The Vale Village

Reviews

Anonymous

Absolutely perfect location for student halls - amazing place to meet new people and make friends as well as chill on the park/lake, especially in Shackleton halls where I lived. Huge rooms in Shackleton as well. Can’t recommend it enough!

Anonymous

The Vale is so adorable and pretty all year round, it's safe and means you're never too far from friends. Facilities in most accommodations are good, although there is a range, with is handy when you want to pick according to budget. It's a bit of a walk from Uni, but with well lit paths, and the stunning canal route, I can't complain!

Anonymous

Waking up to the beautiful natural views of the vale green space and lake every morning made moving away from home a dream. I felt safe on the vale and there was always someone to talk to and somewhere to go whatever time of the day or night. The vale village is definitely the Hub of student life for first years at the University of Birmingham and now every time I go back I miss it so much. All of the halls are amazing and you have access to costcutter, restaurants and a pub! What more could any student want!

Anonymous

I stayed in Tennis Courts. It was self catered but had all the kitchen space and appliances I possibly could have needed (and I love cooking so need a lot!). The rooms are on the small side but for what you pay its a good deal. There are 2 toilets so bathroom sharing was no issue throughout the year. Definitely the best thing about Tennis Courts is the social side!! I met the vast majority of my 2nd year friends through my accommodation and wouldn't have changed my experience for anything. GO TC!

Anonymous

I stayed in chamberlain on the vale and it was the best accommodation there. Double bed and en suite and everything was so clean. The vale is definitely a very social place to live with many different halls around a lake, which is also great in summer to be outside.

Anonymous

Chamberlain is probably one of the best most comfortable student accommodations in the city. With spacious rooms and en suite. Only drawback is it's quite far away from main canpus

Anonymous

Fantastic location and not too far from campus. Set in a beautiful parkland with a relatively cheap bar on site. Right next to the canal so can walk into central Birmingham easily. My accommodation was great but the kitchen was a little small making it difficult to have big groups of people round. Otherwise loved it.

Anonymous

I lived in Mason Hall in The Vale Village, and for me the best thing about the accommodation was the attractive setting. It's about a 20 minute walk to the university (depending where on campus) so it's fairly close to UoB. The main drawback was the lack of amenities - the only shop available in the accommodation is Costcutter located in Shackleton. My room was decently sized and had a great view of the lake - would definitely recommend ensuite accommodation! Mason is one of the more expensive options on the vale, although there are cheaper options like Tennis Courts, Maple Bank etc. Really enjoyed the social side of living on the Vale as everyone lives so close to one another, and Vale fireworks and Valefest are right on your doorstep.

Anonymous

Although the location is a 15 min walk from the main campus, the walk is really nice due to all of the surroundings and also it's quite easy just to walk into town from the accommodation site. Also there are such beautiful views of the lake and all of the woodland areas around that it honestly makes it a lovely place to stay.

Anonymous

Tennis courts was by far the best atmosphere from any of the halls at UOB, great people and everyone was really social. Kitchens were a good size to have parties/ pres. Close to campus and easy to get to town by the bus/ train links.

Anonymous

On the vale there are great facilities..places to eat...fresh air and open space for the summer..Great people..definitely a place to enjoy first year

Anonymous

I lived in Tennis Courts on the Vale Village in my first year and it was amazing! The social life was great, the flats were perfect, with a reasonable communal area in each flat and decent sized rooms! Couldn't have asked for better first year accommodation!

Anonymous

The best year of my life. I was catered and this made my first year a lot easier. I made fantastic friends and then property was clean and any maintenance issues were fixed quickly.

Anonymous

The vale is great - right next to all the other first years, really close to the duck and scholar pub and the actual accomadation is clean and really nice

Anonymous

I was in Mason accommodation. The location of Mason accommodation is perfect. The walk to uni only takes 15 minutes, 10 for those with long legs and it's only 3 minutes away from the costcutter, below Shackleton. It's also right in front of the vale lake which makes for a perfect view and lovely spot for revision and picnics in the summer. Mason facilities are also good. The kitchen has just about enough fridge and freezer space for all 6 people in the flat. The sofa space makes for a great area for you and your flat to congregate socially without having to sit on kitchen chairs. I would say the layout of the kitchen isn't the best due to the bench table that goes around the wall- not very social. However, you end up 'make doing' with just eating with the food on your lap with your friends on the sofas. It's also great that the bin collection area is just on the bottom floor of each block, meaning there's no real trek with a bin bag that's way too full. The social experience living in Mason is also something that I've heard being doubted in the past but personally I had a great experience. The stairs make a great communal meeting place. Daily you'd open your door to chats happening between flats as they met on the stairs. Many block parties and 'pres' happened. Finally, the prom you get in Mason is just about perfect. There's 2 windows in each room which makes for a really bright uni room. Also, thankfully, you don't end up with any horrid uni accommodation curtains but blinds instead- much appreciated, thanks Mason. If you're lucky enough you may even get the scenic view of the lake! The en-suite is very handy, although the wet room can be bit of a pain at times- would advise bringing flip flops to avoid the wet socks issues. There is definitely more than enough desk space although I would say wardrobe space is on the smaller size. Overall, I was very happy in Mason accommodation- go for it.

Anonymous

The vale village is a sociable, pretty and lovely place to live. I was in Tennis Courts accommodation which was affordable, sociable and comfortable, if slightly noisy at times. I had a single bed and shared bathrooms, both of which were very nice. Overall my experience was great.

Anonymous

The vale is a sociable, pretty and peaceful place to live. I was in Tennis Court accommodation which was affordable and comfortable, if slightly noisy at times. My room had a single bed and was decently sized. Overall, my experience was fantastic.

Anonymous

You would never expect such a beautiful location for students on campus. It feels like a fairy tale vale and has all the facilities one needs. A bonus is that it’s only 15 minutes from campus.

Anonymous

Tennis Courts in the Vale is an ideal place to get yo know those living around you. The fact that the uni halls is made out of block means you build strong friendships with at least 30 people. Making night outs always a large affair.

Anonymous

The Vale is one of the prettiest university accommodation locations I have seen. If you plan on coming to UoB, its important to try and get on the Vale as its the centre of the 1st year social scene, although its not the end of the world if not. The location is about 20 min walk to campus and 40 minute walk into town, or 15 minutes to five ways station. I was in Chamberlain Hall, Block A and the rooms are very big with a lot utility. They're very expensive and the social life is not great. I would recommend Tennis Courts.

Anonymous

Maple Bank Great value for money overall. Rooms are decent, new bathrooms which are nice. Separate shower and 2 toilets which is good. Kitchens are very small but workable. Social environment is great as you are in smaller blocks so very easy to interact with your block members. One of the more social halls but also had some quiet flats arou d. Caters for everyone

Anonymous

Peng. So very peng, Views? Peng. Proximity to stuff? Peng. Joggers and dog walkers? Peng. The residents of 115 2014/15? Peng

Anonymous

Live in Chamberlain tower and the rooms/ general flat is amazing - very luxurious for student living! Everyone in the vale accommodations are close together and surround a lake, which is so nice to relax by.

Anonymous

I was in Mason which is known as one of the “posher” halls. However, I was very lucky with my flat and block and made great friends. The rooms are great with en suite and they’re the closest to uni (on the vale). If I had to choose again, I would go for Tennis Courts as it is a gaurenteed good time.

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