Facilities and support available during the winter break

On this page:

• University opening times
• Student support services
• Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)
• Food and drink on campus
• Festive food
• The Forum bar and nightclub
• Students' Union
• Chaplaincy
• Ask Herts
• Security and emergency contacts
• Adverse weather conditions
• Uno buses
• University events

University opening times

University offices will be closed from 12.00 on Tuesday 24 December 2024 until 08.30 on Thursday 2 January 2025. However, there will still be plenty of support available during this time. 

Student support services

If you are living on campus and need to chat with anyone during the festive break, just give 01707 281010 a call and ask to speak to a Residential Assistant (RA). Our out-of-hours RA team will be available 24/7 over the Christmas festive period, so there is always someone you can call.

Please note our wellbeing service is closed from 12.00 on Tuesday 24 December 2024 until 08.30 Thursday 2 January 2025. 

To access our support, you can refer yourself by completing the form and we will be in touch in the new year. 

If you would like to access some additional support over the closure, please see below for a range of services. 

Please note: If your mental or physical health symptoms get worse, please visit your GP/Doctor as they are your primary care contact. Alternatively, you can call 111 or 999 to access immediate/urgent support.

Learning Resources Centres (LRCs)

Both of our LRCs will remain open 24/7 over the winter break.

We advise that you check the University website for the latest LRC opening hours before you travel in case of short notice changes. 

Our on-site library and technical support will be unavailable during the University closure period (12:00 Tuesday 24 December to 08:00 Thursday 2 January).  

• Phone support will remain available 24/7 Tel: +44(0)1707 284678
• Online help is available 24/7. Search Ask Herts

Find out more about what's available in the LRCs during the festive period.

Food and drink on campus

College Lane

Please find normal hours here

de Havilland

Please find normal hours here

Festive food

From Monday 2 to Wednesday 11 December, join us at lunch time in the Food Courts for a Traditional Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings for £6.95. 

Choose from Roast Turkey, a flavourful Guest Roast, or a delicious Vegetarian Tart - perfect for enjoying the festive spirit with friends and colleagues. 

Still room for more? Finish off your meal with some Christmas Pudding or a Mince Pie!

On the go? We’ve got you covered! Starting from Monday 25 November, indulge in:

Festive Panini – available at Starbucks, Café Rore, Café Sports & Ambition.

Pigs in Blanket Mac & Cheese – served at Café Rore, Café Spectra & Ambition.

Specialty Christmas Cronuts – in all coffee outlets, perfectly paired with our seasonal hot drinks.

Staying in halls this Christmas? Join the ResLife team at the Oval on the College Lane campus for a FREE lunch with games and prizes! 

Please make sure you have booked a ticket from the details provided directly to your email address. All students currently living on campus have been invited to book for a 12pm or 1pm slot. You will have received an e-ticket which you need to show on your arrival. To assist staff working on the day please do not arrive until your timed slot.

The Forum bar and nightclub

The last student event at The Forum this year will be on Thursday 12 December. The first student even in the new year will be on 22 January.

Herts SU

The Students' Union will close for the Christmas break from 16.00 on Friday 20 December. It will re-open on Thursday 2 January at 10.00.

Please see our service opening hours below.

Welcome Desks

Our Welcome Desks on both College Lane and de Havilland will close from 16.00 on Friday 13 December 2024. Our Welcome desk on College Lane will re-open at 10.00 on Monday 6 January and our Welcome Desk on de Havilland will re-open on Monday 20 January at 10.00.

Advice & Support

In-person appointments are available at the Advice & Support Centre up until 16:00 on Friday 13 December 2024.

Email, telephone and Microsoft Teams appointments will be available up until 16:00 on Thursday 19 December 2024.

Advice & Support will re-open for email, telephone and video call on Thursday 2 January 2025, 10.00. The Advice & Support Centre will re-open for in-person appointments from Monday 6 January at 10.00.

Chaplaincy

University Carol Service

Come and hear the Christmas message led by the University Chaplain, and enjoy singing some popular carols supported by members of the Go Herts Choir.

It will be held in the Hutton Hub, College Lane, on Thursday 5 December from 12.30, and stay for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to celebrate the season afterwards. 

Ask Herts

Please see below the opening times for the Ask Herts Hubs in the lead-up to Christmas. Outside of this period, the Hubs follow the same opening times as the University offices. Click for more information about the Ask Herts Hubs. 

Security and Emergencies

If you need any assistance during the Christmas break, please contact our out of hours security team by calling 01707 281010 (internal extension 1010). 

In cases of emergency, please call the Emergency line 01707 285555 (internal extension 5555). 

Adverse weather conditions

If there are any suspected forecasted adverse weather conditions over the holidays and you need more information on travelling in and out of campus, please visit the adverse weather management page.

Uno buses

For changes to Uno bus services, please visit the Uno bus website.

What’s on

There are some events taking place over the holidays. Take a look at what’s happening.