Durham student accommodation at a glance
For student accommodation in Durham that is close to campus, check out Dun Holm House. This stylish accommodation has a range of studio and ensuite rooms, some even with a river view. It also boasts a games room, on-site gym, cinema room, TV lounge area, communal kitchen and private dining area. Location-wise, you’re only a 20-minute walk from Durham University or a 22-minute walk to Durham University Business School. You’ve also got supermarkets and restaurants nearby, making these student flats in Durham a popular choice.
If you’re looking for peaceful, stylish private student accommodation in Durham, then it’s worth taking a look at Chapel Heights. This student accommodation offers three different types of studios depending on your needs and budgets, it has an on-site gym, music and cinema room, and lots of comfortable lounge areas to chill with friends. In addition, it’s only a 36-minute walk to Durham University and around 10-minutes into the city centre.
For Durham student halls out of the buzz of the city centre, check out Duresme Court. This peaceful accommodation offers a range of both private and shared accommodation and has lots of on-site facilities such as study rooms and communal areas, an on-site gym, games areas, and a cinema room. It’s a great location too, being only a 10-minute walk over the river to the centre of the city, and a 36-minute walk to Durham University.
If you’re looking for luxury student accommodation in Durham then Ernest Place could be for you. Boasting a range of well-designed ensuite and studio rooms, this student accommodation has amazing amenities such as a sauna, gym, glass-walled sky lounge, two dinner party rooms, study areas, rooftop terrace, and cinema room. It’s a little further from Durham University, being a 48-minute walk away or a short bus ride, but it does have great amenities nearby, including a large Tesco Extra.
Spoilt for choice? Why not check out our guide for different types of student accommodation to help you make your decision.
Durham at a glance
- Durham is home to higher educational establishments such as Durham University, Durham University Business School, and New College Durham, all with great Durham student accommodation options nearby.
- Durham is known for being a beautiful city thanks to the beautiful parklands and historical buildings such as the Durham Cathedral and 11th-century Durham Castle.
- Jump in the car for a 20-minute drive to Seaham Beach. This stunning stretch of coast is a popular spot to spend a sunny day away from your Durham student halls to get some much-needed downtime.
- Get amongst the greenery at Durham University’s 10-acre Botanic Garden. These peaceful parklands have countless trails and landscapes to explore. Or if gardens aren’t your thing, head on down to the riverside and follow the beautiful Riverside Walk.
- Durham has some great theatres that host a variety of shows. Check out the Gala Theatre or Assembly Room Theatre to see what’s on.
- If you’re into history, Durham has several interesting museums sure to occupy your time. Why not check out the Oriental Museum, Museum of Archaeology, or the Palace Green Library?
- All that sightseeing can build up a thirst, and thankfully Durham has a great mix of student bars and pubs that won’t disappoint. So check out The Boat Club, Osbournes, Klute, or Three Bridges for a drink or two.
- Wander around Durham Markets and treat yourself to some shopping. These markets are popular with students and locals and offer a range of food, clothing, accessories, and crafts.
Student travel around Durham
There are two main ways to get around Durham, and that’s by bus or train. Some people choose to walk as the city isn’t too big. However, it is built on a hill, so there are steps and steep inclines if travelling on foot. Therefore, it’s important to consider travel when choosing your student flats in Durham, as a bad commute can either make or break your day.
By Bus
Arriva and Go North East are the main public transport providers for Durham and provide a reliable and convenient service. Durham University students and staff can travel all day, within the Durham area for just £1 with Arriva. This gives you unlimited travel in the Durham District ticket zone.
By Train
Durham Station is a convenient way to travel in and out of the city and is only a 20-minute walk to Durham University. It doesn’t have any stops other than the main station within the city, so it’s only use is for when you are visiting places outside of town. However, it has great connections to other parts of the country including London and Edinburgh.
Featured neighbourhoods around Durham
Crossgate
One of the most popular areas for student flats in Durham is Crossgate. This is mostly due to its convenient location right by Durham University, as well as being close to the city centre where all the action is. It also has great amenities nearby, including a Tesco Express for all those student essentials, as well as an Odeon Cinema just down the road. It’s also just over the river from the beautiful Durham Castle and Palace Green, which allows you to go for picturesque walks when you need to get away from your desk. You’ve also got Head of Steam on your doorstep, a great pub to grab a cheeky pint. Durham Station isn’t too far away either.
Claypath
In the north of the city centre is Claypath, a great place to look for Durham student halls. It’s a little further away from Durham University than Crossgate (depending on what campus you attend), but with great bus links to get you to campus, that isn’t much of an issue. Claypath is popular with students as it has lots going on being so close to the city centre, including the Gala Theatre and Cinema, a Tesco Express and some great pubs and restaurants, such as Ajiwai Japanese and Urban Oven.
Gilesgate
If you keep heading away from the city centre from Claypath, you’ll end up in Gilesgate. This is the perfect area for students wishing to live outside of the buzz of the city, but still have amenities and hospitality close by when you don’t fancy jumping on a bus. Gilesgate has some great local eateries such as Bells Fish and Chips and Lebaneat, as well as a Sainsbury’s for easy shopping, and your local pub The Queen’s Head.
Worried your student accommodation won’t feel quite like home? Check out our guide to 6 cheap and easy ways to brighten up your room in student halls.
FAQs about Durham student halls
Is Durham expensive for students?
Durham is a great city for students as it's considered fairly affordable compared to other university cities in the UK. Student accommodation in Durham starts at around £145.00 per week to £179.00 per week. For more information, check out our guide to how students pay for accommodation.
Where do students live in Durham?
There are many popular areas for Durham student accommodation such as Claypath, Crossgate, Gilesgate, Viaduct, Bowburn, Brandon, Elvet, Neville's Cross, and Framwellgate Moor.
Is Durham a good city for students?
Absolutely – Durham is a smaller city which is ideal for getting about on foot (and those hills will definitely give you a workout!). It’s a beautiful, historic city on the River Wear, where you can hire cute little rowboats or even join a party on a river cruiser.
Are there different types of student accommodation in Durham?
Durham is home to lots of different types of student accommodation, depending on your budget and preferences. You can find anything from single rooms in shared apartments to private studios with fully-furnished kitchenettes and living spaces.
For more information, check out our guide to the different types of student accommodation.
Can I live with my partner in Durham?
If you’re looking to share your living space, there are plenty of options, some of which won’t even charge you any extra for dual occupancy. Split the costs and you’ll have even more money for student living. To learn more or ask if dual occupancy is an option, contact the provider directly.
What’s the best way to find student accommodation in Durham?
At Mystudenthalls.com, you can search for your new home by university or budget, and shortlist your favourites as you browse. When you’re ready, simply fill out our contact form to contact all providers at once, with space provided for any questions or queries you might have about the accommodation. It couldn’t be easier!
How long will my tenancy agreement run?
Most student tenancies in Durham last around 51 weeks, but some providers will offer shorter or longer tenancies as required. If you think you might require a non-standard tenancy agreement, simply ask the question when you fill out our contact form.