[quote mikeandike]@sammyjoanne Thanks, that would be really helpful 
. She’s planning on applying to Durham and Bristol as well as a couple of other non-LNAT choices. She’s incredibly efficient with her research and has somehow managed to unearth seemingly every last detail about each of the courses she’s applying for, but is struggling a little bit with getting a sense for what each of the cities and campuses are like. Virtual campus tours and Google Maps aren’t really any substitute for visiting.[/quote]
I have not been to Bristol or Durham, but there might be parents that have been. I've been to Leeds, York, Lancaster, Oxford, and Leicester open days.
From what I have heard about Durham, its a really nice place and quite picturesque. Even though it's covid times, you can still walk round the campus and get a feel for the place. I've just come back from walking round Lancaster again as DD starts there this year. And we also checked out the town and stayed at the cities Travelodge. There was a couple of security guys and a few international students that decided to stay so it was quiet, but got round the place pretty well.
You can do a weekend, or do a day trip by going to uni in the morning, and city in the afternoon (or vice versa).
Oxford, Ive been to:
Lady Margaret Hall - super big college, and the rooms are really big. The grounds are absolutely gorgeous, and although I love this place, I felt that it is a bit of a trek to walk back from a club in the city, so if DD was to stay there, then I would have been happier if she came back with friends or a taxi. Its right next to this park as well which is a great place to unwind.
St Annes - a modern college which was combined with slightly older buildings. The room shown came with a fridge and St annes had this quirky bar which students could write poems on the walls and beams. The library is brilliant, its one of the best ones, and its got a rooftop garden area where you chill. Its about 10 mins walk from the center of oxford.
Somerville College= This was another big college. the quad is huge. The first year accommodation block looked very 1960's and I wasn't a fan, but it made up with it being very big and you can stay for all 4 years. The other buildings there super pretty. Again 10 mins walk from the center of Oxford. And library is quirky with nooks and crannies and winding staircases.
Magdalen College= This college kind of reminded me of pride and prejudice lol. Its very very grand, and has its own deer park. The quads are lovely and the library is also good. I did like Magdalen, but was worried its super competitive to get in as on open day, it was popular with student visiting.
Merton College= This was the one DD applied for. Its very old and traditional college and there is wifi on the rear garden area which you are allowed to walk on. Rose lane accommodation there had enormous rooms and just outside Merton is where the examinations center is and they get 'trashed' on their last exam. I thought it had quite a romantic feel to Merton. Mertons library was also on multi levels too which I liked.
Balliol College- Beautiful and gorgeous college. Daughter did UNIQ summer school here. The hall is situated up some stairs and daughter said the food is lovely. Library was pretty decent, and the rooms are of a decent size. Best thing about Balliol was the JCR and bar area which is of decent size. Right in the center of the city.
Jesus College- This is where daughter had her interview back in December. Small college but right in the center. Its got the covered market next to it which is quirky. Again, a big JCR, and the room she stayed in on ship street was modern with a fridge and had great security by a key fob. Its an old college like Merton and Balliol.
So we covered both modern and old colleges. All of them seemed to have great security with the porters and I felt daughter would be safe.
I know you can get pooled into another college, my daughter did. But what ever college you end up in at Oxford, they are all really nice and they do make you feel welcome :)