Welcome to Thornbank Gardens

Posted 1 year ago

Everything you need to know about living in Thornbank

Thornbank Gardens, located in the Oldfield Park area of Bath, is home to over 200 undergraduate students living in ensuite bedrooms. Each flat is shared between eight to ten students and features a large communal kitchen, perfect for cooking meals and socialising. To ensure you feel safe and at home, Thornbank Gardens offers a secure living environment with swipe card access to buildings and flats, supported by a dedicated operations team. 


You can find out more information about Thornbank Gardens on the University website. Or read on for answers to the most commonly asked questions about this accommodation.

Where is my accommodation hub?

The accommodation hub is located on the ground floor in Aquila Court. This is a lovely modern space which includes a games room, and lots of space to study and socialise. As this space is shared with Aquila Court and Scala residents, and hosts regular ResLife events, this is the perfect place to meet new people from outside your accommodation building. 

The hub reception is open every day from 9am to 5pm.

In my accommodation

The size of your bed will depend on the type of room you're allocated.


Standard rooms and studio flats have:
Standard Single bed (190cm x 90cm)

All rooms will have a mattress and mattress protector ready for you but you need to decide what you want to do about your bedding. You'll need:


Duvet and pillow
Duvet cover, pillow case and sheet


Top tip - Check your bed size before making any purchases. 


  • Wardrobe
  • Desk drawers 
  • Under bed storage box
  • Shelves
  • Drawers


Want to personalise your space? Feel free to bring extra storage solutions like a shoe rack, packing cubes, and bins to keep your belongings extra organised. 

  • Cooker
  • Hotplates
  • Toaster
  • Kettle
  • Microwave
  • Fridge (1 shelf per student)
  • Freezer
  • Sink


While you might want to bring all your kitchen gadgets, remember that you'll be sharing the space with your roommates. Talk to them about buying larger items like pots and pans. This saves space for everyone.

Here's a helpful list to get you started:


- Cooking essentials: can opener, frying pan for quick meals, and a saucepan.
- Tableware: plates, bowls, and cutlery for meals.
- Cooking tools: utensils like spatula, wooden spoon, and a sieve to help you cook.
- Food storage: cling film, aluminium foil, and freezer bag to keep your food fresh.
- Containers: tupperware to store your snacks and leftovers.
- Kitchen essentials: oven mitts and dishcloths to protect yourself from heat and keep the kitchen clean.

Traveling light? No problem!

If you can't bring everything, or your trip is long, you can order these items from our online store before you arrive.

Wash and dry with ease! Residents have access to washing machines and tumble dryers located right in Thornbank Gardens. The launderette is located on the ground floor of Cedar House. The launderette is located in Cedar house ground floor (next to the parking).


Plus, learn how to avoid shrinkage and colour disasters - check out our Laundry 101 guide. 

We know how important it is to stay entertained, so all our rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, perfect for streaming. Since there are no traditional aerial points, you'll want to use a smart TV or connect a device to enjoy all the online entertainment options.

 

Heads up! Don't forget to obtain your own TV license, which you can do online. You can easily get one online before you move in.

Check out our guide to connecting to Wi-Fi on the University webpage. 

It's a 30 minute cycle to campus, and there is bike storage available at Thornbank Gardens. The bike storage is located at the rear of Beach House.


Please complete the bike registration form to be provided access. 

Doing your part for the environment is simple at Thornbank Gardens. Here’s what you need to know:

 

You have bins that are for your recycling in your kitchens. These can then be taken to the main waste and recycling compound located by the main entrance gates. Paper, cardboard, glass, cans, tins and plastic bottles can all be recycled.

We have undressed virtual room tours to help you get a feel for your accommodation. 



If you would like to see a video tour of any of our accessible rooms please contact reslife@bath.ac.uk.


How to contact the ResLife team

Contact our security team available 24/7

Download the Safezone app

Call +44 (0)1225 385349.




Email reslife@bath.ac.uk 

Call +44 (0)1225 383111 (Mon-Fri 10-4),

Or you can book an appointment online.

Housemates

You will be sent a link to a Unibuddy community app. Here you will be able to join your accommodation group, and find out who you will be living with. 


Your Unibuddy invite will be sent out to your email address before you start your course in late August.

Local amenities & travel

Thornbank Gardens is located in the Oldfield area of Bath with lots of cafes, pubs and shops on your doorstep. 

Your closest Post Office is on Union Streetand it's a 15 minute walk away. 


You can also use InPost and Amazon lockers to drop off and collect parcels from. 

You can find InPost locker locations here. 


Amazon Lockers also offer a convenient way to pick up your Amazon orders.

The University even has its own Amazon Locker called "Mimsi", located in Green Park House. For a complete list of Amazon lockers near you visit this page.



There are several bus stops located on the adjacent roads to Thornbank Gardens. To get to campus you will need to get the U1 bus from Hayesfield School stop which is located a 5 minute walk away from Thornbank Gardens.


Be sure to stay informed by checking the University timetable regularly.

The closest train station is Bath Spa which is a 15 minute walk away. 

All major supermarkets deliver to Thornbank Gardens, but the closest store is the Sainsbury's in Green Park Station which is a 10 minute walk away.


Need a UK supermarket guide? Our blog post delves into the UK supermarket landscape, helping you find the shops for your student lifestyle.


Our blog also has a guide to Bath's international supermarkets whether you’re looking for a taste of home, or some fresh ingredients you can’t find in the big chain shops.

Bath City Centre is a 10 minute walk away. 

On arrivals weekend, you will be able to download and print a parking permit for the Green Park Road Car Park. Parking is limited, and you will have 30 minutes to unload before moving to another car park in the city centre. Upon arrival, you must display your arrival time and a contact mobile number. View more information on car parking in Bath.

If you use Google or Apple maps for walking directions, please be aware that the directions are incorrect.


If you're walking to Thornbank a location, such as The Virgil Building, use these walking directions:


  • Walk south on Manvers St/A3039 towards Railway St
  • Turn right onto Dorchester St/A3039
  • Turn left onto Dorchester St/A367
  • Turn left
  • Turn left towards Lower Bristol Rd/A36
  • Turn right towards Lower Bristol Rd/A36
  • Turn left onto Westmoreland Rd
  • Turn left onto Thornbank Pl


Visit the University website to learn more about Thornbank Gardens.Are there laundrette facilities at Thornbank Gardens?