Tales Of Heartache & Homelessness In Coventry 🇬🇧

Growing up in the West Midlands, I was given the impression that Coventry was a dump! Maybe this was a West vs East Midlands rivalry at work 🤔 On a recent trip via Birmingham I thought I would go and check out Coventry after approximately 20 years since my last visit… After all, the city was voted UK City Of Culture 2021! It now has much improved architecture that is slowly replacing the infamous 1960's eyesore precincts that were built after the WW2 bombings that destroyed much of the centre. In addition, Coventry also has a notoriously vibrant multicultural population. I went on a mission to find out; Is Coventry the infamous dump I had been led to believe or a vibrant multicultural paradise?
#reallife #britain #uk #england #coventry #homeless #poverty #costoflivingcrisis #streetinterview #multiculturalism #architecture
*You can make a one-time-only donation to support my channel via this PayPal link paypal.me/WendallExplores?loc... *
*Another way of supporting what I do is to buy me a coffee www.buymeacoffee.com/WendallE... *

[@stephen3511]

The govt have spent £100 billion on HS2. And it’s a total waste. We could’ve spent £10 billion modernising the existing rail system and £90 billion on hospitals, schools, the needy, etc, etc.

[@stephen3511]

@@MrBearNetworkcompletely agree. Investment in helping people get off the streets is required. As a country we also need genuinely affordable housing.

[@Mrpjm200]

governments seem quite dumb in general

[@kaylee458]

I might be wrong but is one of the reasons for hs2 is so that people in London and surrounding areas can travel further maybe to live so it's cheaper and work in London I also think it's a waste of money and time when like you say hospitals schools need the money we also need affordable housing

[@FesSef-er4by]

The cost of building HS2 is not £100 billion, £100 billion is just what government laziness 🦥 brought up the price to.

[@disillusioned1076]

Not to mention £7 million a day on housing and supporting illegal criminals coming to this country for a free ride, dealing drugs, abusing children and organised crime. Coventry council have lapped this up housing them, supporting them at the expense of its local people

[@tvendor]

I can imagine someone coming here to justify their disgust with the homeless, then having to actually hear their side of the story through Wendall's compassionate interviews. Dammit! They're human!

[@letsavittvbirminghamuk9688]

As a black lad from brum I agree coventry people are not racist they just don't like brummies 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@marthasheilds2446]

Coventry and Birmingham are racist and segregated cities most hate blacks especially the older generation and some younger generations dont mix and stick to thier own kind.

[@jamico7]

You mean yam yams

[@jamico7]

But remember you can always tell a brummie but you cannot tell him much😊

[@joydehany4081]

Aw! I like brummies, they’re always so lovely and friendly 💙

[@stargazer5829]

I think it's mutual tbf - my friends from Brum give us shit for cov😅

[@richardjones4466]

I'm a wheelchair user and recently went to a gig in the Fargo area of Cov. Surprised you didn't go there. The people I came into contact with from bus drivers to the gig organizers were so friendly and helpful. Fine proud city.

[@RaefonB]

Far Gosford Street is one of the places where the most stabbings and shootings have happened in recent years, and then you got the gentrification of student accommodation and FarGo Village coming off it at the same time - it's an interesting part of the city centre for sure. Quite a few homeless people up that way too, so might be a place to visit next time if Wendall comes back.

[@gtingaming716]

I’m born and raised a Coventry boy, but I moved myself and my family away 10 years ago to a leafy village in Hampshire. My son was 7 at the time and I could see what was coming for my once great City. It’s sad to see I was right. 😢

[@jonnybraVoo000]

No mention of the Lady Godiva or story behind it, probably what Coventry is most famous for along with Coventry Born Sir Frank Whittle with his creation of the Jet Engine. There is also saying being ''sent to Coventry'' which originates from the English Civil War, when Parliamentarian supporters would take Royalist prisoners of war to Coventry usually to be hung.

[@sabini1888]

I’ve lived in Coventry for 18 years. Born and raised in London, but I love it here. It’s not a place for young people, not much for them. It’s not as violent compared to where I was in London. Most people are friendly, there is a sense of community that tries and strives, I never felt that in bigger cities. Coventry is a good place.

[@abovethelaw4417]

How cud u even compare London to Coventry? London has a variety of areas where u can feel safe in so when theres one bad area u can easily move in another nearby area thats safe, if u didn't like London specifically u cud still live in one of the surrounding areas of it which gives u that sense of community feel. In Coventry u cud unexpectedly end up in the deprived areas just by going on a 10 minute walk.

