Looking for a London neighbourhood that puts you close to university, with accessible transport links, great food and plenty to explore? Say hello to Bermondsey.

Set just south of the River Thames, Bermondsey combines the energy of central London with a more relaxed neighbourhood feel. You’ll find independent cafés, food markets, green spaces, galleries and some of the capital’s best-known landmarks all within easy reach.

It’s also a great base for students. With London Bridge nearby and easy connections across the capital, you can get to university, meet friends in the city and still have somewhere a little calmer to come home to.

And if you’re looking for student accommodation in Bermondsey, Fresh’s Great Court and View Studios put you right in the middle of it all. Here’s everything you need to know about living and studying in Bermondsey – right in the heart of London.

Why Live in Bermondsey?

Bermondsey has a little bit of everything.

Want a coffee and somewhere to catch up on coursework? You’ve got it. Fancy spending your Saturday exploring food markets? Easy. Need to get to a lecture across London? The area’s easy access to trains, tubes, buses and other transport links has you covered.

Then there’s the location. You’re close to London Bridge, Borough and the South Bank, giving you easy access to some of London’s biggest attractions, universities, restaurants and cultural hotspots. It’s this combination of convenience and character that makes Bermondsey such an appealing place to live.

Getting Around Bermondsey

One of the biggest perks of living in Bermondsey is how easy it is to get around.

Bermondsey Underground Station is on the Jubilee line, giving you a direct route towards central London and east London. From nearby London Bridge, you can also connect with the Jubilee and Northern Underground lines, as well as National Rail services.

That means getting to lectures, exploring a new part of London or heading home for the weekend doesn’t have to involve a complicated journey.
 

London Bridge

London Bridge deserves a special mention. It’s one of the area’s key transport hubs and puts you within easy reach of the rest of the capital.

It’s also home to Guy’s Campus at King’s College London, which sits right next to London Bridge Station. So, if you’re studying at King’s, Bermondsey can be a particularly convenient place to call home.
 

Studying in and Around Bermondsey

Bermondsey’s location makes it a great option for students at several London universities.
 

King’s College London

If you’re studying at King’s College London, Bermondsey is particularly well placed for Guy’s Campus. The campus is just moments from London Bridge and is home to King’s Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine and Dental Institute.

King’s College London is just 19 minutes away from Fresh’s Great Court by bike, and only a 20-minute walk from View Studios, making each property a practical option for students who want to live outside the immediate campus area. 
 

University of the Arts London

Creative students are well catered for, too. University of the Arts London (UAL) has several colleges across the capital, and being centrally located in Bermondsey provides easy access to UAL’s London campuses.

At just 10 minutes away by bike, Great Court and View Studios are particularly handy for students who want to combine a creative course with the lifestyle of living in South East London.
 

London South Bank University

London South Bank University (LSBU) is another nearby option, with its main Southwark campus located in Elephant and Castle. 

Living at Great Court means South Bank University is an easy nine-minute cycle, making it an especially convenient choice for LSBU students who want a short commute without living directly on campus. And with just a half-hour commute on foot to contend with, View Studios provides another great accommodation option for LSBU students.
 

Cafés and Study Spots in Bermondsey

Sometimes you need a change of scenery from your room or university library. Luckily, Bermondsey has plenty of places to grab a coffee, settle down with your laptop and get a few hours of work done.

Bermondsey Street is a great place to start. It’s packed with independent businesses and cafés, giving you plenty of options when you’re looking for your next coffee break.

For coffee lovers, WatchHouse Bermondsey Street is an established local favourite, serving coffee alongside sandwiches and sweet treats. Its original Bermondsey location has a characterful setting and outdoor seating. 

For a quieter study session, local libraries are another useful option. Southwark’s libraries provide free desk space, Wi-Fi and computers, making them a practical alternative when you need to focus without the distractions of home. 

