearby medieval buildings on Spon Street.

Insider tip: The carved merchant marks on the beams tell the story of individual cloth traders - ask the guide to explain them

Interior photography allowed, good contrast between dark beams and white walls