Overview
The Burges is one of the few traditional historic high street areas surviving in Coventry.
The name “The Burges” probably derives from “Between the Bridges”, first documented in 1223, and the two bridges were located at either end of the street; crossing the Radford Brook to the north, and the River Sherbourne to the south. The area was known as St John’s Bridge from the early 1300s and from the 1860s as The Burges.
Historic maps show the buildings laid out in characteristic medieval ‘burgage plots’; with shops and houses fronting onto the marketplace and narrow strips of land behind containing outbuildings and gardens. Palmer Lane is documented as early as 1225 and was where pilgrims lodged when visiting St Mary’s Priory. “Palmer” comes from the palms, Christian symbols that pilgrims used to carry. Today it contains the only visible stretch of the now culverted River Sherbourne.
Story
Road improvements for the congested city in the early 1930s saw the demolition of the western side of The Burges, as well as the medieval timber framed buildings along Butcher Row, for the construction of Trinity Street. During the Second World War (1939–45) air raids damaged several buildings.
Many of the buildings are locally listed and they all sit within Lady Herbert’s Garden and The Burges Conservation Area. By 2019 many of the buildings were in poor condition, with modern shopfronts, replacement windows and external security shuttersIn May 2019, Historic England provided a grant of £2million to support regeneration of the area, building on an existing grant with funding from Coventry City Council. This project was the national demonstrator for Historic England’s £93million High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.
Working closely with the Coventry BID and local owners and businesses, the Trust developed designs for repair and restoration of the buildings and started work on site in February 2020. A year later and the street was transformed, with new roofs, restored sash windows, repaired historic shopfronts and new shopfronts using traditional designs and materials. At least seven of the businesses have invested in major internal refurbishment to complement the scheme.
Historic Coventry Trust events
Summer Fridays at the Chapel 2026
The Chapel will be open for drop-in visits. Refreshments will be available and there will be self-guided tours to pick up. Talks and tours at 2pm.
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Four seasons of wellbeing immersion day
The Four Seasons of Wellbeing is more than a retreat—it is an invitation to pause, reconnect with nature, learn timeless wellbeing practices and leave with the confidence and knowledge to support your own health through every season of life
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Dead and Buried – Adam Wood
Dead and buried….
Adam Wood returns with more tales of Coventry’s London Road Cemetery – new walking route and a new talk in the Anglican chapel.
Wedding open day
The Anglican Chapel will be open for drop-in visits to view this special wedding venue.
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Pulstar – Live – a tribute to Vangelis
An immersive sound and light show at the Anglican Chapel
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London Road Cemetery Heritage Open Days 2026
Free tours of the cemetery, refreshments in the Anglican Chapel, Coventry Family History Society.
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City Gates Heritage Open Days
Historic Coventry Trust are excited to be opening the restored Swanswell and Cook Street Gates to visitors, as part of Heritage Open Days.
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Priory Row Heritage Open Days
Historic Coventry Trust are excited to be opening the restored Lychgate Cottages at 3-5 Priory Row to visitors, as part of Heritage Open Days.
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Tomb Tales – Architects and Builders
Volunteer researchers present the stories of James Murray (architect) Francis Skidmore (metalworker) and Charles Garlick (builder)
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What a Wonderful World – Sounds Historical
Sounds Historical return to the Anglican Chapel with a programme that explores aspects of early modern life which people found wonderful and awe-inspiring.
Generously supported by Continuo Foundation
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An evening of ghost stories
Join Behind the Door Productions for ‘An Evening of ‘Ghost Stories’ – Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story ‘The Signlaman’ followed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘Lot no.249’
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Hallowe’en Horror – Adam Wood
Join historian Adam Wood at Halloween for real-life tales of terror from the Coventry of long ago, when old stories of ghosts, ghouls and gruesome death abound.
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London Road Cemetery Armistice walking tours
11am – from Waterloo to the Somme
1pm – WWII heroes
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Sherlock’s Christmas case book
Take a trip to Baker Street and start Christmas with the famed detective
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Anglican Chapel Open Day and Cemetery Tour, 22 Nov 2026
- Coventry Family History Society will be in the Anglican Chapel
- 11.30am – cemetery tour – ‘Becoming George Eliot – How Coventry shaped Mary Ann Evans’
Oxygene – played by Mark Jenkins
Mark Jenkins returns to the Anglican Chapel to perform Jean Michel Jarre’s album ‘Oxygene’ in its entirety. This is the performance that was postponed from 30 May 2026
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A Christmas Carol
Join Behind the Door Productions for this Christmas classic.
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The Listener
NeuNoir theatre presents, The Listener, a chilling tale by one of the 20th century’s greatest supernatural storytellers, Algernon Blackwood.
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Christmas concert 19 December
The Sherbourne Singers will perform traditional Christmas carols.
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Podcast Series
Download and listen in the recently restored London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum. Enjoy a gentle meander through the landscape uncovering the fascinating heritage stories.
Approx. 20 mins each, wheelchair accessible, outdoors, all weather
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Dracula
One man adaptation by Don’t go into the Cellar theatre group
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Greg Abate Trio, 8 July 2027
From the USA one of America’s very best contemporary alto saxophonists – Greg Abate
Accompanied by local musicians Tim Amann (keyboard) and Tom Marsh (bass)
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Find us
Parking
Restoration
This historic area has been restored as the national demonstrator project for Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.
Stay with us
Stay in some of the West Midlands’ most important historic buildings nearby. Spend the night in a fairy-tale medieval gatehouse, or one of four gorgeous timber-framed cottages.