Russell Group unis ranked by proximity to Wetherspoons – plus how many are in each city

There are many factors for deciding where you want to go to university.

Entry requirements, modules, travel options, job prospects… but, most importantly, where the nearest Wetherspoons is. If it’s the latter you’re thinking about – you’re in the right place.

The Tab has analysed the proximity of each Russell Group university’s main address to your local Wetherspoons, then ranked them from furthest away to closest. Spoiler alert: One of them is actually on campus!

24. University of Birmingham

Birmingham students, are you ok? It’s a two mile walk to their nearest Wetherspoons, The Figure of Eight.

23. University of Southampton

1.9 miles from campus to The Giddy Bridge. Southampton students, you also have our thought and prayers.

22. University of Warwick

The Giddy Bridge and The City Arms via Google Maps

It’s still only a marginally better 1.8 miles from Warwick campus to The City Arms in Coventry.

21. Imperial College London

The London unis fair surprisingly well on this list, apart from Imperial. It’s 1.7 miles to Wetherspoons Victoria Station.

20. University of York

The Postern Gate via Google Maps

To The Postern Gate, York students face a 1.2 mile journey.

19. University of Glasgow

One mile to The Hengler’s Circus for Glasgow Uni students.

=18. Durham University

It’s 0.8 miles from campus to The Bishops’ Mill.

=18. University of Nottingham

The Last Post via Google Maps

From campus to The Last Post, also 0.8 miles.

16. Queen’s University Belfast

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There’s only one (ONE!) Wetherspoons in Belfast, but even still it is not too far away from student central. Top of campus to Bridge House is also 0.7 miles.

=15. University of Cambridge

It’s just 0.6 miles to The Regal, even closer if you’re at Emmanuel College.

=15. University of Exeter

via Google Maps

0.6 miles to The Imperial for Exeter students.

=15. University of Liverpool

0.6 miles to Liverpool city centre’s The Richard John Blacker.

=12. Cardiff University

It’s only a short 0.5 mile walk to The Central Bar in Cardiff.

=12. University of Edinburgh

0.5 miles to The Booking Office for Edi students.

=12. University of Manchester

Manchester’s Ford Maddox Brown (left) and KCL and UCL’s Shakespeare’s Head (right) via Google Maps

Also on the same distance, the University of Manchester with their closest Wetherspoons, The Ford Madox Brown.

=9. King’s College London

0.4 miles to The Shakespeare’s Head.

=9. University of Sheffield

The Francis Newton via Google Maps

The Francis Newton – a staple in the city for all student year groups – is 0.4 miles from campus.

=9. University College London

For those at UCL, The Captain Flinders is 0.4 miles away.

=6. University of Bristol

A few in joint runner-up position now: 0.3 miles to The Berkeley.

=6. London School of Economics

0.3 miles to Shakespeare’s Head (and yes, that’s the same one as KCL’s).

=6. University of Oxford

Is there any rankings that Oxbridge don’t make it to the top of? 0.3 miles to The Four Candles.

=6. Queen Mary University of London

0.3 miles from the QMUL campus to The Half Moon.

2. University of Leeds

The Cuthbert Broderick (left), and (right) The Henley Verity Disco Spoons via Google Maps

Leeds is not short of Wetherspoons options, including a Disco Spoons! But the closest to campus is The Cuthbert Broderick – 0.2 miles away.

1. Newcastle University

But nobody can beat Newcastle University, which has a two-storey Wetherspoons – Luther’s Bar – in its Students’ Union!

Newcastle University Students’ Union via Google Maps

Which Russell Group cities have the most Wetherspoons?

So you know how far you need to walk, but here’s the real competition – how many does each city have?

​Birmingham tops the list with 17 in total. Poor showing from Belfast, Durham, and Cambridge at the other end of the table.

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Featured image via Google Maps / Canva