Coventry,England,UK

Standing on the right hand side of the street is St. Mary's Guildhall,typically built with the local red sandstone, is one of the finest medieval guildhalls in England, and one of Coventry's most splendid and historic buildings.
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Standing in the heart of Coventry for over 650 years, St. Mary's Guildhall has witnessed events of both local and national importance during its long history.

The Guildhall served as the centre of King Henry VI's court during the Wars of the Roses and briefly as a prison to Mary, Queen of Scots. William Shakespeare is thought to have staged plays here, whilst writer George Eliot, who knew the hall well, used it as the setting for a scene in one of her novels.

Its kitchens have prepared rations for starving weavers, and grand banquets for city dignitaries and visiting monarchs. It has been the good-humoured starting point for the famous Godiva Processions and for centuries was the location of Coventry's annual mayor-making ceremony. Scarred during violent election riots and the Blitz of Coventry during the Second World War, the Guildhall has nevertheless survived the centuries, and continues to this day to welcome visitors from all over the world.

Why not check out the Coventry City Council website for further details of this and other points of local interest.