Choosing where to live as a student in London can feel overwhelming, especially when studying at King’s College with its campuses spread across Strand, Guy’s, and Denmark Hill. Each campus has its own communities and the ideal neighbourhood depends on factors like commute, lifestyle, and budget. This guide highlights the best areas for King’s students to live, combining practical commuting information, student-friendly nightlife, and realistic rent expectations to make navigating London’s housing market a little easier.
Living near Strand Campus:
Strand Campus sits at the heart of London, surrounded by the touristic crowds of the West End theatres and historic landmarks. Living nearby is convenient, but central London comes with a steep price tag, so choosing the right neighbourhood is about balancing access and affordability.
Vauxhall is a useful location as it is a short ride on the Victoria line or a 20-minute walk from Strand. The area features modern apartment blocks and student-friendly flats, making it possible to live centrally without paying central London prices.
A little further South, Kennington offers a quieter, more residential vibe. With Northern Line access to Charing Cross and other central stations, commuting to lectures is straightforward. Elephant & Castle, meanwhile, has a strong student presence and is a hub for younger residents. It combines good transport links, affordable shared housing, and a lively area with shops, markets, and cafés. For students willing to trade a few minutes on the tube for lower rent, these southern neighbourhoods provide a practical balance of community, convenience, and cost.
Strand students also have their choice of local nightlife. The Vault, located on campus, hosts themed nights, quizzes, and casual events that are perfect for meeting fellow students. For evenings out a little further afield, Vauxhall and Kennington have a mix of pubs and bars and are close enough to larger clubs like Ministry of Sound.
Living near Guy’s Campus:
Guy’s Campus, tucked beside London Bridge, is one of the best locations for a university campus in the city. With the Thames on one side and Borough Market on the other, it offers a mix of scenic London and fast-paced city life. For students based here, living within walking distance is ideal but not always affordable. London Bridge itself is incredibly convenient, with direct access to the Northern and Jubilee lines as well as National Rail services, making it easy to reach other parts of London. However, that convenience is reflected in the rent.
Borough is similarly well placed and arguably one of the most atmospheric places to live as a student. Walking to Guy’s can take under ten minutes, which can make early morning lectures significantly less painful. While prices remain high compared to outer zones, sharing with friends can make the cost more manageable, and the time and money saved on commuting is a major advantage.
For those looking to reduce rent without sacrificing location, Bermondsey offers a strong alternative. Just one stop from London Bridge on the Jubilee line or a short bus ride away, it provides a calmer, more residential environment. Bermondsey Street has become increasingly popular for its cafés and restaurants, but the wider area still feels quieter than Borough itself. It is a good option for students who want proximity to campus without living directly in the busiest parts of SE1.
Elephant & Castle also works well for Guy’s students, with direct Northern line access to London Bridge in just five minutes. The area has undergone major redevelopment in recent years, resulting in a mix of newer high-rise flats and older shared housing. As said previously, it has a noticeable student presence, meaning it will feel more affordable than London Bridge while remaining extremely well connected.
Social life around Guy’s is equally convenient. Guy’s Bar is a staple for weekly sports night, karaoke, and society socials, and it has a reputation for being one of the liveliest student spaces across King’s. Just a short walk away, the Dover Castle Pub in Borough is the place to be for King’s students on a Wednesday. For bigger nights out, central London is only a few stops away on the Northern or Jubilee line, meaning clubs and late-night venues are never far.
Living in Denmark Hill:
Denmark Hill feels very different from Strand and Guy’s. Located in South London, it offers a slower pace, more greenery, and noticeably lower rents than central Zone 1. For students based at King’s Denmark Hill campus, living locally can make a significant difference to both budget and quality of life. Instead of navigating packed commuter trains every morning, it is possible to walk to lectures or take a short bus ride.
Camberwell is the most obvious choice. It sits within walking distance of campus and has long been associated with a strong student presence, thanks in part to nearby art schools and medical facilities. The area feels creative and community-oriented, with independent and affordable eateries and a more relaxed atmosphere than central London. Shared rooms here are generally more affordable than the aforementioned areas, often sitting in the £900-£1,1000 per month range depending on property type and condition. For students looking to balance cost with convenience, Camberwell offers one of the best compromises in London.
Denmark Hill station itself is served by the Overground and Thameslink, making it surprisingly well connected despite feeling slightly removed from the city centre. From here, it is possible to reach central London in under 20 minutes, meaning nights out and seminars at other campuses are still easy accessible.
Peckham is another strong option for Denmark Hill students. Just a short bus or Overground ride away, it has become known for its vibrant nightlife and creative scene. While it can be louder and more energetic than Camberwell, it often provides better value rent for shared housing. The area attracts a mix of students and young professionals, and its rooftop bars and independent venues make it particularly popular for evenings out without heading into central London.
Finding the right place to live in London ultimately comes down to priorities. Some students value walking distance to lectures at Strand or Guy’s, while others are happy to trade a longer commute for lower rent and a stronger suburban feel in areas like Camberwell or Peckham.
