Student Accommodation near Bird College

Doreen Bird founded the college in 1946. Bird now specialises in professional dance and musical theatre training from its Alma Road campus in Sidcup, London DA14 4ED. The college moved all teaching to this site at the end of 2015 after extensive refurbishment.

The campus includes:

• 13 dance studios
• Four acting studios
• 12 singing rooms
• An academic classroom
• The 120-seat Doreen Bird Foundation Theatre
• A gym
• Physiotherapy and counselling rooms
• A library and IT facilities
• Changing rooms
• A common room and café
• Production, costume and scenery facilities

These facilities support a course structure centred on practical training. BA students normally complete 32 to 35 contact hours each week, covering ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary dance, acting, singing, voice and performance work.

Sidcup railway station lies around five minutes from the college on foot. Regular services connect Sidcup with Lewisham, London Bridge, Cannon Street and other central London stations. Bird places the typical central London rail journey at around 30 minutes.

Use Alma Road, DA14 4ED when checking a property journey. Some third-party accommodation pages still display Lamorbey Park or Burnt Oak Lane as Bird College’s address, but the college confirms Alma Road as its current campus.

Bird College life centres on training, rehearsals and performance projects.

The campus has dance, acting and singing studios, a theatre, production facilities, a common room and wellbeing spaces. Students work throughout the week and may attend rehearsals or specialist workshops during some weekends.

BA students can use the library at Rose Bruford College. Bird also notes that Avery Hill houses many first-year students, which gives residents another social community beyond the conservatoire.

Sidcup has cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, a cinema and a public library. Students who want a larger evening scene can travel towards Greenwich, New Cross, Lewisham or central London. The rail journey also places West End theatre within practical reach for performances and industry events.

The housing location will affect how often a student uses those opportunities. A Sidcup resident can return home between training and an evening rehearsal. A student commuting from inner London will probably remain near college for the full day.

Sidcup Town Centre and Alma Road

Sidcup gives students the shortest daily route.

A room close to Alma Road may remove transport from the training week. This matters during early technique classes, evening rehearsals and production periods when students spend long hours at the conservatoire.

Sidcup High Street covers supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, a cinema and a public library. Queen Mary’s Hospital lies a short drive from the college, and Bird students can access a corporate discount at a local leisure centre with a gym and swimming pool.

Most local housing comes through private rooms, converted flats, small apartment buildings and family homes. Bird’s designated properties also occupy the Sidcup area, though applicants need to request current addresses and fees directly from the college.

Sidcup has a quieter evening character than New Cross or central London. That can help after a physically demanding day, particularly when the next morning begins with dance technique or conditioning.

Avery Hill and New Eltham

Avery Hill gives Bird students access to a large university residential community.

The University of Greenwich Student Village houses more than 1,200 residents. Most flats contain six bedrooms, while Tudor Court flats have nine. The site includes a convenience store, cafés, a launderette, bicycle storage, security and residential support.

Bird College confirms that students aged 18 or over can live at Avery Hill. The bus journey to Alma Road takes roughly 20 minutes, though traffic and the precise hall building can affect the total.

New Eltham may also suit students who prefer an ordinary house or flat near the Avery Hill area. Confirm the bus route to Alma Road before signing, especially for morning classes.

Blackfen

Blackfen lies north of Sidcup and has a mainly residential housing market.

Private rooms and complete houses make up much of the local supply. Buses connect Blackfen with Sidcup and neighbouring parts of Bexley. The area has supermarkets, small shops and green spaces without the higher prices attached to inner London.

A Blackfen room needs a good bus stop nearby. A low rent becomes less useful when the first stage of the morning involves a long walk before the bus journey begins.

This area may suit a small group willing to rent a house together after the first year.

Bexleyheath

Bexleyheath has a larger town centre than Sidcup, with more shops, restaurants, leisure facilities and a cinema.

Students can reach Sidcup by bus. Bexleyheath station uses a different rail route from Sidcup, so the bus often matters more for the daily college journey.

Private houses may offer larger bedrooms than managed student residences. Check the complete route to Alma Road during weekday mornings before committing to the address.

Bexleyheath may appeal to students who want more local services near home while avoiding an inner-London rent.

