This page gives a brief overview of the various accommodation blocks available to undergraduates. For more detailed plans of each room, see the room ballot.
Main Building
Where?
In the West Wing of the main building of college, near Hall, Chapel and the Porters Lodge, above the offices of college staff.
Who?
Almost entirely freshers. College rent out accommodation in the East wing to overnight visitors.
What you get:
4 showers, 6 toilets and a large kitchen shared between 26 students.
Pros:
Sociable, convenient, high ceilings and views over the main lawns. Large rooms available for fine artists and musicians. First floor has been beautifully redecorated – best showers in college.
Cons:
Noisy, with some extremely small rooms and second floor is pretty grimy.
In three words:
Freshers, freshers, freshers.
MGA
Where?
Above the corridor leading from the JCR to main, containing the nurses surgery.
Who?
Some first and second years but mainly finalists low on the room ballot or with nine month leases.
What you get:
3 showers, 4 baths, 8 toilets, 2 kitchens between around 20 people.
Pros:
Beautiful spacious rooms with fireplaces and views across grounds. Best rooms in college for nine month leases. Easy access to library, reasonably quiet.
Cons:
Problems with central heating reported this year.
In three words:
Old school living
Kenyon
Where?
Prominent building in college grounds opposite Wolfson. 5 floors.
Who?
The freshers not in main and second year students low down the room ballot or who ballot as groups for floors or as individuals for balconies.
What you get:
Shared bath/shower rooms, shared toilets, 2 small kitchens on each floor, one large kitchen and dining area in basement, laundry rooms, sinks in every room. Group ballot available for floors.
Pros:
Grade II listed building, all rooms have a south facing windows, window seats.
Cons:
Has been likened to a tomb, rooms often too hot, all rooms quite small.
In three words:
George Orwell’s ‘1984’
Wolfson
Where?
Extends around south side of JCR from library towards Maplethorpe. Consists of 9 staircases along a corridor.
Who?
Excess freshers and second years either low down the room ballot or balloting in groups.
What you get:
Variable – normally one shower room, one bathroom, one kitchen and one kitchenette for 8 people. Group ballot available for staircases.
Pros:
Sociable family feel, balconies on first/second floor rooms, south facing and well lit, large rooms. Tall staircase well suited for funnel.
Cons:
Shabby, limited facilities. Can be noisy if people are talking outside Kenyon.
In three words:
Worth the sacrifice.
82 Woodstock Road
Where?
The house in the north west corner of college, next to Wolfson and RTB
Who?
Eclectic mix of (damp) freshers in the basement and second/third/fourth years.
What you get:
Extremely variable in size and facilities. No ensuites.
Pros:
Private, homely feel. Some rooms have balconies.
Cons:
Slightly shabby, old fashioned house. Somewhat cut off from other college buildings.
In three words:
Shabby private chic.
Maplethorpe
Where?
The big orange building in the centre of the grounds, north of the back entrance.
Who?
Third and fourth years and very very lucky others.
What you get:
Ensuite, kitchens shared between 8 with dining tables and chairs. Flats available for two people with shared ensuite.
Pros:
Modern, clean, luxurious accommodation.
Cons:
No nine month leases
In three words:
Go for it.
RTB
Where?
The rabbit warren of corridors and rooms snaking around the north side of the JCR
Who?
Third years and second years high up the room ballot.
What you get:
Ensuite and shared kitchens between around 15 people. Flats available for two people with shared ensuite and kitchenette.
Pros:
Ensuite and quiet work space.
Cons:
Very dark, somewhat lonely and no nine month lease available.
In three words:
Confusing but comfortable.