Located in the heart of England, the University of Warwick lies on the border of the West Midlands and Warwickshire. Its central location means there is easy access to the cities of Coventry and Birmingham, and the historic towns of Warwick, Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and Royal Leamington Spa.

The University benefits from its diverse surroundings. There is the metropolitan buzz of close proximity to major cities whilst the area is also rich in history, with remnants of the past still very prominent in the landscape. Transport between main campus and the local towns is easy. Buses run back and forth to the University and local bus companies offer students reduced rate passes, making travel cheap and convenient.

The Gibbet Hill campus is located three miles to the south of Coventry, a lively city with over 310 000 inhabitants. The city is famous for its Cathedral and Lady Godiva. It is home to many of our students and offers a fantastic range of pubs, cinemas, theatres, restaurants and shopping centres. Coventry is a modern city. Little remains of the old city centre due to bombing during World War 2, but Spon Street consists of a row of medieval buildings taken from around Coventry and reassembled here.

Birmingham, the UK's official second city, is 25 minutes by train from Coventry. This exciting city is a popular destination for students. The canal-side Brindley Place provides the ideal location for a night out in trendy bars and restaurants. Aside from the shopping attractions of the Bullring and iconic Selfridges building, there is the National Exhibition Centre which is the busiest exhibition centre in Europe, with over 4 million people visiting events each year. The National Indoor Arena is a large scale multi purpose venue attracting many world famous rock and pop acts, as well as hosting indoor sports events, comedy and theatre. Other cultural attractions include the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the contemporary Ikon gallery, the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Also worth a visit is the Jewellery Quarter, housing hundreds of jewellery retailers and designers it is the UK's centre for jewellery. Birmingham is also home to Cadbury's chocolate.

Warwickshire and Coventry are full of interesting places to visit. Very 'English' towns and countryside fill the region and attract a lot of tourists. The Medieval Warwick Castle dominates the centre of the historic town of Warwick. This magnificent castle is one of the best preserved in the UK. Warwick is the county town and has many historic places to visit as well as antique shops, restaurants and cafes. Numerous events take place in the busy market square throughout the year.

The nearest major town to the University is Kenilworth. Visitors are attracted to the spectacular castle ruins and the many pubs and restaurants.

Also within easy reach of the University is Royal Leamington Spa, a busy modern town with Georgian and Victorian architecture, parks and gardens. The town earned its 'Royal' prefix from Queen Victoria following a visit to the spa waters. Leamington is a popular place to live and offers a variety of cultural, shopping and dining experiences. The Royal Spa Centre and Assembly Rooms are entertainment venues hosting a wide range of music and comedy.

Most famous is Stratford-upon-Avon, which is around 30 minutes from the University. This picturesque town is the birth place of William Shakespeare, and now home to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2011, the RSC is one of the world's best known theatre companies. Theatre goers have a fantastic choice of Shakespeare and modern plays throughout the year. Historic buildings and gardens offer a cultural insight to the town and there are many good restaurants and bars.

Within about an hour of the University is the Cotswolds, some of Britain's most beautiful countryside. The region covers an area of 2,038sq km and is the country's largest 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. The area is known for its gentle hillsides ('wolds'), river valleys, limestone villages and historic market towns. The Cotswolds provide an excellent location for adventure and outdoor activities.

Coventry Cathedral

Selfridges, Birmingham

Warwick Castle

Royal Shakespeare Theatre