Brook Hall (Liberty Park)

Starting a degree at the University of Manchester? Brook Hall (formerly Liberty Park) has 438 rooms that are reserved exclusively for you. And with campus just a 10-minute walk away, it’s ideally located for you to immerse yourself in student life.

Living in Brook Hall gives you the choice of a range of en-suite rooms, meaning no matter which one you opt for, you’ll have a bathroom all to yourself. Rooms also come with a wardrobe, under bed storage, a study desk and a comfortable bed. Plus, you’ll have access to a fully-fitted kitchen and living space that is shared with your flatmates.

With Lidl less than a 10-minute walk, it’s easy to do your food shop on a student-friendly budget, but if you’re looking for a more exciting way to spend your money, head to the city centre. Getting there takes 30 minutes on foot or 20 minutes by bus, and once in the heart of Manchester you’ll have plenty to keep you entertained.

The city centre is home to several crazy golf venues, multiple cinemas and a variety of live music venues, including the O2 Ritz, Manchester Arena and Band on the Wall. You’ll also find hundreds of shops spread across the city, with Manchester Arndale home to many of them. When night arrives, there are welcoming bars, pubs and nightclubs around every corner, so you’ll never be short of choice.

Brook Hall has an excellent location, it’s equidistant from the bustling city centre and the fun student area of Fallowfield. And, you’ll never have an excuse to be late for class, as the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Manchester are all less than 20 minutes away by bus, with University of Manchester being the closest.

If you don’t fancy cooking or you just want to explore the local restaurants on offer, there are loads of places to eat in and around the city centre, as well as in Fallowfield. From student staples to something a little bit different, there’ll be something to suit your taste buds and budget!

Head on into the city and look specifically for the Northern Quarter. It’s THE place to be if you want to be seen, and as such, it has plenty of hipster cafés and bars to keep you entertained. It’s a half an hour walk from the residence, or you can take the bus, which takes 12 minutes. We recommend Dough Pizza Kitchen, Simple, Cane and Grain, and Wood Deli and Wine Bar – you won’t be disappointed!

Chain restaurants are present in abundance throughout Manchester, such as Nando’s, Frankie & Benny’s, and Pizza Express. There’s even a TGI Friday’s – perfect if you’re looking for good food and some tasty cocktails to wash it all down with!

At Brook Hall, you’re extra lucky because you’ll be living close to ‘Curry Mile’; a strip on Wilmslow Road which is largely thought to have some of the very best Asian food in the country. You’ll spend many a night down there, picking out your favourite spots – and it’s just a 17 minute walk from your new home!

If Italian food is your thing, you really should check out Gusto. It’s a little pricey, but definitely worth it, and signing up to their free membership scheme gets you a cheeky 20% off. Chinese food is also on the menu in this Northern fortress, and our top pick to check out is Sweet Mandarin.

It’s not all food, food, food – Manchester has some amazing places to drink as well. From the amazingly inclusive Canal Street, to the Deansgate Locks and Northern Quarter – there are plenty of areas for you to choose from when it comes to a night out.

The residence is also within a really student-centric area, so you’ve got loads of places on Oxford Road, a 14 minute walk away, or in Fallowfield, a 24 minute bus ride away.

The student scene in Manchester is incredible, and you’ll never find yourself bored. Some great clubs include Gorilla, with international DJs, Factory 251 for an extra-cheap vibe, and 42nd Street, famed for indie stuff. Tiger Tiger may well be your new place to dance the night away, or if you’re into something a bit different, then Satan’s Hollow is probably for you.

Manchester is well-known for ‘The Warehouse Project’ and ‘Parklife’; which both manage to bring in revellers from around the country.

No matter which University you’ll be attending in Manchester, Brook Hall is the place to be. Manchester Business School (MBS), the University of Manchester (UoM), Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), and the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) are all within 20 minutes or less from the residence.

There’s something for everyone in Manchester, as there’s plenty to see and do. If you like shopping, you’ll get your fix of retail therapy from a range of sources, including the Arndale Centre in the centre of town. The Trafford Centre can be easily reached on a 45 minute bus from the city; and it’s more than worth a visit as it’s world-famous!

If you love gigs, concerts, and live entertainment, you’re going to love Manchester! You’ll find music nights, comedy nights, theatre and so much more on offer. Head to The Manchester Arena – a 25 minute bus away – for huge name acts, or the Manchester Academy to find a real mix of major players and upcoming artists. It’s just 15 minutes away on foot. The Apollo is also worth a mention; featuring everything from international bands to comedians, and  it’s just a 12 minute walk away from Brook Hall.   

Love to let your hair down from time to time? Manchester has plenty of seasonal events which should be right up a student’s street! The ‘Pangaea’ festival is run twice a year by the University of Manchester Student Union, and it features celebrity guests to help the party really go off after your exams! There’s also the much-loved Parklife, a beloved staple on the British festival calendar – it’s held in Heaton Park, which is just 45 minutes on a bus down the road!

