Summer student storage in York is a door-to-door service that collects your belongings from halls or a private house at the end of the academic year, stores them securely over the summer, and delivers them back when you return in September or October. UniMove has provided this service since 2014, covering both University of York and York St John University students.
Why York students need summer storage
York is a compact, historic city. That is part of its appeal, but it creates real practical problems at move-out time. Parking in and around the city centre is restricted and expensive, and student streets like Fishergate, Fulford Road, and The Groves are narrow. Loading a van outside a terraced student house in mid-June, with a parking warden nearby and a queue of cars behind you, is exactly the kind of pressure you do not need at the end of exam season.
The University of York main campus at Heslington is easier to access by road, but the halls move-out window is short. Every student on a given corridor is expected to hand keys back within a day or two of each other. That creates a bottleneck: dozens of families with hired vans all trying to use the same car park at the same time.
York St John University students face a different version of the same problem. Their accommodation is close to York Minster and the city walls, where vehicle access is tightly controlled and loading zones are limited. Carrying boxes through cobbled streets in the rain is nobody’s idea of a smooth move-out.
Door-to-door summer storage removes the van entirely. UniMove sends a driver to collect your packed boxes, loads them on to the vehicle, and brings them back in September or October to wherever you are living next. You do not need to arrange transport, find a parking permit, or ask parents to take a day off work.
Where UniMove collects in York
UniMove collects from every part of the city, including:
- Heslington (UoY campus halls) including Derwent College, Langwith College, Goodricke College, Alcuin College, and all newer East Campus accommodation
- Hull Road and Lawrence Street, one of the main corridors for second and third-year private rentals
- Fulford Road, popular with students who want a quieter residential area south of the city centre
- Fishergate and Fawcett Street, convenient for York St John students and those who want to walk into the centre
- The Groves and Heworth, an area of Victorian terraces east of the River Foss that many postgraduate and mature students choose
- Holgate and Acomb, where students in their second or third year sometimes rent to get more space for less money
- York St John University accommodation near Lord Mayor’s Walk, including all managed residential blocks
If your address is not listed above, it does not matter. UniMove collects from any York postcode. The booking form asks for your collection address and UniMove plans the route from there.
How the service works, step by step
The process is straightforward. You book online at studentsummerstorage.com/get-a-quote/ and choose how many boxes you need. UniMove delivers empty boxes and packing tape to your door before the move-out date, so you have time to pack at your own pace. On collection day, the driver arrives at the agreed time, loads your boxes, and takes them to the UniMove depot at Plover Barn, Kings Lane, Longcot, SN7 7SS, where they are kept in secure storage over the summer.
When you are ready for your belongings back in September or October, you contact UniMove to arrange delivery. If you are returning to the same York address, UniMove delivers there. If you have moved to a different city or a new house, they deliver to the new address anywhere on the GB mainland or in Belfast. For a video walkthrough of the whole process, see how student summer storage works.
You do not need to be in York during the summer at all. The service works whether you are at home with your family, on a summer internship somewhere else in the country, or staying with friends. Your belongings are looked after in the meantime.
What most York students store
A typical York student stores the contents of a single room: clothes, bedding, kitchen equipment, books, small electrical items like a kettle or a desk lamp, and personal items. Most students fit everything into three to five standard boxes. Bikes and larger items can also be collected; include them in your quote request when booking.
Items that cannot be stored include food, aerosols, liquids, and anything flammable or prohibited. Check the UniMove terms for the full list before packing. For practical packing advice and a wider guide to the June move-out season, see the UniMove student summer storage guide for June 2026.
Summer storage options compared
| Option | Collection from halls or house | Delivery to new address in September | Parking and access stress | Typical cost structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UniMove door-to-door | Yes, driver comes to you | Yes, included in price | None, UniMove handles all transport | Per-box pricing, one fixed quote |
| Self-storage unit near York | No, you transport everything yourself | No, you collect in person from the unit | High, van hire needed on both dates | Monthly unit fee plus van hire both ways |
| Leaving items with friends or family | Depends entirely on their availability | Only if they can help again in autumn | Depends on where they live and park | No cash cost, but relies on goodwill |
Self-storage units exist on the outskirts of York, but none are within walking distance of Heslington or the city centre student areas. Hiring a van to reach them, loading it, driving there, then repeating the process in September, adds considerable time, cost, and effort on top of the unit rental fee itself.
Frequently asked questions
How does summer storage work if I live in University of York halls at Heslington?
You book online, choose how many boxes you need, and UniMove delivers them to your Heslington room before your move-out date. You pack at your own pace. On collection day, the driver comes directly to your hall, loads the boxes, and you hand in your keys. No van, no parental logistics, no parking problems on campus.
Can UniMove collect from private student houses on Hull Road or Fulford Road?
Yes. UniMove collects from private rentals and shared houses across all York student areas, including Hull Road, Fulford Road, Fishergate, The Groves, and Holgate. The booking form takes your home address and the driver comes to you. There is no restriction to university-managed accommodation.
How much does summer student storage in York cost?
UniMove charges per box, so the price scales with how much you are storing. A student with three or four boxes pays less than one with seven or eight. Get a personalised quote at studentsummerstorage.com/get-a-quote/ to see current pricing for your specific number of items and storage period.
When should I book for York summer move-out?
Book as early as you can, ideally in April or May once you know your move-out date. University of York halls typically have their busiest collection window in late June, and popular slots fill up. Booking early also gives you flexibility if your move-out date changes after exams.
What size storage boxes does UniMove use, and how much fits in one?
UniMove uses large, sturdy cardboard boxes designed for student moves. One box holds roughly the equivalent of a medium suitcase worth of clothes, or around 20 to 25 hardback books. Most students find that three to five boxes covers everything from a single university room.
Can I have my belongings delivered to a different address in September?
Yes. If you are moving to a new house, a different city, or a new halls building in September, UniMove delivers to the new address. Just let them know when you arrange your return delivery. Delivery is included in the price and covers the whole of the GB mainland and Belfast.