Bristol Alumni Network Reunion Weekend – 14-16 August 2026
Fri 14 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 28 July 2026, 5pm.
Time & Location
14 Aug 2026, 16:00 – 16 Aug 2026, 14:00
Bristol, Bristol
About the event
We’re thrilled to welcome you back for the Bristol Alumni Network Reunion Weekend, running from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 August 2026.
This year’s programme is packed with opportunities to rediscover Bristol and reconnect with fellow alumni.
We’re especially excited to be celebrating a major milestone: Churchill Hall’s 70th anniversary. A special programme of events—including a Hall tour, archives exhibition, Botanic Garden tour and a lively Quad sports afternoon—has been curated by the Churchill Hall Association to mark this Diamond Anniversary in style.
Alongside these celebrations, the weekend features an expanded range of tours and activities. Highlights include:
A private wine tasting at Avery’s historic vaulted cellars to open the weekend on Friday evening.
A guided visit to Brunel’s SS Great Britain, the ship that transformed maritime history.
A behind‑the‑scenes trip to Aerospace Bristol, including the chance to stand beneath the iconic Concorde.
We’re also delighted to continue offering discounted tickets for students and recent graduates (2021 onwards) on selected events.
A highlight of the weekend, as always, is the Reunion Dinner on Saturday evening. All alumni and friends are warmly invited. This year’s dinner will feature a guest speaker (details to be confirmed), and the Wills Hall bar will stay open until midnight for post‑dinner conversations and reminiscing.
On Sunday morning, we round off the weekend with the Arthur Graves Memorial Lecture, followed by lunch at Wills Hall for those who wish to continue the conversations.
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 no later than 5pm on Tuesday 28 July 2026. After this point, we may not be able to make changes or offer refunds.
For any queries or help with your booking, contact the volunteer team via uobglobal-networks@bristol.ac.uk.
Make the most of your weekend in Bristol with additional local events and tours.
Don’t miss the fascinating St Nicholas Market Air Raid Shelter Tour, and explore a wide range of cultural activities, exhibitions, and family-friendly happenings across the city at https://visitbristol.co.uk/whats-on/
Accommodation
Bed and breakfast accommodation can be booked at either Wills Hall or the Holmes.
The Bristol Alumni Network has secured discounted accommodation (20%) 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
1. Wine Tasting at Avery's
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Friday 15 August. 6.30 pm for 7 pm start Where: Culver street, BS1 5LD. Enter on Frogmore St, via green doors next to Sergio’s Restaurant 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 (a different wine selection to last year, if you came). Food will be provided, which will a buffet of artisan bread, cheese, pâté and hummus.
£42.50
+£1.06 ticket service fee
2. Alumni Weekend “Parkrun”
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 16 August. 8.30 am for 9 am start Where: Ashton Court, BS41 9JN Start your Saturday with a burst of energy and community spirit! Join fellow alumni for a scenic (hilly) Parkrun at Ashton Court. Show your alumni pride—wear something red! Parkrun registration required if not already signed up.
£0.00
3. Churchill Hall 70: Tour
Sale ends
15 Aug, 14:00
When: Saturday 15 August, 10 am Where: Churchill Hall, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG Churchill Hall is celebrating 70 years, a Diamond Anniversary, by hosting a coffee/tea morning alongside a tour of the Churchill Hall. Gather in the JCR to reminisce and share memories from your time in Hall. The tour will include the main dining hall, which was refurbished in time for the 60-year celebrations, and will be conducted by current University staff and the JCR.
£6.00
+£0.15 ticket service fee
4. Wills Memorial Building (A)
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August, from 11 am to 12.30 pm. Where: Wills Memorial Building. Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RJ 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
5. SS Great Britain Tour
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 16 August, from 11 am to 12 pm. Where: Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Road, Bristol BS1 6TY 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. Minimum 15 people required to go ahead.
From £13.00 to £21.00
£21.00
+£0.53 ticket service fee
£18.00
+£0.45 ticket service fee
£13.00
+£0.33 ticket service fee
6. Churchill Hall 70: Gardens
Sale ends
15 Aug, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August, 11.30 am Where: Botanic Gardens, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG Churchill Hall is celebrating 70 years, by organising a guided tour of the Botanic Gardens, created in the grounds of the Holmes. The tour will be led by a member of the Botanic Gardens team and is not to be missed.
£9.00
+£0.23 ticket service fee
7. Churchill Hall 70: Archives
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August. 12.30 pm Where: The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG Churchill Hall is celebrating 70 years, a Diamond Anniversary, by staging a viewing in the Holmes main entrance Hall of the D-Day story, and further in the Bradley Room the Hall Almanac and other historical materials. The Churchill Hall Association and a member of the Special Collections team will be present to aid you in your experience of these unique materials which they are kindly making available for this event.
