Self-Guided Tour
At Coventry University we would love to give you a proper welcome at one of our Open Days or student-led tours, however, we also understand that this isn’t always a possibility. This is why we’ve created this self-guided tour of the university campus and parts of Coventry city centre, so you can take an informed look around on a day that suits you.
Below you’ll find a simple-to-follow route taking in our campus, as well as the nearby city centre area so you can get a feel for our welcoming and inclusive city.
Getting around Coventry University is easy, with all of our campus buildings located within short distance of each other, and close to the city centre.
Here’s what to do:
Your suggested starting point
What better place to start your tour than at the city’s most famous landmark, Coventry Cathedral?
Destroyed in the Coventry Blitz during the Second World War, these beautiful remains truly symbolise what Coventry stands for - peace and reconciliation.
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From the steps of the cathedral you’ll be able to see right across University Square. To your right is the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. Walk down the steps between the museum and green space, you'll come to the George Eliot Building (Geography, Law and Humanities) to your left and The Hub on your right. Follow the path round to the right and into the open space of Starley Gardens.
Quick Facts
The Hub: This is the go-to place for our students. It's home to our students’ union, a food court, study spaces, health and wellbeing services and so much more.2
There are two lecture theatres (Hillman and Humber) bordering this area, and behind them is FutureLets, our one-stop shop for student accommodation. The glass block building opposite George Eliot is The Hub.
Walk through The Hub to the other side by Costa Coffee and Simply Fresh, then go up the steps onto Jordan Well. On your right you’ll pass the Success Coaches main office and The Tank TV Studio.
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Directly ahead of you is the Ellen Terry Building (Media and Performing Arts), which is a converted cinema in the Art Deco style. To the right of Ellen Terry is the Richard Crossman Building (Health and Life Sciences).
Cross to the Ellen Terry side of the street and turn left. Carry on across “red square” and down Gosford Street. There are a number of student friendly bars and shops in this area, including The Phoenix pub on the corner. On the other side of the street you can now clearly see the Delia Derbyshire complex (College of the Arts and Society); the complex comprises the Graham Sutherland and Maurice Foss buildings and represents our multi-million-pound investment in the Arts and Society subjects.
The eye-catching gold Jacquard loom ribbon-making pattern decorating the outside is a nod to Coventry’s heritage as the heart of England’s silk ribbon-making industry, in the 19th century.
Continue walking down Gosford Street and under the brightly lit ring road flyover until you come to the William Morris Building.
Quick Facts
The Lanchester library: The go-to place when any studying needs to be done, it's five towering floors of resources to aid you, as well as fantastic spaces to work.
Quick Facts
Fargo Village: This independent creative district features everything from clothes to scooters, artwork and more. It’s a must-visit for any student.
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The William Morris Building is home to many of the College of Business and Law courses and features the largest academic trading floor in Europe. Across the road is the Jaguar Centre, which is the main base for our postgraduate students.
If you were to carry on down Gosford Street and into Far Gosford Street you would soon come to the Fargo Village creative district which is very popular with students and the public alike.
Turn right from the front of William Morris and head towards the Lanchester Library. Enter the covered walkway and proceed to the other end past the open plan study booths and desks and the Centre for Academic Writing. The Lanchester Library is a complete learning resource and offers a range of study environments across its five floors. It also houses the Disruptive Media Learning Lab which includes experimental new learning areas.
Quick Facts
Engineering and Computing Building: The visually stunning home of our wind tunnel, flight simulators, Harrier jump jet and a host of incredible facilities.
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Exit the walkway and come out on to the open area with bike racks to your left and the Engineering and Computing Building straight ahead. Looking down to the left you can see the Beatrice Shilling Building.
To the right of Engineering and Computing you’ll find the Student Centre, which is home to many student support services including our finance team and the Centre for Global Engagement, which organises international trips, events and experiences for students.
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Now retrace your steps to the open paved area and follow the pavement around the library and back to Gosford Street. At the end turn left and go back up to The Phoenix and then go left into White Friars Street.
Walk down White Friars Street. At the end is the Sport and Recreation Centre, featuring a fully equipped gym, dance halls and multi-use sports courts. Next to this is the Alison Gingell Building (Health and Life Sciences). It features a flexible super laboratory for up to 240 students, a running track, a hospital ward and two simulation community houses.
