Kings College. (Halls Of Residence At The University Of Cambridge)

Member Name: magpie

Product:	Halls Of Residence At The University Of Cambridge
Date:	24/11/00 (1783 review reads)
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Advantages: Accomodation for all 3 years

Disadvantages: Can be cold, or small

Cambridge is an unusual university - with no halls of residence, as such.

Everyone in Cambridge University belongs to a college, and for each of their three years, they stay in college accomodation. This ranges from ancient draughty rooms in the college itself, to modern 'hostels' built on the outskirts of the city.

When I was in Cambridge I was a member of Kings College. In my first year I stayed in the Keynes block, in my second and third years I stayed in Newnham Terrace hostel. I had friends who lived in various other hostels, and I will now descibe some of these glorious places! I also had friends in other colleges, and I'll end by talking about some of these places.

Kings College - Keynes builing.

This is a 1960's concrete monstosity which nestles behind a 1800's building which contains the main hall and bar. It is in college, and so very convenient for getting to lectures, and for socialising.

The rooms are quite small for Cambridge, though larger than those in other Univerisities. The rooms come equipped with a small fridge, a desk and lamp, bookshelves and built in wardrobe. They also have a bathroom, with toilet, washbasin, bath and shower. You can get a phone socket or internet connection fitted to your room for a small fee. Your room is cleaned once a week, and given a quick once over everyday (bins emptied, new loo roll).

Each corridor has access to a small kitchen, which also had a fridge, microwave and baby belling cooker (two hobs and a small oven).

Because the rooms are organised into corridors, there is normally a good 'corridor spirit'. Everyone gets on well, goes down to the canteen together, cooks for each other, and generally has fun. Most first years stay in Keynes, and its a great place, other than the magnificently horrible architecture.

Kings College - Newnham Terrace hostel

This hostel is made from 4 Victorian terrace h
ouses, all knocked together. This means it has a really house like atmosphere. It's a good place to go and live with friends, and is the closest you can get to 'living out' without spending loads of money. It's a little bit further out of town, but with a bike you are still only 3 minutes from your lectures. Sainsburys is miles away though - and you end up doing your shopping at the nearer Newnham Co-op. The hostel is otherwise in a brilliant location - near a Bella Pasta, a Curry house, a Thai restaurant (with shop attatched), and the Granta pub, a very pleasant place to while away an evening.

Each house in the hostel has a garden, which extends down to the side of the mill race, providing a fantastic riverside location. The gardens are looked after by the college. Each house has it's own kitchen, with a proper cooker, microwave, fridge, and dining table and chairs. Unfortunately the houses weren't centrally heated when I lived there. Several times during the winter there was ice on the inside of the windows. A water bottle and/or boyfriend were essential! Also, a thick pair of pjamas, and a good duvet cover.

The rooms were excellent. In my second year I had a top floor room, with basin, and adjacent to a bathroom (huge bath, unfortunately no shower). I got very quick at 5 minute baths! In my final year I had a ground floor room, again with basin, and near the loo. The room was actually two rooms (a set) with a small bedroom, and a large study/living room. This was great for parties!

There are plans for Newnham Terrace hostel to be sold to Darwin College, but if they are I'm sure the rooms will still be great.

Kings College - Market Hostel

Market hostel is another place many of the first years stay. It is located above Barclays bank, and is very central. The rooms are not as good as Keynes, but as it's a hostel there is a better atmosphere. There's a TV room, sha
red kitchens, shared bathrooms, and so on. In the first couple of terms people who live in Market tend to stay together, but that breaks down after a while.

Kings College - Garden Hostel

This is another mainly first year hostel. It is located in the fellows garden, and is the best place to be in the summer. The rooms are quite large, and there is again a good atmosphere.

Kings College - Webbs Court

Webbs court is where many second years live. It is part of the 1800's building, in front of Keynes, and is around a courtyard. Generally the rooms are quite small, and bathrooms and kitchens are shared between many people. Some people like the 'Cambridge' feel of Webbs, but I always thought the rooms were too small, and draughty. It is in college though, and so for some preferable to living in a hostel.

Kings College - Bodleys

Bodleys is quite a nice bit of College. It overlooks the river, and surrounds a bit of grass where everyone sits out during the summer. The rooms vary from tiny, to huge sets. The real drawback with Bodleys is that for some staircases you have to go down into the basement for the loo! Not pleasant in the middle of the night in winter, especially as the staircases are all bare stone. It is the ultimate in 'Cambridgeness' though, with wood paneling, lead windows, and well worn staircases. Many famous kingsmen have lived in Bodleys, and this attracts a certain arty type! Myself, I prefered decent access to the loo and a nice kitchen!

Kings College - Spalding hostel

Not much to say about Spalding really. It's completely without character as far as the rooms go, but it is centrally located (adjacent to Market). It's quite a modern hostel, with good facilities.

Kings College - Kings Parade hostel

This is above the shops on Kings Parade, opposite college. I had some supervisions in this building, and while it is quite ramsh
ackle (you should see the staircases!), it has a great deal of character. The rooms are large on the whole, with excellent views. The facilities are quite poor though, with small shared kitchens and bathrooms. While I was in King's, this hostel seemed dominated by Jugglers for some reason!

These are all the King's hostels and rooms I know anything about. If I was choosing where to live again, I'd choose Keynes for my first year, my third year Newnham Terrace room for my second year, and one of the large Bodleys sets for my third year.

Elsewhere in Cambridge, there were good rooms in Churchill college. Most of the college is of monstrous architecture, but the rooms are modern and nice. Many are en suite. St John's college has a concrete lump for first years, and has some lovely hostels. There is also the option of sharing a room with someone (though I think you'd have to be brave to do this!).

I think I've prattled on enough for now. If you want to know more about any of the Cambridge colleges or hostels, let me know in the comments - I know people who have stayed in many of them, and they all have opinions about them!!

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