Bristol Alumni Network Reunion Weekend – 15-17 August 2025
Fri, 15 Aug
|Bristol
We are thrilled to invite you back for the reunion weekend, featuring exciting new tours, major anniversaries, social events, the Reunion Dinner, and a guest lecture. Book accommodation and events using this platform. Bookings close on Tuesday 29 July 2025, 5pm.
Time & Location
15 Aug 2025, 17:00 – 17 Aug 2025, 15:00
Bristol, Bristol
About the event
We’re thrilled to welcome you back for the Bristol Alumni Network reunion weekend, running from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 August.
This year’s programme features exciting new tours, including a visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain and a boat tour showcasing the city’s transformation and the expansion of the new Temple Quarter campus. You can download the full programme from this link.
We’re also celebrating major anniversaries, with Badock Hall turning 60 and Manor Hall reaching 100. Special events have been planned by both Hall Associations to mark these milestones. By popular demand, we’re promoting the visit to St Nicholas Market and its historic air raid shelter.
The weekend includes social events, starting with a private wine tasting at Avery's historic vaulted cellars on Friday, and a drinks reception in the Botanic Gardens at The Holmes on Saturday.
A highlight of the weekend is the Reunion Dinner on Saturday night, where we’re welcoming Professor Sir Malcolm Evans as our guest speaker. Sir Malcolm, now Principal of Regent’s Park College, Oxford, was formerly a Professor of International Law at the University of Bristol. He has held esteemed roles, including Chair of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture (2011-2020) and a member of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in England and Wales.
The weekend concludes with an engaging guest lecture by Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at the University of Bristol. He will explore the timely question: "With advances in AI and a rapidly changing job market, what and how should we be teaching our students?"
Why not gather some friends and join us for a weekend of memories, discovery, and celebration? We’d love to see you there!
Please confirm your booking as soon as possible and at the very latest by 5pm on Tuesday 29 July 2025. After this point we may not be able to make any changes or offer refunds.
Contact the volunteers organising the weekend for any queries or help with your booking via uobglobal-networks@bristol.ac.uk
Accommodation
Bed and breakfast accommodation can be booked at either Wills Hall or The Holmes (subject to availability).
The Bristol Alumni Network has secured discounted accommodation (10%) at the following hotels in Clifton as an alternative for reunion weekend guests. Quote the discount code "Bristol Uni Alumni Weekend" at any of these hotels, which will then apply the discount from the best available daily rate.
It can also be used when booking directly with a hotels’ reception, either via phone or email. Please note, this has to be done via the reception team, either via phone or email. It is not possible to book via website.
The Clifton Hotel; 0117 973 6882; clifton.reception@cliftonhotels.com
The Berkeley Square Hotel; 0117 925 4000; berkeley.reception@cliftonhotels.com
The Rodney Hotel; 0117 973 5422; rodney.reception@cliftonhotels.com
The Washington Guesthouse; 0117 973 3980; washington.reception@cliftonhotels.com
Victoria Square Hotel; 0117 973 9058; info@victoriasquarehotel.co.uk (code: Bristol Uni Alumni)
Other hotels may be available, but are not offering discounts, e.g. Hotel du Vin, Clifton Tel: 0117 4030210, https://www.hotelduvin.com/locations/bristol-avon-gorge/
* The Bristol Alumni Network (BAN) is a collection of alumni volunteers and friends from halls of residence associations , branches, departmental and subject societies, and sports clubs. The BAN is coordinating the programme and bookings for Reunion Weekend 2025. The Wills Hall Association is administering all sales on behalf of the BAN.
Tickets
- Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
1. Wine Tasting at Avery's
Welcome to the Reunion Weekend in Avery's historic vaulted cellars for a private evening of wine tasting. Guests will receive champagne on arrival and a tutored tasting of 7 wines over 2 1/2 hours. There will be nibbles including artisan bread, cheese, pâté and hummus from local suppliers. The cellars are at Avery’s, Culver street, BS1 5LD. Enter on Frogmore Street, via the green double doors next to Sergio’s Restaurant. A minimum of 25 guests is required for this event to take place.
