Priory Row, Coventry – A Charming Street Steeped in Medieval History

Tucked behind the ruins of the old cathedral in the heart of Coventry lies Priory Row, a short yet historically rich street that whispers stories of the city's medieval and post-medieval past. With a series of preserved timber-framed houses and views that open into the remnants of the city’s medieval religious quarter, Priory Row offers visitors a unique chance to step back in time.

---

A Link to the Priory of St Mary

Priory Row derives its name from the Priory of St Mary, a Benedictine monastery established in the 11th century by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and his famous wife Godiva. The priory, once one of the most important religious institutions in medieval England, stood directly behind what is now Priory Row. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century, the priory was dismantled, but traces of its walls and layout still remain in the area around the street.

In the 20th century, archaeological excavations, some of them televised, uncovered key foundations and remnants of this once-grand complex, adding context to the street's significance.

Priory Row, Coventry

---

Historic Timber-Framed Houses

Priory Row is best known today for its beautiful timber-framed buildings, particularly the group of houses numbered 3–6. These striking structures date back to the 17th century, although they may incorporate elements of earlier buildings.

Originally built as merchant or residential houses, these black-and-white buildings feature:

• Exposed timber framing

• Jettied upper storeys

• Casement windows

• Steeply pitched roofs

Despite centuries of change and nearby destruction during the Blitz, these buildings survived and were restored in the later 20th and early 21st centuries. They are now Grade II listed and continue to be admired for their architectural charm.

Priory Row, Coventry

---

A Quiet Street with a Grand View

One of the most delightful aspects of Priory Row is its contrast, it’s a peaceful, narrow street that leads directly into one of the most dramatic and symbolic spaces in the city: the ruins of the Old Coventry Cathedral, bombed during the Blitz of 1940.

From the end of Priory Row, you can clearly see:

• The remains of the medieval cathedral

• The modern Coventry Cathedral

• The entrance to Holy Trinity Church

This intersection of the old and the new, the sacred and the domestic, makes Priory Row a perfect vantage point to appreciate the layered history of Coventry.

---

From Private Homes to New Uses

Over the years, the historic buildings on Priory Row have been used in various ways. While originally residential, they have at different times served as:

• Offices

• Community centres

• Hospitality venues

In recent years, some of the timber-framed homes have been converted into holiday accommodation, allowing visitors to stay in heritage-listed properties right in the heart of the city.

Priory Row may be just a short stretch of cobblestone and timber, but it encapsulates centuries of Coventry’s history. From monastic grandeur to post-medieval domestic life, and from wartime survival to heritage tourism, this modest street continues to bear witness to the story of the city. A walk down Priory Row is more than a stroll; it’s a quiet passage through the echoes of faith, resilience, and craftsmanship.

Happy travelling.