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Student working at the Cole Museum
University of Reading
Reading
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Best accommodation at Reading

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Anyone know what the catered halls are like? I only got to look round Windsor hall when I went. I'm think of wantage at the moment but don't really know what it's like?
Student working at the Cole Museum
University of Reading
Reading
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Mackinder is really good, it's really social, next to a bar and the walk to lectures is really short. It can be pricey, but the rooms are really nice.

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Original post by Tins96
You can apply from April 11th with a conditional offer.




Also I'm currently trying to decide between McCombie and St George's and was wondering if anyone could tell me the pros and cons between the two.
Especially what the showers were like in each, I've heard some are more like a wet room and would like to avoid those. Thanks.


McCombie has a wet room shower. St. George from what I remember has a normal shower (I think).

McCombie is close to a bar and on campus, so there's not a lot of walking required. But it's quite boring and quiet, for a fresher I wouldn't recommend it.

St. Georges is perfectly fine, the walk is a bit longer, but not too much (both halls aren't too far from each other. A few shops are close by and the social life there id imagine is a bit better. It's not as new as McCombie though.
Does anyone know what the application form looks like? How many halls do you have to apply for etc?
Reply 23
Avatar for Mia18
Mia18
Original post by amycole97
Does anyone know what the application form looks like? How many halls do you have to apply for etc?

It's online, you put down 5 options in order of your favourite :smile:
Original post by Mia18
It's online, you put down 5 options in order of your favourite :smile:


Thank you! 😊
Out of Benyon, Sherfield, St George’s, Greenow & McCombie what is best? Or what are your immediate thoughts/opinions of them?
Original post by agnetak24
I'm really struggling wit choosing accommodation, I was thinking Bridges but then I've heard it's not that social and is quite a distance from other halls. I don't think I'll be able to stretch to afford any premium en suites but i really can't decide from the rest😭 also what are accommodation forms like?? Do you pick a few options or just one?


Posted from TSR Mobile




You rate 5 choices in order of whichever you want first. If you apply quickly you're pretty likely to get one of the first 3. You also pick whether you'd like it to be a noisy halls or more quiet, and there's also an option for single sex flats.

As an idea, halls such as Windsor, will be more noisy and lively, due to being about 4 steps away from park bar, the main bar on campus, whilst also being a catered "block". Halls such as Benyon, St Georges, Wantage etc, tend to be quieter as the hall sizes are more spread out overall.

As a general idea, if you're a really sociable person and don't want an ensuite then go for someting like Windsor, Wessex or St Pats (depending if you want catered or not). If you want to be social at times, but don't want constant noise from people walking past your door etc then you're best off getting halls that are more flats than long corridors, eg Benyon, Stenton, Childs.
Don't feel obliged to go into more social halls just because you're worried about not making friends if you don't. During freshers your JCR (2nd/3rd year students who will act as your representives and organise events), will organise events that bring all students together. You're also likely to be going round the flat above/below/next door for predrinks and general socialising a lot. A LOT. Even if you get unlucky and all your flatmates never leave their rooms, there are lots of people around, just one door away.

Couple points about general halls.

Bridges is further away from a lot of halls, but don't worry, there are hundreds of students there so it's not going to be detrimental when socialising. It's a new build and is very nice inside.
Windsor can be very noisy, especially Wednesdays and Saturdays for union nights out. However, for a catered halls it's very convenient when it comes to dinner time.

Benyon/St Pats/Sherfield have the privilege of walking past greggs and a row of shops when going to campus. If you're like me, greggs in the morning is a big bonus. In my opinion, Benyon > Sherfield, just because of the number of people, but that's up to you. Visit the halls and see which you prefer.

When looking at "distance from campus", notice that those times are to central campus. With such a big campus and various buildings being ages away from each other, be sure to get one that's closer to your building. Eg, if you're doing agriculture and you want to live in Benyon/st Pats/Sherfield, then your walk will be 10-15 mins to central campus and then another 15 minutes to agric buildings. Whereas walking from Bridges or Wessex will be much less.

Ensuites are all very similar, some are wet rooms like in Benyon, others aren't. They're about 1.5x1.5 metres big (Idk, give or take). Either way, they're all very nice, you'll struggle to find a really poor quality en suite.

