The Ultimate Guide To Student Life In Coventry And Warwickshire
Moving to a new city can be exciting but also daunting especially if you don’t know where anything is and what the city has to offer. Coventry has something for everyone, from iconic landmarks to a lively student scene and great places to eat. This guide will help you navigate life as a student in Coventry including things to do, where to eat and the best nightlife spots. Discover everything Coventry has to offer!
- Where To Shop For Food
- Places To Eat And Drink In Coventry
- Fun Things To Do In Coventry When You’re Not Studying
- Areas To Visit Outside Of The City Centre
- Shopping
- Nightlife
- Transport Links
- Emergency Contacts
Where To Shop For Food
There is a range of well-known supermarkets in Coventry town centre including Sainsbury’s on Far Gosford Street and Trinity Street and Tesco Express on High Street. You also have smaller convenience stores like SPAR on Hay Lane and Nisa Local on Hales Street. It is important to remember that convenience stores may have prices higher than other stores and therefore not so budget-friendly. Many supermarkets do deliveries which is useful when doing a big shop. Coventry market is great for fruit and vegetables!
The Food Warehouse is a great spot to get some good frozen food when freezer space isn’t limited. They sell products from big brands like Greggs, TGI’s, and Chiquito’s. The Coventry store is located in Central Six Retail Park.
If you’re based at Willowbanks Mews, Lidl on the Binley Road is only 5-8 minutes in the car and Asda Abbey Park Superstore located on London Road is a short 6-10 minutes drive.
Not looking to visit a store? Most supermarkets offer grocery home delivery services. These services are great if you want to take your time choosing what to purchase and help you stick to a budget as you can see exactly what you’re spending before you checkout. If you’re living in a shared house why not order a home delivery and plan out meals together while splitting the cost?
Coventry City Centre also has many international food stores and cafes. There are many Chinese supermarkets in the city centre including Wah Yan Hong, Family Mart and Oriental Supermarket.
Delikatesy Smaczek in the Lower Precinct is full of Polish and European products. The store has a deli as well as a range of cupboard confectionary. If you’re looking for traditional Portuguese food like a pastel de nata or a guardanapo sponge cake, head down to Gorety Portuguese Café at Coventry Canal Basin.
Venture out of the city centre and take a short bus ride to Foleshill Road for Indian supermarkets and sweet centres such as Opus Foods, Rangolee Sweet Centre, Sweet Memories and Dhaliwal Supermarket.
Places To Eat And Drink In Coventry
We all know budgets can be tight as students but we all deserve a delicious treat now and then right? Coventry is full of many amazing places to eat and drink all from a range of cuisines giving you a chance to try something new or have something that reminds you of home.
There are many different types of Asian restaurants in Coventry for you to try. Hello Vietnam, Jinseon Korean BBQ, SHIN Japanese Kitchen & Bar, Noodle Bar and YAKII are just some of our favourite spots. If you fancy a curry My Dhabba, Turmeric Gold and The Lazy Monkey Bar & Kitchen have you covered.
Craving a taste of Italy? Ristorante Da Vinci, Arco Restaurant and Sovrano’s will transport you to Italy! Hungry for some delicious French food? Bistrot Pierre, located in Coventry city centre, is a bistro serving seasonal and classic French food including Boeuf Bordelaise and Chicken Normandy. Or celebrate the flavours of the Caribbean at Leave It To Esmie.
Looking further afield? Pesto at the Axe & Compass is a little outside of the city centre but great for some Italian tapas-style dishes! And for a taste of America head down to Hickory’s – Burton Green for Texas style brisket, Memphis style baby back ribs and much more!
As in many cities, there are also some popular restaurant chains in Coventry including Cosy Club, Turtle Bay, Las Iguanas, Bella Italia, Wagamama and Nando’s.
Fancy a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate? You can find popular names such as Starbucks, Costa and Caffe Nero around the city centre as well as Bean & Leaf Coffee House, The Warwick Row Espresso, Cacao Coffee & Chocolate Co, My Chai and Coffee#1.
Fun Things To Do In Coventry When You’re Not Studying
Your main focus as a student is studying and getting good grades, but everyone deserves a break. There are so many things to do in Coventry when you want to go out to have some fun. Taking part in group activities is a great way to get to know new people. This could be your housemates, people on your course, or random people you bumped into on a night out who are now your new best friends. Take a look at all the fun activities you can do when you want a break from studying.
