Coventry Police Museum

The old police headquarters on Little Park Street holds what might be the most unexpectedly absorbing museum in Coventry. You're walking through actual police stations - the Victorian cells are still there, cramped and bleak as you'd expect - alongside exhibits that trace 150 years of law enforcement in the city. The uniforms alone tell a story: from the bobby on the beat to riot gear, each decade gets its own cabinet.

It's genuinely fascinating if you've got even a passing interest in local history or how policing has changed. The murder cases, the photographs of officers killed in the line of duty, the old charge books - these are real documents, not sanitised versions. You'll spend a solid hour here, maybe ninety minutes if you're thorough.

Families with older kids who aren't squeamish will find it engaging rather than grim. Younger children might lose interest quickly once they've peered into the cells. What makes it worthwhile isn't flashy presentation but authenticity - this feels like walking into an actual working police station from the 1960s, which is precisely the point.

It's free, which is brilliant. No set opening hours listed online - you'll need to ring ahead or check current details - but it's worth the effort if you're based at Hollyfast Caravan Park or Broadwell Woods. Pair it with Coventry Cathedral or the transport museum to build a proper morning's exploration. The museum sits right in the city centre, so you're never far from a café either.