Student Comments
Down to earth, independant and unique. Northwell is much more than bricks and dodgy mortar. Nobody knows where it is, but that's the best things about it. Escape the horrific walks to Stoke Bishop and gain a unique living experience on one of Bristol's most exciting and eclectic streets.
"When I was told that I had been put in Student housing (Northwell House) instead of Halls of Residence I was gutted. I didn't think I was going to fit in, any reviews I found were not very encouraging and I was dreading the idea that my fresher year - supposedly the best year - would be a flop. However, it was completely the opposite. You really have to make i
t what you want. It was brilliant. I want to do it again!" Harriet Bailey
"Great place to live and study. Really close or closer than many other houses to uni. Around the area lots of different cultural places to eat". Emran Noor
"Before I moved into Northwell I had so many questions: why did I not get into halls? Why am I stuck in something called 'the annexe'? Why am I so far away from halls? How do you make beans on toast?! But as soon as I arrived and got settled in I realised that there was nothing to worry about, the flats are great, the people were all lovely and I did eventually learn how to cook! Like many other fresher's here I felt like I was missing out not living in halls, but the benefits of living at Northwell House far outweigh those of halls.
Northwell itself is made up of two buildings: main building, with 17 flats spread out over four floors, common room, laundry room and post collection, and then the annexe, just across the courtyard with 5 additional flats. There's a friendly rivalry between the two blocks, but overall there was a great mix of people and there was a place at Northwell for everyone.
The area around Northwell House is a diverse, lively and interesting place, where a stroll up Gloucester Road can lead to a new haircut, several pints or a sit down meal. Within 5 minutes walk we can go to a supermarket, pop into the local library, visit restaurants/pubs/cafes and go shopping. Another big bonus is that the main shopping areas in town are only a 15 minute walk, and university is only 15 minutes away (although you do face the 'hill of death', think of the exercise!) which is 
much closer than the big halls over in Stoke Bishop.
Throughout the year Northwell House JCR organised events such as open mic nights, club nights, BBQs and at the end of the year we got hoodies printed and had a meal out with everyone!
Being part of Orbital as well meant that we had an amazing Fresher's Week and we could join a sports team like football or rugby, as well as a few nights out during the rest of the year.
Living at Northwell House has ensured I've had a great year in Bristol and no matter what anyone says Northwell House is the best student digs for fresher's! (Amelia Curley, Economics and Maths)
I would definitely choose to live in Northwell again, its the perfect size, there are not too many people, so you can get to know everyone, and not so few that you feel your friendship circle is limited. The senior residents were very friendly moving us in and I loved my room. The annexe is the best place to live but I know the main building would argue the same! The kitchens have good facilities and are great communal spaces.
Freshers week was well organised with Orbital reps coming round everyday with activities. We had a nice Northwell welcome BBQ
in the garden. I found I get to know everyone very quickly and felt at home instantly.
I wish I could have my first term at Northwell again! Northwell is welcoming, sociable and perfectly located. (Bridget Cuttell, French and German)
The past year at Northwell has been so much fun, the whole experience of coming to university may at first have been a bit daunting but as soon as I got settled in all was fine. Northwell itself is more than I could have asked for in a Halls, it's is in a great area with everything a student needs, cheap local pubs, a close, walking distance to both town and uni, much closer than that of Stoke Bishop, and the accommodation is maintained to a very high standard. Some say Northwell house is a "reject bin" but I would most definitely apply here again. Not many get to call themselves a Northwell Viking! (Chris Bullough, Civil Engineering)