Boom Battle Bar: Axe throwing, augmented reality darts, American pool, crazy golf and beer pong, Boom Battle Bar has it all. They even have a karaoke booth for those of you who want to belt out some tunes! This venue is situated in Cathedral Lanes so is only a short walk away from Coventry University’s main campus. Don’t forget to show your student ID for a cheeky little discount Monday-Thursday. Head down to Boom Battle Bar on a Wednesday from 6 pm to take advantage of their student night and amazing discounted prices.
Star Pins: This is Coventry’s newest ultimate games venue! Star Pins is brought to you by the owners of the famous Roxy Ball Room. Games include American pool, arcade games, ice-free curling, mini golf, ping pong, shuffleboard, tech darts and bowling. This exciting venue is based in West Orchards Shopping Centre.
Tenpin Bowling: If you’re looking to get out of the city centre, Tenpin Bowling is a great venue to visit. This bowling venue also features laser tag, an escape room and karaoke booths. Tenpin Bowling is roughly a 15 minute drive from the city centre but there is also a cinema (Showcase Cinema de Lux) and some food venues nearby including Taco Bell, so you can make a day of it. While you’re there you can even visit the giant Home Bargains store!
Escape Room: Can you escape from Coventry’s escape rooms in 60 minutes? They have a range of themed rooms including the asylum, Alcatraz, murder in Whitechapel and down the rabbit hole. It is located in the city centre near Broadgate Square and just a short walk away from Coventry University. Rooms are designed for 2-6 players so perfect for you and your flatmates to help break the ice and strengthen relationships with new friends.
FarGo Village: FarGo Village is an area full of independent creative businesses this includes Sugar & Spice, Twisted Barrel Ale, Wildcard Strength And Conditioning, Dashing Blades Barber Shop, BiB Noodle Bar, and TAGartworks Comic Shop & Art Studio. There is even an escape room! Sugar & Spice runs bento cake decorating workshops for all the bake off fans or someone who just wants to try something a little different. They host many events throughout the year including Christmas maker markets, summer maker markets, dog festivals, music quizzes and vintage clothing sales.
Neighbourhood Social: Looking for a food hall and event space? Neighbourhood Social has you covered. They host a whole number of events including themed bottomless brunches, candlelight concerts, comedy nights, live music, and live watch-alongs to sporting events. Events are typically held on Thursday nights. The venue is also home to Leave It To Esmie, the number 1 spot for delicious Caribbean food. Neighbourhood Social is less than a 10 minute drive from Coventry city centre, you could even take a short 25-30 minute stroll over.
Go Ape: This one’s for all the thrill seekers out there. Go Ape is an outdoor adventure activity situated in Coventry’s Coombe Abbey Country Park. You can take on one of their high rope challenges or free fall towards the forest grounds by taking on the Plummet. You can also go axe throwing! Don’t forget to take in all the sites and go for a stroll around Coombe Abbey Park after your adrenaline-filled activities to end the day.
Cinema: Coventry has two cinemas for all the film buffs, Odeon and Showcase Cinema de Lux. The Odeon Cinema is located in Coventry’s very own SkyDome, just a short walk from Coventry University’s main campus. SkyDome is also home to Planet Ice! A great place to take to ice and have some fun with friends.
Areas To Visit Outside Of The City Centre
Coventry city centre is a vibrant area packed with things to do but there are also many exciting places to discover in the surrounding areas.
Coombe Abbey Country Park: There is an activity for everyone at Coombe Abbey! The park is home to Coombe Abbey Hotel, Go Ape and is surrounded by stunning gardens and a beautiful 80-acre lake. It’s the perfect place to go for a wellbeing walk, take part in some adrenaline-filled activities or simply enjoy a spot of afternoon tea. There is an onsite cafe for you to grab a snack and drink before you wander around the stunning grounds. Coombe Abbey is a short drive from the city centre.
Leamington Spa: Jephson Gardens, the Royal Pump Room Gardens, and Victoria Park are some of the many reasons people visit Leamington. These beautiful gardens are great to wander around in the summer and in the winter with a delicious hot chocolate to keep you warm along the way. It is also known for its regency architecture. There are many stunning buildings around the Parade, Clarendon Square, and Lansdowne Circus. Leamington has many restaurants and coffee shops that Coventry doesn’t have like Côte, Rosa’s Thai, Giggling Squid, Boston Tea Party and YO!. The perfect place for a foodie! Leamington Spa is a short train journey away from Coventry. You can get the train from Coventry train station at Station Square.
