Warwick Arts Centre
WHERE
Coventry
What it’s like
Free family art sessions, storytelling for babies and live theatre under one roof, with a proper café for the in-between bits.
There's a free artist-led creative session most weeks, drawing, sculpture, animation, movement, and it rotates enough that a family who comes back monthly won't get bored of it. For younger ones there's music and storytelling built for babies and toddlers, and the Musical Picnics performances seem aimed squarely at that same age group without talking down to them. Older kids get proper live theatre and cinema screenings, plus the Mead Gallery if you fancy dragging them round an exhibition on the way out.
The age rules are worth knowing before you book. Cinema needs an accompanying adult for under-14s and proof of ID; live events need the same for under-16s. Babies under 12 months get in free with a Babes in Arms ticket, but everyone else, even a one-year-old, needs a ticket of their own once they're past that age, and 12 to 24 months is charged at £4. That's a fair enough system but it does mean you can't just wing it with a toddler on your lap.
It's a cashless venue, no cash at all, and there's a non-refundable booking fee added to ticket prices whichever way you book. No hot food or glass in the auditoria either, so the crisps come out at the café instead. Benugo Bar & Kitchen does coffee and lunch through the day, and there's a Theatre Bar for evenings plus Panda Mami if you want a proper sit-down meal.
Parking's on the University of Warwick campus and they recommend the Cryfield Village car park. It's £3.50 for up to two hours on weekday daytimes, cheaper at evenings and weekends, or £8.50 for the whole day, and blue badge parking is free near Senate House. If you're coming by train, it's the number 12 bus from Coventry station, about fifteen minutes.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- No fixed age range given, but sessions split from babies to teens
- Booking
- Advance booking encouraged online
- Parking
- Pay on arrival or pre-book online
- Food
- Benugo Bar & Kitchen (daily, coffee, pastries, lunch and dinner) and Theatre Bar (evenings)
- Wheelchairs
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible seating in all venues
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome in auditoria
- Getting there by bus or train
- Coventry station: No. 12 bus, about 15 minutes, or taxi
- It's cashless throughout, so leave the loose change at home
- No hot food or glass allowed in the auditoria, even if you've bought it at the bar
- A booking fee gets added to every ticket regardless of how you book
- Blue badge parking near Senate House is free but you register the vehicle in advance online
- Film Club membership gets you free weekend parking if you're a regular
Plan your visit
Do we need to book in advance?
You can book online ahead of time, or just turn up at the Box Office from 1:30pm daily. Walk-ups are fine, but popular shows are safer booked in advance.
How much does it cost?
Ticket prices vary by event and include a non-refundable booking fee. Babies under 12 months get in free with a Babes in Arms ticket, and 12 to 24 months is charged £4.
Can a toddler come along?
Yes, but every child needs their own ticket once they're over 12 months. There's music and storytelling designed for babies and toddlers if you want something pitched at that age.
Is there an age limit for shows and films?
Under-14s at the cinema and under-16s at live events need an adult aged 18 or over with them, and may need to show ID. Age guidance applies to some live events.
What's the parking like?
Pay on arrival at the campus car parks, £3.50 for up to two hours on weekdays, less at evenings and weekends, or £8.50 for the full day. Blue badge parking is free near Senate House, a few minutes' walk.
Can we take cash?
No, it's a cashless venue. Cards only for tickets, food and parking machines.
What food is there?
Benugo Bar & Kitchen does coffee, pastries and meals through the day, there's a Theatre Bar for evenings, and Panda Mami restaurant is also on site. No hot food or glass bottles allowed inside the auditoria though.
How do we get there without a car?
The nearest mainline station is Coventry, then it's the number 12 bus, about fifteen minutes, or a taxi.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair spaces and accessible seating are in all venues, and there's limited wheelchair hire if you reserve it in advance with the Box Office.
Can we bring the dog?
Assistance dogs are welcome in the auditoria, and staff can look after them during a performance if needed.
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