What it’s Really Like Staying in LSE Summer School Accommodation

Studying at LSE Summer School for two different sessions meant I had the opportunity to try out two different residences – partly out of curiosity and partly because I wanted to experience living in different areas of London. If you’re deciding which hall to stay at, I've written this blog to share my opinions of the pros and cons of each, and to hopefully give you insight into what might suit you best!

Rosebery Hall

The first hall I stayed at was Roseberry Hall, located in Clerkenwell, near Angel. This was the more social of the two I stayed in, mainly because of the amazing courtyard where everyone naturally gathered to chat and meet each other. There was also a great common room with a pool table, ping pong table, couches, and board games that overlooked the courtyard. Every day, students would hang out in these spaces after classes.

Rosebery was about a 20-minute walk from campus through streets with pubs and nice greenery. It felt like an authentic London experience, slightly removed from the busier area where LSE is located. If you were running late (which can happen!), there were Lime Bikes (electric bikes you can rent to get you to campus quicker) out front and Angel station, where you could catch the Tube to campus, was about a 10-minute walk away.

The area around Rosebery was great. My friends and I regularly went to the Coin Laundry pub and the restaurants along Exmouth Market, which is just a short walk away. It's a really cool street lined with lots of independent cafes and restaurants. The neighbourhood felt local and residential but was still well connected to central London.

High Holborn

For Session 2, I moved to High Holborn Residence, just a ten-minute walk from campus and right in the heart of London, Covent Garden. High Holborn had more of an apartment feel since it was a high-rise building, compared to Rosebery which was just four levels built around a courtyard. The building was modern and had a common room, but I didn't find it quite as social as Rosebery, mainly because there wasn't an outdoor space where people naturally gathered.

The best thing about High Holborn was how close it was to campus – I could leave 15 minutes before class and still make it on time. Being next to Covent Garden was also brilliant for exploring different cafes, restaurants, and shops. I became a regular at Drury Cafe just around the corner, which had a really nice community feel and great pastries. Punjab, a fantastic nearby Indian restaurant, was another favourite – they even have a poster outside saying The Beatles ate there!

The Practical Details

Both accommodations included a buffet breakfast, which was a big help on a student budget. The breakfasts were pretty similar and included fruit, cereal, toast and spreads, pastries, yoghurt, and muesli. The main difference was that Rosebery also had hot food options like eggs and beans, while High Holborn was continental style only. The bathroom and showers situation was the same at both – communal and shared with others on your level.

Other Options

I also had friends who stayed at urbanest Westminster Bridge, which they really liked because it was modern and had a rooftop where we'd hang out before going out. It also had a ping pong table and good common areas.

Three of my friends rented an Airbnb together in West Hampstead and had a great experience. They got to live more like locals, and splitting the cost between three people helped with the budget. We'd go over to their place for dinner and games nights, which was fun. If you're coming with a group of friends, this is definitely worth considering.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I had a great experience at both accommodations. Rosebery was better for meeting people and had that community courtyard vibe, while High Holborn was more convenient for getting to campus and exploring central London. Both gave me different but equally valuable experiences.

I'd highly recommend staying in LSE accommodation if you can. Having that built-in community of other Summer School students made the whole experience so much better. Think about what matters more to you, a strong social atmosphere with a neighbourhood feel, or maximum convenience and being right in the centre of everything. Either way, you’ll be set up for an incredible summer in London!