A love letter to Benson Yard: The underrated Liverpool accommodation you’re all sleeping on

When we first found out we were going to be living in Benson Yard, we didn’t know what to think. Like many students, we’d heard all the usual things about private accommodation—boring, quiet, expensive. Honestly, it wasn’t our first choice.

Benson Yard is part of a wider family of accommodations known as “This is Fresh,” which includes Calico, The Lantern, and Europa. 

But like all Liverpool-bound students moving away from home and starting life in a new city, we expected to be placed in university owned halls, living the full Liverpool Greenbank experience.

A last-minute clearing decision meant we didn’t have a say. We weren’t going to be living in Vine Court or partying in Crown Place. Instead, we landed at Benson Yard—and honestly? We’re so glad we did.

We searched everywhere, Googling and TikToking, willing results to pop up that would reassure our nerves. Nothing. No reviews, no videos, no YouTube tours narrated by enthusiastic student wannabe influencers, not a singular TikTok back then. Just a postcode and a few images that were probably tweaked by AI.

How were we supposed to move into a place that socially didn’t exist? Desperately in need of a virtual tour, we panicked, thinking we would be living in a ghost building on the edge of town, with no friends and no social life. Thankfully we were wrong.

Living at Benson Yard made our university experience

Most Read

Every single picture and video from Bonnie Blue’s school stunt with 20-year-old Penelope Peaches

These Russell Group unis are letting in way more students – and other unis aren’t happy

10 years on, Perrie Edwards opens up about her ‘toxic’ relationship with Zayn Malik

From the moment we moved in, we knew our fears were for nothing. The sky lounge, with its views over the Liverpool skyline, was an unexpected bonus (our dads were instantly impressed), and the rooms were clean, modern, and genuinely lovely. But what truly made the difference were the people. Benson Yard wasn’t just a place to live—it became a place where we felt part of something.

Benson is just a 10-minute stroll from lectures and only seconds from the buzzing nightlife of Concert Square, it has everything a first-year student could ask for: convenience, community, and countless opportunities to make memories.

That sense of community is no accident. We also spoke with Will, Benson’s Resident Manager, who’s been with the site since 2023, to understand how they’ve created such a welcoming environment.

‘Everyone truly cares about the resident’s experience’

“What makes Benson Yard different from other private accommodations?” we asked Will.

He explained that the vibe at Benson is different to other accommodations due to the community feel: “I think the most important thing for Benson Yard is the team. I know a lot of accommodations will say the same thing… but with Benson I genuinely believe you have a team where everyone truly cares about the resident’s experience.”

That really clicked with us. During our time there, we never felt like just another name on a spreadsheet. There was always someone to talk to—whether it was for help with something practical or just a quick chat on the way out the door.

The community feel we loved so much isn’t accidental either.

“We have a resident engagement strategy which lays the foundation for creating a welcoming environment, along with our wellbeing initiative called the Be Programme,” Will explained. “We do our best to adapt to different people’s needs and wants, and make sure that everyone feels that they’re in an environment where they can socialise if that’s what they’re looking for.”

One of our favourite moments had to be Puppy Day. The staff organised a visit from a group of playful pups, and it instantly became one of the highlights of our first year. It was also a chance to see faces we wouldn’t normally see, bringing everyone together and making new friends.

Not getting your first choice accom can actually be a blessing

It’s no secret that private accommodation has a bit of a bad reputation, especially among freshers trying to make the “right” choice. We asked if Will had experienced that stigma himself.

“Definitely,” he said. “When I received my results and confirmed my place, I was sent the options for the uni residence halls and just followed along because that seemed like the safest option. The only things I’d heard about private accommodations was that there was A LOT of them… and that because they’re not connected to any of the universities directly, they don’t have a lot going on.”

But Benson Yard seems to resist this title—and we wanted to know how.

“From the moment you enquire, a member of the team will reach out so you can discuss with us the exact sort of thing you’re looking for,” Will said. “We’re there to talk you through every step of the process… When you arrive, we’ll walk you through the whole building on your way up to the room and answer any questions you have so you feel as comfortable as possible on your first night.”

That personal touch made a huge difference for us. From day one, we immediately felt comfortable, welcomed, and part of the community.

And to be fair, we agree. The support we received from the Benson Yard team really shaped our university experience. Our flatmates became some of our closest friends, and the memories we made—from late-night kitchen conversations to elevator mirror selfies—will stay with us forever.

The facilities were so much better than we expected, especially for pres

And, of course, we can’t forget every students priority, pres. The open plan of the kitchen and the living room led for plenty of room for all our friends and a few more. This space was everything from casual dinners to lively pres before nights out, which unfortunately for him led to our many chit chats with Ali, our night concierge on the way out. It really is the little things.

The cinema room also became a second home for us. Whether it was chilled film nights with flatmates or booking out the entire space to watch Love Island, Benson gave us the chance to connect, relax, and share experiences that shaped our time as freshers.

So freshers, give Benson Yard a chance 

If you’re a new student trying to decide where to live, we know how overwhelming the choices can be. The big-name halls will always dominate the conversation, but sometimes the best experiences come from places that surprise you. As Will put it: “The most important thing I can say if you are unsure about staying with us is to reach out and talk to us… Give us a chance! Hear/see for yourself why Benson Yard is the best fit for you—I’m positive you won’t regret it.”

From two people who started out unsure and ended up with lifelong memories, we can only say: he’s right. 

Looking back now, we can laugh at how nervous we were. Benson Yard turned out to be the place where we found our people. It brought us together. Despite the horror that was clearing, and the pure anxiety of stepping into the unknown, we came out the other end with friends for life.