What I've found from being here is that the biggest separators are whether the halls is ensuites and self catered. Apart from that, the actual hall of choice really isn't the end of the world regardless of which you get.

I lived in Benyon first year, and this year I live in Stenton Townhouses (Townhouses have a 2nd/3rd years majority), and will be living in Stenton townhouses again next year.

All my experiences of the halls I've lived in and visited are great. Do not fret about what you get. If you put the effort in, you'll be fine.
(edited 8 years ago)
Does anyone have any pictures of Wessex hall kitchens/bathrooms?? :smile:


Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by chicken_little30
Out of Benyon, Sherfield, St George’s, Greenow & McCombie what is best? Or what are your immediate thoughts/opinions of them?


Hi,

Greenow and McCombie, are in Park Group which is the main group of halls and is close to Park Bar. They are two small blocks, so for social things they tend to get pared with Windsor a much bigger sociable hall.

I was in Sherfield, so I personally think it was the best one. They are slightly older then McCombie and Benyon but has quite a homely feel, the halls do quite a bit of mixing and tend to be rather social.

Both Benyon and Sherfield are just off campus, so its about a 3-5 minute walk to campus so not far at all and still feel like being on campus.

St Georges, also an older hall but is known for a good community feel and often has lots going on.

Benyon halls are nice and quite modern and is situated around a duckpond.

Hope this helps, feel free to ask me anything else.

Emma :smile:
2nd Year Human and Physical Geography
Original post by chicken_little30
Out of Benyon, Sherfield, St George’s, Greenow & McCombie what is best? Or what are your immediate thoughts/opinions of them?


Hi I am currently looking at similar accommodation options to these. Did you find any other useful information that helped you make a decision in the end? Have you reached a decision? :smile: what did you go for and why? there is just too much choice!
I've applied for Wessex halls starting on the 16th. I've heard really good things about the halls so far and the social life seems to always be highlighted which would make me assume it's probably one of the more lively blocks. I would advice you to go on Facebook and join the group Wessex halls 2016/17, I only found this yesterday with my mate, there is a video on there which shows a lot about the halls. My only worry is that it's pretty grim 😂.
Original post by Hattie101
I've applied for Wessex halls starting on the 16th. I've heard really good things about the halls so far and the social life seems to always be highlighted which would make me assume it's probably one of the more lively blocks. I would advice you to go on Facebook and join the group Wessex halls 2016/17, I only found this yesterday with my mate, there is a video on there which shows a lot about the halls. My only worry is that it's pretty grim 😂.


Wessex certainly has a lot of character (and history) and is known for being a lively halls of residence due to it's layout.

It has also been going through a number renovation projects, so things are slowly looking more modern :smile:
- You are also walking distance to the lake.
- IceHouse has also been recently renovated with a bar, pool table and 25 seat cinema too!

There are lots of perks of living there and I'm sure you'll make it homely :biggrin:

Mark
2nd Year Accounting and Management
(edited 7 years ago)
Does anyone know if the expression of interest for halls accommodation is first come first serve? Ive put Reading as my insurance and got in, so would really like to be in halls if possible! Also does anybody know if you get to put preferences of accommodation down or whether it is randomly assigned if there is space? Thank you!
has childs hall been renovated? On some photos it looks really old however on some it looks almost identical to mackinder
Original post by ireallydontknow7
Does anyone know if the expression of interest for halls accommodation is first come first serve? Ive put Reading as my insurance and got in, so would really like to be in halls if possible! Also does anybody know if you get to put preferences of accommodation down or whether it is randomly assigned if there is space? Thank you!


Hi,
It is on a first come first serve basis; You will have a choice between Catered and Self Catered and able to select a preference in type of accommodation, however there is no guarantee that you will be allocated your choices

Best of luck :smile:

Mark
2nd Year Accounting and Management
Original post by jamessmith15
has childs hall been renovated? On some photos it looks really old however on some it looks almost identical to mackinder


Hi James,
Childs Hall was built in 2012 and is identical to Mackinder :smile:

Mark
2nd Year Accounting and Management
Hi everyone!

