Planning on staying in Coventry or Warwickshire over the summer and not sure how to make the most of the summer months? This week, blogger Clarissa shares some of what’s on offer.
By Riss Muller.
Summer is here and whilst the good weather may not last particularly long in the UK, there’s still plenty to do in the local area if you’re staying for the Summer months.
Most likely, we all have summer writing plans or a backlog of “to-dos” to work through, but just as important as the work itself is giving yourself breaks and some downtime to recharge for the work ahead. Fortunately, Coventry (and the surrounding areas) have a wealth of things on offer to keep you occupied – with a large portion of them being free (woo!) – so regardless of travel options or your purse strings, there’s sure to be something that takes your fancy. With a bit of online sleuthing, I’ve put together a list of things to do perfect for solo adventures, days out with the kids, or more social options if you really need to buckle down but want to mix up your work routine!
Active Activities
To kick things off (pun absolutely intended), Warwick’s Doctoral College has its annual PGR Summer Walk on July 7th for those who like the sound of taking the scenic footpath to Kenilworth from campus. Once you’re there, there are ample pubs and parks to visit and let’s not forget the beautiful Kenilworth Castle. There’s also a free drink on the College – definitely not to be missed!
Warwick Sport has also released new outdoor classes and, for the avid and novice gym-goers alike, offers courses on things from badminton and swimming to boxing and climbing (I can personally vouch for the incredible team at the climbing wall, it’s great fun there!). They offer a host of other options too, like “Rock Up & Play”, “Run. Jog. Walk.”, and virtual challenges to help keep working out fun.
Last, and by no means least, Coombe Abbey is a bus (or taxi) ride away and offers stunning walking trails through its grounds as well as medieval dining events, live music, and outdoor film screenings throughout the year. If you have small ones with you – or simply fancy having a go yourself – there’s also Go Ape where you or the kids can explore the forest canopy on a treetop rope course.
Culture’s Calling
As the city of culture 2021-2022, Coventry is brimming with events and activities to sate your cultural appetite, and below is just a taste of what’s on offer.
The Warwick Arts Centre is screening multiple films as part of this year’s SAFAR Festival – the only festival in the UK dedicated to Arab cinema. In the city itself, there’s also the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, which is home to everything from contemporary art exhibits to social history talks, and the lively Fargo Village which boasts a collection of incredible independent businesses offering everything from art studios, breweries, teashops, vintage stores and more.
Don’t forget to close out your summer break with a visit to the Godiva Festival, held at the War Memorial Park, in early September for live music from the likes of Bananarama, Katy B, The Libertines among other amazing performances.
Child-friendly Fun
Many of the activities already listed are suitable for adults and children alike, Coombe Abbey, the Herbert Gallery, and the Warwick Arts Centre all offer things for the whole family. Notably though, the previously mentioned Warwick Sports courses aren’t just for adults but for the whole family. Offering swimming lessons, holiday camps, junior fitness classes as well as climbing and esports parties, everyone can get involved and stay active over the summer break.
Looking to get further afield than campus? Why not have a game of footgolf – yes that’s apparently a thing – at the Memorial Park or head to Lunt Roman Fort for their festival on July 16th where you can try your hand at archery, watch gladiators in the area, or partake in replica Roman goods in the living history village.
Research Retreats
It’s not quite a day at the park, but for when the to-do list calls consider shaking up your usual routine or perhaps having a more social work day with some events hosted by Warwick Library.
“Write Here, Write Now” is on every Tuesday from 09:30-12:30 and allows you to boost your productivity by working alongside other PGRs on Teams in a format inspired by the Pomodoro technique. There’s also “Research Refresh”, held in the Wolfson Research Exchange every Thursday 10:30-12:00 which gives PGRs the chance to take a break from their work by chatting with fellow researchers, enjoying some coffee and snacks, and playing some card games. Both of these events run throughout the year so be sure to join in once the academic year starts up as well.
Don’t forget, even though campus can look very empty over summer, there is still lots going on. Make sure in between all the hours of hard work we know you all put in over these months that you lift your head up and take a break. Whatever you’ve got going on, we wish you a wonderful summer, at Warwick or beyond.
What are your plans for summer? Let us know in the comments below, by tweeting us @researchex or by emailing us at libraryblogs@warwick.ac.uk
Header Image: University of Warwick.
PhDLife Blog 