Clifton Hill House

Location, location, location

Clifton Hill House, or CHH as less long-winded people refer to it, is a catered hall in the heart of Clifton. It is therefore a good residence for the lazy students among us, who would rather avoid the long trek down from Stoke Bishop each morning. Just a 10 minute stroll from the main university buildings, i.e. Woodland Road area, and barely 5 minutes round the corner from the Union, it is ideally situated. And with a view down over the docks and across to Cabort's Tower, you really are quite spoilt. However, sitting on such a prime piece of land and in a beautiful, historic building with extensive gardens does reflect in the price, and a room in CHH does not come cheap, though this does include meals, utilities and so on.

Atmosphere

The hall houses 250 students, mainly first years, and so gives you plenty of scope of people to meet whilst maintaining a community feeling; i.e. you can make loads of friends and still find fresh blood towards the end of the year. The dining hall is a hub of noise and activity at mealtimes, the bar is a great meeting point, especially at the beginning of the year, and always convenient for the odd pint, or two.., and the staff are welcoming.

Having said that, there are a few minor setbacks, such as the extensive list of hall rules (several volumes long). This is the only non-smoking residence and more than 4 people in a bedroom is considered a party and is not permitted, along with loud noise in the corridors after the twilight hour. Lets just say the cautions, fines and punishments are not all empty threats! Security is also quite tight, with CCTV cameras 'hidden' in various corners, but this does improve the feeling of safety and prevents random 'guests' wandering the halls late at night.

Rooms

CHH is divided into 4 main blocks of rooms and the size and comfort of the rooms varies accordingly. Fry Wing and South Wing house the majority of residence, and are modern blocks with rooms erring on the small side. These wings are mixed sex, though include a few single sex corridors. Old Clifton and Calendar are girls' only sections in the old building. These have nice, larger bedrooms, although some are double rooms for 2 girls to share (which is a cheaper option). Then there are also a couple of Garden Flats at the bottom of this building for a few postgrad students.

Facilities

There is a kitchen on each floor as well as bathroom facilities, and a large laundry room in the basement of Fry Wing with washing machines and dryers. There is also a TV room next to the main hall. This hall houses the infamous Three Horses bar at one end, with a pool table, various game machines, tables and chairs and a few comfy sofas. The rest of the room can be used for various activities, from speeches to comedy acts to playing table tennis etc. It has a stage and music system at the far end for use in relevant events. There is also a tennis court and 4 squash courts for residents' use, and the gardens provide ample space for recreation and sunbathing. Unfortunately the pond is not fit for bathing, though that has not stopped some people.

Food

Meals are included in the price of the room and consist of breakfast, 8-9am, and dinner, 5-6pm, Monday to Friday. Brunch is served 10am-12pm on a Saturday and Sunday breakfast is a leisurely 9-10am, with roast lunch 12-1pm. The food is generally good, with an emphasis on stomach-filling carbos like pasta, pasta and some more, slightly different pasta. Oh, and fry ups and stodgy puddings, and pizza and burgers on a Saturday. However, there is also a salad bar and plenty of fruit, yoghurts etc. for the more healthily-minded. So overall, the variety and quality is not bad.

JCR and Events

A committee of students, usually 2nd years, call themselves the JCR and are basically there to make sure residents enjoy their stay. So they heap on plenty of events during Freshers' Week, most of which are pretty entertaining, and then keep various sources of amusement up throughout the year. They run the hall bar, a few sports teams and competitions, music groups, religious meetings, international societies and a wide range of other activities. There is a formal meal and 'disco' on a Friday night once a month and the incredible Snow Ball in December: A 12 hour marathon of eating, drinking, dancing and entertainment along the lines of massages, gladiator wrestling, surf simulators and bucking bulls that you may or may not recall participating in the next day. There is also a summer Garden Party; a toned down and cheaper version of the ball, a special Christmas Dinner, a few visiting acts and so on. Basically enough to fill up your nights in.

All in all, this is a friendly, fun hall with a lot going for it and for its residents, especially if they keep on the right side of the warden!