[@sabini1888]

@@abovethelaw4417 I can compare them because I’ve lived in both places for over ten years. You could go to any city and find pockets of deprivation within a ten minute walk. I never moved to Coventry to feel safe, I left LDN because it is an expensive, depressing place where you can’t see the sun because of all the buildings. As bad as some places are in LDN you have no clue unless you have lived there. The places you think are so called good, Kensington, Chelsea Westminster are always coke head territory with high class heroin users. I’ve survived though the IRA terror attacks, various other bombings and gang wars. LND has too many serious problems that leak to the surrounding areas, Kent used to be nice but now it’s flooded with county lines drugs.

[@hilarybramley7529]

I grew up in the 60's and 70's in Warwick/Leamington, we used to go to Coventry for the shops, the Belgrade theatre. and for concerts in the new cathedral. The post-war architecture is really aggressive. As a contrast, Nuremberg in Germany was flattened by the allies in the war and the city centre rebuilt around the same time as Coventry. The new architecture looks fine alongside the old, they respected the scale and style of the old city, and it's a lovely place to visit, despite its history

[@stevo728822]

Yes, Nuremburg is a beautiful city.

[@fatdaddy1996]

You're right hilary, Nuremburg is lovely.

[@sinnyozzy]

That Indian cracked me up, "my problem is not drink" (camera pans to can of Super), "I think my problem is ... some drugs are very good!" :'D

[@Lonewolf__666]

Your a great speaker, calm , collected, and knowledgeable. 👍

[@wolfhugs2221]

Spent a weekend there last year to visit the motor museum. It was very inexpensive and there was enough to do for a couple of days. The cuts to local authorities and the police, along with mental health services in the UK being privitised, means the same issues appear again and again. We need a radical change to the attitude of meanness and "not my problem" to turn places around. Empathy and proper services.

[@fatdaddy1996]

Well said mate. You're 100% right!

[@jwoodzman]

Born and bred in Coventry; Great memories of Foleshill and Jenna Street… christened in the cathedral in the 70s and proud of my grandad Who was an air raid warden during the Blitz… God bless Coventry and great video ❤

[@stugill4513]

small world so was my grandad maybe thay knew each other

[@Mrgingerdread1]

​@@stugill4513And my grandpa,

[@len4834]

I’m from London but worked in Coventry and went to folsehill fucking hell

[@stugill4513]

poor you m8@@len4834

[@quokkapirquish6825]

It’s a great city centre because there’s no room to put a retail park next to it so if you wanna sell your stuff in Coventry, you have to take a shop. I really like the little squares of shops, it’s so easy to walk around.

[@dfpguitar]

A great point. The needless proliferation of the mall/shopping centre concept really hurt Birmingham. There wasn't enough business and footfall for all of it. So even way before internet shopping became popular it resulted in dereliction of the small unit shopping streets I do greatly prefer..and now , both the most central flagship malls and high streets are suffering long term empty units and dereliction. Half of the bull ring shopping centre was built around Debenhams. Now that Debenhams has been closed for years. Grand central (new st station) was built around John Lewis as the flagship store. And now that is also permanently closed. The only place seemingly doing good business is the monstrously sized primark. Which I am terrified of even entering. A place which consumes all the business a hundred or more independent shops could be thriving off.

[@quokkapirquish6825]

@@dfpguitar The big one will be when Selfridges call it a day, it’s only the food hall that’s busy in there. I agree though that the Bullring, along with resisting of bus stops to the peripheral of the centre, has destroyed Corporation St, Bull Street, Union St etc, it really is looking sad now.

[@kathryn-yd7bh]

There are plenty of retail parks they are just on the outside of the city centre, there is one right next to the train station he got off and there is a small shopping centre in the middle. The video doesn't even show half of the town centre.

[@victorialawless6275]

Love this Oli, what brilliant piece of journalism.

