Hall of residence: the short version
- University
- UCL, undergraduates
- Address
- Wren Street, off Gray's Inn Road, WC1X (check-in at Langton Close)
- Size
- Around 214 rooms, all en-suite singles
- Catered
- No, self-catered with shared kitchens
- Nearest area page
- King's Cross
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
Wren Street is a narrow Camden side street off Gray's Inn Road, inside controlled parking and without a loading bay for the hall. UCL describes the arrangement as on-street stopping to unload only, with limited parking kept for residents with access needs. Check-in is at Langton Close on the same site, and UCL notes that the lift does not reach every floor of Frances Gardner House and sits some way into the building from the courtyard entrance, so give us your floor when you book.
More on King's Cross parking and access →Two halls, one reception
Frances Gardner House and Langton Close sit on the same site and check in through the same reception at Langton Close. On the September weekend that means two halls' worth of arrivals on one short street, and the arrival slot you book on the UCL portal is what keeps it moving.
Tell us which of the two buildings you are in, and which block. The walk from the reception to a room in the other building is part of the carry, and it is the detail that decides where the van should stop.
En-suite rooms hold more than you think
An en-suite single fills up with toiletries, towels, a bathmat and cleaning things that a room with a shared bathroom never collects. By June that is usually two or three extra bags, and it is exactly the sort of half-used stock that nobody wants to put in a suitcase.
The hall is self-catered, so kitchen equipment is worth bringing, and it is also what gets left in the shared kitchen on the last day. Clear the cupboard a week early, and book a room clearance for anything you are not taking rather than leaving it for the hall to charge you for.
Worth knowing
- Check in at Langton Close first, which is the reception for Frances Gardner House
- Tell us your floor, because the lift does not reach every floor of the building
- Arrive in your booked slot, since two halls share one short street on move-in weekend
- Clear the bathroom and the kitchen cupboard a week before you leave
- Book the June move before exams, not in the week everyone else books
Frances Gardner House: common questions
How much does it cost to move into Frances Gardner House?
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. En-suite rooms tend to sit in the middle of that band rather than at the bottom, simply because there is more in them.
Can you park outside Frances Gardner House?
Only to unload. Wren Street is a narrow Camden side street off Gray's Inn Road with controlled parking and no loading bay, and UCL describes it as on-street stopping for unloading only. We unload promptly and move the van rather than waiting on the street.
Where do I check in for Frances Gardner House?
At Langton Close, which is on the same site and runs the reception for both buildings. Check in before carrying anything up, so you have the key and know which block the room is in.
Does Frances Gardner House have a lift?
It has one, but UCL notes that it does not reach every floor, and it is some distance in from the courtyard entrance. Tell us the floor and room when you book so we send enough people.
What happens to things I leave behind?
The hall clears them and charges for it. Our end of term clearance is £120 to £280 for a room, taken to a licensed transfer station with a waste transfer note, and it can be booked alongside a storage or airport run.