Welling

Welling has its own high street, supermarkets and railway station.

Local bus connections link the area with Sidcup. Depending on the address and timetable, students may also use rail and change for Sidcup or complete the journey by bus.

Welling has more conventional houses than purpose-built student blocks. Groups should inspect heating, bedroom locks, bathroom ventilation and kitchen storage before signing a joint tenancy.

Eltham

Eltham lies between Avery Hill and Greenwich.

The area has private houses, flats, shops and railway connections. Students based near Avery Hill gain access to a larger student community, while Eltham town centre covers many everyday needs.

Bird College does not publish a standard Eltham commute, so applicants should test the route from the exact property. The nearest station does not always create the fastest journey to Alma Road.

Lewisham

Lewisham gives residents a busy town centre, major supermarkets, a shopping centre and several rail, DLR and bus connections.

Sidcup trains travel through Lewisham on many services, which makes the area relevant for students prepared to commute. Always check the current stopping pattern because not every service follows the same timetable.

Chapter Lewisham currently advertises shared apartments and en-suite rooms from £292 per week under 44- or 51-week contracts. Bills form part of the rent.

Lewisham gives students more social and shopping options than Sidcup. It also adds a train journey and the walk between Sidcup station and college every day.

New Cross

New Cross has a strong student population because Goldsmiths occupies the neighbourhood.

Music venues, cafés, supermarkets and student events make it livelier than Sidcup. AXO New Cross currently lists en-suite rooms from £269 per week, with 42- and 51-week options among the available categories. Studios begin from £348.

A New Cross journey may require a rail change or a connection through Lewisham, depending on the service. Test the morning route before paying for the local student atmosphere.

Greenwich and Deptford

Greenwich and Deptford give students access to riverside areas, markets, restaurants and a larger university community.

Creek Court currently offers en-suite rooms from £245 per week under 44- or 51-week contracts. Studios start from £295 under a 51-week agreement. Bills and internet form part of the advertised rent.

The journey to Bird College usually needs rail, DLR, bus travel or a combination. This location will suit students who place local social life above a short training commute.

A 51-week Creek Court en-suite costs £12,495 at the displayed £245 rate. Compare that total with Avery Hill before choosing Greenwich for its location.

Woolwich

Woolwich has gained faster central London links through the Elizabeth line, alongside National Rail and DLR services.

Press House occupies Beresford Street near Woolwich station. Current bookable rooms shown on the property page begin from £307 per week, with 44-, 51- and 52-week contracts among the available options. The residence includes en-suite rooms, studios, a gym, study areas and a rooftop terrace.

Woolwich does not give Bird students a direct rail journey to Sidcup. The property only makes sense after checking the complete cross-borough route.

Bird College does not publish one complete rent table because several independent landlords and providers manage the available housing.

The clearest current 2026–27 prices come from Avery Hill and managed private residences:

Accommodation	Room type	Weekly rent	Contract example	Basic contract rent
Avery Hill, Seymour Court	Small room, shared bathroom	£145.95	39 weeks	£5,692.05
Avery Hill, Seymour Court	Standard room, shared bathroom	£151.13	39 weeks	£5,894.07
Avery Hill, Aragon Court	Small room, shared bathroom	£163.94	39 weeks	£6,393.66
Avery Hill, Tudor Court	Standard en-suite	£216.86	39 weeks	£8,457.54
Creek Court	Classic en-suite	£245	51 weeks	£12,495
AXO New Cross	Entry en-suite	£269	51 weeks	£13,719
Chapter Lewisham	Shared apartment	£292	51 weeks	£14,892
Press House	Current bookable entry room	£307	51 weeks	£15,657

Avery Hill prices include utility bills, Wi-Fi, contents insurance and use of the on-site gym. The shared-bathroom rooms provide the lowest publicly listed managed option available to eligible Bird students.

Private property totals use one common contract length for comparison. A provider may attach its lowest weekly rate to a shorter or longer agreement, and availability can change during the booking period.

Bird’s designated Sidcup properties may cost less than the inner-London residences in the table. The college does not publish those fees online, so request the current room list before building the annual budget.