[@SlackHoffman]

I remember Barnaby’s Toy 🧸 Shop in Coventry 💙. Back in the 70’s

[@Melch4]

That was my favourite shop, used to get all my subbuteo accessories from there, good memories 👍

[@britishmick]

Been watching your latest uploads thinking 🤔 “this bloke is underrated as an interviewer!”. Top content and wish you continued growth and success with the channel buddy 👍🏻

[@mazarinrichelieu3265]

Keep doing these UK videos, they’re easily the most interesting ones. Every man and his dog is videoing Greece, Italy, etc. 🙏

[@km-gi4lw]

Thanks Wendall the Cathedral was our first stop in 2016 once we negotiated our correct exit off the Spagetti-Junction fly over/ freeway system , looked for the remains of Alfred Herbert a massive UK machine tool company who employed me in Australia , they still have some community buildings there. Waiting for vision of Primark and the customers walking out with supermarket trolleys full of clothes just across from Lady Godiva on the stone horse . Manufacturing seems to have given way to numerous Students in this City , hence the push for a " renewed culture ." this has all happened in Australia 2 decades ago BHP pulled out of Newcastle NSW and Wollongong NSW ..(massive high quality steel manufacturing) . Cheers

[@staceyli1862]

How heartbreaking 💔 for the man that’s estranged from his family 😢may God make it easier for him. Coventry looks beautiful from a Birds Eye view

[@NerdyBoiJay]

Amazing work here, Wendall! Your soothing, calm, collected and knowledgeable Journalism. If you ever get the chance to come to Nottingham in the future, let me know and I’ll be happy to show you around sand some stories about “the city of legends” keep up the good work, my friend!

[@user-kx6yv1bn6q]

I think you should do a KZbin video in other areas of Coventry such as Foleshill Road, Woodend and Hillfeilds. It will make Coventry City Centre look like paradise!!

[@vCASTORTROYv]

Yeah I canvassed around Woodend and there was blocks of houses with 1 or 2 homes lived in. Others burned out or border up. It’s definitely worse than the centre.

[@X17PHL]

Haha yeah those are the three you're right😂

[@cartoonhead4506]

Woodend lad here I agree 🤣

[@ryanevans126]

Agreed I like to see that

[@grantbale8068]

Funnily enough, there's an area in Coventry actually called 'Paradise'. Just next to Foleshill. 😮

[@TravellingTorunn]

Great video again. It is good you got a more positive impression than you thought you would get 😊

[@theroseofmercia]

The area where Subway was is being knocked down and redeveloped. The majority of the shops that are closed have moved to other areas of the city. Noodle Bar in the corner will be relocating at the end of the year. City Arcade by the market is also being knocked down for redevelopment. That is why they're all borded up.

[@002lisamarie]

That's good then.

[@argopunk]

Cool. The Canal Basin reminds me of the back of 1980's "More Specials" album. Coventry was the home of the 2-Tone ska phenomenon. Lots of fun tunes and cool fashion that is still heard and seen today.

[@mt6271]

My grandad was based in Coventry during WW2. He was on the anti aircraft guns during the blitz. Didn’t really talk about it much though.

[@Hoxton66]

Many didn't, not a good time in there life's, rip to the brave,

[@mechaishida7588]

My old nan, bless her, spoke a bit about The Blitz and how terrifying it was - she had to walk 4 miles to school with her 10 siblings amidst the destruction and people searching for survivors, not knowing if the school was even there anymore. She didn’t talk about it much, and her dad (my great grandad) served in WWI at The Somme. The British stiff upper lip was very noticeable in her side of the family.

[@blackmirror5601]

Just wanted to say thank you for these amazing videos. I'm becoming obsessed with yours and Wandering Turnip's, especially now that I'm up further North. I lived in Cov 3.5 years. I have a love-hate relationship with the town. There are some amazing cultural relics, old and new, about the city that will entice me to come back. However, its not a place I could ever live long-term again. All the money's pumped into three industries - CoventryU, the Hospital, and JLR - but the job market there isn't diverse enouh to accommodate the needs of the rapidly changing demographics. Many of the locals are pissed off drugs and booze as there's no work for them to do, which feeds into the homelessness and soaring crime rates. I recently revisited Cov in 2022, and they've made some topical changes to the city. Cov's got a reemerging night life, but nothing massive. New stores, Fargo, some cladding here and there... the Reel Store and the new Telegraph Hotel are both ace. However, people will need more than the small business district near the train station to keep the industry there from going bust, and the city will need to keep reinventing itself. Coventry was my gateway to the UK, and I'm proud to have started my new life here. But much like St Michael's Cathedral, its a bitter reminder of the spirit of the once great city. Its also a Phoenix City, so hopefully it will soon complete its transmutation.

