The Alternative EEE Freshers Guide: Campus Facilities
Quick link:
The useful map of campus
Shops
Remember - at most Imperial shops students get a discount of 10% AND VAT off certain items (food mainly) - so present your student swipe-card at the till to take advantage of this.
STA Travel (a)
Going anywhere? Well there is a STA Travel sitting right on your campus-doorstep!
Qt (b)
A small shop specialising in tasty treats such as choccy bars, crisps, drinks, fruit and sandwiches. Useful if you need to grab a very quick lunch.
Newsagents on walkway (c)
Newspapers, magazines, and other essential student items such as razors/deodorant /toothpaste, or not as the case may be. Also you can get the Financial Times here at the discount rate of 30p, or pick up yesterdays FT for free, if they have any left.
Opticians (d)
Situated on the main walkway it's your quick-stop optical shop, although no-one can quite see the point of it.
Stationary shop (IC@U) (e)
Stationary at reasonable prices - one can also purchase Imperial College branded scarves/sweaters/towels etc. here at not so reasonable prices.
Waterstones bookshop (f)
If its not in stock, it can be ordered, if its not orderable then it probably isn't worth having, and you'll have a hard time getting it anywhere else. I have noticed, however, that sometimes one can acquire cheaper books online from Amazon (www.amazon.co.uk) - so compare prices before buying!
Southside shop (g)
Here you can order food from the small pizzaria situated near the back
of the shop - and buy the usual sandwiches/drinks/bread/
milk etc.
Bars
The student union (h)
The union building has several different bars, some or all of which are open at different times during the day. For the traditionalists there is the 'Union Bar' which is open during the usual pub opening hours, and where one can purchase the odd pie or two. Next door there is Da Vincis which has a bar and serves snacks, lunch and dinner till 8pm. A large projector lives at one end which usually supplies MTV or similar to the room, providing of course there isn't any football on.
Southside bar (i)
One for the hardened ale drinker - Southside features a whole host of guest ales which are constantly changing, and the bar itself has a pool table and lounge area/large screen TV.
Places To Eat:
Junior common room (JCR) (b)
Within the JCR lie a very nice coffee bar and the aforementioned Qt's snack shop. During lunchtimes there is also the option to buy hot food, usually curried chicken and rice, in the JCR.
Basics (Southside shop) (g)
What is now known as the Southside shop used to be 'Basics Pizzeria'. However the original Southside shop was moved to this location and Basics has been essentially reduced to a snack bar at the far end of the shop. It sells pizzas, baked potatoes, soup, potato wedges, etc. Or you could just grab a sandwich from the shop itself.
Union (h)
Da Vincis bar in the union serves various different kinds of food - usually consisting of baked potatoes, pasta, or anything which can be made with chilli con carne. Opposite DaVincis there is usually a sandwich bar which opens in dB's - this serves an assortment of freshly prepared baguettes.
BMS (j)
The Medical School building has a nice modern snack bar and seating area on the right as you walk through the main entrance. The shop sells the usual sandwiches and drinks, as well as hot soup, Panini (toasted baguettes with various fillings), Calzone (a tasty folded pizza) and delicious freshly made choc-chip cookies - remember that student discount!
MDH (k)
The main dining hall contains a full canteen with plenty of seating.
It is situated on the ground floor of the Sherfield building, with windows
looking out onto Queens Lawn.
The dining hall has two main canteens from which to purchase food, one
serving snacks, like burgers or chips. The other has a choice of main
courses, side orders, vegetables and desserts.
Generally the quality of the food ranges from acceptable to good, but
the price (even after discount) for some of the main meals, as well as
the often small portions, will sometimes leave you wondering what you
just spent £2.50 on.
Sandwich Shop (Sandwich World)
Just 10 minutes walk from college is the now famous 'Sandwich World'. Go there at lunchtime and you will always have to queue, however even the longest queues are dealt with swiftly. The service and prices are both excellent. There is a wide range of freshly made baguettes available as well as drinks, hot food and and a selection of very tasty cakes/doughnuts/pastries. This is definitely worth a visit, as a large freshly made baguette for about £1.50 - £2 is great value.
Royal College Of Art
Not many people know that Imperial students are allowed to use the canteen of the Royal College of Art from 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 6:30pm. If you go to the main desk and show your Imperial student card they will let you in. The canteen usually serves a variety of tasty dishes at reasonable prices, and is small and friendly. And if you don't go for the food at least you can check out the 'artistic' talent.
Cheap places to eat near Imperial
Useful Links
Imperial College Library
