Local Life
Be alive to the possibilities
Lively cities. Tranquil countryside. Iconic landmarks.
Our campus is well located with excellent transport links, giving you the freedom to choose how you want to live.
As blogger Beth says when talking about our campus, “It’s very easy to feel like you don’t need to leave! However, there are lots of opportunities to do things away from the Warwick Bubble; in big cities like Birmingham and Coventry, or smaller towns like Leamington Spa."
Coventry - a thriving city
Modern and cosmopolitan but steeped in history.
Coventry was recently named fifth best student city by QS Best Student Cities 2018 and City of Culture 2021, which will see the city take centre stage with a range of exciting events and celebrations.
The city’s history dates back to the medieval period, but it was bombed during The Blitz. That meant Coventry had to rebuild itself. So now you’ll find shops and office buildings perched next to an ancient cathedral and a guildhall used by Henry VIII. Coventry Cathedral is a hub of activity for the city. It holds regular outdoor events in the ruins of the old cathedral. These include live music, film screenings, theatre and vintage clothing fairs.
Blogger Elena explains why she thinks that Coventry really is one of the best UK student cities
In the daytime, there are plenty of shops, cafes, places to eat and cultural attractions to explore. And at night you can enjoy its thriving live music scene, clubs and bars. Coventry’s creative quarter can be found at FarGo village, an artistically repurposed industrial space designed exclusively for creative, independent businesses.
Another great thing about Coventry is its transport links. You can be in London in just over an hour by train from Coventry station. And Birmingham is around 25 minutes away by train. The second city is a shopping haven and offers some great nightlife if you fancy trying somewhere different.
Leamington - trendy and sophisticated
A spa town where you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Leamington is around 25 minutes’ bus journey from campus. It’s home to many of our students living off campus. This makes it a popular destination for nights out. Bars, pubs, clubs and music venues are plentiful. There are some alternative ways to spend your evenings too. There’s even a board games café. Leamington is also a great place to and for grabbing a drink or some food during the day. We hear the pizza and brunches are particularly good.
In the centre of the town you’ll find Jephson Gardens, a beautiful formal Victorian park. There are plenty of major shops, plus some independent gift and clothing shops. The fancy dress shop is also popular with our students, thanks to the many theme nights happening on campus.
Our bloggers are certainly in love with Leamington! Read their blogs.
Kenilworth - a small town with a big history
Beautiful architecture in an idyllic setting.
From the ruins of Kenilworth Castle to the grandeur of Stoneleigh Abbey, Kenilworth is definitely worth a visit.
The castle is the first thing you spot as you come into the beautiful town of Kenilworth. The town is smaller and quieter than neighbouring Leamington. Nights out are more likely to be spent at a pub or one of its fantastic cocktail bars. And vintage clothes lovers will enjoy hunting for great buys in its many charity shops.
For anyone who loves to immerse themselves in the past, Kenilworth Castle is definitely worth a visit. It has a rich 900-year history, with a tower built to woo Queen Elizabeth I! There’s also a Norman keep, a Great Hall that hosted medieval monarchs, and beautiful Elizabethan gardens.
There are also plenty of green spaces and even a cycle path that takes you straight to campus.
Canley - a popular local residence
Canley is also a popular place for some of our students to live when they move off campus because it’s so close by. It’s just a short distance to lectures, so if you don’t like early starts, it could be a good option.
There is also a train station, with regular trains to Coventry city centre and Birmingham. This makes it handy for exploring the two cities, whether that’s for a shopping spree or a night out.
Canley’s Canon Park shopping centre is handy for food shopping, with two major supermarkets. The bubble tea bar also proves particularly popular! It’s a ten minute walk from main campus and just five minutes from our Westwood campus, so not too far to carry your shopping. “Canley is the closest town to the university and the next best thing to living on campus… Just as in the other areas, students make up quite a big chunk of the town’s population and there is a police station and fire station right next to each other so you always feel comfortable and secure.”
Kristie Beddoes, student blogger