Best Areas for Students to Live in Loughborough: A Local Student Guide

Choosing where to live in Loughborough is one of the biggest decisions students make after their first year, and the right location can genuinely shape your day-to-day experience. Loughborough is a compact town with an active student community, but each area has its own character, pace of life, and practical advantages. Whether you want to be close to campus, near the nightlife, or in a quieter pocket for easier studying, understanding the differences between the main student areas will help you make a more confident choice.

This guide gives a clear, honest look at the most popular places students choose to live, based on real demand, lifestyle fit, and access to amenities. It also reflects what we see at UniQ Lets year after year: students prioritise comfort, quality, and convenience, but they also want to live somewhere that suits the way they study, socialise, and unwind.

For a full checklist of everything that matters when you’re picking a house, see our article on what to look for in student housing.

A Quick Look at the Main Student Zones

Most students gravitate towards a handful of well-established areas:

• the Golden Triangle

• Ashby Road

• the Town Centre

• the Forest Road/Epinal Way corridor

• Nanpantan

These neighbourhoods sit within easy reach of the university but offer noticeably different living experiences. You’ll find vibrant student hotspots, quieter residential streets, modern developments, and everything in between.

The Golden Triangle

What the Area is Like

The Golden Triangle is widely known as Loughborough’s most in-demand student neighbourhood. It refers to a tight cluster of student-heavy side streets between the university and the town centre, loosely bordered by parts of Ashby Road and Forest Road. Because everything is packed into a walkable pocket (campus, shops, gyms, cafés, pubs), day-to-day life feels effortless. Students often describe the area as sociable without being chaotic, with a steady buzz rather than late-night noise.

Housing and Appeal

Homes in the Golden Triangle are especially popular with groups who want a classic student experience in a compact, convenient location. Many properties here have been refurbished to a high standard, including several from our collection of student houses. For students who prioritise modern design, comfortable shared spaces, and well-maintained homes, the area offers an ideal balance between atmosphere and practicality.

Ashby Road

What the Area is Like

Ashby Road is one of Loughborough’s main routes, running from the university towards the town centre. While part of its northern stretch borders the Golden Triangle, the road extends far beyond that area and has a character of its own. With shops, cafés, takeaways, and frequent bus links along the roadside, it attracts students who want easy access to both campus and town but prefer a slightly less concentrated student environment than the side streets of the Triangle.

Housing and Appeal

The housing mix along Ashby Road is broad, ranging from affordable terraces to more modern homes on adjoining streets. It’s lively during the daytime thanks to traffic and footfall, but many of the residential side roads leading off it feel noticeably quieter. For students who want convenience and good connections without being right in the heart of the main student cluster, Ashby Road offers a versatile middle ground.

Town Centre

What the Area is Like

Living in the centre of Loughborough offers a completely different lifestyle. Instead of being campus-focused, town-centre living is about having everything at your fingertips: supermarkets, gyms, cafés, restaurants, nightlife, and part-time job opportunities. It’s a smart choice for students who want activity, convenience, and easy transport links right outside their door.

Housing and Appeal

The trade-off is that the walk to campus takes a little longer than in areas like the Golden Triangle. But many students find that the independence and practicality of being in town more than makes up for the extra distance. This area particularly suits students who divide their time between studying, working, and socialising, and want a location that supports all three.

Forest Road / Epinal Way

What the Area is Like

The Forest Road and Epinal Way corridor blends the quiet feel of a residential neighbourhood with the practicality of living near major amenities. Students often choose it for its larger houses and more spacious layouts, making it especially appealing for established groups in their second or third year who want a bit more space and comfort.

Housing and Appeal

The area is well located near Sainsbury’s, PureGym, and several local shops, giving students an easy routine without feeling too busy or loud. It’s a mature part of Loughborough that appeals to those who want a calmer environment but don’t want to sacrifice convenience.

Nanpantan

What the Area is Like

Nanpantan sits further out from the main student zones and has a noticeably quieter, leafier feel. It’s residential, peaceful, and surrounded by greenery, which ideal for students who want somewhere serene to live, especially those on demanding courses or postgraduate programmes.

Housing and Appeal

Because it’s further from campus, Nanpantan is best suited for students who are happy to cycle or prefer a quieter base where they can study or relax without much noise. Houses here tend to be larger and more spacious, making it a strong fit for small groups that want a more settled home environment.

Which Area Suits You Best?

The right place to live depends entirely on the kind of university experience you want. Students who value being close to campus usually choose the Golden Triangle or Ashby Road, while those who enjoy nightlife and convenience often look towards the town centre. For a quieter setting, Forest Road, Epinal Way, or Nanpantan offer calm, comfortable environments that still keep you within reach of the university.

Knowing what you prioritise, whether that’s noise level, convenience, house size, or property condition, is the key to choosing an area that fits your lifestyle.

What to Expect for Rent Across These Areas

Rent varies depending on the quality and size of the property rather than the area alone, although location does influence demand. The Golden Triangle often sits at the mid-to-upper end due to it’s popularity and proximity to campus. Ashby Road and the town centre offer a range of mid-priced properties, while Forest Road and Nanpantan can sit slightly higher if the homes are larger or recently renovated. If you’re comparing on-campus options as well, our breakdown of Loughborough University accommodation prices is a useful benchmark.

Regardless of the area, students consistently find that well-renovated homes offer better value long-term. Good insulation, modern kitchens, reliable heating, and well-designed communal spaces make a bigger difference to student living than the postcode alone. It’s also worth understanding how student house bills work and whether you’d rather go for bills included vs not included.

For a fuller breakdown of typical monthly spending, our guide to the cost of living in Loughborough for students goes into rent, food, nights out, and more.

What Students Prioritise When Choosing a Location

Over the years, certain themes are consistent in what students look for when choosing where to live. Most want to:

• feel safe and secure

• have access to shops and gyms

• be close enough to campus that the commute isn't a hassle

But property condition has become one of the biggest deciding factors: a modern kitchen, comfortable bedrooms, clean bathrooms, and quality furnishings tend to matter more than anything else.

At UniQ Lets, we see this reflected in demand for our fully refurbished houses. Students often tell us that once they experience a high-quality, well-maintained home, the exact area matters far less. What truly improves their university life is living somewhere comfortable, modern, and well looked after.

FAQs

Where do most Loughborough students live?

The majority of students live in the Golden Triangle and Ashby Road because these areas are close to campus and have a high number of student-focused homes.

What is the Golden Triangle in Loughborough?

It’s a popular cluster of student streets between the town centre and the university. The area is loved for its short walk to lectures, its social atmosphere, and its easy access to shops and amenities.

Is the town centre a good place for students to live?

Yes. It’s ideal if you want to be close to shops, nightlife, gyms, part-time work, and public transport. The only trade-off is a slightly longer walk to university.

What areas are closest to Loughborough University campus?

The Golden Triangle, Ashby Road, and parts of Forest Road and Epinal Way all offer quick walking access to campus.

What’s the safest area for students in Loughborough?

Loughborough’s main student areas are generally safe and well-lit. For quieter, more residential living, Nanpantan and the Forest Road area stand out.