- £36.00+£0.90 ticket service fee
- Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
2. Badock Hall - 60 years
Saturday 16 August, from 10.30am to 12pm. Badock Hall is turning 60 and is celebrating by hosting a coffee/tea morning alongside a tour of the current Badock Hall grounds. Gather in the hall to reminisce and share memories from your time at one of the oldest halls at the University of Bristol. The tour will be conducted by current University staff and the JCR who will be able to tell you firsthand about student life in 2025. The coffee morning will also include breakfast pastries.
£5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
3. SS Great Britain Tour
Saturday 16 August, from 11 am to 12 pm. Step Aboard the Ship That Changed the World! Join us for a group guided tour of the world’s first great ocean liner Brunel’s SS Great Britain. Explore the historic dockyard and head beneath the glass sea into the dry dock. Step back in time in the Dockyard Museum as you prepare to board the SS Great Britain herself. The nearest car park is by the SS Great Britain, see here for details: https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/your-visit/how-to-find-us/
From £13.00 to £20.00- £20.00+£0.50 ticket service fee
- £17.50+£0.44 ticket service fee
- £13.00+£0.33 ticket service fee
- Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
4. Wills Memorial Building (A)
Saturday 16 August, from 11 am to 12.30 pm. Tours include the Great Hall, Great George, the view from the top of the Tower, the Wills Library and the Council Chamber along with the history of the building and the founding of the University. Please note access to the Tower, including the bell, involves a spiral staircase of approximately 350 steps. More information here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/university/visit/tower-tours/
£5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
5. Bristol Harbour Boat Trip
Saturday 16 August, from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm. Join us for a cruise through the heart of Bristol. We will leave from the SS Great Britain Landing and travel to the Temple Meads area to view the new University buildings before returning. The nearest car park is by the SS Great Britain, see here for details: https://www.ssgreatbritain.org/your-visit/how-to-find-us/ Boat: The Bagheera: https://bristolpacket.co.uk/about/bagheera/
£12.00+£0.30 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
6. Wills Memorial Building (B)
Saturday 16 August, from 1 pm to 2.30 pm. Tours include the Great Hall, Great George, the view from the top of the Tower, the Wills Library and the Council Chamber along with the history of the building and the founding of the University. Please note access to the Tower, including the bell, involves a spiral staircase of approximately 350 steps. More information here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/university/visit/tower-tours/
£5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
7. Manor Hall - 100 years
Saturday 16 August, from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Free. We will be having games on the lawn and holding tours of the buildings and gardens (including the newly refurbished Manor House). There will be anecdotes and memories of Christopher read out to celebrate his life and remarkable involvement in the Manor Hall community. There will be a display celebrating the centenary of the MHA from our archive and Special Collections as well as an article Christopher wrote. Refreshments will be provided.
£0.00 8. Tour of St Nicholas Market
Saturday 16 August, from 4.00pm. Book directly at: https://www.st-nickstours.com/ Meet at the Corn Exchange for this two hour tour of Saint Nicholas market and its underground World War II air shelter. This is a chance to enjoy Bristol’s only subterranean tour of the impressive World War II air raid shelter and buildings associated with 1000 years of Bristol’s trading history.
£0.00Sold Out- Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
9. Croquet Competition
Saturday 16 August, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at Wills Hall. Teams of two. At least four teams needed. Bring your own refreshments. Contact robert.vilain@st-hughs.ox.ac.uk to register your interest.
£0.00 - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
10. Evening Drinks Reception
Saturday 16 August, at 6.15pm at The Holmes. Drinks reception only ticket - open to all. Guests attending the dinner do not need to buy this separate ticket – this reception is included in the dinner ticket price. The drinks reception is hosted by the Badock and Manor Hall Associations on behalf of the Bristol Alumni Network.
