Hall of residence: the short version
- University
- LSE, postgraduates only, run by the School itself
- Address
- 11 Gainsford Street, Shad Thames, SE1
- Size
- Around 280 bed spaces
- Catered
- No, self-catered flats with shared kitchens
- Nearest area page
- Bermondsey
What it costs
Everything below includes VAT, the crew, the van, the wrapping, the fuel and the Congestion Charge where it applies.
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| One room, within LondonBed linen, clothes, books, a desk lamp and a bike | £150 to £340 |
| Room into summer storage, and back in SeptemberBoth legs quoted together, which is cheaper than booking twice | £280 to £620 |
| Hall to Heathrow or GatwickCases and boxes, with time built in for the drive | £120 to £260 |
| End of term room clearanceWhat you are not taking, disposed of with a waste transfer note | £120 to £280 |
Loading and parking
Gainsford Street runs through the Shad Thames warehouse district, where the streets are narrow, some are cobbled, and several pass under the old iron gantries between buildings. It is Southwark controlled parking with no loading bay at the residence, and the lanes fill with visitors walking between Tower Bridge and the river from late morning. A van can usually stop briefly to unload early in the day, and a larger vehicle is harder work than a small one here. Approaching from north of the river means Tower Bridge, which closes to traffic when it lifts, so we plan the route from the south side where we can. The building has lift access throughout.
More on Bermondsey parking and access →Warehouse streets built for carts
Shad Thames was laid out for goods moving between river wharves and warehouses, and the lanes still reflect that: tight corners, cobbles in places and very little kerb. A single room of belongings is easy enough, but a van that has to reverse out of a lane it cannot turn in costs time, and time is what a move here is priced on.
We send a smaller van where the load allows and arrive early, before the riverside route east of Tower Bridge fills with people on foot. From the door the lifts do the rest.
Postgraduate flats, on a longer contract
Everyone at Butler's Wharf is a postgraduate, and LSE lists a 41 week contract, longer than the 38 weeks at Bankside or High Holborn. For a one year master's that often means the dissertation is written here and the move out falls in late summer, after the June rush at the other halls has finished.
The flats are self-catered, so a year of kitchen equipment, food and shared cleaning things builds up. Whoever leaves last tends to inherit the flat's leftovers, and a clearance booked alongside the move out is cheaper than a second visit.
Worth knowing
- Arrive early, before the Shad Thames lanes fill with visitors
- Check for Tower Bridge lift times if your move starts north of the river
- Tell us if the load fits a small van, which suits these streets far better
- Agree with flatmates who takes the shared kitchen things before the last week
- Check your end date: the contract here is longer than most LSE halls
Butler's Wharf Residence: common questions
How much does it cost to move into Butler's Wharf Residence?
A single room is £150 to £340 including VAT, most around £220, covering the crew, the van, the wrapping, the fuel and the Congestion Charge. A run to Heathrow or Gatwick at the end of your contract is £120 to £260.
Can you park outside Butler's Wharf Residence?
Briefly, and early in the day. Gainsford Street is a narrow Southwark controlled parking street in the Shad Thames warehouse district with no loading bay at the building, and the lanes fill with people walking to the river from late morning. We stop where loading is allowed and keep the van small where we can.
Is Butler's Wharf Residence catered?
No. It is self-catered, with a shared kitchen in each flat, so pans, plates and a kettle are worth bringing. Agree with your flatmates who brings what before the first week.
Who can live at Butler's Wharf Residence?
LSE lists it for postgraduate students only, on a 41 week contract. That usually means the move out comes later in the summer than at the undergraduate halls, which makes booking easier once the June rush has passed.
Does Tower Bridge affect the move?
It can. The bridge closes to traffic when it lifts for river traffic, and it is the obvious route in from north of the river. We check the lift times before the day and approach from the south side if the timing is tight.