Definitely go with intercollegiate halls. They're much more well-managed than the UCL ones. I stayed in Canterbury Hall & Commonwealth Hall in 2nd year (liked it much more than Ramsay which I stayed at in 1st year), and visited friends frequently at Hughes Parry, Connaught and International hall.
Hughes Parry and Canterbury had bigger rooms than UCL halls, with much newer furniture. Commonwealth is more old-style like the UCL halls (ie nothing's changed since 1960) so wouldn't recommend it, plus the food is horrific. Connaught has smaller rooms but furnishings seemed decent. Food was best at Canterbury (by which I mean it was actually edible). It was also single sex floors with 2 people sharing 1 bathroom, so it was the convenience & cleanliness of an ensuite (since you always know who's making the mess!) w/o the cost. If you have frequent late-night visitors it might be a problem though, because they operate very strict visitor regulations - but that's good for general safety.
I also found people at intercollegiates easier to mix around with; in Ramsay people formed cliques very quickly based on which floor they lived on or which course they took. In intercols, everyone's from different colleges, and strangely that helps with mixing around.
Cartwright Gardens (click for pic) is also about a 7-min run/15-min stroll to UCL, and is very beautiful, so I would say any of the 3 halls there is the best deal overall.
I took some pics of Hughes Parry and Connaught a couple of years ago while reccy-ing for a friend, so if you want a look, e-mail me.
Thanx thats really helpful advice; unofficial views give so much more of he info I'm looking for. erm yeah the pics would be good, i'll email u soon. Do you know anything of Nutford house by any chance?
Hughes Parry and Canterbury had bigger rooms than UCL halls, with much newer furniture. Commonwealth is more old-style like the UCL halls (ie nothing's changed since 1960) so wouldn't recommend it, plus the food is horrific. Connaught has smaller rooms but furnishings seemed decent. Food was best at Canterbury (by which I mean it was actually edible). It was also single sex floors with 2 people sharing 1 bathroom, so it was the convenience & cleanliness of an ensuite (since you always know who's making the mess!) w/o the cost. If you have frequent late-night visitors it might be a problem though, because they operate very strict visitor regulations - but that's good for general safety.
I also found people at intercollegiates easier to mix around with; in Ramsay people formed cliques very quickly based on which floor they lived on or which course they took. In intercols, everyone's from different colleges, and strangely that helps with mixing around.
Cartwright Gardens (click for pic) is also about a 7-min run/15-min stroll to UCL, and is very beautiful, so I would say any of the 3 halls there is the best deal overall.
I took some pics of Hughes Parry and Connaught a couple of years ago while reccy-ing for a friend, so if you want a look, e-mail me.
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