Communal areas
Our communal areas are open to Derwent College members to hang out in and enjoy.
Relax in comfy seating, connect to the wifi and make use of the amenities listed below.
Derwent Junior Common Room (JCR)
The main space for all Derwent students to hang out or study in is the Junior Common Room (JCR), conveniently located opposite the double doors facing D-Bar.
Inside you’ll find small tables, a comfy sofa and some snug study booths.
Derwent General Common Room (GCR)
The General Common Room (GCR) is accessible through the doors at the back of the JCR.
This is a quieter, dedicated study space, with comfy chairs, a conference style table, and a whiteboard.
There is also a TV and two electric pianos, complemented by a tremendous view of the lake.
Derwent Senior Common Room (SCR)
The Senior Common Room (SCR) is accessible via the college offices corridor and the entrance is opposite the College Manager’s office. As well as comfortable seating and tables, you’ll find a gallery depicting the history of the college, a TV, a media centre and projector, and yet more glorious views of the lake!
From 8am to 6pm on weekdays it is reserved for use by staff and postgraduates, but is available for bookings in the evening.
Booking common rooms
All students can use the JCR and GCR anytime between 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. After 6pm and at weekends, the doors are locked and access is via a booking system (pick up the key at Derwent Reception). All Common Rooms are to be vacated by 10.30pm and the keys handed back to reception
The Provost Garden
Perhaps Derwent’s best kept secret, the Provost Garden is located just opposite the main entrance of the College. Previously the site of legendary Derwent Provost Ron Weir’s house, it was transformed into an outdoor space for staff, students and local wildlife to enjoy after Ron’s passing in 2009.
With the help of the Gardening Society, fruit trees and raised beds have been cultivated by student groups. There are also benches and a gazebo that make great places for lunch! If you want to get your hands dirty, just email derwent@york.ac.uk to find out how you can volunteer.
Other outdoor spaces
Derwent is surrounded by green space. B Block lawns (the expanse of grass next to B block in front of the lake) is a wonderful spring and summer picnic spot. It’s a great space for croquet or frisbee (you can borrow these and other games from our residents' lending library).
There’s also a brick barbecue area here, as well as another between K and A blocks - you just need to purchase a disposable barbecue set to use them.
The college owns all of the picnic benches around our blocks and some can be moved around Derwent. Just make sure to return them to their home in N Block terrace (outside the College Common Rooms) when you’re done.
If you’d like to use the Boule / Petanque pitch opposite the Courtyard Bar, you can borrow a set of boules from the lending library.