Car Rental Coventry

Coventry’s excellent road network and connections to neighbouring towns and cities make it a great place to explore by car. The city lies close to the start of the M6 motorway, which begins at Rugby and can be accessed via the A444, also known as Jimmy Hill Way.

The motorway provides access to cities and towns across the West Midlands, including Birmingham and Stoke-on-Trent, before continuing north towards Manchester and Scotland.

If you’re planning to travel on the M6 during your stay, be aware that the road splits into two sections near Birmingham - one of which is free of charge, the other requiring a toll that you can pay at the barriers. The fee is small, but ensures this route is usually quieter than the free section of the motorway.

Other major motorways near Coventry include the M69, which connects the city with Leicester to the north east. The M1, which runs from London in the south to the city of Leeds in the north, is accessible by heading east from Coventry along the M6. You can also follow the M40 motorway to London. From Coventry, it’s easy to join the A46 south, towards Warwick and the historic town of Stratford-upon-Avon.

If you’re driving in the city, you’ll find the A4053 - often known as the Coventry Ring Road - provides easy access to central attractions such as the cathedral, university and shopping areas. The city’s outer ring road, the A45, encircles it to the south and provides links to the surrounding towns and villages before continuing south towards Northampton.

With historic sites and cultural attractions, Coventry has much to offer any visitor. Renting a car in the city also means you can head further afield to explore the towns and countryside that surround this vibrant city.

Sacred sites

Coventry’s original cathedral was badly damaged by bombing during World War Two, so a new one was built next door-  merging the historic with the modern. Today, you can explore the ruined shell of the Gothic St Michael’s Cathedral, which dates back to the 13^th century and retains its 90-metre spire, still the tallest structure in the city.

The new cathedral, which shares the name of its predecessor and opened in the early 1960s, is open to visitors all year round, with only a small donation requested in exchange for entry. Inside you can see magnificent modernist artworks and engravings – look out for the Great West Screen by John Hutton and the Tapestry of Christ by Graham Sutherland, to name just two.

History and heritage

Coventry is a proud manufacturing city, and there’s nowhere better to get a glimpse of its industrial heritage than the Transport Museum. Situated at the heart of the at Millennium Place, its fascinating exhibits include the fastest cars in the world - the ThrustSSC and Thrust2. Other highlights include the 1975 E-type Jaguar, which was manufactured in Coventry and is often hailed as one of the most beautiful cars ever produced.

Delve further into Coventry’s history with a visit to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum. It’s packed with exhibitions and artefacts that include Bronze Age pottery and findings from the Lunt Roman Fort, excavated in the 1960s on the outskirts of the city. The museum also houses an impressive collection of modern art.

A short drive away, the Coventry Music Museum gives an insight into the city’s contribution to the UK cultural scene, particularly as the home of two-tone and The Specials. But there’s much more on offer, including exhibits dedicated to the Rock ‘n’ Roll stars of the 50s and the ‘60s beat scene, making it a must-see attraction for any music fan.

Literary treasure

When you rent a car in Coventry it’s easy to take the short drive along the A46 to Stratford-upon-Avon - the home of William Shakespeare. The Bard was born in this small market town in the 16^th century. Today, it draws visitors from all over the world to see his childhood home as well as other important sites such as Anne Hathaway’s cottage and the New Place, which Shakespeare purchased after finding fame and success in London.

To top off your visit, book tickets to see a play in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre or the Swan Theatre, both of which boast an idyllic setting on the banks of the Avon.

When you rent a car in Coventry, you can set your own itinerary and explore this fascinating region of the UK at your own pace.