My Favourite Spots to Visit Near Campus

Looking for places to explore beyond campus? In our latest blog, undergraduate student Alize Su Ergenc, a second-year Management student at WBS living in Earlsdon, Coventry, shares her favourite local spots – from lesser-known food places to green spaces where you can unwind and relax.

Green spaces 

One of the things I like most about living in this area is the number of places where you can go for a walk, sit for a while and enjoy being outside. I have always been a big parks and public spaces person, and I really value places where people can meet without always having to spend money. I call these places third places: places you can go to outside of university or your house, and I believe they’re very important. The majority of us spend a significant amount of time in these third places like parks, gardens or community hubs. These places make me feel free, as they give me somewhere to spend time with other people in a simple, low-pressure way. 

One of my favourite places to go, especially when the weather is beautiful, is Jephson’s Gardens in Leamington Spa. I really like walking around there because it feels very peaceful and easy to spend time in. The gardens are beautiful, and the small lake makes the whole place feel calm. It is the kind of place where you can walk slowly, sit down for a bit, and just enjoy the moment. That is one of the things I enjoy most about places like this. You do not need to do anything special. Sometimes it is enough to just be somewhere pleasant, drink coffee, and watch people pass by. Jephson’s Gardens is one of those places that makes you want to slow down.

Another place I really enjoy is Kenilworth Park. Kenilworth has such a calm atmosphere, and I like walking around there because it feels quiet and relaxed. I also enjoy walking along the streets in Kenilworth because everything has a peaceful feel to it. It is a nice place to go when you want a break from busier areas and is pleasant to spend time in.

My favourite café

For food, Kitchen 126 in Coventry is one of my favourite cafés. I would probably say it is one of the best cafés in Coventry, especially because they have plenty of plant-based options and the food always looks aesthetically pleasing. I discovered it through Coventry locals, as I do not think it is that well-known among students, but their hot honey halloumi bowls are definitely worth checking out. They also do Turkish eggs with lamb brisket really well. Another advantage is that there is no strict time limit, so you can bring your laptop, do some work, and spend time there with friends.

Enjoying a fun activity with friends on a weekend

Another activity I would recommend is ice skating at the Skydome in Coventry city centre. It is very accessible from campus by bus and it is a good option for weekend hangouts, especially if you want to do something different with friends. You can also get a discount if you book online, which makes it quite popular within my friend group. I recently started taking group lessons there with my friends to learn how to ice skate, and I think it is a fun way to spend time together while also trying a new activity.

For me, the best places are the ones that feel easy, welcoming, and not too overwhelming. I like places where you can spend time with friends, go for a walk, try good food, or do something fun without needing to plan too much. That is why places like Jephson Gardens, Kenilworth, Kitchen 126, and Skydome ice skating are some of my favourite local spots. They all offer something different, whether it is nature, food, or an activity, but they all make it easier to enjoy life outside of university and home.