Lady Godiva Statue (Self Sacrifice)

The basics

The Lady Godiva Statue was created by Scottish sculptor Sir William Reid Dick and was unveiled in 1949. It stands on a concrete slab inscribed with lines from the poem Godiva, written by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Lady Godiva has become a symbol of resilience in Coventry, and many city tours—from guide-led walking tours to self-directed scavenger hunts—stop in front of the statue to tell Godiva’s story and her significance. You’ll only need a few minutes to see the statue.

Things to know before you go

• The statue is a must-see for art and history fans and first-time visitors to Coventry.
• Broadgate Square, where the statue is located, is wheelchair-accessible.
• The term “peeping tom”—which refers to someone who secretly practices voyeurism—originates from the legend of Lady Godiva.

How to get there

The statue is located in Broadgate Square, a 5-minute walk west of Coventry Cathedral and a 2-minute walk east of the Lower Precinct Shopping Centre. It’s about 15 minutes on foot from the railway station. Numerous city buses stop nearby on Ironmonger Square and on Trinity Street, including lines 3, 7C, 17, 20, 56, 57, and 148.

When to get there

The square is open all day and night, so it’s easy to visit when convenient. If weather is your main concern, come in the summer months—June through to September—when temperatures are typically warmest and there's less chance of rain. However, this is England, so rain and chilly weather is always possible.

Lady Godiva and Peeping Tom

According to legend, Lady Godiva begged her husband to reduce his heavy taxes on townspeople but he repeatedly refused. He finally agreed under the condition that she would ride naked through the town—Lady Godiva agreed but not before issuing a decree that everyone should stay inside with their windows shuttered. All the townspeople obeyed, save for a man named Tom, who was magically cursed to blindness after setting eyes upon Godiva.