Coventry Market
Coventry Market on Queen Victoria Road has traded on its site since 1958. The circular, Grade II listed building is one of the most distinctive markets in the country, with stalls for fruit and veg, meat and fish, household goods, clothing, repairs and street food arranged in rings around the centre.
The market is run by the city council and opens most days except Sunday, with shorter hours on Thursday. Individual stalls can keep their own hours, so check the council's market page before making a special trip.
Spon Street
Just west of the centre, Spon Street is lined with restored timber-framed buildings, some moved here from elsewhere in the city after the war. Today they house independent shops, pubs and places to eat, and the street makes a pleasant change from the modern precincts.
FarGo Village and Far Gosford Street
On Far Gosford Street, east of the centre, FarGo Village is a creative quarter of independent shops, makers, food and drink businesses and event spaces. The surrounding street has its own mix of cafes, takeaways and specialist stores serving students and locals alike.
The city centre precincts
The pedestrian precincts around Broadgate, the Upper and Lower Precinct and West Orchards hold the larger chains and high-street names. Combine them with the market and Spon Street for a full day's shopping on foot, and stop for lunch in one of the independent cafes tucked between the bigger stores.
Neighbourhood high streets
Some of Coventry's best independent shopping happens outside the centre. Earlsdon Street has butchers, bakers, gift shops and cafes. Foleshill Road is known for fabrics, jewellery, sweets and South Asian groceries. Smaller parades in Allesley, Wyken, Stoke and Holbrooks keep everyday shops within walking distance of home.
Getting there
Most of the centre is pedestrianised and easy to walk. Coventry station is about ten minutes on foot from the precincts, local buses run into the centre from every neighbourhood, and the council publishes car park locations and charges.
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