Location

RAU, Stroud Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 6JS

Date and Time

Finish Date and Time

Registration

Join the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) at our Community Open Day as we celebrate our 180th Anniversary.

The Royal Agricultural College (RAC), now the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), was the first agricultural college in the English speaking world with the first students enrolled in September 1845. Join us for a day of 180th anniversary celebrations, including a lecture about the history of the RAU, activities that all of the family can enjoy, tours of the campus and much more. Food and drink will be available for guests to purchase.

This is a free event and is open to all.

Timetable for the day

  • 11am-4pm – Join Professors Mark Horton and Cassie Newland for an archaeological dig on our historic campus. Help Mark and Cassie to investigate the site of the Port Farm Fair that was held annually during the late 18th Century, as well as the site of the botanical gardens laid out in the 1850s. Adults and accompanied children are very welcome to join ‘the dig’.
  • 1-2pm in the Tithe Barn – Join archaeological TV star Professor Mark Horton for a fascinating talk on the history of the RAU as we celebrate our 180th anniversary. No need to pre-book. Tea, coffee and refreshments served.
  • 11am-4pm – join one of our RAU staff on a guided tour of our beautiful campus. Tours will run from the Clock Tower @ 11.30am; 12.30pm; 2pm and 3pm – no need to pre-book.
  • 11am-4pm – come and join our kids colouring competition in the Tithe Barn with a chance to win a family ticket to Cotswold Farm Park.
  • 12-2pm – enjoy a delicious lunch in our restaurant.
  • 11am-4pm - Food and drink will be available, for guests to purchase refreshments.

History

The University’s Latin motto ‘Arvorum Cultus Pecorumque’ is taken from Virgil’s Georgics, which dates back to around 29BC and translates as ‘Caring for the Fields and the Beasts’. Queen Victoria granted the Royal Charter to the College in the same year and Sovereigns have been Patrons ever since, visiting in every reign. His Majesty King Charles III became President in 1982 while he was the Prince of Wales. Construction of the main building took exactly one calendar year and was built on the site of an ancient farmhouse, now the Bathurst Wing, and the Tithe Barn. Construction of the University’s Chapel followed soon after. While many more modern buildings – including lecture theatres, offices, laboratories, and halls of residence - have been added to the main campus over recent years, the older part still looks (externally at least) much as it did in 1845.

Since then, it has grown from strength to strength; gaining university status in 2013.

For any questions, please contact opendays@rau.ac.uk.