Alanna Malt

Hey, I’m Alanna, a second-year BA Equine Business Management student. I originally come from County Durham – which is about 240 miles north of Hartpury.

In my first year, I stayed in Limbury on site and met some amazing people who I live with now in my second-year house in Gloucester. I have my own horse who takes up a lot of my time, but I really enjoy watching sport at Hartpury as my time to socialise with friends.

Wednesdays are dedicated to sport

On Wednesdays, we have a half-day of lectures for sports. There’s BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) rugby and football, as well as other sporting events such as netball and Equestrian Club.

Usually, all the teams play throughout the day, so it becomes a really big social activity.

My top tip is to always take more layers. You may be warm at the 2pm game, but when the 1st rugby team play in the evening it gets a lot colder!

As I mentioned, I’m an equine student and before coming to Hartpury I’d never watched rugby. When I arrived, I started going rugby with my friends and really enjoy the social side as well as the game itself. Now I get very excited when we win a game, the atmosphere is just unbeatable.

We often go watch the football team as well to support my friends.

In terms of food and drink, you can get cheap drinks at the student bar and pizza from Gumbies for £5 – which also does an amazing hot chocolate, perfect on a cold day.

Watching Hartpury University RFC

Hartpury also has a championship team that tends to play on Saturdays; Hartpury University RFC. You’ll get free tickets as a Hartpury student, so it’s a great day out.

Again, you’ll have cheap drinks and pizza at your fingertips. Plus, many students go out into Gloucester after watching the rugby – to celebrate the big win!

We’re surrounded by great sports

If you’re a football fan, you’ll be pleased to hear about Cheltenham Town F.C nearby.

My friends regularly go watch them play on Saturdays – some even go to away matches they’re such big fans! You can get student tickets, which make it a really affordable day out. Cheltenham is just 25 minutes away by car, bus or train, so it’s easy to get to as well.

For world-class rugby, you’ll want to head to Kingsholm stadium to watch Gloucester Rugby. It’s just 15 minutes from campus by car or bus. Plus, a lot of the student housing for your second and third year is based around the stadium, so even closer!

While I’ve not been to a game yet, my friends tell me it’s an incredible atmosphere.

You can get student tickets to make it cheaper, and always have the option to go for dinner or drinks in Gloucester – sometimes you even see the Gloucester players! – and get a taxi back to Hartpury. You can get an Andy Cars taxi for around £13; just a few pounds each when shared with friends.

A whole world of sport awaits at Hartpury! You’ll also have nearby access to world-famous horse racing at Cheltenham Festival. Read about Ana’s experience at the races.