Posted 2 days ago
Thu 10 Apr, 2025 10:04 AM
Ever stared at your halls’ name and thought “where even is that?” Well it turns out, quite a few of our halls are (kind of) named after actual places you can visit and some of them are pretty cool. So if you're looking for a chilled weekend escape, here’s where you could go based on where you live.
🏰 Lincoln Hall → Lincoln
Let’s start with an easy one. Lincoln is just down the road (about an hour's train ride) and it's genuinely lovely. You’ve got the massive cathedral that looks like Hogwarts, the cute cobbled streets of Steep Hill (bring comfy shoes), and some great little independent shops and cafés. There’s even a spooky castle with a Victorian prison inside it!
🥧 Melton Hall → Melton Mowbray
Two words: Pork. Pies. Melton Mowbray is basically the spiritual home of meat-based pastry. Go visit Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe (yes, that’s the real name) and try the original. They’re also known for Stilton cheese, so if you’re into cheese and pies... congrats, you’ve found paradise.
There's also a lovely little country park and regular markets, so it makes for a chill Saturday trip with plenty of tasty snacks.
🏞️ Derby Hall → Derbyshire Dales / Peak District
If we're being honest, Derby’s fine, but the real treasure is what’s around Derby. The Derbyshire Dales and Peak District are right there and perfect for hiking, picnicking, or pretending you’ve just climbed Machu Picchu.
Some blocks in Derby Hall are also named after places like Matlock and Bakewell and both are worthy of a visit. Matlock has a cool old-school vibe with riverside walks, and Bakewell is (yep, you guessed it) home to the Bakewell tart. You can even get a real one that’s way better than the Mr Kipling version.
🏰🍻 Newark Hall → Newark-on-Trent
Newark is a hidden gem. It’s got a very Instagrammable castle ruin by the river, regular artisan markets, and plenty of independent shops to explore. The pubs are also top-tier! Think old, creaky floors and beer gardens perfect for a lazy afternoon pint.
It’s only about 30 mins on the train, so ideal for a little escape without needing a whole weekend.
🌻 Florence Boot Hall → Florence, Italy (kind of)
Okay this one’s a stretch, but Florence Boot was named after Florence Nightingale, who was named after Florence, Italy. So technically, a visit to Tuscany could be considered a homage to your halls.
Sure, it’s not exactly a £5 train journey, but if you do end up on a Euro trip, stick Florence on the list. Art, gelato, sunsets on the Ponte Vecchio (it’s basically like Highfields Park, but with more renaissance).
