A Warwick bucket list: 20+1 things to do before you graduate
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“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
– Bueller, 1986
As a third year nearing the end, I’m almost contractually mandated to bemoan the passage of time, my own encroaching ‘end’, and the relentless swing of death’s remorseless scythe. However, on top of this, I have also gleaned the lived experience required to compile a comprehensive bucket list of things to do at the University of Warwick. These will range from highly achievable and fun, to impossible and deeply immoral.
For my fellow final years, I would compel you to read this article extremely quickly, as you are definitely running out of time.
The only BNOC who doesn’t viciously self-market himself because he’s a cat, this furry feline friend is a big presence on campus. He’s also tough as nails, having survived being hit by a van in 2019, after being saved by a medical student. Meeting him is truly an honour, and there’s no doubt he can serve as a mental health lighthouse in the storm of assignment stress.
Some say the Warwick Week should be every week, and they’re not necessarily wrong. The extraordinary combination of Kasbah, Smack, Circle, then POP!, Rosies, Neon, then Moo or Smack again, followed potentially by Reflex Birmingham, is not one you’ll want to miss. At the very least, it’s highly recommended that you get yourself to the Holy Trinity, Kasbah, Neon, and Smack, a big three that make Yalta look insignificant.
When the sun is shining and assignments are done, there’s nothing nicer than the riverside walk from Leamington to Warwick town. A lovely 1-hour stretch passing by railway lines, the Grand Canal, and scenic views of idyllic countryside, followed by a day out in Warwick. The town has a very impressive castle, a lovely church, a free local museum, a quality Spoons, a world-class tea room, and beautiful streets to wander along. Full of history and charm, it’s well worth a visit to find out why the powers that be opted to name the university after Warwick, and not the much closer Coventry. I would also recommend stopping off at Warwick Tennis Club for an affordable pint, a game of ping pong, and a lovely place to sit and bask in picturesque surroundings.
Though the greatest challenge is bagging a table, getting to the end of this true endurance test comes an extremely close second. The questions can be contrived, and it goes on forever, but the atmosphere is good, and it’s extremely popular. Although it’s worth noting that some teams take it more seriously than others, so it’s worth coming prepared.
The Saxon Mill pub just outside Leamington offers a fantastic venue for some wild swimming, set against the impressive backdrop of Guy’s Cliffe, a ruined mansion that sits across the river. Make sure to cross the bridge rather than diving straight onto the weir. You can even stumble into what feels like a scene from one of Thomas Hardy’s extended countryside descriptions with a scenic church surrounded by outstretched fields. Further along, there’s a rope swing, ideal for launching yourself into the water. Behind this looms a striking ruined mansion, named after Guy of Warwick, and the chapel has even been used by the Freemasons.
We’re moving to a particularly difficult one here, since if you fail to complete this in your first year, the idea of completing it in a later one becomes reputationally dicey. However, if you’re a fresher, it’s definitely worth it, allowing you to see the whole range of living situations at the university.
Accommodations that will prove a challenge include Whitefields, since it’s been gutted in preparation for demolition, Westwood, because of the extreme distance, and Cryfield Apartments, because only like three real human beings seem to live there. However, it can be done; I myself have even managed it, though I’d like to stress that this was in my first year. It is also important to note that it’s recommended that you’re invited to the accommodation in some capacity rather than just rocking up, which could look “weird”.
Stratford-upon-Avon is but a particularly proficient stone thrower’s stone throw away from campus and provides the opportunity for a lovely day out. Visit all 1,000 of the Shakespeare-themed experiences in the town, from his house to his old house to his wife’s house. Row along the scenic Avon, check out the cool riverside Shakespeare monument, and enjoy the views around the RSC building. And when evening comes around, why not check out an RSC performance? They’re only ten pounds if you buy TikTok tickets.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Get dinner at the Rugby Tavern in Cubbington, it’s a very cool-looking pub right in the beating heart of the town centre. Don’t forget to say disparaging things about Lillington as your 67A bus route tours through it on the way.
This is a pretty simple one. Whether it’s through serving as someone’s campus crush, doing something deeply embarrassing in public, or your mates getting bored, seeing your initials in a post is simply a rite of passage at the university.
Warwick has innumerable publications to write for, from The Boar, The Tab, and Rewind to Perspectives, Left Magazine, and Planorama, all of which are run by passionate students and provide a great creative outlet. Meanwhile, RAW provides the opportunity to have your own radio show, which is extremely fun and worth checking out.
The Venice of Europe. Birmingham is a great place for a night out, and well worth the trek. I’d recommend going with someone who knows their way around, and would suggest Snobs as a great place to end the night. There’s so much to do, and it provides a great opportunity to enjoy a big city nightlife.
Despite much derision, Coventry has a lot going for it. The UK City of Culture in 2020, which we’re just going to pretend is a good award to receive, the area around the Lady Godiva statue is genuinely very impressive. The ruined cathedral is beautiful (you may remember it from such hit films as 2009’s Nativity!) and the new Cathedral next door has some amazing stained-glass windows. There’s also the waterpark, The Wave, which I think would be very funny to visit, and some great pubs and restaurants, alongside a fun museum.
Dave is one of the finest musical minds of his generation, and he blesses us with that wisdom each Wednesday night at POP!. His capacity to “never miss” is remarkable, and he’s provided the soundtrack to many formative moments in thousands of Warwick students’ careers. Dave has always captivated campus. In fact, his face has even been put on T-Shirts in the style of Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe, so there’s no doubt that bagging a photo with him is one of Warwick’s greatest honours.
PubJog is the Warwick Athletics and Cross Country Club’s termly Odyssey from campus to Earlsdon to Kasbah, with ten pints on the way. A truly fantastic experience every time, you even get a custom T-Shirt! The hardcore among you may also be intrigued by PubJog XL, a 16-pint pilgrimage from Leamington to Kenilworth to campus to Kasbah, only completed to the full alcoholic and physical extent by two men, Max Winfield and ‘Fresher Chris’. Perhaps, you too could join their ranks.
It’s got a castle, the mayor is very friendly, the Wetherspoons there is magical, the walk there from campus is lovely, and did I mention it’s got a castle? It’s simply a non-negotiable.
Zummy Zummy is by far and away the best Circling game, so make sure you get yourself sat in a circle, at some point on Wednesday evening, and enjoy some of the best gameplay Warwick has to offer.
The concept of BNOCs is one of the stupidest things in the world, but it’s comedic how alluring the title can prove for some people. Ensure you engage with it using the right amount of irony, and it can be great fun for all.
This is rather self-explanatory. ‘Liberate’ a trolley from your nearest supermarket and photograph it somewhere stupid. Warwick has a rich history of this, and it’s important you pay respect to it.
Hundreds of students have done it before you, hundreds more will after you. The bar of starting a Warwick Instagram account is possibly too low, with dozens of pages and account names that will make your brain hurt, but if you can’t beat them, join them.
RON is as relentless as the tide. He waits for no man and never drops out. To defeat RON is to defeat one of the most prolific electioneers ever to campaign and a necessary part of the Warwick experience.
Like an endangered species, Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft can be hard to spot on campus. But if you do see him before graduation day, make sure to shake his hand. It’ll be good practice for when you’re eventually up on the big stage, accepting your degree from him and leaving Warwick for good.
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Whether it’s possible to complete all twenty and one of these remains to be seen. Perhaps, you could be the first to do it. Perhaps, some of them shouldn’t even be attempted. Either way however, I hope this piece has given you at least one new way to seize the day. University moves quickly, so be sure to make the most of it.