And, when you don’t fancy leaving home at all, our Fresh properties have their own dedicated quiet study areas, alongside social spaces where you can take a break when you’ve finally finished that essay. 
 

Things to Do in Bermondsey

The best thing about living in Bermondsey? You don’t need to travel across London every weekend to find something to do.
 

Explore Borough Market

Just a short trip from Bermondsey, Borough Market is one of London’s most famous food markets. Grab something delicious, browse the stalls and make an afternoon of it. It’s also an easy place to take friends and family when they come to visit.
 

Visit Tower Bridge

You can’t live this close to London Bridge without making the most of London’s iconic riverside landmarks. Take a walk along the Thames towards Tower Bridge, stop for some photos and enjoy the views across the river. It’s particularly good at sunset.
 

Discover the South Bank

From Bermondsey, you’re also well placed for exploring the South Bank. Head west along the river, and you’ll find cultural landmarks, galleries, theatres and riverside walks. It’s one of those areas you’ll probably visit again and again, whether you’re meeting friends, looking for something to do on a rainy afternoon or simply fancy a walk with a view.
 

Wander Around Maltby Street Market

For something a little more local, Maltby Street Market is tucked beneath the railway arches and is known for its independent food and drink spots. It’s the kind of place that’s perfect for a lazy weekend wander: no itinerary required.
 

Relax in Burgess Park

London might be a busy city, but there’s still plenty of space to escape the crowds. Burgess Park is within easy reach of Bermondsey and offers green space where you can go for a walk, meet friends or simply take a break from city life. 
 

Explore the Bermondsey Beer Mile

If you’re a fan of craft beer, the Bermondsey Beer Mile is one local experience worth adding to your list. Stretching along the railway arches around Bermondsey, this collection of independent breweries, taprooms and bars has become a much-loved part of the neighbourhood.

It’s less of a traditional pub crawl and more of a chance to explore the area at your own pace. You’ll find everything from brewery taprooms and small-batch beers to food spots where you can grab something to eat along the way.

It’s also a great way to spend time with your new university friends or neighbours at either Great Court or View Studios. Invite a few people along, explore some of the local spots together and get to know the people you’re sharing your university experience with – alcohol entirely optional!

The best bit? You don’t need to tackle the whole route in one go. Pick a few stops, bring some friends and make an afternoon or evening of it. It’s also a great way to discover some of the local businesses that give Bermondsey its distinctive character.
 

Student Accommodation in Bermondsey: Great Court & View Studios

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Bermondsey, both Great Court and View Studios give you a home base designed around student life.

Located in Zone 2, Great Court offers a choice of private studios and shared apartments, with all-inclusive bills and high-speed Wi-Fi included. View Studios offers all the same amenities right in the heart of Bermondsey, leaving you spoilt for choice when it comes to private accommodation in this idyllic area of London.

But it’s not just about what’s inside your room.

There are dedicated quiet study areas for when deadlines are looming, social spaces for hanging out with friends, a gym, games areas and cinema rooms for when it’s time to switch off. There’s also outdoor spaces such as rooftop gardens and courtyards, bike storage and regular resident events, giving you plenty of ways to make the most of your home between lectures and nights out.

And, because moving to London can feel like a big step, there’s an on-site Residents’ Team at both of our Bermondsey locations to provide support throughout your stay.
 

What Is It Like Living in Bermondsey as a Student?

In short: convenient, creative and full of things to do.

You can start your morning with coffee on Bermondsey Street, head into university, meet friends around London Bridge and still be home in time for a quiet evening. It’s a neighbourhood that gives you plenty of the excitement you’d expect from London, without feeling like you’re permanently in the middle of the busiest parts of the city.

For students, that balance can be a real advantage. You’ve got the city on your doorstep when you want it, but you also have green spaces, cafés and local spots to escape to when you don’t.

Ready to explore life in Bermondsey? Discover Great Court and View Studios, and find your place in London with Fresh.