[@WendallExplores]

Thank you. Wandering Turnip is a great channel 👍

[@harri7416]

Great words.

[@monicanath4859]

God bless you for reassuring and comforting the gentleman who was crying. I wonder if CBD oil could help him. Prayers for all the homeless people there. This was a really good video. It was so interesting seeing the landscape too. I have an uncle who lives there. Thank you so much for this ❤!

[@janicecurtlin7023]

Shame you didn't show the improvements to the main shopping area with the water features etc there are some really nice areas of Coventry now

[@cousin-jack]

Great video, your videos are more interesting than anything on TV. Nice one. Aaron and Debs. Gunnislake cornwall

[@WendallExplores]

Thank you 🙏

[@vCASTORTROYv]

When I went for my theory test part of the centre streets were shut due to a stabbing. And gangs are drive by shooting at dealers outside pubs. The flying standard an innocent lad got hit by a shotgun spray. It’s some of the surrounding towns that are even worse. It’s all on “Coventry Live”.

[@marshmccarthy]

Great video! I'm living in Coventry (Gosford area!) at the moment doing my PhD. I didn't think I'd like living here at first. However, after a few months, I'm starting to really enjoy the place. It's nice and small, so very convenient. Great for walking around and finding random hidden places. There certainly is a lot of crime (according to statistics), drug use, homelessness, fights etc. However, I have never felt unsafe at any point. People generally seem to keep to themselves, and the city is very quiet. I often walk around at night and the city is virtually empty. It can be quite peaceful.

[@oneviewcornwall8200]

You warrant your own television programme on mainstream TV because you're a natural speaker, host narrator

[@WendallExplores]

Not interested in TV mate, keep it free speech👌

[@oneviewcornwall8200]

@@WendallExplores right on - not into Establishment mass Media myself, don't go near TV myself - yup keep it free and independent ✊🏻

[@griswald7156]

@@WendallExploresthe pay would be better Wendell….but i wont recommend you to the BBC…as i know its better not to sell out and keep your integrity…a man of the people…thank you Wendell..

[@HubertCumbadale02]

Do you remember the good old days before the Ghost Town? We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown.

[@RaefonB]

Glad people treated ya friendly, lots of visitors say we're welcoming overall and then others say the opposite so sometimes it's hard to know if we're doing okay as a city. Cheers.

[@danslattery1282]

I was born and raised in Cov city centre in 83, live in Birmingham now. It’s been sad to see the decline of my hometown, but I believe development will bring it up to speed again in the next twenty years, and the success of the football club has helped reinvigorate the people too. We lost our world famous speedway team recently which was a big blow. Great video and now subscribed

[@WendallExplores]

I think Cov is on the up 👍

[@EgoChip]

@@WendallExplores Coventry is irredeemable.

[@marcp3788]

What success? You're 20th in the Championship 😂

[@walfrido77]

Great video. I am from Brazil and nowadays I live near Coventry. We always go there for shopping. There is also a lot of Ska culture on Cov, which is really cool.

[@MrDavidc]

Interesting video, I live in Cheltenham, when I'm in UK and we visit Coventry now and again, to visit the market to buy Chinese provisions. There's a good Chinese restaurant near the main car park, but a bit expensive.Their stir fry cabbage is about £12, compared to less than a quid, in China. Always gravitate towards the cathedral and see there's a TV programme about the West Orchard shopping mall.

[@SquidgyBottomFarm]

Born and bred in Coventry mate. Growing up there in the 70's and 80's was fantastic and it was safe. Since the 90's the city centre has been closed down bit by bit in order to hand it over to the University and associated 'entertainment and service businesses', all the small independent businesses in the city centre were priced out by the corrupt council. There are areas of the city that are 'no-go' for women and young white people now, the housing estates where I grew up are filthy and occupied by enclaves of immigrants who don't want to integrate, just form their own ghettos and live in filth, whilst giving nothing towards what is left the communities they have split by taking housing from locals. I moved my family out of there 5 years ago when our local area became over run and filthy. There's more to towns and cities than speaking to a few local homeless and addicts.