£0.00
8. Wills Memorial Building (B)
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August. 1 pm to 2.30 pm. Where: Wills Memorial Building. Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RJ 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
9. Aerospace Bristol visit
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August. 1.30 pm arrival, 2pm tour. End after 3.30 pm Where: Aerospace Bristol, Hayes Way, Patchway, BS34 5BZ Discover the story of flight and see the iconic Concorde up close for a guided tour at Aerospace Bristol. Find out more about Aerospace Bristol: https://aerospacebristol.org/
£23.00
+£0.58 ticket service fee
10. Private Boat Tour
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August. 2 pm to 3 pm Where: Pick up and drop off at the SS Great Britain Landing , BS1 6UN (https://goo.gl/maps/dGstoMQbGpH4rqXA7 ) 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. Minimum 25 people required to go ahead.
£12.50
+£0.31 ticket service fee
11. Croquet Competition
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:05
When: Saturday 15 August. 2 pm to 5 pm Where: Wills Hall, BS9 1AE 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
12. Pétanque at Churchill
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August. 3 pm to 5 pm Where: Churchill Hall Quad Churchill Hall is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a special boules tournament on the Quad. Originating with the Romans over 2000 years ago and later refined in France as Pétanque, the game became so popular that Henry III of England once banned his archers from playing. Its enduring appeal continues today. We will be playing a simplified version suitable for all abilities, so gather a team and join the challenge.
£0.00
14. Evening Drinks Reception
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:05
When: Saturday 15 August at 6.15 pm Where: The Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG 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 Churchill Hall Association on behalf of the Bristol Alumni Network.
£10.00
+£0.25 ticket service fee
15. Reunion Weekend Dinner
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
When: Saturday 15 August at 7.15 pm Where: Wills Hall, BS9 1AE Reunion weekend annual dinner to which all alumni and friends are invited. The bar at Wills Hall will be open until midnight for post-dinner drinks. The guest speaker is Drinks reception hosted by the Churchill Hall Association on behalf of the Bristol Alumni Network. Ticket includes drinks reception and wine with dinner.
From £35.00 to £70.00
£70.00
+£1.75 ticket service fee
£35.00
+£0.88 ticket service fee
16. Wills Hall Association AGM
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
When: Sunday 16 August at 9.45 am Where: Michael Wong Pakshong Room, Wills Hall For Wills Hall Association members only. No booking required.
£0.00
17. Churchill Hall Assoc. AGM
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
When: Sunday 16 August at 9.45 am Where: The Bradley Room, the Holmes, Stoke Park Road, BS9 1JG For Churchill Hall Association members only. No booking required.
£0.00
18. Reunion Morning Service
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
When: Sunday 16 August at 10.30 am. Where: Dame Monica Wills Chapel, Wills Hall, BS9 1AE Morning Service led by Father Jack Noble, Rector of St Giles Cripplegate. 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
19. Arthur Graves Lecture
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
When: Sunday 16 August at 12.00 pm, coffee from 11.30am. Where: Dame Monica Wills Chapel, Wills Hall, BS9 1AE Our guest lecturer is Professor Nicholas Lieven, Imperial College London previously Professor of Aircraft Dynamics and later Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol. A retiring collection will be taken.
£0.00
20. Sunday Lunch at Wills
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
When: Sunday 16 August at 1 pm Where: Wills Hall, BS9 1AE Two course lunch in the Wills Hall Dining Room. All alumni and friends are welcome.
£23.00
+£0.58 ticket service fee
Wills Hall Accommodation
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
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 £39.00 to £86.00
£39.00
+£0.98 ticket service fee
£43.00
+£1.08 ticket service fee
£39.00
+£0.98 ticket service fee
The Holmes - Single Room
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
2 nights. Bed and breakfast accommodation in single rooms. Rooms can either have shared facilities or be ensuite.
From £78.00 to £88.00
£78.00
+£1.95 ticket service fee
£88.00
+£2.20 ticket service fee
The Holmes - Double Room
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:00
2 nights. Bed and breakfast accommodation in double rooms. Rooms can either have shared facilities or be ensuite.
From £120.00 to £136.00
£120.00
+£3.00 ticket service fee
£136.00
+£3.40 ticket service fee
Wills Hall Car Parking Permit
Sale ends
16 Aug, 14:00
Parking in the Hall car park costs £7.50 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 £7.50 to £22.50
£7.50
+£0.19 ticket service fee
£15.00
+£0.38 ticket service fee
£7.50
+£0.19 ticket service fee
The Holmes Car Parking
Sale ends
28 Jul, 17:05
Parking in the Hall car park costs £7.50 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 £7.50 to £22.50
£7.50
+£0.19 ticket service fee
£15.00
+£0.38 ticket service fee
£7.50
+£0.19 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.
£+Ticket service fee
Total
£0.00