Attention future Bristol students: A Fresher’s guide to picking your Bristol accommodation

Once you’ve been offered a place from the universities on your UCAS application, it seems the hard part is complete until it’s time to sit your exams.

However, choosing accommodation is a whole new whirlwind – especially when Bristol has so many to choose from, it’s quite overwhelming to form your list. So, here’s a guide The Bristol Tab has compiled to help you along this decision, (hopefully) simplifying the choices for you.

Different things to consider before ranking: 

• Cost 
• Catered v self-catered 
• Location – distance to both campus and nights out
• Sociability
• Size – different structures of flats and corridors 
• Ensuite or shared bathroom
• Facilities – unique features like gardens, sports facilities, study spaces or cinema rooms 

There are 38 first-year accommodations, so we can’t go through every single one. However, here are some of the biggest and most reputable residences in a bit more detail:  

Explaining the residential villages: 

1. North Village

North Village is the largest residential village for first-year students. With over 2500 people, its reputation for parties and sociability is well-known. The U1 Bus runs to and from campus all day until 4am and is completely free for first years. Living here, you have close access to the Clifton Downs (a massive green space for running, walking, and summer festivals) and Coombe Dingle (the university’s sports facilities and exam venue). 

The flats here are both catered and self-catered, and have a variety of sizes. However, the larger flats with numbers 20 and above tend to be here.

Churchill and Wills  

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Wills looks like it’s straight out of Harry Potter; these rooms are catered, and its dining hall is one of the most surreal things ever. If you want to feel like you’re at Oxbridge, Wills is the place for you. 

Churchill is a wannabe-Wills, but a bit more toned down. It’s a big accommodation, but be warned, it’s a 10-minute walk from the U1 bus stop. The Botanical Gardens are also onsite, if that’s your vibe. 

Hiatt and Badock  

The largest accommodation in North Village, Hiatt Baker, is very sociable, with lots of different catered and self-catered options.  

It’s got a small gym, a cafe and massive study centre that I’ve been told rivals the ASS. Everyone is a DJ (I’m not even joking). 

Note that if you’re applying for catered rooms in Hiatt it will be a 5-minute walk across to Badock for all of your meals. You can be sharing pantries with up to 30 people and bathrooms with up to 12. 

Again, Badock is very similar with a huge range of flats as well as catered and self-catered options.  

Although it has acquired the nickname ‘K-dock’ for the somewhat scandalous activities that go on there, do not worry if that isn’t your vibe, you will be completely fine! 

University Hall 

A North Village classic, don’t let the appearance of UH put you off (I live there, and my flat has been compared to a cave) – it’s the cheapest accommodation in North Village and benefits from being right by the bus stop.  

With UH, you get all the benefits of being in North Village, without the hefty price tag, although you’ll likely have to share a bathroom. 

Durdham 

Durdham is commonly thought of as being one of the quietest halls in North Village, but don’t let that put you off.  

It’s ideal if you want the social aspect of being in Stoke Bishop, without worrying about the noise of people stumbling back to their flats at 5am.  

2. West Village

West Village is located in Clifton – a residential area of Bristol which has its own high street and small-town energy. Clifton is known for its cafes, views from the Suspension Bridge and being the perfect place to spend a sunny Sunday. The walk to campus is between 15 and 20 minutes, close enough to pop home during the day, but is also only 20 minutes to the city centre.  

Goldney Hall, Manor Hall, Clifton Hill House  

Whilst West Village is criticised for its lack of sociability, it is in fact severely underrated. Although it may not be located in an area dominated by students or clubs, the only thing between you and Brass Pig (the Triangle’s main attraction, as you’ll soon find out) is Lower Clifton Hill.  

In fact, you’ll quickly have to accept the mountainous terrain here – meet your new best friend, Constitution Hill. On a positive note, you won’t need a gym membership to stay fit.

One of the star residences in West Village is Goldney Hall. Owned by some rich geezer in the 1800s, its singular personality trait is its immaculate gardens featuring tennis courts, an orchard, a turret, a grotto and, of course, Goldney House. At least once a month there’s a filming crew using the grounds; it’s so nice people literally have weddings there (need I say more). 

