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Living in Hertfordshire

While studying, you can take advantage of our tranquil Hawkshead Campus in the surrounding areas of Potters Bar; here, you will be immersed in the student community, and there are plenty of pubs, bars and walks to enjoy.

Here is your guide to Potters Bar life.  

As an RVC student, living at the Student Village or College Close means you are at the heart of the RVC's clinical and rural home. At Hawkshead, your life is defined by the great outdoors and unbeatable convenience: 

• 1-minute walk to Lectures: You are literally living on campus. You can roll out of bed at 8:55 AM and be in the Boltons Park Farm or the Clinical Skills Centre by 9:00 AM. 
• 10-minute shuttle to Potters Bar Station: The RVC runs a free regular shuttle bus for students. From there, it’s only 15 minutes by train to King’s Cross—giving you the perfect balance of country air and city access. 
• 230 hectares of Hertfordshire Countryside: Your backyard is a massive self-contained campus with woods, fields, and even our own working farm, RVC Boltons Park Farm where you can pick up your very own RVC milk.

Top Coffee Shops & Brunch 

Whether it’s a post-lecture treat or a weekend brunch escape into town, Potters Bar has some hidden gems. 

• Milly's Patisserie Florist Café: Located on Hatfield Road, this is a local favourite. It’s a "Florist Café" surrounded by beautiful blooms, serving incredible macarons and a full brunch menu. Perfect for a fancy Saturday morning. 
• The Oakmere Tea & Dining Room: Situated on the High Street with views over Oakmere Park. It’s a cozy, traditional spot for a "hot cuppa" and a hearty panini between study sessions. 
• Cobbs Bakery: A family-run institution next to the Post Office. It’s the go-to for wholesome, freshly cooked breakfast plates and high-quality coffee at great prices. 
• The Hawkshead Campus Café: Right on your doorstep in the Student Learning Centre. Ideal for a quick caffeine hit and a panini during your 15-minute lab break.  

Top Bars & Pubs 

Social life at Hawkshead revolves around the campus community and some classic Hertfordshire pubs. 

• RVCSU Buttery Bar: The heart of the Hawkshead campus. It’s run by the Students' Union, meaning student prices, live sport on the big screens, and the venue for our famous themed entertainment nights. 
• The Strafford: A local pub known for its live music and huge beer garden (which is heated in the winter). It’s a great spot to watch the football or enjoy a Saturday night out. 
• The Old Manor: A stunning, rustic manor-house pub with a barn-style interior. Located near the station, it’s the best place for a high-quality Sunday Roast when the parents come to visit. 
• The Admiral Byng: The local Wetherspoons. You know what you’re getting here—affordable pitchers and food, making it a staple for a budget-friendly student night off-campus. 

Top Independent Shops 

Potters Bar offers a unique mix of boutique shopping and high-quality local produce: 

• The Closet: A charming independent ladies’ boutique on Darkes Lane. Perfect for finding a unique outfit for the RVC Balls. 
• Dutch Nursery Food Hall: A short trip towards Brookmans Park. It’s an incredible garden centre with a high-end food hall featuring local butchers and fresh produce ideal for a fancy flat dinner. 
• Ramel Florist: A beautiful independent florist on Hatfield Road, perfect for gifts or just brightening up your uni room. 
• Wyllyotts Theatre & Cinema: An independent cultural hub in the town centre. They show the latest blockbusters and host local theatre productions at student-friendly prices. 

Why Potters Bar is Perfect for Students 

If you’ve never lived in the countryside, the Hawkshead campus offers a close-knit community feel that you simply won't find in central London. 

• Community Spirit: Because almost everyone lives and studies on the same site, you’ll make friends for life here. The "Hawkshead Bubble" is a real thing, and it’s incredibly supportive. 
• World-Class Facilities: You have the Sports and Wellbeing Centre (SAWC) for free, featuring a gym, climbing wall, and dance studio, plus all the outdoor sports pitches. 
• The Best of Both Worlds: You get to wake up to birdsong and fresh air, yet you can be in the middle of London's West End in under 45 minutes for a night out. 

Don't Miss: The AVS Sports Weekend (November 6–8, 2026) is hosted at Hawkshead this year! Expect hundreds of vet students from across the UK descending on our campus for a massive weekend of sport and socialising. 

Check out Ester's top recommendations below to get you started!

Ester's Top Spots in Hertfordshire

My name is Ester and I’m a third-year veterinary student! Throughout my childhood, my mum and I moved countries for her work every few years. Although moving was nothing new to me, I was still apprehensive about making the transition from central London into Potters Bar. But since moving here about 6 months ago, I’ve found lots of things that have made it a really lovely place to be based in and it’s very easy to go back into London when I want to!

Balance Juice & Coffee Bar

Balance is a small café right opposite the train station and is one of my favourite places to go to in Potters Bar! When I lived in London, I loved working from cafes or grabbing a coffee before a walk, and I struggled to find an equivalent place with the same feel when I first moved here until I found Balance! They make amazing smoothies, cakes, sandwiches, and coffee, and even have a 20% discount for students. The café has Wi-Fi too, and sometimes I bring my laptop and do some studying here to mix it up from working on campus or home. The staff are also so friendly which makes it an even nicer atmosphere to come to.

PB Golf Club Walk

This large green space is a former golf club which is now open to the public. It’s a walkable distance from the train station or you can park nearby if you have a car. The walk around the grounds takes around an hour, but it’s a loop so it can be shorter if you have less time! I’ve done this walk several times, and my friends who have dogs can let their dogs run around here which is lovely too. The walk is completely off-road, making it a really nice space to get a breath of fresh air and enjoy the outdoors!

Revive Health & Fitness

Both RVC campuses have a gym which is free to students, but I decided to also get a membership at the local gym in Potters Bar too. I really enjoy being active, and I love to be able to break up studying by working out or going to one of their exercise classes. My favourite classes are group Spin classes on Saturday’s, but they also have yoga, boxing, and dance. A lot of these classes are also offered by RVC for those that would rather do them on campus, and these are really fun too! The staff at the gym are really kind and wonderful. Friendly staff that remember you is one of my favourite things I’ve noticed about living in a smaller place like Potters Bar!

Old Manor Pub

The Old Manor is located right behind the train station, which makes it perfect for meeting friends who get the train into Potters Bar. I especially like this pub because it has such a cosy atmosphere, and it’s usually quieter than some of the other pubs in the town which is nice if that’s what you’re looking for! The fireplace and soft lighting make it particularly nice for the winter days. They make some incredible food and drinks, so it’s a nice place to relax in and socialise. 

Visiting London

During your time living at the Hawkshead Campus, you may decide to make the quick train journey into London. London is a vibrant, international bustling city with something to offer for everyone’s tastes. As of 2023, London was ranked ‘Best Student City’ by QS for the fifth year running, and it isn’t difficult to see why; there’s ample things to do, from museums, iconic monuments, fantastic eateries, and charming pubs.

RVC Shuttle

The RVC also offers a free shuttle between Potters Bars station, the popular student living areas and the Hawkshead Campus. This service improves, safety efficiency and accessibility of our campus saving you both time and money.

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