For those of you that would like a little more information on accommodation (especially w.r.t Pritchatt's Park), here's what I've learned from my experience as a fresher last year:
Pritchatt's is closer to the uni than the vale. The halls on the vale are up to a 25 minute walk, unless you're in tennis courts which is 15. I stayed in the Spinney in Pritchatts this year and it was really nice, decent sized bedrooms, kitchens were donw up last summer so theyre still in a really good condition. Pritchatts is quieter than the vale but we still get smashed and have fun and parties etc. There's more of a community feel in Pritchatts (well in the spinney or oakly at least- never got round to going to ashcroft but they look a bit like council houses and the have indoor stairwells istead of outdoor stairwells which would be annoying mainly if you're a smoker). I've heard a rumour that the kitchens in Oakley are gettin done up this summer too, and they aslo have really nice balcony doors that open out into the grass courtyard if you're on the ground floor.
Overall if you don't fancy the walk from the vale, other than tennis courts which is close but has a reputation for being extremely loud and noisy, Pritchatts is definitely the place to be! And if you get the Spinney or Oakley then wahey even better! Pritchatts is the underdog! Although I wouldpoint out that the nearest shop is a 15 minute walk and the only cash point on campus charges Β£1.85 per transaction unlike the vale which have a free cash point.
At the end of the day wherever you get put there will be other people there in the same position as you- and its about the people really not the place anyway!