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 buildings and the spaces in between, as well as the nearby city centre area so you can get a feel for our great city.
Using our guide
Getting around Coventry University is easy, with all of our campus buildings located within short walking distances of each other, and close to the city centre. Here’s what to do:
- Follow the instructions listed below for a circular tour starting and finishing on the steps of Coventry Cathedral.
- You have the option to just visit the University campus or to extend your tour to the nearby city centre and Cathedral quarter.
- Use the Google Map to find our campus buildings in blue and some unique Coventry landmarks in green.
- You should allow between 45 and 60 minutes to complete the full Self-Guided Tour.
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, the remains of this beautiful building truly symbolise what Coventry stands for.
Alternatively, you can download and print the PDF version of the Self-Guided Tour route.
1
From the steps of the Cathedral you’ll be able to see the Alan Berry building (administration and Goldstein lecture theatre) ahead of you, across University Square. To your right is the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum. Walk down to the left of the Alan Berry building alongside the green space between Alan Berry and the Charles Ward building (Health and Life Sciences) with the George Eliot building (Geography, Law and Humanities) ahead of you. Follow the path round to the right and into the open green space.
Quick Facts
TheHub: This amazing building is our student sanctuary that houses our students’ union, a food court, study spaces, health and wellbeing services and 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 the George Eliot building is TheHub.
After viewing TheHub, on the far side of the building (by Costa Coffee and Costcutter) go up the steps on to Jordan Well. On your right you’ll pass the Futureworks student employment agency and The Tank TV Studio.
3
Directly ahead of you is the Ellen Terry building (Media and Performing Arts), a converted art deco building which was originally a cinema. 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 is the Graham Sutherland building (Art and Design) with more buildings used for Design courses (Bugatti, Maurice Foss) located further down Cox Street.
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.
4
The William Morris building is home to Coventry Business School and features the largest academic trading floor in Europe. Across the road from the Business School is the Jaguar Centre which is the main base for 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.
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 24 hour study room 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.
5
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 the side of this building you can see the student-only car park at the end, with Callice Court halls of residence behind.
To the left of the Engineering and Computing building 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.
6
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 newly built Alison Gingell Building (SHB) (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.
7
Walk around the outside of the SHB and follow the cobbled street towards and through the original former gatehouse of the Whitefriars Monastery. Turn right and go past the Sir John Laing building (Civil Engineering) and the back of the Richard Crossman building to the end of Much Park Street.
Ahead is the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and to the left a number of student-friendly food outlets. If you wish you can finish your tour here by walking down Bayley Lane and back to the Cathedral steps or head past Drapers and the Council House and go up High Street to explore the city centre shops and restaurants.
