Having stayed at Passfield for over a term, there’s no doubt in my mind that I made the right choice: with its convenient location, cosy garden, and friendly atmosphere, LSE’s Passfield Hall is one of the best places to stay as an undergraduate. But what makes Passfield so worth choosing?

1. Location, location, location

Passfield is located in Bloomsbury, an incredibly picturesque neighbourhood which manages to be pretty peaceful, whilst also remaining very central! There are two mini-parks located within 30 seconds of the hall – a perfect place for picnicking in summer or playing a game of frisbee. The SOAS campus and several UCL departments are also nearby, which makes the area feel more like a student campus than part of a huge, busy city.  Also, Euston and Euston Square tube stations are very close, which means travelling to other parts of London is easy to coordinate! If you’re looking for a gym to join, ‘The Gym’ is very close by. Alternately, though, the surrounding area is wonderful for an early morning run!

2. Walkability

As the walk to campus is only 20 minutes (though if you speed-walk, it’s more like 15), it’s fairly convenient to go back and forth between halls and campus several times a day. Travelling in London can get quite expensive –  especially if you’re commuting at peak hours – but staying at Passfield means that you can forgo this and opt to walk instead (unless you’re running really late – then the bus comes in handy!).  Having some time to yourself where you can listen to music or a podcast can be a welcome break from the hectic aspects of university life.

3. Places to eat

With Oxford Street, King’s Cross, Tottenham Court Road, and Fitzrovia all between a 10-20 min walk away, you’re spoiled for choice for places to eat at! If you’re in a hurry, that’s no issue either: Pret is thirty seconds from Passfield, and Starbucks is right next to it – perfect for a quick coffee before that dreaded early morning class. Additionally, for six days a week, Passfield provides you with a main course, dessert, soup, salad, and two fruits. A handy tip is bringing a food storage container to the canteen (especially during brunch on Saturdays!), so you can eat some of the food later on.

4. Hall amenities

Having talked to friends at Carr-Saunders and Rosebury, I’ve decided (without being biased… of course) that Passfield’s amenities are definitely superior. In the centre of the three buildings, there’s a lovely garden with benches – great for a nice, relaxing break from readings. Our common room is great for winding down as well: with table football, table tennis, billiards, cards, and a poker set, it’s definitely well-stocked. Passfield’s small size means there’ll always be someone you know in the common room, and you’ll meet plenty more people from the accommodation – not just the ones living on your floor. If you’ve planned a movie night with some friends, there’s also a TV room where you can connect your laptop. Alternately, if you’re looking for more places to study without having to leave halls, there’s a computer room (with a printer!) which is fairly convenient. During the week, after dinner, the canteen can also be a nice, quiet place to study in.

5. Short contract

This one is arguably either a positive or a drawback, depending on where you’re from. However, if you live near London and plan to spend holidays at home, having a 40/50 week contract (as is offered by Bankside, Garden Halls etc.), may feel like a waste of money. Passfield is convenient because you can pay for accommodation only during term-time (and can also leave behind a suitcase over the holidays, so you don’t need to bring everything back home). Also, if you’re looking for ways to save money (London student life is quite pricey, after all!), Passfield offers shared rooms – between two people, or three people.

More information on Passfield Hall can be found on the LSE website.

Find information on LSE’s range of Student Halls, how to book for accommodation and more here.