Planning to stay or visit campus over the winter break? Here's everything you need to know about opening times, support and services across College Lane and de Havilland campuses.
- University opening times
- Student Support Services
- Ask Herts
- Learning Resources Centres (LRCs)
- Campus shop
- Food and drink on campus
- Festive Food
- Staying in halls this Christmas?
- The Forum bar and nightclub
- Herts SU
- Chaplaincy
- Day Nursery
- Security and emergencies
- Adverse weather conditions
- Uno buses
🕒 University Opening Times
University offices will be closed from 12.00 on Wednesday 24 December 2025 until 08.30 on Monday 5 January 2026. However, there will still be plenty of support available during this time.
💬 Student Support During the Break
If you are living on campus and need to chat, call 01707 281010 to speak to a Residential Assistant (RA).
- Available 24/7, every day over the Christmas.
⚠️ Our wellbeing service is closed from 12.00 on Wednesday 24 December 2025 until 08.30 Monday 5 January 2026.
You can still refer yourself online via the Student Self Referral and Consent to Share form. A member of the team will contact you in the new year.
If you would like to access some additional support over the closure, please see below for a range of services.
⚠️If your health or wellbeing worsens: Contact your GP or call 111 for non emergency medical advice. Call 999 in an emergency
24/7 Helplines and Support
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Student Assistance Helpline |
Call 0808 196 3533 (Counselling, advice, medical guidance, finances). 24/7 support. |
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Call 0808 8084994 (15:00-00:00 daily) Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7 support) Webchat 16.00 - 23.00 Email for a response within 24 hours |
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Call 0800 585858 (17.00 - 00.00). Webchat 17.00 -24.00. |
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Call 0800 068 4141 (suicide prevention) |
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Call 116 123 (available 24/7) Email for a response within 24 hours |
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NHS Mental Health Helpline |
Call 01438 843322 (17.00 - 21.00 weekdays; 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays. |
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All offer online support and peer communities |
❓ Ask Herts Opening Times
All Ask Herts services will be closed from midday, 24 December 2025 until Monday 5 January 2026.
Any queries received after closure will be answered when we reopen.
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In person-services |
Closes |
Reopens |
Times |
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Ask Herts Hutton |
Tue 23 December 15:45 |
Mon 5 January 2026 |
From 10:00 |
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Ask Herts de Havilland |
Tue 23 December 15:45 |
Mon 5 January 2026 |
From 10:00 |
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Ask Herts Innovation |
Fri 12 December 15:00 |
Mon 5 January 2026 |
From 10:00 |
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Phonelines |
Wed 24 December 11:45 |
Mon 5 January 2026 |
From 10:00 |
Click for more information about the Ask Herts Hubs.
📚 Learning Resources Centres (LRCs)
Both College Lane and de Havilland LRCs are open 24/7 throughout the winter vacation.LRC Christmas and New Year opening and services
Study Skills Support
- Face-to-face Study Success Hub closes Thursday 11 December → reopens Tuesday 20 January 2026
- Online Library SkillUp chat closes Tuesday 23 December, 16:00 → reopens Monday 5 January, 10:00
Keep using:
- Library SkillUp (Canvas module): specialist online study skills support with lots of useful help on topics such as searching, reading, referencing and evaluating
- Online Library:Extensive digital book and journal collection e-books, journals, reading lists, Resource List from Canvas
- Remote desktop service: access campus PCs anywhere
- Additional online resources including subject specific resources; images, video and audio resources; and general reference materials.
On-site Help
- LRC Welcome Desks close Tuesday 23 December, 17:00 → reopen Monday 5 January, 10:00
- Technical support unavailable 24 December – 5 January
- Contact helpdesk@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1707 284678 for 24/7 remote help.
👉 See full Learning Resources Centres opening details
Information on other support services can be found on the Study Success Hub page.
Campus shop
- College Lane Campus Shop: Open 08.00 - 16.00 Monday to Friday.
- Closed on bank holidays and weekends.