Hope you dont mind me jumping in :smile:

If you’re still looking for accommodation you might want to check out Central Studios Reading. We’re a student accommodation building in Reading town centre offering all inclusive studio apartments for students – you would have your own kitchenette, living area and en suite bathroom.

Our students are all very sociable and we always hold social events as well (you can see these on our Facebook (www.facebook.com/CentralStudiosReading), so you would get the feeling of Uni halls but with more private space!

If you’re interested, check out our site: www.freshstudentliving.co.uk/reading. Or just drop us an email: [email protected]. uk

We would be happy to help you find a place in Reading

Nicola @ CSReading
I can't chose between the self catered standard ensuit halls. I believe those are Mcombie, Greenow, Sherfield and St Georges. Everyone's either contradicting each other or saying equally good things about them all. What would you actually recommend?? I want to be social but not somewhere that's always too noisy, and I think the people and community in the halls is the most important thing.
Original post by Tobybromfield
I can't chose between the self catered standard ensuit halls. I believe those are Mcombie, Greenow, Sherfield and St Georges. Everyone's either contradicting each other or saying equally good things about them all. What would you actually recommend?? I want to be social but not somewhere that's always too noisy, and I think the people and community in the halls is the most important thing.


Hi Toby :smile:

You are quite correct - they are your options, but also Benyon Hall too.

So, Sherfield and Benyon are both very similiar - situated slightly off campus but as there are three halls all in the same location you get a very good community feel. In Benyon you will be sharing with 6 people, in a flat type setting with a communal kitchen at the end of the corridor - my flatmate lived there last year and enjoyed it. You also have TV room and a JCR (a junior common room) which are used as social rooms and events can take place there too!

Sherfield is the same set up although you are sharing with 8 people. If you are someone who wants to go to the gym or are involved in sports like rugby then you are very close to the SportsPark and pitches (about 5 minutes!). You also have a bank, small supermarket and Gregg's in very close distance from your halls which is what my flatmate really enjoyed. For both Sherfield and Benyon it is about a 15 minute walk to the centre of campus.

With Greenow& McCombie and St George's you are situated in Park Group accommodation which is near Park Bar. That is a really sociable area with a vibrant atmosphere and where a lot of the socials happen with different societies. If you are like watching sports games like big football or rugby matches then these are always shown in Park Bar. Park Bar is also good if you don't fancy cooking as you can pop in there for lunch or dinner.

In Greenow and McCombie you share with either 6 or 9 people - very similar to Sherfield and Benyon. You are very close to the social areas of Park Group and Park Bar so these halls are very sociable. They are slightly more modern compared to Sherfield/Benyon, so if that is something on your priority list then this may be the hall for you. You are looking at about a 10 minute walk to the centre of campus.

In St George's you share with 8 people, it has a good JCR team which organise events for all of the residents - they have just organised a boat party at the end of the 2nd term so again very sociable. Here you also get to mix with people who have washbasin rooms sharing the same kitchen as you. Also very close to the SportsPark (5 minutes). Some rooms are slightly more modern than others, but this is only told by the exterior of your building as all the rooms have the same level of storage in them and look very similar. A friend is living here at the moment, in one of the older rooms and loves it.

All of the en-suite halls cost the same amount of money - here is the link for the accommodation page and you can look at some pictures of rooms to see which one you would prefer. https://www.reading.ac.uk/ready-to-study/accommodation/university-accommodation/types-of-room/en-suite-room.aspx

Hope this helps you - anymore questions just ask!

Alice :h:
2nd Year Food Science Student
Reply 39
Avatar for Enno8
Enno8
I'm a current windsor resident, the catered hall next to park bar. While I would recommend this hall to everyone because of it's insanely friendly and social atmosphere (living with 20+ people in a corridor and eating in groups down at park bar every single day really helps) , I understand not everyone is down for this. I would still suggest going for another park group hall, it has such a central location. St. Georges, sherfield and benyon are off-campus and depending on your course it could become an insane hassle.

I recommend Mccombie as it is another very social hall with en-suites, for fresher's they're also paired up with Windsor so you get the chance to meet a lot more people outside of your hall the first weeks. I will also (most likely) be one of your JCR if you choose to live here and I will do everything I can to help make your first year memorable! Shameless hall promotion
(edited 7 years ago)

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