LSE Accommodation Spotlight: Linus

My Experience of High Holborn

If you’ve signed up for LSE Summer School and decided to stay in the student accommodation High Holborn, you’ve already made a top choice. Now I will provide you with some tips and advice about living in High Holborn, how to get around and what essentials you need to pack, so that you can get the most out of your stay in London!

First thing to know is that the High Holborn residence is situated a comfortable 10-minute walk from campus. While you can also get there by public transport, it’s way more efficient to just take a walk and get some fresh London air, while also moving your legs a little before going to your lectures. Before that, you can enjoy some self-catered breakfast on the ground floor canteen. I recommend making an effort to go to breakfast in the morning, even if you are not a morning person. You get the opportunity to meet so many different students from across the different courses.

After a quick breakfast I usually went to my room, got ready for my classes and left a little earlier to get some coffee. The residence is near the Soho/Convent Garden area where many great coffee and tea places are located. I especially recommend getting a coffee at Amelia and/or Monmouth Coffee Company. It’s the perfect way to start your day and get some energy for all your lectures ahead.

Besides good coffee and tea there is also a nearby local supermarket just a five-minute stroll away. The supermarket Sainsburys is located on Kingsway and has everything you need and is open seven days a week. On my first day at High Holborn, I went there after checking in to buy some snacks and shampoo. Every room at the residence has a nearby kitchen on the floor where you can store your food in a refrigerator. The kitchen gets cleaned regularly and has everything you need.

During my stay in London, I lived in a single bedroom, and I shared the bathroom (separate shower and toilet) with my four flatmates. Like the kitchen, it gets cleaned regularly and therefore always was super clean. My most important tip by far is to pack bathing slippers/flip-flops. You need them to get from your room to the bathroom and you can even keep them on during the shower, as it is a bit more hygienic. I didn't think about this back home, but I was lucky that I packed the slippers anyway.

High Holborn is located extremely centrally, placing you in one of the many diverse centers of London. Don't stress too much about packing for your time in London. In case of emergency, you can always buy something you might have forgotten. Regarding clothing, you also have the option to do your laundry on the lower floor of the student residence. The reception is always very helpful and will certainly assist you if you encounter any difficulties. In addition to a laundry room, High Holborn also features a cool common room with various games, computers, and fitness equipment. I recommend exploring the student residence a bit right after checking into your room so that you are ready for your first day at LSE!

Enjoy your time at High Holborn and make the most of all the advantages of its exciting location right in the heart of London. You will meet many fascinating people and, thanks to a cosy home at High Holborn, have a successful time at LSE Summer School.

This blog was written by one of our 2023 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.