Rugby: It is worth heading into Rugby even if it’s just to check out the birthplace of the sport of rugby. Some of our favourite places to eat around Rugby include Bacco Lounge, On the Rocks, Karak Chaii and Libertine Burger. You can explore the Rugby School in a dedicated tour which runs most Saturdays. Rugby is also home to Elliott’s Field Retail Park which has plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants to keep you busy. This includes H&M, Caffe Nero, Nandos JD, Homesense and Nike. Caldecott Park is located in the centre of Rugby and is known for its award-winning floral displays. Grab your friends for a game of tennis, badminton or football or have a cute picnic in the beautiful park. You can take a short train journey to Rugby from Coventry train station at Station Square.
Kenilworth: One thing to do in Kenilworth is to visit Kenilworth Castle. The castle is a key part of the town’s history. Explore the castle ruins which are famous for their medieval and Tudor history or walk around the beautifully recreated Elizabethan Gardens. While in the small market town of Kenilworth why not pop into Coffee On The Corner or Forrest Coffee House to pick yourself up a coffee or snack? If you’re a budding skater, Kenilworth is home to free skateparks! There are a range of facilities including half pipes, rectangular grind rails, skate benches and ramp material. The train from Coventry to Kenilworth is roughly 7 minutes!
Warwick: if you’re in Warwick, you must visit Warwick Castle! The castle is a great place to visit for all ages. There are so many things to do and see at the castle including history walks and talks, trebuchet talks, birds of prey shows, and exploring the castle dungeons (which is especially fun to visit during the spooky season!). It’s the perfect spot to take your family to when they come to visit. You can even make a long weekend out of your visit and stay over at the castle. Visiting the castle is particularly fun at Christmas. You can glide around their ice rink, explore the ground in the light trail, enjoy stories with Santa and dig into some festive food at the food village. The best part is that they offer a student discount with a Student Beans account!
Shopping
Coventry town centre has everything you need.
West Orchards Shopping Centre, Lower Precinct Shopping Centre, and Central Six Retail Park are the main shopping areas in the city centre. From budget friendly shops to designer stores, you will be sure to find everything you need.
The city centre is home to many discount stores that help you save pennies! Stores include Poundland, B&M Store, Savers Health & Beauty, One Beyond, and Home Bargains. All are a short walk away from the Coventry University campus.
If you are looking for sporting goods stores, Coventry city centre is home to Sports Direct, JD Sports, Foot Locker, Footasylum and Trespass. GO Outdoors and Decathlon are also in Coventry but a short drive/bus journey away from the city centre.
There are also many clothing stores in Coventry city centre. There is New Look, Primark, River Island, H&M, Next and TK Maxx. Love a designer label? Why not pop into Flannels or Charlie Browns? Try not to spend all of your student loans at once!
If you’re looking to get some good deals, the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet is less than an hour’s drive away. Stores include Levi’s, Kate Spade, Adidas, The North Face, Nike and Carhartt WIP.
Nightlife
Coventry has a vibrant nightlife with a variety of different venues to suit everyone’s tastes!
Clubs:
There are multiple venues to visit in Coventry where you can dance the night away after a long day of studying.
The Yard: The Yard is Coventry’s largest LGBTQ+ venue! Located on Earl Street, The Yard hosts a variety of events including Drag brunches and cash karaoke, as well as incredible club nights. Performers such as drag acts, singers, and comedians grace the stage of The Yard every week. There is something for everyone at this fantastic venue. They also serve food 7 days a week.
147 Nightclub: Formerly known as Scholars, 147 Nightclub is a popular spot for many students. It is located on Far Gosford Street so just a short walk from Coventry University campus. The nightclub DJ’s play commercial music, Indie and current chart hits with the occasional old school throwback. Past events and club nights at the venue have included drag bingo, Disney quiz nights and naughty nineties nights.
Samoan Joe’s: Coventry’s very own jungle-inspired Tiki Bar! Samoan Joe’s recently moved and is now located in Skydome. They have over 100 varieties of rum. It’s the perfect place to visit if you love a quirky and unique venue and of course, rum! Keep an eye on their socials for upcoming events.
