Castle is lucky enough to have the finest student accommodation in the university, if not the country – Durham Castle itself! As well as the castle, there are 3 other blocks – Owengate, Bailey Court and Moatside, only a minute away from the castle and the newly built Kepier Court, about 10 minutes away. This means that no matter where you live, you won’t be far from the Great Hall, where all of your meals are taken, the library and the bar. All undergraduates are guaranteed a room in college in their first year and about 70 students are able to return to live in college again in their third or fourth year
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The Castle, Owengate, Bailey Court and Moatside all have common rooms and/or kitchenettes, which are great places for spending time with friends. All rooms have the necessary furniture, including a bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers, bedside table, desk, chair, sink and mirror. Students also have access to ironing facilities in accommodation block kitchens and to laundry facilities opposite the snooker room behind C-block in Bailey Court. Laundry is paid for using cards that are topped up online using a machine in the laundry room; it costs £3.50 for a wash and drying is free. Any queries or issues with facilities should be addressed to Will Heath, the JCR Services Manager (castle.servicesmanager@durham.ac.uk).
For 2021-22, undergraduate students will again have the chance to live at New Kepier Court, which is a 10 minute walk from the Castle. These rooms are all en-suite and are self-catered and rooms are organised into ‘cluster flats’ of 5 or 6 bedrooms. Each flat shares a kitchen, which is fully equipped with fridge, cooker, ample storage space, and a dining table.
Some first years living in Castle or Owengate rooms will share their bedrooms with another person and whilst this can be a daunting prospect, more often than not roommates get on tremendously well. It doesn’t take long to get to know each other and learn to work around each other’s schedules, so sharing a room isn’t as hard as it might seem! Lots of roommates get on tremendously well and many go on to live out with each other in later years, remaining incredibly close friends throughout their degree and beyond, although if there are any issues then Welfare or College Office should be contacted.
For more details, please consult the University College website’s accommodation section and the Durham University accommodation fees page.