Coventry Student City Guide
A hub for history, sports, sciences and the arts, Coventry has something for everyone. Whether studying at the University of Warwick or Coventry University, you’ll have the freedom to explore new horizons at our student accommodation. Here’s your ultimate guide to this vibrant city.
Where To Stay in Coventry
Embark on your new adventure in Coventry at our Gulson Gardens student accommodation. These apartments are conveniently located approximately a 10-minute walk from Coventry University and the city centre. With amazing social spaces for making friends, study areas for when it’s time to work hard and all bills included to make budgeting easy, they’re designed to help you live your best student life. Choose from studios, ensuites and non-ensuite rooms to suit your preferences.
Cafes and Coffee Shops in Coventry
Coventry has lots of indie cafes and coffee shops where you can work or relax. Bean & Leaf Coffee House is a family-run café in the heart of the city centre. Showcasing speciality coffee from carefully selected roasters in the UK and Europe, it’s the go-to for delicious drinks and sweet treats – the perfect pick-me-up during busy days.
For somewhere a little closer to Coventry University and Gulson Gardens student accommodation, head to The Pod Café. Run by Coventry City Council to support and fund local mental health resources, this café is open Tuesday to Thursday, serving a plant-based menu made with locally sourced ingredients. Prices start at £5 for a main, ensuring you can get a nutritious meal without breaking the bank. In the city centre, you’ll also find the usual high-street favourites like Starbucks and Costa, where you can grab a coffee and table for an afternoon of studying.
Restaurants in Coventry
You’ll come across loads of places to eat in the city centre. YAKII is a top-rated choice for East Asian food, including fresh sushi, Korean bibimbap and Chinese stir-fries. Taste Vietnam is another local institution serving authentic dishes with diverse flavours. Students also love Falafel Corner and Hummus House, two fuss-free eateries where you can pick up delicious wraps and freshly made salad boxes. Cathedral Lanes Shopping Centre has a selection of high-street bars and restaurants, such as Turtle Bay, Las Iguanas and Cosy Club. Some offer student discounts or special deals on certain nights during the week, so you can eat out on a budget.
Coventry’s Nightlife
Coventry’s vibrant nightlife scene features loads of student-friendly bars, clubs and venues. The on-campus pub, The Quids Inn, has a happy hour six nights a week and stays open until 4am every morning. Another popular drinking spot nearby is The Phoenix. It’s open late Wednesday to Saturday when it puts on club nights with student deals. And there’s lots more to enjoy during all-nighters. Kasbah is a favourite for its themed student nights with games, live DJ sets and more. The Yard is another popular hotspot. It’s the city’s leading LGBTQ+ venue and puts on regular events, including karaoke and open-mic nights.
Shopping in Coventry
From fashion and homeware to books and food, you can buy everything you need for university life at Coventry’s shops. In addition to small boutiques and high-street stores, the city centre features West Orchards and Lower Precinct shopping centres. These destinations showcase department stores and famous brands, many offering student discounts. For small businesses, go to FarGo Village. This repurposed industrial site has a creative community of over 40 independent traders selling everything from crafts and clothing to vinyl records. Located a stone’s throw from our student accommodation, it’s the place to discover unique finds and handmade items.
Fitness and Wellbeing
It’s easy to prioritise your health and wellbeing as a student in Coventry. The city has several of gyms and fitness studios, including ones offering student memberships. Coventry University has a Sport and Recreation Centre on campus, providing indoor and outdoor classes, courts for team sports and a fully equipped gym for cardio and resistance training. All of which can be accessed through the centre’s various student memberships. The uni’s SU also has a wide variety of sports clubs, from hockey and netball to online gaming, bringing students together through shared passions.
Nature and Outdoor Spaces
Coventry has numerous public parks and green spaces, so you can spend time outdoors whenever you feel like it. The closest ones to campus and our uni accommodation are Charterhouse Park, Gosford Green and Humber Road Open Space. All these parks have grassy areas, perfect for catching up on your reading outside or enjoying a picnic with friends in the sunshine. For a day out in the countryside, head to Coombe Abbey Park. With over 500 acres of woodland and gardens, it’s a picturesque place perfect for lakeside walks and wildlife spotting.
Coventry’s Cultural Attractions
Boasting a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, Coventry has many cultural attractions to inspire passionate minds. For stunning architecture, wander the cobbled streets of the Cathedral Quarter. Here, you can see the ancient ruins of St Mary’s Priory and the old and new St Michael’s Cathedral buildings.
You can also delve into the local heritage and culture at Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. In addition to its permanent collection, including archaeology and industrial history, it hosts touring exhibitions and temporary art installations, ensuring there’s always something interesting to uncover. For those interested in the city’s role in the UK motor industry, the Coventry Transport Museum is a must-visit. It has the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles, telling the story of the city’s integral role in transport innovation.
If performing arts are your thing, explore what’s on at The Belgrade Theatre. It’s Coventry’s largest theatre and has a varied programme that spans music, drama and dance.
Whether pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate study, our Coventry student accommodation is perfect for you and the way you live your life. Explore the room options and find your student home.
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