IHBC West Midlands CPD Event - The Coventry Charterhouse Story

Our final CPD event of 2025 finds us at Coventry Charterhouse, a Grade I listed heritage site which began life as a Carthusian monastery in the 14th century. We'll have talks on the Charterhouse's conservation project and a tour of the Charterhouse in the morning, followed by talks on the origins, design and layout of Paxton’s London Road Cemetery, with a tour in the afternoon. We'll end the day with festive drinks and networking in the Charterhouse.

Here are some quick facts to whet your interest:

The Charterhouse:

The Charterhouse is home to some of the finest examples of medieval and renaissance art in England. This Grade I listed building was founded as a monastery in 1381, later becoming a family home with a garden that produced exotic fruit for wealthy locals. Former notable inhabitants include Robert Dudley, famous favourite of Queen Elizabeth I, and John Whittingham who cultivated the nursery and walled garden for food production. The refectory contains the only existing interior of a medieval Carthusian monastery in England, complete with medieval and Tudor wall paintings, the latter from the post-dissolution period when the Charterhouse was a private dwelling.

London Road Cementary:

Paxton’s Arboretum is one of the earliest garden cemeteries in the country, designed by Joseph Paxton and is now a Grade I listed park and garden. It also contains a Grade II listed Anglican Chapel, built in 1847 (possibly by Paxton) for funeral services in the cemetery.

Places are limited as always, so please book your ticket now to avoid disappointment. Prices are £25 for members and £35 for non-members, including lunch and tea/coffee throughout the day. Guests are more than welcome to attend. If you have special dietary requirements, please email us the specifics as soon as you've registered, so that we can ensure you'll be well looked after on the day.

Registration is at 9:30AM for a 10:00AM start

GETTING THERE:

The National Trust have a large car park available for Charterhouse visitors just off London Road (A4114). National Trust members park for free. Non-members simply pay for parking at the machine in reception, or register via Just Park app, location ID 999745. Charges apply after first hour £2.20 for up to 2 hours, £3.20 for up to 3 hours, £5.20 for up to 8 hours. There is a walk of 120 metres from the drop off point to the front door. Please call if you need assistance and they will be happy to help.

Sat Nav: Sat Nav destination: CV1 2JR What 3 Words code – ///tribe.sprint.half

The venue is a 20 minute (1 mile) walk, or a short taxi ride from Coventry train station

Take the X18 (Stagecoach bus) to Stratford from Stop TS2 near Sainsbury’s in Coventry city centre, arriving on London Road right by the entrance to Charterhouse (nearest stop – Acacia Avenue) in just 10 minutes. The X18 runs every 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can catch the 3 (National Express Coventry bus) towards Warwickshire Shopping Park from Cross Cheaping (Stop BS6) in Coventry city centre, arriving at Humber Avenue on London Road right by the back entrance to Charterhouse in just 7 minutes. The 3 runs every 15 minutes on weekdays.

You can find us on foot less than one mile from the city centre, either by walking through London Road Cemetery: Paxton’s Arboretum and across London Road, or by using the back entrance through the alleyway between 229 and 231 Humber Avenue, CV1 2AQ

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Info: George Demidowicz has been an Honorary Research Fellow at University of Birmingham's History Department for the past 14 years. Prior to that, he was Head of Conservation and Archaeology at Coventry City Council

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