New Buildings

It's all very complicated and I keep reading slightly different versions. Originally Priory Lane didn't exist and what we now think of New Buildings was called Priory Lane. They were 'new buildings', built during the English Civil War (1650ish) to house people excluded from their properties just outside the walls, so that they could be cleared for a kill zone. At some point after 1750, some more buildings were added and it may be for them that it was named.

Hi Helen. A bit of information from some old books I have downloaded on Google Play. History of Coventry 1852 says in 1642 the New Buildings were built on the site of the Priory. The History and Antiquities of the City of Coventry says the same but also says a great number of buildings were pulled down without the walls. Perhaps the name was to encourage the people who were having their houses knocked down to come inside the walls and live there ! There is also this little sketch and a little history which may make more sense to you. There is also a newspaper article from 1825 that says that 3 front and 7 back dwelling houses with spacious yard and outbuildings at New Buildings near to the Mill Dam were lately rebuilt in a most substantial manor & forms a desireable investment

Anne, thanks for that information - I missed your post back in January. Yes, I can see where those buildings were rebuilt. The ones closer to Hill Top were rebuilt taller and deeper than the original ones. I've got some precious drawings made by kids, that show parts of that area before the rebuilding. Some of them I've been able to place with 100% accuracy and the others are more of a guess. I think it was that building work that maybe triggered the name. Looking at the 1750 map, it was called Priory Lane. What I don't know is when the big retaining wall and the courts were built at the back of the row that curves round the priory. The earliest buildings respected the footprint of the priory. Neil's photo shows the wall and the courts.

Does anyone remember an outside coin operated hot drink vending machine in Coventry in or around New Buildings in the early sixties? I think it was somewhere around Exchange and Mart. From what I recall it seem to only give you half a cup every time you used it, but it was a great novelty at the time.

I don't remember that one, but I do remember an ice cream vending machine on the corner of Stoney Stanton Road and Nuffield Road. The only one I've ever seen.

Hello Sunbeam, you are correct. As you walked down from town it was on the right hand side. Memory failing a bit now but I think there were some steps and the machine was set back on top of the steps on a flat area. Cannot remember what shop it was next to, I think the pet shop was a bit further down.

The Town Crier's name was Orton, he was a very big man, and the city beadle. Orton lived in the malthouse yard at the top of New Buildings.

A nice photo of New Buildings and the Meriden Tavern from the 1900's.

I've seen plenty of sketches of that bit of road but never a photo. The building on the left was where the front range of the priory mill stood. The oldest part stood behind and Anne posted an image of it.

I told you Helen was amazing Cliff!

You did Neil, incredible. Thanks Helen

You guys find the jigsaw pieces, I just stick 'em together.

Lower New Buildings was flooded many times, the water between there and Hales Street, Agnes Lane was nicknamed the 'River Severn'. For many years there were oron railings opposite the Smithfield,where the Hippodrome later stood, round the pool of water. There was a row of cottages in New Buildings that extended to Agnes Lane, each had looms. The pool extended almost up to them, leaving only a small paved causeway between them and the water, the Golden Lion a few doors away.

From the C.E.T. houses to be demolished in 'New Buildings':

Nice one