Coventry is one of the UK’s best-kept secrets.
You’ll never find it at the top of the guidebook, but behind its modest exterior is a delightful city, with a spot-on blend of culture, charm, and modern living. And with two top-ranking universities to its name, it’s also one of the best places to study in the country.
Calling Vita Student Copper Towers home means you wake up in the heart of Coventry. From here, it’s easy to make the most of the city’s hidden gems and local favourites.
Not sure where to start? Read on for a little inspiration.
Spon Street
Once upon a time, Coventry was crammed with winding medieval streets and fairytale buildings. Heavy bombing during World War II and further redevelopment of the city meant that many of these picturesque thoroughfares disappeared.
But not all of them.
Spon Street still stands as one of Coventry’s prettiest streets. Here, you’ll find centuries-old, timber-framed shops sitting jauntily either side of the road.
Come here for a tasty bite to eat in a scenic spot (Selmina’s Mexican restaurant comes highly recommended). Order a pint and enjoy live music at the oldest pub in Coventry, The Old Windmill, dating to the 1400s!
Walking time from Copper Towers: 10 minutes
Hertbert Art Gallery and Museum
If you want to really understand Coventry’s unique spirit, the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is the place to go.
Become an expert in all the history, myths, and legends that make the city what it is today. More artistically inclined? Come back time and again to explore the art gallery’s changing displays.
Keep an eye on the museum’s What’s On page for crafting workshops, ghost hunts, and wildlife talks to name just a few, and don’t be surprised if you bump into a dinosaur along the way…
Walking time from Copper Towers: 11 minutes
FarGo Village
Quite possibly the coolest spot in Coventry, FarGo Village reigns as the city’s number one quarter for independent shops, creative businesses, and artisan makers.
Come along to shop handmade gifts and vintage treasures, or bring your uni mates to get stuck into the street food on offer, for a lazy afternoon soaking up a colourful atmosphere.
The best bit? FarGo’s never-ending line-up of events.
Think wellness festivals, dance parties, makers markets, live music, and a whole lot more.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 23 minutes
Catherdral Quarter
Coventry has had not one… not two… but, you guessed it, three cathedrals (two now ruined) over nearly 1,000 years. And you can visit them all in one place in the Cathedral Quarter.
Their history is so entwined with Coventry’s story that it’s well worth a visit to learn more. But if you’re saving brain space for lectures, don’t worry, you can still admire this beautiful, dappled corner of the city by simply strolling down its cobbled streets and taking in the scenery.
There’s definitely a bit of magic in the air around here, so take your camera to capture the enchanting medieval feel of the place.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 11 minutes
St Mary’s Guildhall
Talking of medieval…
While you’re in the Cathedral Quarter, make sure you duck into St Mary’s Guildhall, a tantalising relic from the Middle Ages, which miraculously survived the bombing in WWII.
Come here to discover what life was like in Coventry’s medieval past, and stay for the wonderful hidden gem that is Tales of Tea, the site’s unique café and restaurant.
Get down to one of their sangria, tapas, and live jazz nights for a sophisticated start to the weekend.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 10 minutes
Planet Ice
Coventry isn’t exactly known for its snowy weather, but you can get your skates on and cut some shapes on the ice year-round at Planet Ice.
This is the thing to do if you need to blow off some steam – and there’s nothing like a chilly lap of the rink to wake you up after a late night in the library.
Sign up for lessons or freestyle it at a public ice-skating session. Even better, bring your course mates and get to know each other a little better while trying something a bit different.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 8 minutes
Warwick Row Espresso
This café gets a shout out for two reasons: one, it consistently crops up as one of the best coffee shops in Coventry; and two, it’s literally a two-minute walk from Copper Towers.
That makes Warwick Row Espresso your go-to for both a lazy Sunday-morning breakfast and a quick latte on the way to lectures.
Expect crispy pastries and hot chocolate with all the toppings, plus brunch-to-lunch classics like smashed avo on toast, eggs benedict, Full English, and some ridiculously tempting cheesecakes.
Warwick Row Espresso is bound to become your favourite study spot.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 2 minutes
War Memorial Park
It’s all well and good living in a bustling, lively city, but sometimes you just need a moment to run loose and feel the grass beneath your feet.
Lucky for you, War Memorial Park is only a 15-minute walk from Copper Towers, with over 48 hectares of green space to frolic about in.
Coming here feels like stepping out of the city. You can wander tree-lined paths, join Parkrun, book a tennis court, play football… It’s an ideal way to unwind after a busy week.
When you get peckish, be sure to head to The Park Bistro for comfort food, coffee, and cake.
Walking time from Copper Towers: 15 minutes
This is just a starting point for your next chapter in Coventry, and living at Vita Student Copper Towers means you can enjoy it all on your doorstep.
Add to the mix your own spacious studio, a 24/7 gym, weekday breakfasts, and plenty of room to hang out with new friends, and it’s easier than ever to take control of your student experience.
