Coventry Basin

[Chalky White]

Hi peps, heading north never been to Coventry is it worth a visit or is it a little rough, yobs vandals on route or in the basin

[Ray T]

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=46098&hl=coventry#entry1270917

[Flyboy]

Hi peps, heading north never been to Coventry is it worth a visit or is it a little rough, yobs vandals on route or in the basin

Went there last week. The basin was very nice but the run in from Hawksbury is typical urban canal with a fair amount of rubbish, needs dredging as a bit shallow. An info. guide is available at the basin. The Transport Museum is close by and is excellent as well as free. I didn't see any yob or likely vandal at all, in fact all very quiet. Well worth a visit in my opinion.

[Magic Potion]

There are moorings across from tesco at arena park. Buses every five minutes into the city from there too.

[ditchcrawler]

Moor in the basin, its so quiet you will think the end of the world has come and you missed it.

[Magic Potion]

Moor in the basin, its so quiet you will think the end of the world has come and you tmissed it.

That's true and it's only a few minutes walk into the city centre.

[b0atman]

good place to visit must sees are transport museum and cathedrals.

Also ponder on the fact that the German bombers followed the canal in on their successful raids.

[KJT]

It's well worth visiting, but the 5 miles or so from Hawkesbury Junction is a bit uninspiring.

 

The southern arm of the basin is now used as a base by Excellence Afloat. Very quiet moorings in the basin and well illuminated at night.

[nebulae]

Just a bit sad that the commercial element has fallen a bit flat .Several empty shop units last time we were there .Well worth a visit though.

[ditchcrawler]

Just a bit sad that the commercial element has fallen a bit flat .Several empty shop units last time we were there .Well worth a visit though.

There is no foot fall, that is why it is so quiet, no one goes there, I think it may be due to the dragons in the vaults

[RLWP]

There is no foot fall, that is why it is so quiet, no one goes there, I think it may be due to the dragons in the vaults

 

It is due to the perennial Coventry problem - the ring road

 

Richard

[ditchcrawler]

 

It is due to the perennial Coventry problem - the ring road

 

Richard

I think Dragons are more romantic

[Maffi]

_{Go its worth doing but keep your stern in the centre and go slow.}

[ditchcrawler]

I found the best thing to do was to try to avoid selecting reverse (it pulled the crap off the bottom) and follow Maffi's advice.

[Ange]

Another vote for the Basin. We've moored there on several occasions with no problems.

 

Also another vote for the Transport Museum - well worth a visit.

 

Watch out for the bouncy bridge across the ring road from the basin - it can be quite disconcerting if a few of you are in step with each other!

[RLWP]

In fact, the arm is far cleaner now than it used to be. I understand there is an active group who clear it

 

Plus, it is a lot more used these days, which helps a lot

 

Richard

[Chalky]

Also ponder on the fact that the German bombers followed the canal in on their successful raids.

 

The raid (code name "Moonlight Sonata") was led by Kampfgruppe 100 and used the X-geraet radio navigation equipment - they didn't need any ground based land marks for navigation.

 

There's a lot of building work being carried out round Coventry at the moment to fix the problems caused by the strangle hold of the ring road. If you do visit it's worth visiting Spon street (most of the buildings left after the raid were re-located there) or the area round the Cathedral (where the rest are). The transport museum and the Herbert are definitely worth visiting as is the cathedral.

[Mac of Cygnet]

 

The transport museum and the Herbert are definitely worth visiting as is the cathedral.

 

The old cathedral, that is. IMO the new one is a monstrosity typical of its period.

 

Edited to say that the market is one of the best I have visited.

Edited May 22, 2014 by Mac of Cygnet

[RLWP]

 

The old cathedral, that is. IMO the new one is a monstrosity typical of its period.

 

Edited to say that the market is one of the best I have visited.

 

Holy Trinity is worth a visit, just down from the three cathedrals

 

Richard

[Athy]

I thought that Coventry Basin was an English type of Belfast Sink until I discovered Smirnoff.

 

 

 

I am interested to note that there is a Spon Street in the area. In Brum there is a Spon Lane. Does anyone know who, what or where a Spon is?

[Magic Potion]

www.thesponco.com

[johnmck]

Go for it.

 

We went down a couple of years ago, full of trepidation. Took it slow, kept to the centre of the channel and found not a problem. Just prior to entering the basin, we kept looking for all the grotty bits inhabited by yoofs. Found none! The locals were ever so friendly. Once moored, we decided to walk itto the city centre. Not knowing the city, we were stood perusing a finger post when a young lady stopped, advised us where to go and what to see, then escorted us in.

 

She worked at the transport museum. Her guidence was invaluable. A great place. We would not hesitate to revisit.

[wrigglefingers]

I thought that Coventry Basin was an English type of Belfast Sink until I discovered Smirnoff.

 

 

 

I am interested to note that there is a Spon Street in the area. In Brum there is a Spon Lane. Does anyone know who, what or where a Spon is?

Spon is an Old English term for wood, particularly related to wood working so Spon Street would be a street of woodworkers. In Coventry it's where the loom-makers and dyers hung out, both being considered noxious trades and therefore outside the city gates ...

[RLWP]

I thought that Coventry Basin was an English type of Belfast Sink until I discovered Smirnoff.

 

 

 

I am interested to note that there is a Spon Street in the area. In Brum there is a Spon Lane. Does anyone know who, what or where a Spon is?

You will be delighted to know that it is the Coventry Spon that inspired the Goons

 

Richard

[Athy]

Excellent info, thanks Wriggly!

You will be delighted to know that it is the Coventry Spon that inspired the Goons

Richard

Now, I do remember The Goons using the word but thought that such a connection would be too far fetched to be true. So, is there any proof that Milligan wandered around Coventry in the 1950s?