[@ST-mn6nw]

Interesting video, good to see something real on KZbin

[@jimjoelliejack]

Good on you for going to Cov, i did suggest it a few weeks back. I grew up there and worked as a paramedic up till 1996. It was a lovely place in the 60s and 70s, it was multicultural then. The music scene was fantastic. My father moved down to Coventry to work in the automotive industry, it was huge. Recently the Chinese have invested huge amounts of money in the development of the Old Lanchester polytechnic (university!) and it’s student accommodation. It’s sad to see the alcohol and drugs problems are still there ,if not worse, I never saw an Asian or Black abuser when I worked there.. In the 50s and 60s the Coventry council destroyed more medieval buildings than the Germans did. I was back down there a few weeks back to see my old work mates, I went for a drink in the Windmill in Spon street. I meet a lovely Asian couple in the curry house who told me Coventry was most welcoming to them, unlike Canada where they moved from. Thanks for going there. 👍

[@tesserakt54]

It was LanCHESTER Polytechnic. Also known as 'the Lanch'.

[@jimjoelliejack]

@@tesserakt54 apologies I meant Lanchester, predictive text! I used to watch punk gigs at the student Union in the late 70.

[@patriciarowe6685]

I have lived in Canada for 18 years yes it takes a long time for them to welcome you but it's give and take. The Brits are their biggest enemy by being too bloody welcoming you get what you put up with.

[@DT-wp4hk]

You mean the Chinese now own your polytechnic industry

[@jimjoelliejack]

@@DT-wp4hk they own everything

[@kkrispy2009P]

Thanks 4 sharing great to see u in Blackpool with wild side

[@kingquinn3897]

This video has highlighted exactly what is wrong with the City I grew up in. I never go into the City Centre anymore and none of my friends do. Gosford Street used to be a wonderful safe place. The cause of the decline can be seen clearly in this video. Do I need to spell it out!

[@ShadowCastPro]

I hope that's what they're implying@@user-eh1hl2xm5w

[@benlotus2703]

$k!n_Col0ur?

[@stevewright6632]

"New Britons"

[@nkenchington6575]

Please enlighten us.

[@factualbreakdown3072]

@@politicalpolit6409 REALLY? That's your retort to FACT? Now what if the poster DID spell it out: B-A-M-E, with the accent on the "B?" Or "D-I-N-G-H-Y" and tagged the moose limbs? There ya go, Kengington, consider yourself ENLIGHTENED. In other words, IT'S THE FOREIGNERS, STUPID!

[@joydehany4081]

You are such a good documentary filmmaker! I’d love for you to come back to coventry and see the bits you’ve not had time to show in this video.

[@Saxtoo]

I played a Soul gig here at the Old Fire Station. Hated driving around this place. IIRC it's opposite where those folks were sat.

[@freedomsounds7422]

A very good non judgmental video , Will always have a soft spot for COV because it gave us 2 Tone and The Specials , good people too .

[@aegontargaryen9322]

I was on an outwards bounds course in Coventry in ‘89 . Had an absolutely fantastic time on it and dated a Cov girl for a few years who I met on the course . I haven’t been there in a long time but the place has a special fondness for me . I remember getting very drunk in a pub called the Bug and Black Bat . Happy times

[@tomhargreaves1835]

Coming originally from the South East, I’ve lived in Coventry for close on 10 years. Aesthetically, it looks and feels like a London Borough which may be why I’ve felt more settled. Yeah admittedly it’s not the prettiest place, but it doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t and though there’s better, there’s also worse places.

[@fatdaddy1996]

There's much worse places than Coventry.

[@Suursuo]

The hit single Ghost Town by the Specials in the early 80s was said to be about Coventry.

[@bigbrotherdiaryofanaddict]

They're from Coventry but I think it's about Newcastle or somewhere up north

[@apathyintheuk265]

Said by whom? You do know the video accompanying the song was filmed largely in London's East end and around the area that would soon become Canary wharf? That's quite some distance from Coventry.

[@PUSB_96]

It was about the whole of UK not just Coventry

[@apathyintheuk265]

@@PUSB_96 I think we can exclude the Cotswolds, Westminster, Sloane square and Sandbanks.

[@paulpayton8238]

I went to Coventry for a day out on train from Birmingham 8 years ago and it was OK everywhere was open?????? Thanks for sharing my friend 😊

[@Coventry_Kiers_1984]

I moved away from Cov 10 years ago, grew up in Woodend, it’s always been kind of rough but it’s home. Last time I visited was 4 years ago.

[@AaronLaw92]

Glad you had a positive time but there is so much more to see. The City Centre South development is literally all of the derelict area - everyone has been removed ahead of the new year.

[@kahmed7328]

This is eye opening! Great work!

