The experience of a real Queen Mary student

The bedroom

The size is suitable for one person and included the essential furniture such as a bed, desk, and wardrobe, which provided enough storage space for my belongings. The room also had good natural light during the day, which made it a pleasant space to study and relax.

In terms of noise, it is a bit tough due to the location of the building: it is connected to the main street so the noise can be a bit loud and disturbing, but that location also means everything is easily accessible, so for me it's okay!

What size was the bed? Double

Did you have an ensuite? No

What was the shared bathroom like?

The shared bathroom was generally well maintained and cleaned regularly, with daily and weekly cleaning schedules in place. Basic facilities like the shower, sink, and toilet were provided, but some items such as toilet paper were not included, so everyone in the flat contributed and bought it weekly. Personal items like toiletries were also each person’s responsibility.

Overall, the bathroom was kept in good condition, and the shared arrangement worked well as long as everyone contributed to keeping it stocked and tidy.

The kitchen

How many people lived in your flat? 6, all girls due to the shared bathroom

The kitchen was a medium sized space that was generally comfortable for shared use. It had the basic facilities needed for cooking, including an oven, stove, kettle, and a dining table area where people could sit and eat. There was also cupboard space for storing food and kitchen items. However, one challenge was that the fridge was shared between six people, which sometimes made storage a bit tight. Despite this, the kitchen overall was functional and worked well for everyday use.

Laundry

Laundry was done in a laundry room located within the building, which made it quite convenient. There were two washing machines available for residents to use, so although it could sometimes get busy depending on the time of day, it was generally easy enough to access. Having the laundry facilities in the same building was helpful and saved time compared to having to go elsewhere.

Social spaces

There are no social spaces inside of the building.

I was close to QM Social and Drapers, both only a few minutes’ walk from Lindop House. QM Social is basically right across Library Square, so it’s super convenient, you can literally decide last‑minute to go and still be on time. The space itself feels modern and bright, with a mix of study-ish tables and more casual seating. Drapers is a bit more chaotic in the best way: louder, more “student union energy,” and usually full of people grabbing drinks or food. Both spaces feel very student‑centric and easy to drop into without planning.

QM Social is used for everything: casual meetups, group work, grabbing coffee, waiting between lectures, or just people-watching. It’s usually busy during the day but not overwhelming, more like a steady hum of student life. The vibe is friendly, open, and very “I’ll just sit here for 20 minutes and somehow stay for two hours.”

Where did you and your flatmates usually hang out?

We usually hung out around QM Social because it was the easiest spot to meet without planning, close to Lindop, warm, and always full of people but never too chaotic. It was the perfect in‑between space where you could pretend to study, grab a drink, or just decompress after lectures.

If we wanted something more lively, we’d head to Drapers, especially on event nights, but most of the time QM Social won because it was convenient, comfortable, and you’d always bump into someone you knew. Sometimes we stayed in our Lindop kitchen for low‑key evenings, but campus spaces were our go‑to.

Location

Lindop House is directly opposite the Mile End campus' Clocktower entrance, in front of the Queens' Building.

What were the transport links like?

The transport links were genuinely convenient. Lindop House is only a short walk from Mile End Station (Central, District, Hammersmith & City lines) and also close to Stepney Green. There are multiple bus stops around campus, so getting anywhere in East or Central London is easy. From my front door, it usually took around 20–25 minutes to reach Central London, depending on the line and time of day. Overall, it felt very well connected and reliable for commuting, going out, or getting to placements.

What were the best parts of your hall's location?

The best part of living in Lindop was getting all the benefits of being inside the student village: lectures, the library, the gym, QM Social, Drapers, and all the campus facilities were close by. Yet it still felt like proper city living because you’re right next to Mile End Road, with cafés, restaurants, and parks all around. It was the ideal balance between a campus bubble and being in the middle of London, so you never felt isolated or far from anything.

What were the worst parts of your hall's location?

The location wasn’t bad overall, but there were a few downsides. Being in Lindop meant I wasn’t right in the centre of the student village, so sometimes it felt slightly tucked away compared to places like France House or Maurice Court where everything is literally on your doorstep. You’re still on campus, but you don’t get that same “step outside and instantly see everyone you know” feeling.

Community

The sense of community in Lindop was there, but it wasn’t the strongest compared to some of the more central halls. People were friendly and you’d recognise faces in the corridors or kitchen, but it wasn’t the kind of hall where everyone hangs out together all the time. Most people kept to their own routines, especially in final year when everyone is busy with deadlines, jobs, and placements.

In conclusion...

When I look back on my time in Lindop, it feels like a mix of comfort and calm. It wasn’t the loudest or most social hall, but it gave me a sense of stability during a really intense final year. I remember the small routines, seeing the same faces in the corridor, walking across campus in the mornings, coming back late after long days, and it all feels familiar in a nice way.