Cheltenham holds three of the four studying campuses of the University of Gloucestershire. One being the admirably nature-friendly Park Campus, Hardwick, and the other being Francis Close Hall. If you’re looking to study anything ranging from media and music to science and humanities here, this is where you will be based. So who better to tell you about what Cheltenham has to offer than a student?
Remember, Cheltenham is a town, not a city. Almost everything is you need is within walking distance. Despite being a student who lives in Pittville student village, which is the opposite end of Cheltenham from Park Campus, I manage to walk to and from campus most days. Albeit, I have to make sure I don’t oversleep. It’s about a 35 to 45-minute walk which would take you through the town centre, which is at the heart of everything, you can pick up anything you need for the day. Alternatively, you can get the ‘N’ bus which takes you straight from Pittville to Francis Close Hall and Park Campus, but don’t depend on the buses too much. One of Cheltenham’s few main cons are how unreliable the buses are. But don’t fret, the walk is far from insufferable, and you get to see the best of Cheltenham on it. Not just the town centre and everything it has to offer, but also Montpellier gardens and Pittville Park which are two places where you can enjoy moments of tranquillity.
Of course, one of the most important aspects to any student’s experience is the nightlife. There are many places to choose from to enjoy a night out in Cheltenham, but the one place which attracts the most students is MooMoo Clubrooms (Moos). Moos features a variety of themed nights throughout the week that primarily targets students: ‘GLAM’ Mondays, ‘Propaganda’ Thursdays, and the standout being ‘Blue and Blue’ Wednesdays. Wednesday night is the main student night here in Cheltenham, where all the University’s societies enjoy a night out and Moos is at the centre of it all. If you are anything like me, you enjoy all types of music on a night out and Moos accommodates that, from urban music, to cheesy pop classics and drum and bass. But my main praise for Moos is how affordable it is. You can enjoy a great night without it having too much effect of your student loan.