☕ Food and Drink on Campus
College Lane campus
Most outlets close from 12 December and reopen early January 2026.
|
Outlet |
Closes |
Changes |
Reopens |
Opening Times |
|
Food Court |
Friday 12 December |
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Monday 12 January 2026 |
11:30-15:00 |
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Starbucks |
Wednesday 24 December |
Friday 12 -Tuesday 23 December: 08:00-16:00 |
Monday 5 January 2026 |
08:00-16:00 |
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Subway |
Friday 12 December |
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Monday 12 January 2026 |
10:30-20:00 |
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Café Rore |
Wednesday 24 December |
Friday 12 - Tuesday 23 December: 08:00-16:00 Wednesday 24 December: 08:00-12:00 |
Monday 5 January 2026
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08:00-16:00
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Café Spectra |
Friday 12 December |
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Monday 12 January 2026 |
08:00-16:00 |
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Campus Premier Shop |
Wednesday 24 December |
Friday 12 - Tuesday 23 December: 08:00-16:00 Wednesday 24 December: 08:00-12:00 |
Monday 5 January 2026 Monday 12 January 2026 |
08:00-16:00 09:00-18:00 |
Normal opening hours on College Lane
de Havilland campus
|
Outlet |
Closing |
Changes |
Reopens |
Opening Times |
|
Food Court |
Friday 12 December |
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Monday 12 January 2026 |
10:30-15:00 |
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Café Ambition |
Wednesday 24 December |
Friday 12 - Tuesday 23 December: 08:00-16:00 |
Monday 5 January 2026 Monday 12 January 2026 |
08:00-16:00 08:00-20:00 |
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Café Sport |
Wednesday 24 December |
Friday 12-Tuesday 23 December: 08:00-17:00 Wednesday 24 December: 08:00-12:00 Wednesday 31 December: 08:00-14:00 |
Monday 5 January 2026 Monday 12 January 2026 |
08:00-17:00 08:00-18:00
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Normal opening hours on de Havilland
🍽️ Festive Food
From Tuesday 2 to Thursday 4th December enjoy a Traditional Christmas Dinner ( £6.95) in our Food Courts - turkey, vegetarian tart or guest roast, plus pudding or mince pie.
Starting Monday 24 November, try our festive treats across campus cafes:
- Festive Panini: available at Starbucks, Café Rore, Café Sports & Ambition.
- Pigs in Blanket Mac & Cheese :served at Café Rore, Café Spectra & Ambition.
- Christmas sweet treats and seasonal hot drinks– in all coffee outlets
🎉 Staying in Halls Over Christmas?
Don’t miss the Dean of Students Christmas Carnival 🗓 24 December | 🕛 12:00–16:00 | 📍 On Campus
🎄 What’s Happening?
- Christmas Crafts
- Fun Games & Prizes
- Tasty Food & Drinks
- Music, Dancing & Herts Squad vibes
💸 Cost: £2 (includes lunch) 📲 Book now on the e-shop!
🎉 The Forum Bar & Nightclub
- Last event: Thursday 11 December 2025
- Reopens: Wednesday 28 January 2026
Herts Students' Union (SU)
Closed 16.00 on Friday 19 December 2025 - 10:00 Monday 5 January 2026.
Welcome Desks
- College Lane: Closes Tuesday 23 December (16.00). Reopens Monday 5 January (10.00).
- de Havilland: Closes Friday 12 December (16:00) . It will reopen on Monday 19 January 2026 at 10.00.
Advice & Support
In-person appointments are available at the Advice & Support Centre up until 16.00 on Friday 12 December.
Email , telephone and Microsoft Teams appointments will be availableup until 16.00 on Friday 19 December.
Advice & Support will re-open for all apointments on Monday 5 January 2026, 10.00. The Advice & Support Centre will re-open for in-person appointments from 5 January 2026 at 10.00.
✝️ Chaplaincy
Closed: Wednesday 24 December (12:00) - Monday 5 January 2026.
🎄 Christmas Carol Service 🎶
- When: Wednesday 4 December, 12:00–1:00 PM
- Where: Hutton Hub, College Lane
Get into the festive spirit with carols and readings led by the UH Singers!
🎤 The UH Nursery will kick things off with a cute singalong, and we’ll wrap up with mulled wine and mince pies to celebrate the holidays. 🥧🍷
All UH students and staff are welcome – come along and feel the Christmas cheer!
📅 Check the Student Event Calendar for more info
👶 Day Nursery
Open: 08:00–18:00 (Monday–Friday)
Closed on Bank Holidays and during University closure.
📞 01707 284448 | ✉️ nursery@herts.ac.uk
🚨 Security and Emergencies
- Security (out of hours): 01707 281010 (ext.1010).
- Emergency line: 01707 285555 (ext. 5555).
🌨️ Adverse Weather
For updates on travel and campus access, visit the adverse weather management page
🚌 Uno Buses
Check festive timetables on the Uno Bus website.