Why Contract Length Matters

Avery Hill uses a 39-week agreement for the room examples above. Many private student buildings use 44 or 51 weeks.

The difference can outweigh a lower weekly rate:

Example	Weekly rent	Contract	Total
Avery Hill small room	£145.95	39 weeks	£5,692.05
Avery Hill en-suite	£216.86	39 weeks	£8,457.54
Creek Court en-suite	£245	44 weeks	£10,780
Creek Court en-suite	£245	51 weeks	£12,495
AXO New Cross entry room	£269	51 weeks	£13,719

A longer contract has value when a student remains in London for summer training, work or auditions. Someone who leaves after the academic year may pay for several unused weeks.

Check the move-in date as carefully as the final date. Bird’s induction and teaching calendar may not match the standard arrival weekend used by every private residence.

Room in a Bird-Designated Property

Bird College has secured several local buildings for its students, including Spring Court and High Court Apartments, Toronto House and Scarlett House. The college office holds the current availability details.

Room formats and household sizes may vary between those properties. Ask whether the offer includes:

• A private bedroom
• A shared or private bathroom
• Furniture
• Utility bills
• Internet
• Laundry facilities
• A fixed or rolling tenancy
• A deposit
• A guarantor condition

Room with a Local Family

Bird College also keeps approved family placements on its accommodation list.

This arrangement may help younger students, first-time renters and anyone who prefers a quieter household. Meals, laundry access, guests and kitchen use should appear clearly in the written agreement.

Ask how the household handles late rehearsals and weekend training before accepting the room.

Avery Hill Shared-Bathroom Room

Avery Hill’s lowest-priced rooms give residents a furnished private bedroom with shared bathrooms, kitchen and living space.

Seymour Court begins at £145.95 per week for 2026–27. Aragon Court costs more because it has more contemporary fittings. Flats usually contain six residents.

This category gives Bird students a university-hall experience at a much lower total than most private halls in inner South-East London.

Avery Hill En-suite

Avery Hill en-suites begin at £216.86 per week.

Most residents share a kitchen with five other students, while Tudor Court flats contain nine bedrooms. A large en-suite costs £224.91 per week.

The private bathroom adds more than £2,700 to the 39-week rent when compared with the cheapest Seymour room.

En-suite in a Private Student Residence

An en-suite gives one resident a private bedroom and bathroom. Flatmates share the kitchen and communal space.

Creek Court, AXO New Cross, Chapter Lewisham and Press House all offer this format. Current entry prices range from £245 to more than £300 per week.

The building facilities may include a gym, study room or social lounge. Include the commute before paying more for facilities that do not reduce the training day.

Studio

A studio combines the sleeping space, bathroom and kitchenette within one private unit.

Creek Court currently lists studios from £295 per week. AXO New Cross begins from £348, while Press House lists several studio categories at higher rates.

A studio offers more control over cooking, noise and cleaning. It can also feel isolated after a full day of group training, so review the communal areas and resident events before booking.

Furnished Private Room

Most students need a bed, desk, wardrobe and storage from the first day.

Good furnished student accommodation near Bird College should also leave enough clear floor space for stretching, mobility work and the care of dancewear. A small room packed with furniture may feel restrictive even when the inventory looks generous.

Check mattress size, wardrobe length, drying space and ventilation during the viewing. Damp shoes and training clothes need somewhere to air without taking over the entire room.

Shared House

A shared house usually gives every tenant a private bedroom and keeps the kitchen, bathroom and lounge communal.

Sidcup, Blackfen, Bexleyheath and Welling contain more conventional houses than managed student buildings. The household may pay gas, electricity, water and internet separately.

Dance and musical theatre students should discuss quiet hours, early alarms and rehearsal practice before forming a household with students on very different timetables.

The London student accommodation Bird College applicants choose most often falls into three practical categories:

Housing route	Main benefit	Main concern
Bird-designated local property	Shorter Sidcup route and Bird student household	Public prices unavailable
Avery Hill Student Village	Published fees and larger student community	Bus journey and 18+ eligibility
Private PBSA	En-suites, studios and building facilities	Higher rent and longer commute

A designated Sidcup room may suit the college timetable best. Avery Hill gives first-year students a conventional halls environment. Private PBSA becomes relevant when local rooms fill or the resident strongly prefers Lewisham, New Cross, Greenwich or Woolwich.

