We’ve decided to list a few nearby amenities around LSE undergraduate Halls to help guide you through your first weeks of student life. Though these lists are by no means exhaustive, we hope these snapshots give you some inspiration to look for your own favorite spots to grab a bite or relax.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic may mean we can’t eat out or watch a play exactly as we used to and we keenly await the day when we can do so once more. In the meantime, take note of all the green places and walking routes near your halls.
(All lengths of time stated are walking length from the Hall.)
The below halls are run by LSE Residential Services:
Bankside House
Supermarkets: A Co-op, Tesco, Sainsburys, and Marks and Spencer are all within a 5 minute’s walk or less.
Cafes/Restaurants: Quick bites such as Itsu, Leon, and Starbucks are minutes away. If you feel like treating yourself, Vapiano, Tonkotsu, and Lin’s Restaurant & Bar are right around the corner.
Closest Tube: London Bridge, Southwark.
Local attractions: The Tate Modern (3 mins) is right on your doorstep, with modern and contemporary art for your viewing pleasure. A stroll along the nearby Southbank affords you a clear view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A host of other cultural, artistic, and historic centres are nearby, including the National Theatre (15 mins), Shakespeare’s Globe (4 mins), and Borough Market (9 mins).
Green spaces nearby: Tate Modern Garden (3 mins), Leathermarket Gardens (18 mins).
Carr-Saunders Hall
Supermarkets: Tesco (5 mins), Sainsbury (6 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: Being a 6 minute walk from Tottenham Court Road, there is no scarcity of places to eat. Nearby spots include Franco Manca and Honest Burgers. Other finds are Passyunk Avenue (if you’re craving cheesesteaks), Brazilian Gourmet, and Fish Bone.
Closest Tube: Warren Street, Euston.
Local attractions: Being in Central London, many attractions are a short walk away. The British Museum is 14 minutes away, and the West End a 20 minute walk. Tottenham Court Road is a well-known street to shop (or windowshop!). A more niche attraction is the Cartoon Museum (9 mins).
Green space nearby: Regent’s Park (20-25 mins).
Northumberland House
Supermarkets: Tesco (1 min), Marks and Spencer (3 mins)
Cafes/Restaurants: Nearby you’ll find a Prezzo, Little Frankie’s , Pizza Express, and Herman Ze German. If you ever fancy treating yourself to afternoon tea, try Afternoon Tea at Corinthia London. The Cafe on the Square is also a popular eating spot right in the heart of London.
Closest Tube: Charing Cross, Embankment
Local attractions: Northumberland House is right next to Trafalgar Square, which is lined with galleries and monuments and surrounded by touristic locations such as Picadilly Circus and the Strand. The National Gallery, which hosts over 2,300 paintings, is only a 5 minutes walk away. The Covent Garden Market is also a 12 minute walk away.
Green space nearby: Victoria Embankment Gardens (3 mins).
Passfield Hall
Supermarkets: Tesco, Sainsbury (both about 10 mins away), Waitrose (8 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: With WingWing Kripsy Chicken, Bloomsbury Coffee House, Taste of Greece, and China House as nearby eats, you won’t be going hungry anytime soon.
Closest Tube: Euston Square, Euston.
Local attractions: Passfield Hall is in Bloomsbury – an area with great literary history. The British Museum and the British Library are both a 10 minute walk away. The Grant Museum of Zoology, an 8 minute walk away, is the last zoology museum in London. Senate House Library is also 8 minutes away, and as with the library of the University of London, LSE students have full access.
Green spaces nearby: Tavistock Square Gardens , Gordon Square (both 2 mins), and Russell Square, the largest square in Bloomsbury, is only 8 minutes away.
Rosebery Hall
Supermarkets: Sainsbury (3 mins), Tesco (7 mins)
Cafes/Restaurants: Santoré-Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, Coin Laundry (seasonal British food), Macellaio RC Exmouth Market (Italian), Sweet Patisserie, The Wilmington Public House and Dining.
Closest Tube: Angel, King’s Cross/ St Pancras, Farringdon
Local attractions: Rosebery Hall is in Islington, and the closest attraction is Sadler’s Wells Theatre, 3 mins away. The Barbican Centre is 22 minutes walk away, and a performing arts centre holding art exhibitions, film screenings, and theatre performances. It also has the second biggest conservatory in London, with more than 1,500 plants and trees.
Green spaces nearby: Spa Green Garden (2 mins), Northampton Square Garden (5 mins).
