Durham University

[KingscoteStaff]

The continuation thread for those with DC at Durham, or applying to Durham, or alumni, or staff!

January 2022 finds our DC packing their big coats, checking the forecast for snow and wondering when Michaelmas actally is...?

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GoldenRuby my son had a similar experience. They didn't apply for the first batch as they thought they'd be better waiting for the second batch of housing released.

Unfortunately it transpired the prices were higher in the second batch so he could have been in the viaduct for the same rent as his one in Gilesgate had he not waited. His house is right up by Sainsbury's at the top of the big hill.

Funnily enough, in my three years at Durham, I didn't even know Gilesgate existed (although I lived in college all three years).

DD will be paying £160 a week inclusive of bills. The house was renovated a year ago and looks to have decent communal areas (a large L shaped kitchen, dining area and lounge), with 6 rooms with (tiny) en-suites - so they traded off comfort for location I think!

Can any current Durham parents advise on the catering at Durham? Firstly, is the food any good!? I know it probably varies college to college but my son is weighing up SC vs C and can't decide. Also, do you think that self catered is really any cheaper in the long run? Need to do college rankings soon...
Also any strong feelings about the shared bathroom situation? How many tend to share and does it become a bore having to wait for the loo or for a shower? TIA

My son moans a lot about the catering at Collingwood. Frankly I don't pay too much notice as, funnily enough, they don't serve many steaks, avocados or prawns, or indeed 'mini fruit' (as he calls them).

I think it's been good for him to live in the real world and he'll find those types of food won't be within his budget next year either when he caters for himself.

I went up to Durham last weekend and finally stayed in the Radisson. Definitely worth looking for one of the £75 for two people B&B deals on Wowcher (they'd run out for my date but lots of the other guests were using them).

Dc had catered last year and liked the food but I think it does vary by college
It was a bind getting back for food sometimes or factoring in if they had a social or club and having set mealtimes wasn’t always ideal . They had to ask for packed lunches if out all day ( stem student so full timetable) . Most of the time, they didn’t bother to do this
They prefer catering for themselves this year . Their private accommodation/bills and food together now is probably cheaper than the current / next year accommodation plus catered in college rates. It seems to have gone up a lot!

My DD is in a catered college - she didn't specifically mind whether she got catered or non-catered but she liked other things about the college (she was fortunate to get her first choice). She said the food isn't always great - but I think that's a reflection of the fact that this is a canteen and by definition they don't always provide the options you would choose if cooking for yourself. She however found the fact that everyone eats in the hall to be brilliant for making friends and being able to socialise/eat together - whereas in self catered flats it's fine if you gel with your flat mates but harder if you don't, as it's not easy to go to other flats every day to eat. There are 7 people on her corridor and 2 shared bathrooms - she never has to wait to use them, and they are cleaned for you which is a big plus.

Self catering colleges are primarily the new ones on South road/top of the hill.

One challenge is food shopping. Unless you're ok with deliveries, the nearest big supermarkets are a bus/taxi ride away on retail parks on the outskirts.

Durham City, since M&S left, only has a Tesco express in the market place, which isn't ideal either for a weekly shop

My son is in a hill college and still does the long walk to Lidl it is a hike but it is walkable. He usually goes with a few of them and they enjoy a walk and a chat and he says he doesn’t mind this. He has been doing this weekly since September.

Some in his College pay for supermarket deliveries but he has checked the prices and prefers to walk to Lidl (more money for socialising).

The College system seems to work very well. He is in a town house and shares a kitchen between 12 of them and his bathroom is shared between him and one other student. No problems with either and he likes having the large social space area in his house.

His modern hill college hasn’t got the best bar but they all seem to go around all the various bars anyway regardless of which College they are at. He prefers to cook his own food and be in control of what he eats, portion sizes and when he eats (around his course work, sports and socialising).

He absolutely had no regrets about choosing Durham Uni or his College choice.

DS is in a SC college on the Hill. He wanted SC and I think the flexibility has worked really well for him as he plays a lot of sport and there are evening practices and matches as well as at the weekend. We took him for a big Tesco shop at drop off, he buys milk & bread etc from the Tesco express and he and flatmates combine a supermarket delivery a couple of times a term. Definitely cheaper than catered.

Which college is that if you don't mind me asking? DS keen on John Snow or South...

Yes, my worry is the timing of catered as DS is very sporty and will no doubt join a team or 2 as well... thanks for the advice

It's quite a long walk from the higher hill colleges to Maiden Castle for sports stuff though. Think the 10pm walk back after training in the Durham winter has been quite a commitment!

John Snow College.

If they are sporty or if they have other clubs S/C works well. The times of activities can vary can vary. Then there are all the socials for the various clubs and various nights out etc.

He walks back up the hill from the science block for lunch if he has a break/couple of hours free in the middle of the day so S/C works well.

He also walks down to Maiden Castle for various training sessions and matches.

Maiden Castle isn't close to any college and there is usually someone to walk and chat with. DS has benefitted in wet weather from older team mates living out who have cars taking pity on him and running him back.

St. John’s apparently has the best food. It’s the only college that is independent from the university caterers. They get quite a few other perks too. It’s due to its ties with the church (I think). My son is an atheist but is loving his time at St John’s.

@ByeByeBeebies actually St Chads is also an independent college - there are two of them !- and it also has its own kitchen team rather than the university wide caterers . My son gets 3 meals a day 7 days a week- and we were all given lunch when we arrived to drop off for freshers week . My son is very happy he chose Chads - a lovely friendly college .

@NYE2023 Thank you for the info! My daughter is also considering Durham, after visiting her brother, St Chad’s will be another good option.

DS liked catered for the social aspect rather than the culinary excellence!

Tbh I agree . It is a good way to meet people in college . Those from his course head back for lunch too.

DD is in John Snow and has always loved to cook - yesterday was a pancetta and mushroom risotto and the day before was a chicken and leek homemade pie!

She gets on well with the whole flat with 3-4 close friends out of 7 flat mates and has close friends on her course too.

John Snow has gowned formals and balls and a cracking new gym and bar so everything most kids want. The college give them free fruit or veg boxes every few weeks which is super sweet.

Bar doesn’t have as much atmosphere as a couple of the older colleges but she’s off on a st Patrick’s day college bar crawl later tonight so it’s not an issue 😂😂

My DD was at Hatfield and still misses the coleslaw and weekend brunches! Otherwise as others have said, it was mainly getting to know her whole year group through meeting up in the dining room that was the main plus point. She loved the formals there too and went most weeks in her two terms there before covid struck...

Any suggestions of somewhere good to stay on a visit to Durham? Don't mind if its within a half hour drive or so? Even coastal... TIA :)

Hotel Indigo is nice if you want a treat. Kingslodge Inn is also good but less posh, it's close to the station and allows dogs in some rooms. Or the Premier Inn in Walkergate if you just need somewhere to lay your head.