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Porters' Lodge
- If you’re staying on campus over Christmas, the security team in Porters' Lodge can support you in the following ways:
- Basic first aid.
- Reporting suspicious activity, anti-social behaviour, or serious incidents.
- Escalating maintenance issues affecting campus accommodation, such as lack of heating; burst pipes; power failures; faulty alarms.
- Assisting you if you’re locked out of your room.
- To access this support, please call security: 01285 889834 / 07960031821 or visit Porters Lodge.
For more information, please download the information sheet on this page.
Please call 999 if medical care is needed urgently, then notify Porters' Lodge so that they can direct the ambulance staff to you. If you need non-urgent medical support, please call 111.
If you’re unable to meet one of your deadlines due to an exceptional or unforeseen circumstance, please submit an extension request via the Student Portal. Please ensure you review the extensions guidance on Gateway for more information on what constitutes an exceptional or unforeseen circumstance. As long as you submit the request and evidence before the assessment’s deadline, it will be considered and processed once the university re-opens in January.
If you need urgent IT support over the winter break, you may be able to find answers to your question in the dedicated Gateway area.
Sunday 14 December - ‘Christmas Around The World Dinner’, St Peter’s RC Parish Hall, Cirencester, GL7 1RE. Join the Facebook group for more details.
Thursday 25 December - Food for Thought Cotswolds will serve hot drinks to those in need from 6AM-1PM in Cirencester Market Place.
If you are not struggling financially, but you would like to help out as a volunteer, please contact the event organisers directly.
The Long Table will not be open on Christmas Day, but the pay-as-you-can restaurant is usually open Monday to Saturday.
If you are staying on campus over Christmas and New Year, please notify Student Services and Accommodation, so that we can ensure you have access to a kitchen and other facilities. If you’re reading this after the University has closed, please visit Porters' Lodge for advice.
The information below is correct at time of writing.
G.Horton Limited will be open from 10:00am to noon on 25 December and closed on 26 December and 1 January.
Chesterton Pharmacy will be closed on 25 December, 26 December and 1 January.
RAU Restaurant:
|
Date |
Breakfast |
Lunch |
Dinner |
|
22 December 2025 |
8:00 – 9:00am |
12:00 – 13.00 |
17.30 – 18.30 |
|
23 December 2025 |
8:00 – 9:00am |
12:00 – 13.00 |
17.30 – 18.30 |
|
24 December 2025 |
8:00 – 9:00am |
12:00 – 13.00 |
Closed |
|
25 December 2025 – 1 January 2026 |
Closed |
Closed |
Closed |
The SU office will be closed from 19 December.
Supermarkets will have limited operating hours over the Christmas and New Year period – please check opening times on their websites before making a journey and keep this in mind when planning meals!
- The Student Lounge has a wide selection of DVDs, a kitchenette, and comfy chairs and will be open from 7:00am to midnight daily.
- Browse this Pinterest board for games, crafts, and other festive activities.
- Follow some home workouts on YouTube – here’s a Christmas-themed dance workout.
- Visit a garden centre to browse decorations and drink up the Christmassy vibes.
- Browse discounts on the Wisdom app.
- Go to some Christmas events in Cirencester.
- Walk around Cirencester Park, which is usually free on Christmas Day.
There are many villages and towns around Cirencester that you can explore! Always check your journey before you go, in case your train/bus/coach has been cancelled, or the timetable has changed due to the bank holidays.
Nearby towns/villages/cities: Gloucester, Stroud, London, Cheltenham, Swindon, Reading, Bath and Oxford.
Useful links:
https://www.nationalexpress.com/en/christmas
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/travel-information/bank-holiday-information-great-western-railway/
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/live-trains/departures/kemble/