[@kc1973able]

I’ve been to Coventry twice and I’ve had a good time there. Combe Abby is nice also. That old cathedral is really cool . Yes it’s had a bad reputation back in the 1980’s and 90’s as a rough and violent town especially on a Friday and Saturday night. But I met some really cool people from Coventry. I’m from Leeds and I now live in Atlantic Canada 🇨🇦. Been here 25 years went to Cov in 2014 and 16.

[@marcp3788]

The whole of the black country, Birmingham and Coventry are hell holes, the nice parts are the Lichfield area, Solihull town and it's rural areas and the south of the West Midlands

[@fatdaddy1996]

They aren't though, Cov is perfectly OK.

[@marcp3788]

​@@fatdaddy1996I've lived in Cov for a few years before (Radford, Stoke Aldermoor, Willenhall, Coundon) it's a dump, travel about the country a bit, and you'll see what I mean

[@Shandyboy8612]

Bromsgrove also nice

[@marcp3788]

​@@Shandyboy8612that's the south of the West Midlands as I mentioned, it's alright down there compared to wolves > brum > cov area

[@Shandyboy8612]

Oh yes sorry my bad

[@KC-rf7dv]

Love hearing about history of different places, so thankyou for another great video. As always my heart goes out to those poor homeless people. ♥️

[@theabandonedhunter3604]

Wicked video Wendall, I’m watching one’s back since seeing my hometown one in Walsall and subscribing to the channel. I now cover Coventry for work and people as most are in the Midlands are salt of the earth. I go through places that are not so great but that’s the UK full stop. Mohammed’s story touched me…. It can be so easy to lose everything and so hard to get back to where you want to be. I hope he succeeds!! ….. Smithy

[@samwarrender7171]

Love the videos bro!! Shout out to the wulfrun college music tech massive!!!

[@WendallExplores]

Big up Sam 🤣

[@skybluedave1883]

You should go back and visit some of the suburbs of Cov, get the real insight to life. Try Hillfields, Willenhall, Wood End, Stoke Aldermoor etc. Love these inner city videos you are doing. Keep up the good work

[@EgoChip]

With extreme caution.

[@Hayfever33]

You trying to get this guy killed 😂

[@kyleklukas4808]

Cathedral tower ...cool spot thanks for the view mate .

[@paulvernon4160]

The area that is boarded up is shortly to be re-developed, most of the store owners have moved out due to being given notice and leases not being renewed.

[@Gardy87]

Hi Mate, Coventrian here and just wanted to touch on the first shopping precinct with the boarded up shops, this whole area is to be demolished with development plans underway to revamp that whole area this is why all these shops have vacated.

[@martinnorth2680]

Coventry isn't a bad place. It's no different to any other city or large town in that there are some problems, but overall a welcoming City proud of its history and future

[@tobyjackman3212]

My heart broke for that guy at 11 minutes. I hope he can recover some day soon. Interesting video, pal

[@catherinegallagher1101]

Just came across videos today I love watching this and it’s very sad of amount of homeless and derelict buildings and no jobs around .here in Scotland is same many abandoned buildings lots of homeless and tough area ie Glasgow anywhere in Scotland small towns there is struggles

[@frankieryan2840]

Love the videos mate stay strong and stay safe 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@racheltaylor6578]

Coventry was supposed to have been beautiful before the war.

[@ssd3622]

It was many medieval architecture

[@harri7416]

One of the oldest city's in England.

[@originalunoriginal4055]

When does the aftermath of war, ever not destroy the society? Every society pre war, was a visually appealing sighting, before war combat destroyed that part of the region.

[@haroldmclean3755]

Very interesting indeed 👍

[@MusicEnthuZone]

I wouldn't want to be sent there... At 04:31 there's a blue plaque on the wall. Anyone who knows Britain knows this means history. Turns out this is a tribute to John bailey Shelton MBE. He was an archaeologist, born in Nottinghamshire who unearthed a lot of the ancient history of the Coventry area. In case you were wondering my favourite person from Coventry is Delia Derbyshire.

[@apathyintheuk265]

That area of units boarded up is part of the clearance plan for redevelopment.

[@KnowzsPenge]

@Wendall - Please do Penge, London. A Great history and its more than rough and down stroden these days. I do enjoy the historical aspects

[@NM-cq6ri]

I lived in Coventry and Leamington Spa for four years, 2011 to 2015. It seems worse than what I left, unfortunately.

