Cartwright Gardens Halls, officially Garden Halls, is a University of London intercollegiate hall of residence on Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury, London WC1H, managed by the University of London and open to students from any publicly funded London university. If you are looking for student accommodation in London in one of the most academic, central and historically rich parts of the city, Cartwright Gardens Halls puts you within an 8-minute walk of SOAS, a short stroll from UCL, and within easy reach of King's Cross/St Pancras, Oxford Street and the West End. Offering both catered and self-catered accommodation with en-suite rooms, studios and even townhouse-style rooms, it is one of London's most distinctive student housing options.
Cartwright Gardens Halls at a glance
| Item | Details |
| Official name | Garden Halls |
| Address | Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury, London WC1H |
| Managed by | University of London |
| Type | Intercollegiate hall (open to all publicly funded London university students) |
| Room types | Single en-suite, studio, townhouse-style rooms |
| Catering | Catered (breakfast, brunch at weekends, dinner daily) and self-catered options |
| Walk to SOAS | About 8 minutes |
| Walk to UCL | About 10 minutes |
| To King's Cross/St Pancras | About 15 minutes' walk |
| Contract | UG: 40 weeks (Sep-Jun); PG: 50 weeks (Sep-Aug) |
What makes Cartwright Gardens Halls different
Cartwright Gardens Halls is genuinely distinct from private PBSA for three reasons. First, it is managed by the University of London, not a private operator, which means institutional oversight, dedicated wardens and residential advisors (RAs) for wellbeing support, and a community of students from multiple London universities mixing together. Second, it offers catered accommodation, with breakfast (brunch at weekends) and dinner served daily in the spacious dining room, a rarity in London student housing that removes the daily burden of cooking and shopping. Third, it is intercollegiate, so you live alongside students from UCL, SOAS, KCL, LSE and other University of London member institutions, which creates a genuinely diverse, cross-university social experience. My tip: the catered option is a real advantage for students who want to focus entirely on their studies without spending time cooking, and the intercollegiate mix broadens your social circle beyond your own course and university.
Location
Garden Halls sits on Cartwright Gardens in Bloomsbury, one of London's most historically rich and academically concentrated areas, surrounded by Georgian squares, the British Library (15 minutes), the British Museum, UCL and SOAS. Euston and King's Cross/St Pancras stations are within walking distance, providing National Rail, Underground and Eurostar connections, and the Tube stations of Euston, Russell Square and King's Cross are all nearby. Oxford Street, Soho and Covent Garden are within walking distance for shopping and nightlife. My tip: Bloomsbury's combination of academic concentration, cultural landmarks and central connectivity is genuinely unique in London, and Cartwright Gardens is one of the best addresses within it.
The honest picture
Garden Halls' strengths are its exceptional Bloomsbury location, the University of London's institutional management (wardens, RAs, welfare support), catered dining, the intercollegiate social mix, and the range of room types including townhouse-style options. The honest counterpoints: as a university-managed hall, the amenity set is more traditional than some premium private PBSA buildings (no rooftop terrace or sky lounge), rooms tend toward institutional rather than design-forward, and the catered meal plan may not suit students with very specific dietary requirements, though dietary accommodations are available. UCL students should note that UCL nominates students for Garden Halls, and the acceptance process is handled between you and the University of London, not UCL directly.
Who Cartwright Gardens Halls suits
Strong fit: students at UCL, SOAS, KCL, LSE or any University of London institution who want a central Bloomsbury location; those who want catered accommodation (meals provided daily); students who value institutional management, wardens and wellbeing support over private-operator amenities; anyone who wants an intercollegiate social mix.
Weaker fit: students who want premium private PBSA amenities (gym, cinema, rooftop terrace); those who prefer to cook independently and do not want a catered meal plan; students at non-University of London institutions (eligibility varies).
Conclusion
Cartwright Gardens Halls (Garden Halls) is one of London's most distinguished and historically rooted student housing options, offering something genuinely different from the private PBSA market: catered meals, University of London management, dedicated wardens and an intercollegiate social mix in the heart of Bloomsbury, walking distance to UCL, SOAS, the British Library and King's Cross. For students who value institutional support, a diverse cross-university community and not having to cook every night, it is hard to beat.
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FAQs
Q: Where is Cartwright Gardens Halls?
A: Garden Halls is on Cartwright Gardens, Bloomsbury, London WC1H, about an 8-minute walk from SOAS, 10 minutes from UCL, and 15 minutes from King's Cross/St Pancras station.
Q: Is Cartwright Gardens Halls catered?
A: Yes, Garden Halls offers catered accommodation with breakfast (brunch at weekends) and dinner served daily in the dining room, alongside self-catered options for students who prefer to cook independently.
Q: Who can live at Cartwright Gardens Halls?
A: Garden Halls is an intercollegiate hall open to students from any publicly funded London university, managed by the University of London. UCL nominates students, and the acceptance process is handled by the University of London.
Q: What room types does Garden Halls offer?
A: Single en-suite rooms, studios and townhouse-style rooms, with both catered and self-catered options across undergraduate (40-week) and postgraduate (50-week) contracts.
Q: How much is Cartwright Gardens Halls?
A: Prices vary by room type and catering option and sit outside UCL's standard pricing structure, as the hall is managed by the University of London independently. From approximately £455-£660 per week depending on room type.
Q: Is Garden Halls good for students?
A: Yes, particularly for students at University of London institutions who want catered accommodation, institutional management with wardens, and a diverse intercollegiate social mix in central Bloomsbury.
