Prince Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy started her post-graduate degree in Politics at the University of Leeds this week.

Since Leeds has been my adopted home for the last seven years - and I worked at the University for six of those years, here are a few campus “secrets” for Chelsy and everyone else starting at the uni this semester.

  • While the refec’ in the union has hosted many a famous gig, its school-dinner type meals are far from fine dining: the “meal deals” are cheap but usually very random. The better option, on a sunny day at least, is to grab a gorgeous sandwich from Bakery 164 across Woodhouse Lane and eat while people-watching on the Parkinson Steps. Bakery 164, previously called Theo’s if you want to sound old school, also do better and cheaper coffee (and soup) than the campus coffee shops.
  • Speaking of which, if you NEED to eat at a campus coffee shop, stick to the jacket potatoes. And the one in the School of Healthcare (Baines Wing) is usually quieter than the rest and has outdoor seating in a courtyard too.
  • Want to feel like you’re at a University with a capital U? Work in either the Parkinson Court (stone pillars, parque flooring, Art Deco styling) or the swanky main room of the Brotherton Library. Both have tables to work at and wireless internet these days.
  • Got other things in mind? Rumour has it that if you can work your magic without the medium of sound, the Silent Study Area on Level 13 of the Edward Boyle is an excellent pick up spot.
  • While many have searched for it around the campus, I can categorically reassure you that the Nathan Bodington Building only exists online. (And probably won’t exist online for that much longer.)
  • And finally, the long long long corridor that is level 10 of the EC Stoner building (old school name: the Physics/Admin building) wasn’t used in Star Wars or anything. It’s just a myth to make Red Route sound cool.