[@monkeyblood3848]

You could quite easily make another video on Coventry where you would not see so much deprivation, but focus on the majority of the good things of the city. History, culture, sport, art, Coventry has many beautiful rural areas. There’s another side.

[@miscellaneous2507]

i don't think Wendall is going around slagging places off, I think he is just highlighting how some on the UK is getting left behind. I'm sure there are lots of nice places around the area, but they are not the places in need

[@MbisonBalrog]

I love to see this.

[@lornawillockify]

Was my closest city. Home of 2tone. Always proud to be a Midlander at heart. ❤

[@sphenoidjjj]

Coventry is not as rough as it was in the 80s. The roughness is generally not in the city centre itself, rather it is in a handful of the inner city areas and some suburbs. There are probably some areas that you would want avoid unless you live in the city or live in those areas. They include Wood End, Willenhall, Hillfields, Foleshill, Stoke Aldermoor, Bell Green. Actually that's about half the residential areas in the city😅😂. If you are just visiting the city centre then likely chances are you will be absolutely fine and have a good day out. There is undoubtedly some great medieval architecture to be found within the city centre such as the ruins of the old 13th century Cathedral (bombed during the world war 2 Blitz) and Old Spon Street. The rebuilt cathedral is also highly impressive. The three spires of Coventry are made up of the spires of St Michael's Cathedral, Christ Church and Holy Trinity Church. There are also pockets of recent modernisation and several decent bars, pubs and eateries such as The Botanist, Slug and Lettuce and even a Five Guys😊. Earlson near the city cnetr also has a good selction of places to eat and drink. The coventry transport museum has a fantastic array of vintage vehicles for car enthusiasts. There is a large ice skating rink for people are into that. Coventry is associated with Lady Godiva which who was historical figure and for those of you that don't know is mentioned by the legendary late Freddie Mercury in Queens don't stop me know song).😂 Like most major cities of the UK Coventry is multicultural but still retains a strong sense of identity. There is homelessness as with any major uk town or city. The Godiva festival, which takes place every year at Coventrys war memorial park, hosts many famous singers. There is the impressive Ricoh Arena home to Coventry city football club which also holds major artists for concerts. On the outskirts of the city there is the Coombe Abbey Park, which has some 500 Acres of very scenic grounds and an impressive hotel which was founded in 1150 AD originally as the Abbey of cumbe. Coventry has 2 major universities, Coventry University and Warwick universitiy (yes warwick uni is in Coventry not in Warwick). There is somewhat alot of student accommodation, not just housing but many new developments, which some say are talking over building developments within the city centre. Geographically it has a central location within England and has good tranpsort links to both London and Birmingham. All in all Coventry is a decent place and quite alot going for it.

[@cjh0751]

I was sent to Coventry, now nobody will talk to me

[@tonyska]

Some good hearts in this video, I hope they turn their lives round.

[@WendallExplores]

I met good people in Cov

[@keving331]

The strange thing is that there’s nothing especially “unsightly”, as you put it, about the post-war buildings. Some of the architecture and design is fantastic and in many parts of the world would be cherished. Coventry’s problem is instead the people - residents, building owners, and local officials - who have been left in charge of maintaining the buildings and townscape. That was possible in the 60s through to the 90s when there was still civic pride and a largely indigenous populations, sharing common values, culture, language and heritage. But since the floodgates opened to uncontrolled immigration and the joys of multiculturalism, that’s when the rot really set in. What’s the point in locals trying to maintain and keep clean and crime-free a place, if outsiders with no interest in or attachment to Coventry, are going to come in and take everything they can but offer next-to-nothing in exchange?

[@addmin5487]

I don't think your comment about migrants was fair. In the video its the migrants who have positive things to say about the place. Migrants work, go to school and shop in the local area too, I wouldn't say they have no regard for the area. After all they do live there

[@Cackle77]

Love Coventry, my mum was from here, grandmother still lives in Earlsdon. My Mum came to London at a young age and we were born here. Very different to Coventry. It has really changed over the years, when we were younger visting my gran, there weren't many people of other cultures, which was strange as we did have that in London. Loved the market too.

[@jxsish]

Excelent coverage on the city 💯

[@WendallExplores]

I tried my best 🙏

[@VickersV]

The people of Coventry are brilliant, lovely people.

[@robwozencroft8684]

I was born in Coventry and lived through the 70s. More violent than it is today.

