A Glimpse of Coventry’s Past: 188–190 Spon Street

Spon Street, with its charming array of historic buildings, stands as a testament to Coventry’s commitment to preserving its rich architectural heritage. Among its many treasures, the building at 188–190 Spon Street offers a fascinating journey through time, showcasing layers of history from the medieval period to modern restoration efforts.

This range of much-altered 18th-century houses, carefully restored in 1988 by Coventry City Council, is a striking example of adaptive reuse and historical preservation. Beneath its Georgian façade lie remnants of earlier structures, including parts of medieval buildings at the rear and an extraordinary relic of the 14th-century city wall embedded in the end wall of No. 190. These unique features earned the building a coveted Evening Telegraph Design Award in 1989, underscoring its significance as a piece of living history.

Architecturally, 188–190 Spon Street captures the essence of Coventry’s evolution. While the front showcases a clean, symmetrical 18th-century design, the rear reveals an intriguing contrast, with timber framing and remnants of medieval masonry hinting at its earlier origins. The carefully preserved city wall fragment is especially captivating, offering visitors a tangible connection to Coventry’s fortified past.

Today, this building serves as a harmonious blend of history and functionality, with its ground floor housing contemporary establishments. 

Whether you’re exploring Coventry’s medieval history or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll down Spon Street, the story of 188–190 is a chapter you won’t want to miss. It stands as a proud symbol of how the past can inspire the present, inviting everyone to appreciate the craftsmanship and history woven into its walls.

Happy travelling!

Read my earlier article on another Spon Street building:

Building 1

Building 2