Warwick University Heronbank Residences Review 2020/21: Special & Quiet!

We highly recommend the Warwick University Heronbank residences to study in a quiet and pleasant environment. Heronbank is located in the Western part of the main campus. It features 701 en-suite rooms in three blocks, namely Heronbank East, Heronbank North, and Heronbank West. Heronbank offers one of the most expensive accommodation options at the University of Warwick. For undergraduates it offers a 40-week let, for postgraduates a 50-week let – similar to Lakeside.

The official Warwick Accommodation website for Heronbank can be found here.

COVID-19 Update 2020/21: Please double-check the information on this page with the University of Warwick’s Accommodation Services directly. Especially letting periods might change due to the special circumstances.

Our Warwick University Heronbank Review

tldr; Heronbank is located in close proximity to the Warwick Sports Hub and features en-suite bathrooms in quiet surroundings. As such, you can both play and study hard in and around Heronbank, but it is not the ideal choice for students looking for an active social life full of parties. Its closest alternative are the Lakeside Residences which are located nearby.

Heronbank is one of the best options for accommodation if you want to stay on the main Warwick campus and not live in Coventry or Leamington Spa. We love the en-suite bathrooms – no need to share your bathroom with anyone else. Moreover, they are cleaned regularly so you will never be grossed out by the toilet or shower you are using like in shared accommodation.

Heronbank is perhaps the best on-campus accommodation if you want to study quietly in your room. The existing desk is sufficiently big for your laptop, a range of books/print-outs, and you generally get a good amount of light in your room. Your flatmates and neighbours are usually relatively quiet – simply because they also wanted to live in Heronbank and will adapt to the quiet surroundings.

Like in other residences at the University of Warwick, the Residential Life Team consists of volunteering tutors to help you figure out what it’s like to live in Heronbank and to help you out in case you have any issues. For instance, they can help in case you are being disturbed by your neighbours, and can also signpost you to a wide range of university services based on the physical, mental, or social issue you are facing.

The kitchen features a large lounge that you can spend time in eating your prepared meals or simply to socialise. Laundrettes are either in your block or in a block nearby and generally work well (card-based). Heronbank East and North are actually connected – it is one big building, only separated by corridor doors.

What makes Heronbank special is its location. Not only are you close to central campus (a ten-minute walk), you can also get to the university’s Sports Hub and nearby sports pitches within a couple of minutes. This really makes a difference for anyone wanting to go to the gym or sports classes on a regular basis – especially in the early mornings.

The other key benefit of staying at Heronbank is the surrounding wildlife. You stay next to the Lakeside lake and can see (and sort of engage) with ducks, geese, and lots of other animals on a daily basis. In the early mornings and late evenings you can regularly spot heaps of bunnies and even the occasional fox (hunting bunnies?). Together with Lakeside Heronbank is indeed special and features an immersive wildlife experience which is met by few other university campuses in the country.

Overall, the Warwick University Heronbank Residences offer a very convenient place to stay during your time at Warwick where you can focus on your studies (and sports nearby). However, in case you want an active and very social Freshers experience, other halls closer to the university’s Student’s Union might be a better bet, namely Rootes, Tocil, or Whitefields.

Lastly, it is important to note that Heronbank and Lakeside rooms and locations are almost identical. Heronbank is a little further out West, but closer to the Sports Hub than Lakeside. The rooms in both residences are of similar size, en-suite, and are located in blocks around the lake. If you like one accommodation, make sure to check out the other, and to apply for both during the application process!

Apart from Heronbank and Lakeside the most popular alternatives students choose are Claycroft, Tocil, Bluebell, and Rootes.

That said, it is always an option to live off-campus. Especially if you like lively surroundings, living in student or private accommodation in Coventry or Leamington Spa offers you a range of entertainment venues, shops, and a more extensive social life in general terms.