£10.00+£0.25 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
11. Reunion Weekend Dinner
Saturday 16 August, at 7.15 pm at Wills Hall. Reunion weekend annual dinner to which all alumni and friends are invited. The guest speaker is Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, Principal of Regent’s Park College, Oxford. Sir Malcolm until recently Professor of International Law at the University of Bristol. The bar at Wills Hall will be open until midnight for post-dinner drinks. Ticket includes drinks reception and wine with dinner.
From £30.00 to £60.00- £60.00+£1.50 ticket service fee
- £30.00+£0.75 ticket service fee
- Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
12. Wills Hall Association AGM
Sunday 17 August, at 9.45 am at the Michael Wong Pakshong Room, Wills Hall. For Wills Hall Association members only. No booking required.
£0.00 - Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
13. Churchill Hall Assoc. AGM
Sunday 17 August, at 9.45 am at The Bradley Room, the Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JQ. For Churchill Hall Association members only. No booking required.
£0.00 - Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
14. Reunion Morning Service
Sunday 17 August, at 10.30 am at Dame Monica Wills Chapel, Wills Hall, BS9 1AE. Morning Service. All alumni and friends are welcome. The service will be followed by tea and coffee from 11.30 am to 12 pm. A retiring collection will be taken.
£0.00 - Sale ends: 17 Aug, 15:00
15. Lecture: Prof. Bruce Hood
Sunday 17 August at 11.45 am (coffee from 11.30 am) at Dame Monica Wills Chapel, Wills Hall. Our guest lecturer is Bruce Hood, Professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at the University of Bristol. With the advances in AI and a rapidly changing employment market, what and how should we be teaching our students? The Science of Happiness is a Bristol course that empowers students with practical wisdom to use in their everyday lives. In this talk, Professor Hood will share some tips.
£0.00 - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
16. Lunch
Sunday 17 August, at 1 pm at Wills Hall. Two course lunch in the Wills Hall Dining Room. All alumni and friends are welcome.
£18.00+£0.45 ticket service fee - Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
Wills Hall Accommodation
Prices are per night. Bed and breakfast accommodation in single rooms. The rooms in Old Quad have shared facilities and the rooms in New Quad are ensuite. Choose the quantity per room by how many nights you will be staying.
From £38.00 to £82.00- £38.00+£0.95 ticket service fee
- £41.00+£1.03 ticket service fee
- £38.00+£0.95 ticket service fee
- Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
The Holmes - Single Room
2 nights. Bed and breakfast accommodation in single rooms. Rooms can either have shared facilities or be ensuite.
From £72.00 to £82.00- £72.00+£1.80 ticket service fee
- £82.00+£2.05 ticket service fee
- Sale ends: 29 Jul, 17:00
The Holmes - Double Room
2 nights. Bed and breakfast accommodation in double rooms. Rooms can either have shared facilities or be ensuite.
From £120.00 to £129.00- £120.00+£3.00 ticket service fee
- £129.00+£3.23 ticket service fee
Wills Hall Car Parking Permit
Parking in the Hall car park costs £5 per 24 hours. Please provide your car details when booking your accommodation to arrange your permit in advance. Each 24 period starts and finishes at midnight. If you wish to purchase a permit for a shorter period, please follow signage in the Hall car park or use adjacent roads.
From £5.00 to £15.00- £5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee
- £10.00+£0.25 ticket service fee
- £5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee
The Holmes Car Parking
Parking in the Hall car park costs £5 per 24 hours. Please provide your car details when booking your accommodation to arrange your permit in advance. Each 24 period starts and finishes at midnight. If you wish to purchase a permit for a shorter period, please follow signage in the Hall car park or use adjacent roads.
From £5.00 to £15.00- £5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee
- £10.00+£0.25 ticket service fee
- £5.00+£0.13 ticket service fee
Donate to the B.A.N.
The Bristol Alumni Network use any donations to support their work and where possible, find ways to give back to current students.
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