It has been 75 years since Basil Spence’s winning design for Coventry Cathedral was first unveiled to the public. His drawings came to symbolise the emergence of a new, modern approach to church architecture in Britain. Spence’s design was chosen from 219 competition entries, although only 15 were widely published at the time. The other 204 proposals were largely dismissed and even ridiculed after they were displayed at Coventry’s King Henry VIII School.
Marking the competition’s Diamond Jubilee, the exhibtion looks again at these overlooked entries as part of a wider exploration of architectural competitions and unbuilt projects in Britain. Focusing on the original competition drawings and the public debate surrounding them, the exhibition reveals the richness and variety of the unsuccessful designs. Together, they offer a fresh perspective on Britain’s early search for a new post-war architecture for worship.
The exhibition runs at Coventry Cathedral from 8 August – 21 September 2026. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m., and Sunday, 12 noon – 3.00 p.m.