Parents of Durham freshers 2026

[NellyNoMates]

Thought I would start a new thread for parents of any Durham freshers starting September 2026.

I found the similar thread from last year so helpful in preparation, but don’t want to hijack their thread with our own questions etc.

All welcome

Thanks. That’s ok, he’s got suits etc. So much information coming through.
I’ve asked DS to make a list of everything he’s going to need.

DS just got his accommodation details and contract.

DD’s just messaged to say she has a shared room so I assume that means she’s got her contract through too. She’s out just now and not likely to be home until late tonight so I guess that’s a job for tomorrow. They certainly seem to have learned from last year and are getting info out to people very quickly.

DS just found out accommodation - shared ensuite. Bit disappointed as we were hoping for shared bathroom facilities. I wasn't expecting those be over-subscribed!

Oh gosh this is so weird. I feel like I'm nesting again but for my baby to leave me, not arrive!

We have the accommodation agreement for Josephine Butler and it doesn't mention not having clothes airers. Does anyone know if that means it's ok to have one?

I'd also really like to know if they get a toilet brush and bins in the bathroom/bedroom. May buy new regardless though. In the kitchens is there usually one shared washing up liquid and sponges etc or does everyone use their own?

I'm also itching to buy a washing up bowl and drainer but don't know if the kitchen is red or blue. I HATE buying everything last minute and don't want to have to leave it till move in day.

DD starts this Fall. Liberal Arts. I'm thrilled for her.

My DD starting at Stephenson - got her accommodation and contract yesterday. She’s doing Primary Education. We had a wander round Durham yesterday on our way home from holidaying in Northumberland, hadn’t been for about 26 years so it was lovely to see where she’ll be and have a look round the cathedral. Lots to plan but I’m trying to let her take the lead..good to have this thread to check in not missing anything!

Accommodation came through yesterday, but bed size not until mid September, so the shopping will have to wait!

Hi @hoomhom I thought bed size was standard depending on the college. For example the newer colleges South and John snow have 3/4 beds but single elsewhere. (DS wanted John Snow but has got Josephine Butler)
I’ve bought a single panda mattress topper (good reviews) from an eBay seller who sells returns that then get refreshed with new cover etc. I’m going you send him off with double duvet though as much more cosy.

No, the email specifically said don't buy bedding yet, as bed sizes in college are variable, so we'll wait. To be honest I'm not sure there's much else we need to get, unless I'm being unimaginative! Fully catered, so he'll just take a couple of bits from home (mug, plate, a couple of glasses?), we've got loads of towels that we seem to have accumulated over the years, and he's got any stationery, laptop etc that he needs from sixth form. Might get a small rug and/or lamp to personalise things a bit? We're also moving house this term while he's away, so he can take any pictures etc from his room at home that he fancies, as it just saves us moving them!

Anyone know much about drop off. We have a teeny car and a long journey so were hoping to order stuff and pick it up there but we arent sure if we will be allowed to drop off with clothes, linen, toiletries and head out and back again with duvets, plates, kitchen stuff and a small food shop.

Oh I love this thread. I live in County Durham and love seeing all the Fresher enthusiasm. I hope all your kids have an amazing time in our gorgeous city 😍

Bed Size - I know in Trevs it depends if your room has been refurbished or not. After refurbishment they seem to be small doubles, but the rest are singles.

DD is in St. Aidan's and from looking online it looks like the butt of all the jokes. We know she'll have a roommate, but we don't know who yet. Are there any St. Aidan's people here?

Yes here! I graduated over 20 years ago though… I absolutely loved it. Made some wonderful friends and had the most incredible three years. You also get super fit from climbing the hill then all those steps… Many congratulations to your daughter. I hope she has a fabulous time.

@MrsBucketHat I hear there is no freshman 15 for that very reason! lol. I am sure she will have a fantastic time. She's thrilled overall - Durham was her top choice.

We’re just starting to think about what DD might need. As above, she’s in fully catered, so won’t need much - so very different when our DS went off to uni with our 7 seater car packed to the gills.

John’s have posted a wee video on socials about living in the college and they seem to say that you can put things on walls and make the room your own which is lovely (and again so different to the places DS has lived and my experience at uni several decades ago.)

Does anyone know whether there are little lamps in the rooms? Or bedside tables?

Those are the wee things we may think about getting to make it feel more homely. Also planning on an aeropress so she can at least make decent coffee in the morning. (And hopefully save some pennies by not always buying coffee out)

@Owninterpreter - re college drop-off, my YP was a fresher at John Snow last year but I think arrangements are roughly the same for each college - your YP will likely be given the opportunity to book a dropping-off slot (the JS slots were 30 minute windows across the Saturday and Sunday before Freshers Week, which is probably pretty standard). You will likely be met by a group of existing students who will help your YP carry all their stuff upstairs and get settled in. There is a park and ride car park near the Hill Colleges and, from memory, arrangements had been made so that parents of students joining Hill Colleges were allowed to leave their cars there after drop-off. I think there are equivalent arrangements for colleges on the Bailey. We were probably in the college car park for about 10-15 minutes in all before moving our car to the park and ride. Our daughter is very independent and wanted to be left alone to organise her room and settle in so we left her to it but stayed nearby overnight and checked in again in the morning so we were on hand if need be.

@Dery That is so helpful, thank you.

Anyone know if you can access the room before actual drop off? We know that drop off slots at John's are Sunday, but the room agreement DS has just signed starts on Saturday lunchtime. We're travelling up on the Saturday and staying overnight before drop off, so it would be nice to have a more relaxed nosey around on the Saturday, given that actual drop off on the Sunday will all be a bit quick.

Great question! We will also be around on the Saturday and not moving into John’s until the Sunday. It would be great to get a squizz at the room and then if we wanted to go buy some bits and pieces we could do that Sat afternoon/evening.

Does anyone know what facilities are in the rooms and kitchenettes in the catered halls? (John’s specifically) Just thinking about what might be needed in terms of basic kitchen stuff for making drinks and snacks, and things to make the room homely. I take it the kitchenettes have fridges and kettles etc?

Ditto! The website FAQs say all rooms have a nearby kitchenette with kettle, toaster and microwave, but I don't know if that means there aren't also things like a hob - no point in sending a pan for late night pasta if no cooker...

Also, it says they need to keep rooms clean - anyone know if any cleaning stuff is provided, or does everyone just have a few basics in their room?

If you look up your college on Instagram it'll have an account and lots of info specific to that college re what is it isn't needed.

My daughter was a fresher at Grey last year, and she found that the kitchenettes could be very different depending on which building you were in. Hers was just a fridge and kettle, but friend in another building had a hob as well.

In Johns the kitchens vary a lot depending on your building, My son was in Garth and the Kitchen was pretty good - not that he used it for anything other than the fridge.

I believe there are lamps and bedside tables in all rooms - they also had quilt and pillows but they weren’t the best and lived in the under bed storage,

Cleaning stuff - he had an en-suite we we got him some bathroom stuff. This may well be specific to John’s but the rooms were cleaned (including en-suite) both mid-term and between terms. They even provided them with toilet roll!

In terns of seeing the accommodation early, probably easiest to just give reception a call. As I said before, my son moved in early as part of a scheme so we missed the big freshers move in. You might be able to access the room either by foot or car if you self pay the congestion charge.