The 10 best and worst things about living in Cranborne House

From its top draw location to its very own festival, here’s what makes Cranborne, Cranborne


Location, location, location

One of the best things about BU Halls is their prime location in Lansdowne. Not only are you just around the corner from Cameo for your wildest nights out (just about a manageable walk in heels when you’re off your face) but you are also only a few steps away from the town centre to splurge your entire student loan. Lansdowne is the perfect place for students to be students, and Cranborne is in the heart of it all.

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Making friends

Halls are the perfect place to meet people and find friends that you will keep for the entirety of your University years and beyond (hopefully).  With Cranborne’s 10 floors of 6-7 bedroom flats, you’re guaranteed to meet some of the greatest people ever. Cranborne is a social hub and first year is all about putting yourself out there, so don’t be shy.  Start up that conversation in the lift, you never know what could happen.

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The greatest thing about halls is the massive flat parties and pre-drinks that first years can host. Is it your birthday? A society social? Or do you just fancy a really messy night out? Cranborne is where the party starts – the massive kitchens in South and North blocks can fit herds of students, just as long as you don’t mind being a little sweaty. Just watch out for those noise complaints…

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Room size

Cranborne kitchens and living areas are definitely some of the biggest that BU halls have to offer, perfect for pre drinks, gatherings, flat meals in or a movie night. Whatever takes your fancy, the size of the flats (and even the bedrooms) are certainly generous for halls – so much room for activities! Oh, and the Cranborne bathroom mirrors are incredible selfie lighting, trust me.

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The security team

Another perk is the fact that you have a security team looking out for you, making sure you get home safely, collecting and storing your post and mediating all of your flat drama. First year can be scary when you’re on your own away from the care of your family, but the round-the-clock receptionists and guards give a weird sense of security to the building. Get on their good side and hope that they get you out of trouble should you ever need a get out of jail free card.

Cranborne Festival

Because what other halls has its own little party just for you at the end of the year? It may just be a free BBQ with some ice cream on the side. But who are you kidding? No one says no to free food.

Last stop for the bus

Another highlight of living in Cranborne is definitely how easy it is to get to uni, especially for those pesky 9ams. Being the last halls stop on the bus route has it perks. Early morning lecture? Running late? Not to worry, quickly run down to the bus stop and you can get on the 8:50 bus and make it in time. No other halls get that luxury. We win.

Last stop for the bus (again)

Ever tried to get on the last bus to uni, only to find it completely jam-packed and you end up missing your lecture? Yep, Cranborne being the last stop means everyone else gets first dibs on a seat, and when all the standing space is full, that driver will mercilessly drive away and leave you standing in the rain, wishing you hadn’t opted to spend that extra 10 minutes straightening your hair. You’ll soon learn what days you have to get in early for.

Silverfish

However, Cranborne wasn’t necessarily paradise. With the mess that students make comes the dreaded insect infestations. Yes, I mean Silverfish. Before coming to uni, they were nothing but a myth. But once you start walking around halls they soon become a common sight. When I cleaned my room for the dreaded moving out day, they had formed a nice colony in my wardrobe. Watch out for that one.

Thin walls

Got an early start tomorrow? That’s probably when your noisiest, most annoying flatmate decides to bring the loudest pull back to the flat and you can hear them until 6am. Yep, Cranborne’s walls are paper thin, and whilst it’s great for a cheeky eavesdrop now and then (we all do it), you don’t want to hear someone banging all night. Or their shit playlist on Spotify. Sorry not sorry.