By Francesca Scott, Third year English
It’s fair to say that trudging to the ASS (the bane of any UoB student’s existence) is getting monotonous to say the least, so I’ve curated some more inspiring places to read on—or just off—campus (spoiler: you can no longer hide behind the excuse of the library being too “stuffy” to avoid your reading). Whether you’re trying to finally lock in on that Uni reading you’ve been avoiding for weeks, or flee your D&B-thumping house in search of tranquillity, I tested out every library, as well as a few hidden gems, to find out where you can actually get some reading done. After all, what’s the point of cracking open your Oscar Wilde or your fat engineering textbook if no one’s there to witness it? So, without further ado, here’s my shortlist of the best reading spots on campus.
Royal Fort gardens
Starting off with the prettiest, and perhaps the most optimistic, given the time of year — Royal Fort Gardens. In my defence, the sun was out when I took this, briefly convincing everyone (myself included) that spring might finally be within reach.
If you’re Rory Gilmore level attached to your reading spot — à la the episode where she’s outraged to find someone else in her tree — you’ll be pleased to know there’s no need for territorial behaviour here. Royal Fort Gardens has no shortage of trees with excellent back support, so your ideal reading perch is very much still up for grabs. If you’ve been hibernating in your room to escape winter’s wrath, consider this a gentle reintroduction to daylight. Right on our doorstep, it’s the perfect place to soak up some long overdue vitamin D while finally making a dent in your reading list — just don’t forget to check the weather app beforehand!
Queen’s building
If serene views help you focus, the Queen’s Building library is a solid choice. It's large windows offer some of the best views on campus, creating a calm, open atmosphere that’s easy to settle into. With plenty of desks, seating, and other handy amenities, it’s ideal for quiet reading and focused study. Even better, the in-house Source cafe has you covered with reasonably priced food and caffeine, making it unlikely you’ll perish halfway through a chapter. Thoughtfully designed and ever so accommodating, you’ll be tearing through your reading before you know it – granted, the Source coffee may be doing more than its fair share of the work.
Physics building
It’s Term 2, and we once again turn to the surely crucial romanticisation of our studies in a bid to motivate us (our brains really are that gullible), and this library facilitates exactly that. Essentially the lesser-known sibling of Wills, the Physics Library is one I only recently discovered. I have to admit, I usually steer clear of anything Physics-related, but alas! (Harry Potter) — don’t be put off — it’s surprisingly welcoming and has everything you need to live out your dark academia fantasy. Tucked away on the third floor of the Physics Building, you’ll need to follow the corridor through the Maria Mercer Library to reach the Silent Study area. As the sign on the door promises, it’s consistently peaceful, and being surrounded by hefty Physics books I know nothing about, I can’t help but feel a bit smarter just by being there. Perfectly close to your lectures, and much smaller than Wills, it has the cosiest vibes. With plenty of seating, you can either settle in for some focused reading or curl up with a good book on one of the armchairs (the best one is on the mezzanine floor, fyi).
Senate house/the living rooms
With a super dreamy view of Bristol (picture-perfect at golden hour) and plenty of genuinely comfy seating, the SU Living Room has to be one of the best places to get lost in a good book. With lots of little nooks and crannies for peaceful reading, the place feels instantly comforting — every seat has at least some form of back support, and the sofas are the biggest I’ve ever seen (just be careful not to slip into a sofa coma, because that’s going to set you back a week).
Super vibrant and colourful, with plenty of natural light, the room feels open and airy — what’s not to love? That being said, with a microwave on site, the only battle you’ll need to wage is the lunchtime flock threatening to disturb your peace. If quiet is your goal, it’s best to avoid the lunch rush.
Bristol Cathedral Gardens
This spot was admirably recommended to me (and by admirably, I mean it’s pretty tempting to gatekeep): super tranquil, and benches aplenty, I can attest it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon with a book. The walk there is mercifully downhill, and arriving just in time for the day’s last rays of sun, the gardens were glowing. It’s a little tricky to find, tucked away within the cathedral, but after following the Night Stairs and a few helpful signs, you’re rewarded with one of the prettiest sights around.
Conveniently central yet hidden from the bustle of the city, it feels like a little sanctuary. Totally free, the Gardens are an ideal change of scenery if you want somewhere a bit off the Uni grid to read. As I left, the sound of choir practice followed me out — a charmingly unexpected soundtrack, far preferable to the usual Woodland Road racket. Just be prepared: you may need to leg it back up Park Street afterwards (I live in the city centre, thank God).
With reading spots this good, you might want to think twice before heading to the dungeon that is the ASS library.
Featured Image: Epigram/ Francesca Scott
What's your go to campus reading spot?