Kasbah: Also known as ‘The Colly’ to locals, Kasbah hosts live music events as well as club nights. Over the years Kasbah has hosted many major number 1 selling artists including Calvin Harris, N-Dubz and Klaxons. Club nights are on Mondays (Bubbleluv), Fridays (Kinky) and Saturdays (Tricky Disco) all with great drinks prices. There is also an amazing beer garden at the venue which has its very own barbeque!!
Catch Twenty Two: Located on Hertford Street, Catch Twenty Two is a premium nightclub and events venue. You can party in style with a VIP table or booth complete with hostess table service. Heading to Catch Twenty Two on a night out? Get yourself on the guestlist so you can join the priority queue on arrival.
Bars And Other Venues:
If you are more of a let’s just go for a couple of drinks person rather than a clubber there are plenty of bars and pubs around the city that you can visit.
Turtle Bay: This fun Caribbean-inspired restaurant offers a range of drinks including cocktails, Caribbean rums, Beers & Cider and mocktails. Turtle Bay offers 2’4’1 cocktails every day, from opening to 6.30 pm and then again at 9 pm to closing. Download the Turtle Bay rewards app to get access to secret cocktails and offers.
Slug & Lettuce: If you’re looking for a cocktail bar, Slug & Lettuce has you covered. As well as 2-for-1 cocktails, they also offer 2-hour bottomless brunches! You can browse their offers on their website.
Twisted Barrel Ale: With 24 draught taps, Twisted Barrel Ale is a popular venue with many students! They run quiz nights, brewery tours and a homebrew club. This tap house is a great choice if you want somewhere with a great selection of beers and ciders.
The Phoenix: Located next to The Hub, The Phoenix pub is a great spot for students. They offer exclusive student discounts on food and drinks so a visit won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for somewhere to watch live sports The Phoenix has you covered. You can find a list of all upcoming live sporting events being shown at the pub on their website. As well as live sporting events, The Phoenix hosts regular events including Get Social Wednesdays, Drag-A-Oke and Mad Friday. You do not want to miss out on Wing Wednesday where wings are only 40p each!!
Ivy House: The Ivy House is another student favourite. The venue has a cocktail bar and an underground club, a perfect spot for students to hang with friends when they need a break from studying. They also host a pub quiz every Tuesday at 8:30 pm.
Telegraph Hotel: There is a small bar at the Telegraph Hotel which you can find as soon as you walk into the building. It is the ideal spot if you are looking for a quiet drink with friends. There is also a rooftop bar called Generators which is open in the spring/summer months.
Sky Blue Tavern: The Sky Blue Tavern is Coventry’s very own CCFC themed sports bar. Take in all things Coventry City FC while enjoying an Indian Grill. It’s also the perfect place to watch Coventry City Football Club games!
Dhillon’s Spire Bar: Located in a former church spire, Dhillon’s Spire Bar is a cool bar and brewery in Coventry city centre. You’ll find a range of bespoke cocktails and beers created by Dhillons as well as the classics. They also run a quiz night every Tuesday, a fun-filled evening after a day of studying.
Transport Links
Coventry has great transport links! The two main transport hubs are Coventry Train Station and Pool Meadow Bus Station. Coventry Train Station has great links to Birmingham, Rugby, Nuneaton, Birmingham International (Birmingham Airport), Leamington and London. We recommended that you purchase a 16-25 railcard to save ⅓ off train travel for just £30 for the year. It makes all the difference. Even on small, cheaper journeys. It is especially useful if you make journeys to visit home anywhere in the UK often. After all, we all love saving some money where we can!
Pool Meadow is a short 5-10 minute walk away from The Hub. Here you can get the bus to many destinations. There are also many other bus stops located around Coventry town centre. You can plan your bus journeys and check out timetables on the National Express website. You will also find black cabs around the city centre and plenty of Uber drivers around.
Coventry also offers frequent transport links to Warwick University. There are multiple buses run by National Express and Stagecoach that can get you from Coventry to the Warwick University campus including the 12X National Express from Pool Meadow Bus Station. Be sure to check out bus timetables before making a trip.
Emergency Contacts
If you are new to the area or even the country there are a couple of emergency contact numbers you should be aware of. This is not because you will need them but because you or someone you know may be in need of a particular emergency service. Here is a list of emergency contact information to make a note of.
Police (non-emergency) 101
Medical Emergencies 999
NHS Healthcare Advice 111
Samaritans 116 123
Coventry University’s Protection Service (on campus) 024 7765 5555
Coventry University International Student Support Team 024 7765 2010
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The information in this guide is correct as of February 2025.