Avery Hill gives eligible students the lowest current published managed rate.

The £145.95 Seymour room costs £5,692.05 over 39 weeks. Creek Court’s £245 en-suite reaches £10,780 over 44 weeks, while AXO New Cross costs at least £11,298 over 42 weeks at its £269 entry rate.

A local Sidcup room may cost less than Avery Hill or offer a shorter walk. Bird College does not publish live figures for Spring Court, High Court Apartments, Toronto House or Scarlett House, so contact admissions before assuming private halls offer the only available rooms.

The cheapest weekly rent will not always produce the lowest annual cost. Add transport and every tenancy week before ranking the options.

Private Renting Checks

Bird College shares landlord and estate-agent property lists, but students still need to check the agreement themselves.

Before paying a deposit, confirm:

• The landlord’s full name and contact details
• The complete property address
• The start and end dates
• The total rent
• The payment schedule
• The deposit and protection arrangement
• Guarantor requirements
• Utility charges
• Internet
• Council-tax exemption arrangements
• Furniture
• Bedroom lock
• Heating
• Window ventilation
• Damp or mould
• Bathroom access
• Repair reporting
• Guest rules
• Early-release terms

A long practical training day leaves little time for repeated landlord problems. Ask how quickly the landlord handles heating, hot water and appliance faults.

A video tour should show the actual room, not a model unit. Request a live view of the window, bathroom, kitchen storage, entrance and surrounding street when you cannot attend in person.

Weekly Living Budget

The University of Greenwich publishes a current London student guide that places food and groceries at £45 to £65 per week. It estimates £30 to £80 for travel from private housing, £15 to £30 for study materials, and £25 to £45 for entertainment. Private utility bills commonly add £40 to £55. These figures remain estimates, but they offer a useful starting point for the Sidcup area.

Bird students also need to account for course-specific spending. The BA requires a £1,000 Extra-Curricular Fund spread over three years. The fund contributes towards headshots, theatre tickets, lockers, entry systems and individual vocal training.

A practical budget should also include:

• Dance shoes and replacements
• Training clothes
• Laundry
• Performance makeup
• Tights and costume items
• Physiotherapy or recovery costs not covered elsewhere
• Audition travel
• Theatre visits
• Meals during long rehearsal days

A Sidcup room may reduce transport to almost nothing. A New Cross, Lewisham or Greenwich tenancy needs a regular rail allowance.

International Student visa applicants studying in London currently need to show £1,529 for each month of the course, up to nine months, unless an exemption applies. The figure supports the visa application and does not represent an average personal budget.

Walking from Sidcup Station

Bird College stands around five minutes from Sidcup railway station.

This short final walk makes properties near the station particularly useful. A home on the opposite side of Sidcup may still add a bus journey before the train station becomes relevant.

Rail

Southeastern operates Sidcup station.

Current services connect Sidcup with London Bridge, Cannon Street and Lewisham. Timetables and stopping patterns change during engineering work, so check the journey before early classes, performances and auditions.

Students living in Lewisham or farther towards central London should check the final train home as carefully as the morning service.

Buses

Local buses connect Sidcup with Avery Hill, Blackfen, Bexleyheath, Welling and nearby residential districts.

Bus travel may cost less than a rail season ticket, especially when the property remains within the local area. Traffic can affect arrival times, so allow extra time before assessments and rehearsals.

Student Travel Discounts

Eligible full-time students aged 18 or over can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. It gives a 30% reduction on eligible Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. It does not reduce ordinary pay-as-you-go fares by the same amount.

A Railcard may also reduce qualifying National Rail fares. Check minimum-fare restrictions before relying on it for the weekday morning commute.

Cycling

Cycling can suit local journeys from Sidcup, Blackfen, New Eltham and parts of Avery Hill.

Check secure bicycle storage at the property and college. Long journeys from Greenwich or New Cross will require more time and involve busier roads.

Driving

Bird College has very limited parking and encourages visitors to use other forms of transport. Students should not sign a distant tenancy on the assumption that they can drive to Alma Road each day.