When it comes to Christmas, Manchester gets things right. They have an ice rink in the centre of the city, and even some of the best Christmas Markets in the country – perfect for picking up some unique presents and having some festive fun.

Learning isn’t just for University, so the Manchester Museum should give you a fix outside of the classroom, if that’s your thing. Culture comes for free in this case, and it’s a fab way to learn more about archaeology, anthropology and natural history.

If you’d prefer a night in front of the big screen, there are loads of different ones throughout the city. HOMEgives you a bit of an independent experience and shows a mix of film types – it’s around 19 minutes on the bus from Brook Hall, or you could walk in 27 minutes. Alternatively, the Odeon IMAX in the Printworks is the place to be for all the biggest blockbusters, and you can get there in 21 minutes by bus.

If you prefer drama, Manchester also has lots of theatres to choose from, including the Royal Exchange Theatre Company, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the Hallé Orchestra.

Sometimes you just want to relax, and that’s fine, too. Manchester’s best place to escape the hustle and bustle is Hulme Park, and it’s less than a 30 minute walk away from your new home.

If you want to get fit, you’ve got loads of places to work out in the city. You’ll find some really great rates to suit your budget when it comes to gyms. A good option is The Gym on Faulkner Street is open 24 hours and is just 8 minutes by bus from your student accommodation.

If you love to go for a swim, Manchester is an awesome place to do it. You can stay in shape and have fun at the same time, thanks to the Manchester Aquatics Centre. There’s an Olympic sized swimming pool there which will be perfect for you – after all, it was good enough for the Commonwealth Games! Hop on a bus for 6 minutes and you’re there!

There are lots of beautiful outdoor spaces in Manchester and the surrounding areas, too. Whether you want to go for a run or just a kick-about, there’ll be tons of places to do so. You should try the weekly Park Run at Hulme Park a try. It’s absolutely free, and only a half hour walk from you – so you can save your energy for the run itself!

Manchester has a really big rivalry going on when it comes to professional sports – both Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs are based around the city. Old Trafford (Manchester United’s ground) is around a 27 minutes’ bus ride away, whilst Manchester City’s (Etihad Stadium) will take you 35 minutes to reach by tram and bus.

You’re conveniently located between two major areas of Manchester when you stay at Brook Hall – you’ve got both the city centre and the student area of Fallowfield right on your doorstep.

You can choose to walk around, or you can even opt to cycle; both ways are fantastic ideas if you want to keep fit, save money, and get where you want to go.

Of course, for ease, you can also catch a bus. Routes which will help you are the 43, 111, 147, 50 and 192. They go all the way along Upper Brook Street so that you can head in either direction without any hassle. Buses are super cheap and Trams are also readily available – they’re especially handy if you’re travelling within the city centre itself.

Manchester has a range of train stations to choose from, depending on where you want to go. Manchester Oxford Road is the closest to Brook Hall; a 25 minute walk away. You can also go to Manchester Victoria or Manchester Piccadilly where you can get to Liverpool in just over half an hour or London in just over 2 hours.

If trains are a little out of your price range, but you still want to pop home, why not take a coach? You can choose from National Express or the Megabus which both serve the city well, and there’s even a National Express Coach Station located super centrally, so you can find all the routes in one place.

Need to get away? Travel lovers and international students will find it easy to jet off, thanks to Manchester International Airport. It’s less than a 20 minute drive away and offers lots of flight routes so you’ll feel very well connected.

As you might imagine, Manchester has plenty of places to help you get in the groove of living independently, such as its vast array of supermarkets. You can find Tesco, Sainsbury’s and a Waitrose (if you’re feeling fancy), or there’s a big Asda in Hulme – which is an ideal place to go in a taxi and split a shop with your new flatmates. You’ll be there in just 6 minutes in a car, or 23 minutes if you walk. Of course, bargain hunters will also appreciate an Aldi – there’s one 18 minutes away from Brook Hall on the bus.  

If it’s a bank you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty along your way, no matter where you are. There are also Post Office and Bureau de Change services in the city centre.

When it comes to libraries, you’ll have every resource you could possibly need on your individual campus. However, if you fancy getting a feel for another library in the city, there’s the John Ryland’s Library at Deansgate, which can be found a 17 minute bus ride away from the residence.

Manchester isn’t the kind of place where you’ll ever be left to feel alone, but we know that even in crowds, you can still feel lonely. Thankfully, anyone who attends one of Manchester’s universities can access free and confidential advice regarding loads of different things; including finances, careers or general welfare. There’s no shame in reaching out!

The nearest GP surgery to Brook Hall is the Surrey Lodge Group Practice, which is just 13 minutes’ walk away from your new home at Brook Hall.

In the unlikely event that you’ll need emergency care, Manchester Royal Infirmary Hospital is on hand to help. There’s an A&E, specialist services, and even a walk-in centre – so you know you’ll be well cared for. It’s just up your street – literally – at a 3 minute walk door to door.

Sometimes you don’t need a medical professional; sometimes you just need somebody to talk to. Remember that the Residence Team at Brook Hall are always there to help you out.