Coventry Preston Train

The city of Coventry is in the county of the West Midlands in England and is the 10th largest city in England and the 13th largest in the United Kingdom. The city is roughly 100 miles to the north west of London and 20 miles to the south east of Birmingham. It is also the furthest from the coast than any other city in the United Kingdom.

One of Coventry's landmarks, its cathedral buildings which were built in 1962, is one of the newest in the UK following the destruction of the 14th century cathedral of Saint Michael by the German Luftwaffe in 1940. The spire of the ruined cathedral forms one of the "three spires" which have dominated the city skyline since the 14th century, the others being those of Christ Church (of which only the spire survives) and Holy Trinity Church (which is still in use).

The city has two universities: Coventry University which is located on a modern city centre campus, and the University of Warwick which is located around 4 miles to the south of the city. The University of Warwick is a member of the Russell Group of universities and is one of only five universities that has never been ranked outside of the top ten universities in the UK in terms of teaching excellence and research.

The city of Preston in the north west of England, in the county of Lancashire, has a rich history from links to the Industrial Revolution through to the famous footballer, Sir Tom Finney, who played for Preston North End Football Club. Preston is a city that has something for everyone and can easily be explored on foot. Take a stroll through Avenham & Miller Parks and Winckley Square and take in the wildlife habitats and get a real sense of the city's green spaces. From there it is a short distance to the Guild Wheel which is more than 20 miles of cycleways encircling the city. Whilst in the city visitors should also sample Preston’s reputation as Lancashire’s shopping destination, offering two shopping centres and numerous high street brands, all of which are relatively compact and easy to explore. However, It is not just about famous high-street names and brands that are on offer. Preston offers bustling indoor and outdoor markets, fresh Lancashire produce, and a variety of boutique and independent shops, many with a long, proud history of their own. Visitors can also can soak up the fantastic architecture too, not least the Victorian splendour of the Miller Arcade.