Charterhouse

Three historic floors of historic storytelling, surrounded by a halo of beautiful green space filled with wildlife, and ‘Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse’. One of Coventry’s most important heritage sites and the centre of Charterhouse Heritage Park.

Charterhouse is always evolving and developing, as a one-of-a-kind living heritage site with something for everyone to enjoy and new, exciting things to discover every time you visit.

Regular admission is now closed until 28 March 2024 – but we have various events over the winter season – see below. 

Our café and bistro, situated in the newly refurbished refectory attached to the former Prior’s House, is run by the West Midlands’ very own Michelin-starred chef Glynn Purnell.

Access to the cafe is free and there is no need to book.

With a field-to-fork ethos of making the most of the amazing produce being grown in the garden on site. Purnell’s at Charterhouse provides visitors with that much needed respite after a busy morning immersing themselves in the history of Charterhouse.

You can see a sample menu, find out more, and book here

The latest edition of the Heritage Park Times is available to view and download now online. If you’d like to get your hands on a physical copy, get in touch  and we’ll let you know where you can pick one up.

The Grade I listed, 14^th century building has quite the story to share, and has served many different purposes since it was first founded in 1381. The site began life as a Carthusian monastery, home to a silent order of monks who lived peacefully off the land. The building passed hands as a private house through the following centuries, with notable inhabitants including Robert Dudley, famous favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, and John Whittingham who cultivated the nursery and walled garden that produced exotic fruit for wealthy locals. In more recent years the house has a whole new tale to tell, with tenacious members of the community coming together to save the building from sale and possible demolition.

To find out more about the amazing history of the house, see the story of Charterhouse. 

Charterhouse, London Road, Coventry CV1 2JR

By foot
You can find us on foot less than one mile from the city centre, either by walking through London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum and across London Road, or by using the back entrance through the alleyway between 229 and 231 Humber Avenue, CV1 2AQ.

By train
We’re just a 20 minute (1 mile) walk or a short taxi ride from Coventry train station.

By bus
You can jump on the X18 (Stagecoach bus) to Stratford from Stop TS2 near Sainsbury’s in Coventry city centre, arriving on London Road right by the entrance to Charterhouse (nearest stop – Acacia Avenue) in just 10 minutes. The X18 runs every 30 minutes.

Alternatively, you can catch the 3 (National Express Coventry bus) towards Warwickshire Shopping Park from Cross Cheaping (Stop BS6) in Coventry city centre, arriving at Humber Avenue on London Road right by the back entrance to Charterhouse in just 7 minutes. The 3 runs every 15 minutes.

By car
We have a large car park available for Charterhouse visitors just off London Road (A4114). See below for details on parking charges.

Sat Nav destination: CV1 2JR

What 3 Words code – ///tribe.sprint.half

Find us on Google Maps

As a city centre car park, we have had to introduce charges so there is space in our car park for visitors.

Parking is free for visitors to the Charterhouse and/or Purnells’ Café & Bistro when open and if you register on arrival at reception. 

Visitors to Charterhouse including Purnells’ Café & Bistro please register on arrival at reception.

Other car park users must pay for parking Monday to Sunday between 8am and 9pm. All car park fees support Historic Coventry Trust to care for Coventry’s heritage now and in the future.

Parking charges are:

Pay using the RingGo app and pay by credit or debit card, or call 0203 046 0010. The location code is 33643.

There is no need to display a ticket.

What does this include?

Visitors can enjoy unlimited visits for 12 months from the date of visit.

Where can I buy tickets?

Tickets are available to purchase online (above). Tickets are also available to buy in-person at Charterhouse. Existing ticket holders with a code to re-visit still need to book to visit again – you will not be charged at checkout/on completion of your booking.

Do I need to book in advance?

It helps if you book in-advance for your ticket, and this will help you gain entry if it is busy. However, you will be able to get a ticket on-the-door if there is capacity. Please note we’d love you to paid by card, as this helps keep our costs down and for security reasons.

Will there be any additional charges?

No, not for normal Charterhouse entry. However, throughout the year there may be some events for which there will be an additional charge. These will be advertised on our website.

Does this include all events at Charterhouse?

No, certain events may be subject to an additional charge and may not be included in your ticket, please check individual events for more details.

Do you offer concessions?

There are discounts for those with a GoCV card, essential carers get in free, as do all under 5s and GoCV+ holders. Every ticket gives 12 months unlimited access. All proceeds from admission go into ensuring a sustainable future for Charterhouse.

What if I only want to visit Charterhouse once? 

Your ticket is valid for one visit or 100! As a charity, a ticket which is valid for 12 months allows us to treat your purchase as a donation.

What is Gift Aid?

Historic Coventry Trust is a charity and so, if you are a UK taxpayer, we’re able to benefit from the UK government’s Gift Aid scheme. By purchasing your ticket and selecting to Gift Aid, you are allowing us to treat your purchase as a donation. This enables us to reclaim the tax on your ticket price at 25p for every £1, at no extra cost to you.

Do I need to buy admission for under-5s?

No. All under 5s go free to Charterhouse

What do i need to show when I visit Charterhouse? What if I lose my ticket?

Your ticket will be issued via email as an e-ticket. You can either print this out and bring it with you or display your e-ticket to a member of staff using your phone or tablet. If you lose your e-ticket, our staff will be able to search for you using the details you provided on purchase. This can be name, email address, post code etc.

Do you accept GoCV cards?

Yes, discounted tickets are available for GoCV card-holders and can be purchased online. Please bring your card with you when you visit.

Do you offer group visits?

Yes. For group tickets, please email us at admin@historiccoventrytrust.org.uk

VISITORS CAN ENJOY UNLIMITED VISITS FOR 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF TICKET PURCHASE.

How do I book a return visit?

You can book online or in-person with the code provided on your ticket.

What ID do I need to bring when I return?

You are required to bring proof of identification such as passport, driving licence, credit or debit card every time you visit the while your ticket is valid. Under 18s are not required to bring ID for entry to Charterhouse.

Can I give my ticket to a friend to use?

No, all tickets are non-transferable, including children’s, that is why we ask you for your personal details on purchase and why we will ask to see some ID on your return visits. If you are unable to provide matching ID, we reserve the right to refuse entry.

How can I renew my ticket at the end of 12 months?

Your initial ticket gives you a code allowing free entry for one year, from date of visit. After this, you’ll need to buy a new ticket. Your ticket will not renew automatically.

Dogs

• Dogs on leads are welcome in the house and gardens.
• Dogs are welcome in specific areas within the café

Children’s buggies

• Depending on how busy we are we may ask you to leave your buggy in the entrance whilst you go through the house.

Cycling

• Bike racks are available in the car park

Smoking

• Charterhouse is a no smoking / no vaping site