Make sure you make the most of your time in Coventry by visiting some of the what the city has to offer! Here are our top five recommendations...
As a new student, you will find that you have more free time than ever before. Whilst this can be daunting to begin with, why not make the most of this by immersing yourself into some of the interesting places Coventry has to offer?
- Coventry Cathedral/Cathedral Ruins
A stone throw from The Hub and the feature point of the city, the Cathedral spire can be seen from across the city. The old Cathedral, which was famously bombed in the second World War, still exists (albeit in ruins nowadays); entry is free, and it is definitely worth a look around. The new Cathedral, built directly next to it, is also open to visitors but there is a small fee to enter.
- Coventry Transport Museum
Coventry as a city is teeming with industrial history. At one point in history, it was a world leader in car manufacturing. Coventry Transport Museum has hundreds of artifacts celebrating this history, from the fastest land vehicle ever, to cars from the 19th century. It’s a must for anyone with an interest in cars or motorsports. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of automotive history it’s worth a visit; there are plenty of interactive displays to take part in.
Another of Coventry’s biggest exports to the world is 2 Tone music! A variation of Ska, it was huge in the 1970’s and 1980’s – promoting racial unity and getting the nation dancing. Bands such as Madness, The Selecter and The Specials all became huge across the country and the world with this style, and they have been immortalised in the Coventry Music Museum within the 2Tone Village. There is a café, a bar and a music venue, with live performances regular!
The Canal Basin was once Coventry’s canal trade connection to the rest of the world. Nowadays, it’s much less important in terms of trade but is still a great place to spend a few hours. There are often floating markets going on at weekends, and the canal walk will lead you to a couple of country pubs if you fancy a walk on a Sunday afternoon.
Possibly the most historically rich street in Coventry, Spon Street is a real throwback to the old days. After much of Coventry was flattened during the Second World War, Spon Street was the only area that proved recoverable; some of the buildings have been stood for over 500 years. The oldest pub in Coventry can be found there, as well as a number of other independent bars and restaurants.