The below halls are run by Urbanest:
Urbanest Westminster Bridge
Supermarkets: Tesco (6 mins), Sainsbury’s (4 mins), Marks and Spencer (4 mins)
Cafes/Restaurants: The Travel Cafe, Four Corners, Scootercaffe, and Hannah Japanese Restaurant are amongst the many eateries nearby.
Closest Tube: Westminster, Waterloo, Lambeth North
Local attractions: This student hall boasts views overlooking Westminster Bridge. The London Eye (8 mins), SEA LIFE Centre London Aquarium (6 mins), House of Commons (a 15 min walk across the bridge), and Florence Nightingale Museum (4 mins) are notable attractions.
Green spaces nearby: Archbishop’s Park (5 mins), Jubilee Park and Garden (6 minutes).
Urbanest King’s Cross
Supermarkets: Co-op (7 mins), Waitrose (6 mins)
Cafes/Restaurants: Cut+Grind Burgers, Franco Manca, and Dishoom’s Kings Cross (Indian cuisine) are examples of nearby restaurants. Vinyl Cafe-Tileyard Studios and Cafe Express are both within a 6 minutes’ walk.
Closest Tube: King’s Cross
Local attractions: How can one mention King’s Cross without mentioning the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ Quarters (13 mins)? Canopy Market is 6 minutes away on the weekends for your favorite artisan goods.
Green spaces nearby: Camley Street Natural Park (8 mins), Handyside Gardens (5 mins)
The below halls are run by the University of London:
The Garden Halls
Supermarkets: Waitrose (4 mins), Tesco (6 mins), Marks and Spencer (8 minutes).
Cafes/Restaurants: Restaurants right next door include Norfolk Arms (gastropub), Casa Tua King Cross (Italian), and Chillicool Restaurant London (Chinese cuisine). Cafes nearby include Half Cup and Thenga Cafe.
Closest Tube: Euston Station, Euston Square, Russell Square
Local attractions: Located in Bloomsbury but nearby King’s Cross/St. Pancras, it is a stone’s throw away from the British Library (5 mins), the British Museum (12 mins), and Senate House Library (11 mins).
Green spaces nearby: Cartwright Gardens (1 min), Bramber Green (5 mins).
Lillian Penson Hall
Supermarkets: Tesco (7 mins), Co-op (9 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: Ask Italian, Mimos Cafe Bar, Caffe Nero, Golden Shalimar Indian, and Paramount Lebanese Kitchen Paddington.
Closest Tube: Lancaster Gate, Paddington Station
Local attractions: Following the Paddington Bear Trail to the Paddington Bear statue (7 mins), Alexander Fleming Museum (7 mins).
Green spaces nearby: Hyde Park (21 mins), Norfolk Square Garden (6 mins).
International Hall
Supermarkets: Co-op (8 mins), Waitrose (10 mins)
Cafes/Restaurants: Ciao Bella, Cafe Romano, The Espresso Room, Salaam Namaste (Indian cuisine).
Closest Tube: Russell Square, Holbon, Euston, and King’s Cross
Local attractions: The Brunswick Centre (shopping mall, 9 mins away), the British Museum (12 mins away), Senate House (12 mins).
Green spaces nearby: Brunswick Square Gardens (9 mins), Queen Square Gardens (6 mins)
College Hall
Supermarkets: Tesco (7 mins), Sainsbury’s (9 mins), Waitrose (10 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: Cafe on the Square, Lever and Bloom Coffee, Ginger Jules Cafe, Vantra Eden (vegan), and Spaghetti House.
Closest Tube: Goodge Street, Euston Station, Russell Square, King’s Cross.
Local attractions: The British Museum (4 mins), Senate House Library (3 mins), The Wiener Holocause Library (4 mins).
Green space nearby: Russell Square (6 mins).
Connaught Hall
Supermarkets: Waitrose (7 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: WingWing Kripsy Chicken, Ginger Jules Cafe, Pavilion (buffet restaurant), Starbucks, Bloomsbury Coffee House.
Closest Tube: Euston Station, Euston Square, Russell Square, King’s Cross.
Local attractions: The British Museum (7 mins), The British Library (11 mins), Senate House (7 mins).
Green spaces nearby: Tavistock Square Gardens (1 min), Gordon Square (2 mins).
Nutford House
Supermarkets: Tesco (3 mins), Waitrose (4 mins).
Cafes/Restaurants: Mahal, Al Arez Express 1, Franco, Beirut Cafe.
Closest Tube: Edgware Station, Marble Arch
Local attractions: Oxford Street (21 mins) – head down there to shop until you drop.
Green spaces nearby: Bryanston Square (4 mins), Montagu Square (6 mins), Hyde Park (8 mins).
