The case for Coventry

In preparation for this article, I unintentionally took a walk through Coventry, which remind me why I was so at home in the city. It was a journey that started off optimistically and continued that way until my trainers met wet grass and I committed the ultimate sin of allowing my socks to get wet. Despite all this, I am still enamoured with the city, certainly enough to feel begrudged when it gets left in the rearview when pitted against Leamington Spa. This piece is attempting to restore some of that pride because, willingly or not, both the University of Warwick’s logo (the elephant in the top left corner) and its location place it exactly in the middle. 

Despite being the second largest city in the West Midlands region, the general consensus about Coventry is that it is run-down, depressing, and dire. However, it takes a detailed look at the post-industrial landscape to understand how much history the place has, and how the city is utilising it to make more memories.

Many of these businesses are also run by people who care to start a conversation over a donner kebab to ask how your studies are going

In and around Coventry, there are some buildings that date back to the medieval period; this blend of newer and older architecture creates a profound sense of character that really cannot be seen elsewhere. My favourite examples are both the Coventry Cathedrals and St Mary’s Guildhall, which are testaments to the city’s resilience post-WWII. These spots are genuinely gorgeous and are located in the hub of the city, which means scenic walks remain second to none. The Guildhall hosts history tours (of Tudor textiles and stained glass), and the modern Coventry Cathedral has a full calendar to keep the community engaged, from half-term Book Nooks to the Coventry Craft and Flea Market.

While Coventry boasts all the chain restaurants your heart desires, I feel it’s important to note that it also has an array of small businesses from all over the culinary world that keep students and lazy cooks alike well-fed. From Korean BBQ at Jinseon to home-made Malaysian cuisine at Evro Cafe, few places let you satisfy almost any random and highly specific craving within a five-minute walk. Many of these businesses are also run by people who care to start a conversation over a donner kebab to ask how your studies are going. Looking for the soup to cure all ills (Pho at Pho it) or portion sizes that feed the soul, there is more to the Coventry food scene than Wingstop. 

If you’re looking for something more artistic, then look no further than the public libraries or catch a production at the Belgrade Theatre

It would be remiss of me not to talk about the culture of Coventry. If you are a sports fan, then there’s nothing better than taking a Sunday evening off to watch the home games for the Coventry Blaze hockey team at the Skydome. If you’re looking for something more artistic, then look no further than the public libraries or catch a production at the Belgrade Theatre, a small arts scene committed to shows that are accessible to larger crowds. 

Ultimately, the virtue of Coventry is being able to commiserate about its faults and cheer on its strengths from inside the club; we all love to hate it because it is (unfortunately, or not) ours to hate.