Study Destinations

5 Facts About Bangor, Wales You Probably Didn’t Know

Bangor is a city in Gwynedd unitary authority located in the North West Wales and it is one of the smallest cities in the United Kingdom. It is also the oldest city in Wales. It is one of the only six places which are classed as a city in Wales even though it is only the 25th-largest urban area by population.

Bangor, Wales, UK-

Bangor is a small, lively and university town which has ancient roots. The city is home to the Bangor Cathedral which is religious site and can be traced back to the 6^th century. There are many places and activities to explore during your stay at the Bangor city. You can visit the Storiel which is the former Bishop’s palace converted into a museum and gallery with local art and artefacts on display along with the information about the city’s heritage. There are a number of leisure activities including pool, Play Centre and pier to indulge in over the weekend.

Major Attractions in the Bangor area and nearby are:

Bangor Cathedral
Bangor Pier
Bangor Swimming Pool
Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery
Penrhyn Castle
St Deiniol Bangor Golf Club
The Play Centre
Treborth Driving Range

Accommodation-

As the Bangor city is known to be the university town, there are bound to be many good and decent options available for student’s accommodation. The university also provides confirm accommodation to its first-year students. There are halls of residence located at Ffriddoedd Village, St Mary’s Village, and Neuadd Garth. These accommodations are self-catered and most of the rooms are en-suite. There are some standard rooms also available in these halls.

Students can also go for private accommodations and can seek help from the university to find a right accommodation as per their budget and requirements.

Cost of Living-

In last year’s cost-of-living index drawn up by Push, the university guide, four of the top 10 cheapest universities were in Wales. Bangor was the second cheapest in the country. Students there can buy the cheapest groceries and the cheapest drinks at its students’ union and local pubs respectively.

Course fees and University accommodation costs are available online and are set well in advance of students coming to Bangor. For general living costs such as accommodation, food, books, clothing etc, it is impossible to provide an exact figure as all students are different and have different lifestyles. A VERY broad estimate would be between £900 and £1100 per month for a single student living in the Bangor area. When you apply for a Tier 4 student visa, the Home Office requires that have a minimum of £1015 per month to cover your living costs.

Travel and Transport-

Bangor lies at the western end of the North Wales Path, a 60-mile (100 km) long-distance coastal walking route to Prestatyn. It is also on routes 5, 8 and 85 of the National Cycle Network.

Bangor railway station, which serves the city, is located on the North Wales Coast Line from Crewe and Chester to Holyhead.

The A55 runs immediately to the south of Bangor, providing road transport to Holyhead in the west and Chester to the east.

The nearest airport with international flights is Liverpool John Lennon Airport, 83 miles away by road

Part-Time Jobs-

Students are helped by the university to find part-time jobs and summer work, gain voluntary experience and project placements. These part-time jobs help students to gain skills and earn extra money to support them in a foreign land. Also, helps you to grow your network.

Entertainment-

One can visit the various places including museums, galleries, Pier, Driving ranges etc. over the weekend to enjoy the beauty of the city. Don’t miss to visit the iconic Pontio which is a venue for theatre productions, film, music, circus, dance and other innovative performing arts Also, you can discover the dramatic Penrhyn Castle, the National Trust mansion set in beautiful grounds on the outskirts of town, and nearby GreenWood Forest Park, a popular family attraction.

Food and Shopping-

There are a number of bars and cafes in and around the university campus. Students can enjoy in various clubs and restaurants with their friends over a dinner or drinks. As it is a university town surrounded by many students, the nightlife is amazing with a lot of places to hang out.

Bangor has a good shopping scene too along what’s reputed to be Wales’s longest High Street, boosted by the modern Deiniol and Menai centres. You will get what you desire in Bangor and that too not too expensive.