Historic Buildings in the West Midlands

The Birmingham Back to Backs are an evocative set of working-class houses set around a Victorian courtyard. 'Back to back' housing characterised the Victorian expansion of industrialised Birmingham, and other large British cities. These closely packed houses and thousands like them were home to generations of lower-income Birmingham inhabitants. This small set of buildings are the last surviving court of such buildings in Birmingham.
50-54 Inge Street, 55-63 Hurst Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, England, B5 4TE

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During the medieval period, Coventry was the best defended English town outside London, encircled by a 12-foot-high wall and protected by 32 gates and towers. Now just two gateways remain, and a short section of wall linking them as it passes through the public park known as Lady Herbert's Garden.
Hales Street/Chauntry Place, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 1JD

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Gateway
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Heritage Highlight: 14th-century Cook Street Gate

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Council House is home to Coventry's civic administration. The richly decorated building was erected to replace St Mary's Guildhall, the original 14th-century town hall. The new building was designed in sumptuous Tudor Revival style and was officially opened in 1920 by HRH The Duke of York, later to become King George VI.
Earl Street, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 5RR

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Town Hall
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Heritage Highlight: Excellent example of early 20th-century civic building in Tudor style

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Beside Holy Trinity church stands a richly decorated replica of the Tudor market cross that once stood at the junction of Cross Cheaping and Broadgate. The Tudor cross replaced a 15th-century cross which itself replaced a much earlier medieval stone cross.
Cuckoo Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, England

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Market Cross
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Heritage Highlight: Replica of the original ornate Tudor market cross

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Cheylesmore Manor is a 13th-century timber-framed medieval house and former royal palace, begun around 1237 for the Earl of Arundel. It was later the home of Queen Isabella, wife of Edward II, after she was exiled from court by her son, Edward III. It is now the oldest Registry office in the country.
Cheylesmore Manor House, Manor House Drive, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 2ND

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Heritage Highlight: Former royal residence

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The picturesque timber-framed building known as Ford's Hospital was founded in 1509 by a former Mayor Coventry named William Ford as an almshouse, providing a residence for six elderly people. After 1800 it became a home for women only. The Hospital was rebuilt using its original 16th-century timbers following damage in the WWII bombing raids on central Coventry.
Greyfriars Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 2GY

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Almshouse
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Heritage Highlight: Timber-framed Tudor doorways

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Immediately beside the ruins of St Mary's Priory stands this attractive timber-framed building. The timbers have been dated to the 15th century, but it seems likely the buildings were erected in the mid-17th century, simply re-using medieval timbers. Lychgate Cottages stand outside the gates to Holy Trinity Church and are currently used as a prayer centre.
3-5 Priory Row, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 5EX

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Heritage Highlight: Excellent example of timber-framed buildings

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The bombs that devastated the historic city centre of Coventry in 1940-41 exposed a medieval stone building, lost for centuries beneath later buildings. The building is thought to be a merchant's house, built in the 13th century and possibly linked to nearby Whitefriars monastery.
Much Park Street, Coventry, West Midlands, England

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Heritage Highlight: Rare medieval survivor of the WWII Coventry bombing raids

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Behind St John the Baptist church stands a complex of timber-framed buildings that began in 1344 as a college of priests serving the church. The college was re-founded as a school by the mid-16th century and was linked to almshouses established in 1507 by Thomas Bond, a former Mayor of Coventry.
Hill Street, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 4AN

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Almshouses
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Heritage Highlight: Picturesque group of historic timber-framed buildings

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St Mary's Guildhall began in 1340 as a meeting place for merchant guild members and quickly became the centre of civic administration when Coventry was Incorporated. William Shakespeare performed here, and several monarchs visited including Henry VI. The historic highlight is a magnificent Tudor tapestry in the hall.
Bayley Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, England, CV1 5RN

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Guildhall
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Heritage Highlight: Superb early 15th-century Coventry Tapestry

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