Everything you need to know about where you’ll be studying if you join our Scarborough Campus this year…
Throughout Scarborough you can find great examples of the cultural flair that makes it a unique and vibrant town – one of the reasons why Coventry University is proud to be a community partner. We have created teaching spaces within the Scarborough Spa complex and Woodend Creative for 2015, and plans are in place for a brand new campus in 2016.
Scarborough Spa
With links going all the way back to the 17th Century, the Scarborough Spa complex is one of the most historically rich buildings in the town. After its conception, the Spa went through many rebuilds in the 18th Century. This was due to its location near the cliffs, as landfalls meant that the building was destroyed multiple times.
By the mid-1800s, the Spa had become the most popular music venue outside of London. But, unfortunately, in 1876 disaster struck again and the main saloon was destroyed in a fire. It took three years for the Spa, with its new grand hall, to be opened to the public once more.
Thanks to a major restoration programme that took place in the late 1980s, visitors can still experience some revitalised, original features and decorative styles throughout. The complex now includes the Spa Theatre, the Grand Hall for concerts, the Ocean Room, the Promenade Lounge, the Sun Court for larger, outdoor concerts, as well as cafes and bars.
These days, the Scarborough Spa offers a host of attractions for locals and tourists alike. Since 1912, the Spa has housed its own orchestra that performs at gala nights, morning and evening concerts and the ever-popular teddy bear’s picnic for younger visitors. Plus, each September the complex plays host to the Scarborough Jazz Festival, a three-day offering of great music and entertainment.
With all this culture on tap, the Scarborough Spa complex is clearly a fantastic area to inspire your learning.
Woodend Creative
Woodend Creative is a space for offices, art exhibitions, events, meetings and more. Its aim is to support local creative businesses and artists around the Scarborough area, giving them a setting to harness their talents.
Overlooking the Valley Gardens and South Bay, the original Grade II house was built in 1835. It became the home of the Sitwell family in 1870 and for the next 99 years was cared for and extended with a new conservatory and library wing. Eventually the house was left to Scarborough Council, who reformed it into the Wood End Museum of Natural History. Finally, in 2006, the building was converted for creative workplace development and Woodend Creative was born.
The buildings have since been re-developed, with a full refurbishment of the former Victorian conservatory, now a unique gallery space. Furthermore, two new extensions have been designed to highlight and support the classic features of the architecture, rather than attempt to modernise it. This unique space offers excellent opportunities to meet other creative people, share ideas and network for the future. It’s sure to be a great environment to progress throughout your degree.
We hope this got your creative and cultural juices flowing. Inspiration is definitely in the air in Scarborough and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
