Coventry may not make as many cars as it used to, but the city continues to innovate how the world gets around. The combined smarts of Coventry University and the University of Warwick – which earn this city its #17 ranking for Universities – have created a think-tank for all things locomotion, from e-motors to hydrogen fuel cells. Unsurprisingly, the start-up scene is healthy, grounded in R&D, manufacturing, and fintech. The #14 Labour Force Participation ranking is earned with entrepreneurial zeal.
The backdrop for all this ingenuity is the third-best weather in Europe (Yes, in England!) and a city once named a UK City of Culture. German bombing destroyed much of Coventry in the Second World War. What did survive is worth the world’s time, including the stately Council House and the charming Spon Street. New builds include the €518 million City Centre South project, which kicked off in 2025 with ambitions to create a new, sustainable district in the heart of the city. Yet, we’ll bet most Coventrians have their minds on their team. Coventry City F.C. is pushing for Premier League promotion in 2026. Admission would be the cherry on top after the city’s purchase of the CBS Arena, which reunited The Sky Blues with their home stadium.