Self Guided Tour of St Mary's Guildhall Coventry

Explore inside St Mary's Guildhall Coventry and learn about its 700-year-old history. It roots back to the War of the Roses and once imprisoned Mary, Queen of Scots.

Step inside the beautiful St Mary’s Guildhall, located within Coventry’s city centre, and explore inside. Be amazed at its architecture and learn about its significant history.

Originally serving as the headquarters of the merchant guild of St Mary, the Guildhall has also acted as the centre of power in England during the War of the Roses, housed the crown jewels, been the prison that held Mary, Queen of Scots and hosted famous literary figures, such as George Eliot.

Explore inside and see the newly unveiled medieval kitchen, one of the best preserved in the country. Only recently unveiled, this kitchen was hidden from the public for 100 years. See where feasts fit for kings would have been prepared and where the poor of Coventry were fed during the Victorian era when it functioned as a soup kitchen. Be sure to see the stunning Great Hall and the famous Coventry Tapestry that still hangs in its spot after 500 years. Follow the threads of the medieval wool trade, which made Coventry an important centre of commerce and power.