Manor Hall is very similar, but at a much cheaper price. It has its own great hall, library, and the rooms are bigger, but the public swimming pool-esque toilet and shower cubicles are not the one. Be prepared for a slightly chaotic kitchen, as well.  

Clifton Hill House is, again, very similar. (You might start spotting a theme here – if it’s in Clifton, the vibes are pretty much the same). The biggest difference here is that all rooms are catered – no idea how it tastes but it always smells lovely when we walk past. 

Orchard Heights and Unite House 

If you’re looking for a room with a modern design, a double bed and the option of an ensuite bathroom, look no further than Orchard Heights or Unite House!  

These self-catered residences are located directly next to each other and both have a similar feel.  

Whilst you will be living very close to the city centre and a roughly ten-minute walk from campus, you will have to choose between scaling Park Street or the treacherous steps to make it to uni; not ideal when you’re in a rush.  

You will also be conveniently situated directly adjacent to OMG, Bristol’s most infamous gay club. Boys, be warned that if you choose to go out on a Thursday here, you may be roped into stripping for an air fryer.  

3. East Village

East Village is in the heart of the city, basically ensuring a full immersion in the Bristol experience. It’s close to nightlife venues, entertainment, shopping and loads of restaurants and pubs. You can walk or get a bus to campus within 20 to 30 minutes, but be prepared to scale either Park Street or University Road. 

Riverside, Courtrooms, New Bridewell, Campbell House 

If you’re dead set on living in the heart of Bristol, then Riverside, Courtrooms or New Bridewell might be the accommodation for you. Close to many of the most popular clubs and venues in the city, the temptation to be out every night of the week will most likely be the strongest here. If you’re also fashion-obsessed, you will be right by Cabot Circus, Bristol’s main shopping centre. You will also have quick access to the gym, cinema and, most importantly, Lidl.  

All these residences are self-catered and about a twenty-minute walk away from campus. 

Riverside is made up of three buildings: Favell House, the Rackhay and Waverley House.  

It’s conveniently right next to King Street, one of the best spots in the City Centre. However, be prepared to pay £10 a pint for a plastic cup and the novelty of sitting outside on a bench.  

New Bridewell, Campbell House and Courtrooms are extremely modern, and all rooms are en-suite, lucky you!  

Just to say, all we know about Campbell House is that it has a karaoke room.  

4. Bedminster

The only accommodation in this area is Metal Works, the new, extremely modern halls that opened this year. It’s huge and houses over 800 first-year students, but it will take either a 40-minute walk or 2 buses to reach campus. 

Metal Works  

Metal Works really does feel like a world of its own.  

Way out in Bedminster, you are committing to a 40-minute walk to campus or two buses (which can be a real pain if you’re running late for a 9am). To be honest, you’re living very far away from all other accommodations.  

Having said that, you are with 800 other first-years in the same position, and the facilities here are so huge and modern that it might as well be a hotel.  

There are dishwashers (I can only dream of having one of these), communal areas, a cinema room, an onsite gym and every room has an ensuite. 

Just around the corner is the largest ASDA you will ever see, which is a lifesaver for the weekly food shop. There’s even an Aldi too! Your bank account will definitely be grateful.  

Hillside Woodside  

One of the most underrated (and unknown) accommodations, Hillside Woodside, consists of a house of 30 people just across the Clifton Suspension Bridge.  

Although it might sound dull, they have the perfect spot for house parties (I highly recommend) and have probably the coolest walk into uni possible. 

But then again, you are kind of living in the middle of nowhere. 

As a side note, if you end up in a smaller accommodation like this, it may be slightly less sociable than other residences. Regardless, you will make friends one way or another very quickly, and it’s quite easy to get to and from other residences (so you can always escape, if necessary!).  

On the whole, don’t stress too much about ranking your accommodations. There are good and bad things about every single residence, and you’ll only live there for a year. You definitely get used to where you live, and it’ll be a key part of your university experience.