Coventry mums help needed

[Mydogisagentleman]

Hi, we live in Kings Lynn Norfolk which is the end of the world as far as A roads are concerned.
Me and DD are going to a concert at the Ricoh arena in September and I have to find a hotel or Airbnb which is tricky as I don’t know the area.
I have two options
We can come up on the train and use cabs to travel around or
I can drive.
Would anyone be able to recommend a hotel or comment on the reliability of public transport especially late at night?

There are two Premier Inn close to the railway station which are always good value.
A cab from town out to the Ricoh would be expensive - you would need to pre book.

There is a massive car park so parking isnt a problem

The Ricoh is part of a big complex with shops and some chain restaurents so well served by public transport.

Coventry Arena station is literally outside the Ricoh, runs from Coventry main station. Currently the last train is at 11 but you should check nearer the time.

Sometimes for big events they run a shuttle bus service from Coventry main station to the Ricoh which would be worth checking to see if thats being offered.

There is also a bus from the normal service which runs from opposite the arena into town. I’d go for the train, even if its very crowded the journey is less than 5 minutes whereas the bus will take you at least 30 mins

If you drive there is a massive car park at the Ricoh arena. Alternatively if you get the train, Ubers are plentiful and can get you around cheaply.
There is the premier inn at the Belgrade plaza which is in town which was only built a few years ago. There is also a multi story car park right next to it if you chose to drive and park there.

Perfect, I think we’ll go for the in town option and train or bus it back

@Mydogisagentleman

Coventry is City of Culture this year, if you are going to make a weekend of it, there will be lots going on

I’d love to, but we need to get back to Norfolk then go to Nottingham on the 13th so she can move into her 2nd year student house.
Loads of miles for mum to drive

Interesting to see the other responses - the Ricoh is a fair way out of town, towards Nuneaton, and I would have said you should drive. Having lived in several other UK cities, I think public transport in Coventry compares fairly unfavourably. But if you're happy to get a cab to and from the Ricoh, it sounds like that would work.

I'd drive if you can.
The trains from the main station to the Ricoh of very unreliable and often get replaced with a bus.

Tbh, I'd stay as close to the Ricoh as you can, especially as you aren't going to spend any time in Coventry itself.

I'm sorry to those who live there, but I really don't feel safe in Coventry centre late at night (work there so have done occasional work nights out)

The problem with driving is trying to get out after a big gig. DH took 2 hours to get out after red hot chilli peppers.

Brand spanking new hotel in town The Telegraph. Or Ibis, Village etc.

@PoTheDog I agree it's vile. I work at the station we get some right undesirables around here at night and as you say the city centre

Hi Op, There is a Doubletree Hilton actually at the Ricoh arena and there’s also a Novotel in walking distance to the Ricoh too

There's a Hilton at the arena. I'd be wary of relying on the train - it often doesn't run! And ubers will be on surge pricing which will be very expensive. So you'd be better off paying more for a hotel and not needing transport.
If you do drive, and stay in the city centre, lots of hotels won't have parking, and as someone else said, there are parts of Cov you don't want to be walking around in late at night.

Taxis can also be a bit of gamble. Even if you book, you may get told they were unable to accommodate your booking and leave you stranded. There are often shuttle buses at big events but massive queues. I'd stay on site at Hilton if you can - so much easier!
(I'm from Cov and speak from experience).

before you scare the living daylights out of the op, Coventry city centre is no more ‘vile’ than any other city.

I’ve lived just off the ring road for 30 years from my student days and never encountered any real issues. I even managed to walk home unscathed through town last night, in the dark.

But if you are driving, and don’t plan any spending any time in Coventry then obviously the hotels at the Ricoh make sense

I wouldn't say it's vile either. But I wouldn't walk round some parts late at night, and if you're trying to find your way back to a hotel it might not be much fun.

If you have time OP, Fargo Village is well worth a visit for a mooch. And the cathedral is a must see. I know you said you weren't staying long, but both are worthwhile things to do.

I'd drive. Its not a fast drive (we go past Kings Lynn at least once year) but its not the best of train journeys either - about 4 hours with a couple of changes. Plus as pp have said the ricoh isnt city centre.

I am quite interstellar in the Novotel. Is it junction 3 of the M6?
I would love to stay at the hotel at the Ricoh but it’s £160+ so it’s a no from me.
We have been there before, we saw Bruce Springsteen about 4 years ago.
IIRC we got a shuttle bus to a rugby club car park. Only appeared to be one bus doing it after the show and we queued for about 3 hours.

Yes it’s the junction 3 m6 Novotel, if you come out of that hotel and walk all the way down Rowleys Green Lane you will get to the Ricoh - no more than a 15 min walk. I used to live in that area hope that helps!

Enormously, thank you