Durham University

[EwwSprouts]

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

June 2023 End of term for all. Hopefully young people are brim full of plans for summer fun and jobs to pay for it!

Link to old thread
]Previous thread (fingers crossed!)

DS1 is on his way to Stephenson right now. His dad (my ex) is taking him. Not heard from him but he promised he'd let me know when he got there. First child leaving home, it feels so strange! DS2 has just started 6th form too and is loving it. New beginnings!

@netcam My DS found Stephenson warm and friendly. His flat never became very sociable but he made good friends in the flat below and through clubs. I hope your DS has a great first year too.

Just dropped DD off at Trev's. Fantastic welcome, great set up. We've done the last minute snacks and essentials shop at Tescos and left her with her corridor ready to start their evening events. She was so happy, and seemed very confident in getting stuck in! We're now checked into our hotel, exhausted after a 7am set off from Bristol this morning (thank goodness the traffic gods were on our side, and we got to Durham in 5 hrs including a quick breakfast stop!). We'll briefly say our goodbyes tomorrow morning before the long drive home. No tears yet, but it's not been a real goodbye yet...

How exciting for those who have moved in. Dd moves in tomorrow at 11. We’ve not long got toDurham and checked into hotel.

DS’s house is surprisingly ok. Worn, not been within a mile of a “professional clean” in the last year, costs more than a decent 3 bed family rental where we live but cosy and safe. I heard The Young Ones music in my head as he opened the door but there wasn’t a Neil making pea soup in the kitchen or anything so I’m calling that a win.

@EmmaStone I’d recommend brunch / breakfast at Vennels, Cafedral or Flat White before goodbyes - kids will not say no to a free breakfast - plus they will get you a discount with their student ID in most of these !

I hope everything went broadly smoothly for everyone - if it's anyone's first time seeing a child off, be prepared for a few wobbles from your DC in the next couple of weeks (many don't feel wobbly, but those that do wobble generally end up a) staying and b) having a lovely time). Have them reach out to college support / welfare if they're feeling homesick, worried about new flatmates etc. - this sort of pastoral care is generally what Durham does very well. Lots of concerns and issues can be solved as long as DC talk to someone.

I hope that YOU'RE okay too. 4 years until my first child starts university and I know I will be a total mess regardless of my experience on the other side of things.

Well all I've heard so far from DS1 is a 'Yep' text at 1.30am in answer to my question about whether he's having a good time. Hopefully that's a good sign.

He's quite independent, should be fine cooking and looking after himself and is quite sensible. He chose Durham because he thought it would be good socially. He isn't that confident with new people but really wants to make friends and will put lots of effort in to get to know people and have a good social life there.

It feels really strange, the house feels really empty with just DH and I and DS2. Although they have both always stayed at their dad's some of the week so I'm kind of used to them not being here all the time. But this feels different.
I'll leave him be unless he wants to chat and hopefully he'll tell me all about it next weekend.

@Netcam Sounds like a very good sign. They're in a melting pot of people wanting to make friends so hopefully he'll soon have some mates.

Glad to hear the first years are settling in.

I'm taking my parents to visit next month. Previously my son's made me go to the all-you-can-eat Brazilian meat restaurant but I'd like to try somewhere different. I was also at Durham but times have moved on since we went to Stones.

Any suggestions appreciated. My dad is hard of hearing so preferably somewhere quietish, not too exotic in terms of cuisine and within walking distance as we're going on the train.

Cellar Door? Delicious and just a little bit special without being over the top.

Thank you!

We love Nandon Thai but probably not suitable

There’s a couple of nice Italians in the centre of Durham. Uno Momento on Silver Street is probably my favourite. Slightly cheaper and quieter is Picco d’Italia on Saddler Street. It’s upstairs, if your parents are okay with stairs.

Agree the food at Uno Momento is good. DS and I ate there for the second time on Friday. The upstairs there has more space between tables than downstairs.

We are trying out Italians on our next visit - thanks for the tips @PinkDeer and @EwwSprouts

Zen is also lovely and depending on the time of day can be quite quiet.

The Marco Pierre White steakhouse at the Hotel Indigo (quite grand - used to be the University main admin building and senate chambers when I started - I was interviewed there!) Is worth looking at. Not cheap but I've eaten there a few times recently - lunch and afternoon tea - and bought gift vouchers which saved us quite a bit! A voucher for afternoon tea for 2 is 29.95 but it's 19.95 each if you pay at the restaurant!

https://mpw.gifts/vouchers

https://www.mpwrestaurants.co.uk/our-brands/steakhouse-bar-and-grill/durham/menus

Makes a nice change from the Whitechurch or Zen which are our go to haunts normally being up on the Science Site.

Coarse also has had rave reviews but can be difficult to get in - I've not managed it yet!
https://www.coarse.restaurant/

@Mytholmroyd Thanks for sharing. I really want the trout on the autumn menu. Nowhere I go seems to do it anymore and Tesco and Asda fish counters have disappeared. Positively drooling here as my evening meal has been cheese on toast 😂

Does anyone have any advice for freshers regarding 2nd year accommodation. Best places cost timeline of when to start etc. Just wanting to be on the ball as I’ve heard it’s an issue. Thanks

@EwwSprouts you're welcome!

Last year there were two main batches of releases from Harringtons, one of the agents. My son waited for the second release (last week of October) and wished he'd gone for the first.

Think I've posted a picture of the sheet with streets and rents but I can do if not.

So they need to secure next year's accommodation now?

Sep135 -Thank you if you could that would be great

Here you go