Accommodation at Castle college-Durham

Any other questions about accommodation or anything else Castle-related please feel free to ask......

do you know if you get halal catering at Castle, it doesnt say anything on the website.
im currently deciding between Collingwood and Castle, my friends and teachers are telling me castle but my family say collingwood as it has the better facilities so i'm not sure?

Hi, sorry for the late reply, not sure if you'll have already phoned up to check or not, but if you haven't, you should be fine for halal. I don't personally know anyone who only eats halal meat, but I've definitely seen on the bit on formal sign-up where people write dietary requirements that someone always puts 'halal meat only please' - and for normal meals there's always veggie food as an alternative too (though presumably if they cater for halal for formal they cater for it for all meals). Oh and whilst we're on the topic of food.. for anyone who's heard bad things about food at Castle, apparently they've doubled the food budget this year and (usually) the food is actually really nice (though obviously they're still tweaking it at the moment). Anyway if you wanna check for definite about halal, definitely ring up college, they'll be happy to answer any questions like that!

Can anyone give me an idea what toilets are like in Castle? Especially the shared ones, is there a huge problem with hygiene or queues Just give me your honest opinion, I just want to be mentally prepared for all of it.

Can anyone give me an idea what toilets are like in Castle? Especially the shared ones, is there a huge problem with hygiene or queues Just give me your honest opinion, I just want to be mentally prepared for all of it.

It depends where you are living!! On my corridor (moatside) there are 4 toilets for 4 people, but in other accomodation there are fewer, eg. Owengate has 1 toilet for around 8 people..

But please don't let that put you off coming to Castle, its a really really brilliant college!

This might sound stupid, but whatever

I was wondering if its possible to live in the actual castle. you know the one when you google durham university and you get up a picture of a castle with water and the middle ages thing going on

Is it possible to live here? It looks AMAZING

not sure if this would be the suited thread, but is Durham a good university for economics or business? How are the job prospects?

Hey,
I want to change one of my choices to Durham and this needs to be done rather quickly (Wednesday will be Day 14 of my application). However I have difficulties deciding on a college this quickly. I'd like to go for one of the more tradtional ones and I'm really torn between Castle and St. Cuthbert's society.

Castle looks great! However I'm seeing some possible downsides and I'd like to know if these really are downsides

-it's catered! I believe it's nice not to have to worry about grocery shopping and cooking, but I'm worried that the food might not be healthy or just not very delicious. How is the food? Are the cooking (and baking!) facillities if I feel like making somethinng for myself from time to time? I believe that catered might actually be cheaper in the end, is that true?

-shared rooms. I'm the kind of person who usually gets active at night. I guess that is a serious problem in shared rooms, if your roommate wants to go to bed early, is light sleeper etc. Is it possible to mention a preference? How likely would it be that I'd be able to get a single room?

-St. Cuthbert's seems to be more diverse and also more active, plus it seems to be very traditional, too. (And also less competetive to get in????) What is it that you think is it that makes Castle unique? (besides of being in a castle )


I'd be very happy to get some answers to make the decision easier.

The food is fine at all the colleges. Not outstanding, but definitely edible.



You write things like that on a form that you fill in once you have received a place at whichever college. They will put people together based on your personality, interests and habits. I don't know anyone in Cuth's who doesn't get on really well with their roommate, and I only know ONE person in another college who doesn't. The system works. At Cuth's, you could get a single room, but you would be living off the bailey (still only 10 mins walk to central Durham, if not 5), and you could only have 10 meals per week catered.




Both of the first points are true, but it isn't very traditional. Castle and Hatfield are the masters of tradition at Durham. Castle has a lot of money, which is the main thing that makes it unique... They have amazing balls etc. Cuth's do have more events, and they are great, and the college spirit is excellent. Depends what you want.

Your college choice doesn't affect your chances of getting into Durham - if the department makes you an offer and your preferred college is full then you'll be assigned to another one.

Thanks for your answer! Doesn't really make my choice easier though.
Just one more question: Are there some kitchen facilities at Castle, too? Just if you miss a meal or feel like making something yourself? Because I do like to cook and bake, at least from time to time.

Yeah I know, I just meant the college itself. And I don't get in, they'll just put me anywhere, right?

Both of the first points are true, but it isn't very traditional. Castle and Hatfield are the masters of tradition at Durham. Castle has a lot of money, which is the main thing that makes it unique... They have amazing balls etc. Cuth's do have more events, and they are great, and the college spirit is excellent. Depends what you want.