[@MrThomasjeromenewton]

Please do Slough , Windsor . Maidenhead and Reading

[@everest9707]

Congratulations - really enjoyed your video 👍

[@griswald7156]

There’s so much poverty in the uk because of the minimum wage..the underclass supports the rest of the population..like the pompadours and the Romans…the need for peasants and slaves will always be there..to support the gentry..

[@002lisamarie]

The area where the shops are boarded up is going to be knocked down and redeveloped. Most of the shops have moved to other parts of the town centre.

[@richardsmith579]

Man stands in hideous concrete dump and says it’s beautiful and has nothing wrong with it. Anything called a precinct is invariably a post war concrete mess of graffitied bleakness. No hope.

[@Nepetita69696]

Agreed

[@celestesmith6060]

It looks very nice. Looks like you were there on a Sunday.

[@moogdome2562]

The song of Coventry band, The Specials, This town is becoming like a ghost town, comes to mind, and that was in the seventies.

[@user-fe9qi1ic1r]

I like the 'Brutalist' 1960s buildings and think they should be listed. I'm particularly fond of The Elephant, part of the old swimming pool.

[@craiglamb9511]

Watched a few of your reviews and subscribed to your channel..It's interesting but sad to see poverty around the UK.would love if you did a review of my hometown Chatham which is in Kent part of the medway towns which has a bit of a reputation and has become really run down over the years.

[@jameshollyoak8230]

The area that has all the boarded shops is being redeveloped, hence why all the shops have gone , it’s being made into flats and an entertainment centre

[@samcurry7477]

The first bit where the subway sandwich shop was borded up and all those borded up shops, its all being demolished and rebuilt. Hence why theyre all closed

[@mechaishida7588]

I grew up in the Stoke and Hillfields areas of Coventry, in the 80’s and 90’s. It’s always been rough, especially places like Hillfields, Wood End and Stoke Aldermore. The drug culture has been rife for decades, and violent crime was something I never witnessed, but heard about so often. Stabbings, shootings, acid throwing, gang violence. The kind of place you were afraid to even make eye contact with your own peer group, in case they started on you. Hillfields, wow, the sights I saw on a daily basis. I was glad to leave Coventry in 2003. Different breed of people, though, especially those that survived The Blitz. I’ll always have fond memories of my grandmother and grandad, who lived in Wyken Croft, over the other side of the city. The town centre was amazing during the 80’s, especially that massive Woolworths we had.

[@chrisstace7920]

I visited Coventry recently and a man who was relieving himself against a wall turned around a shouted to me "WELCOME to Coventry!!" And then he told me how he just got out of prison. Nice place.

[@nathansealey6270]

Good video, I used to live near Coventry & during the 80s & 90s it was a place of skin heads, dog fighting & glue sniffers, everybody from the other towns would consider it a place of desperation. A lot has changed although its still has a bad reputation locally, as to Banbury things are improving for the better. Daventry is still a place to avoid from what I have heard & Leamington still has a lot of homeless issues & drug related violence sadly. But like you said a lot it’s problems are sadly to do the lost of British industry during the late 70s as many people originally flocked to Coventry for work from as far as London as Coventry used to be a major engineering city with many factories. These days I have heard its very diverse culturally & with Warwick & Coventry universities being either excellent or of good standing in reputation.

[@MbisonBalrog]

Dog Fighting? For real?

[@fuckdefed]

Leamington’s a nice town to live in with the parks and fountains and pretty white houses but the old town’s a dump and House of Frasier and Wilco’s have of course sadly closed down recently. The Range will be opening a new store in December though in the Shires (technically now called ‘Leamington shopping park’) so that’s good at least

[@bigbrotherdiaryofanaddict]

In our Coventry homes. We speak with accent exceedingly rare, you want a cathedral we have one to spare...in our Coventry homes

[@firstwavepuresoul]

A piece of the Coventry cross (which remains in the ruins) was attached to the wall of HMS Diamond our principal Destroyer of the British Naval Fleet to bless her voyage to the Red Sea around Yemen. Diamond, named after HM Queen Elizabeth jubilee will be looking out for shipping and protecting waters for the next 9months. God Bless Diamond and all who sail in her.

[@globaltreats]

great vids. if you try sheffield, let me know.

[@d_oughton5966]

The area you first visit in the precinct has a demolition order. Hence, the boarded you shops

[@xxxbigfuzz69]

Absolute legend another interesting blog