Christmas 2022 on Exeter Campuses
Staying on campus or in Exeter over the winter break and Christmas? If so, check out the pages below to find out what facilities, services and events are available within the University.
Most facilities and services will be available as normal until Friday 23 December, and will re-open for normal business on Tuesday 3 January. Between these times there may be limited opening hours and we advise you check details on this page. Full information on services will be available here by Friday 16 December.
Events and activities on campus
Wednesday 7 December |
6pm |
Chaplaincy Carol Service, Refreshments after. |
St Luke's Chapel. St Lukes Campus |
Thursday 8 December |
12-4pm |
Make Christingles with the Chaplaincy. |
Forum Street |
Thursday 8 December |
5-5.30pm |
Chaplains will lead a short Christingle service near the Forum Christmas tree. Join us to sing carols, hear Christmas readings and light the Christingles. Followed by free mince pies, mulled wine and spiced apple juice. |
Forum Street |
Friday 9 December |
10.30-11.30am |
Intercultural Cafe, come and join us for a free hot drink and a pastry. The Chaplaincy will be leading us in a discussion about celebrating Christmas in the UK. |
Isca Eats, Cornwall House |
Friday 9 December |
3-5pm |
Join the Full Time Officers for their Guild Grotto followed by a mystery Christmas film in Newman Collaborative from 6pm |
Devonshire House |
Monday 12 December |
7.15-8.30pm |
Exeter University Evangelical Christian Union Carol Service. |
St James' Park Football Stadium |
Tuesday 13 December |
10:30 – 12:30 |
Neil Cross room, level 1 Library | |
Thursday 15 December |
2:00 – 3:30pm |
Neil Cross room, level 1 Library | |
Friday 16 December |
10.30-11.30 |
Intercultural Cafe: Waving and welcome across sameness and difference. Come and chat to Katherine and Ella about how to feel good at Exeter University and what wellbeing means across the globe. We'll be sharing some tasty Christmas treats too! |
Isca Eats, Cornwall House |
Wednesday 21 December |
11.00-12.00 |
Winter Break Coffee Morning - come and meet other students staying in Exeter over the winter break. |
DH1, Devonshire House |
Sunday 25 December |
12.30 |
Traditional Christmas dinner on campus. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Click here to purchase tickets (until 19 December or whilst stocks last. See link below) |
The Students’ Guild
All events hosted by the Students’ Guild and our societies can be found here. We’ve also put together a handy guide to events happening in Devon over the winter break here (Exeter Guild)
Traditional Christmas dinner - Sunday 25 December
In Exeter on Christmas Day (December 25)? Why not join our traditional Christmas Day Lunch in Lopes Hall from 12.30pm (for lunch at 1pm)?
Tickets are £15.00 per adult, £10.00 per child and must be booked before 12 noon, Monday 19 December.
Arrival drink, 2 course lunch with all the trimmings, Christmas present and more included. All students and staff welcome with their families. Purchase tickets.
Events in Exeter
Christmas services
There are a range of events taking place at Exeter Cathedral throughout this month, up to and including Christmas Day. You can find out further details of services here. For details of Christmas church services in Exeter, please contact chaplaincy@exeter.ac.uk or individual chaplains via the Chaplaincy webpages and their facebook pages.
Robin Hood at the Nortcott Theatre
When the scheming Sheriff of Nottingham enlists the forces of evil to help him steal the crown, it’s time for true heroes to step forward. Enter Robin, Marian and their makeshift band of merry men to stand up for the people of England and save the day. This is how legends are made, or at least it would be if they knew what they were doing.
This Christmas, Exeter Northcott (Beauty and the Beast) and Le Navet Bete (Treasure Island, A Christmas Carol) are joining forces to bring you a hilarious new family show. With all the festive fun of panto, Le Navet Bete’s trademark madcap comedy, a cast of 9, stunning sets and costumes, music and dance – this is going to be an experience not to miss.
Cinderella at the Corn Exchange
For well over a decade Exeter Corn Exchange has been the home of traditional family fun at Christmas time. Join them for a heart-warming panto classic. Will Cinderella go to the ball? Will the Ugly Sisters finally get their come-uppance?
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Visit the Exeter's Christmas Market from 18 November - 18 December for some delicious christmas spirit. Ride the Elf Express on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday or just browse the stalls.
It will soon be Christmas and on Christmas day billions of people round the world will celebrate by sharing a Christmas meal with friends and family.
We are hosting our annual Christmas day event for our student community, where you have a chance to join other students at Lopes Hall for a traditional Christmas Lunch.
Lopes Hall will be decked out in lots of sparkly Christmas decorations and the tree lights will be on while our team of Chefs will be cooking a Traditional Christmas Lunch, your hosts serve you mulled wine, so you can enjoy the festive day together.
When lunch is ready, you will be invited in the dining room where you will have enough time to pull your Christmas Cracker, before lunch is served. There will also be a present from Santa waiting for you on the table.
When you have finished your 2-course lunch and enjoyed your coffee and traditional mince pies, you will all be invited to the social area to watch the Royal Christmas message. This is a British tradition which began in 1932. Where a broadcast is made by the Sovereign to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations and is the nation's top live program and is watched by 1 in 3 Britons. This year marks the first speech that will be made by King Charles III
Tickets are limited and are available to purchase now using the below link:
https://store.exeter.ac.uk/product-catalogue/residence-life
Adult ticket £15, Child (8 years old or under) £10
We have a limited number of tickets available free to students who would like to attend but are in financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a ticket please email communities@exeterguild.com before 16 December. These tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets sales will close at 12 midday on Monday 19th December. Subject to availability.
Monday 12 – Friday 16 December
Term time opening hours see here for details:
SID: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/sid/
Hubs: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/infopoints/openinghours/
Saturday 17 December
Forum Student Information Desk only open 9.00am to 5.00pm, Phone line open 08:00 – 17:00.
Monday 19 – Friday 23 December
Phone Lines, SID enquiries and Info Point Desks/Hubs open 9.00am - 5.00pm
Saturday 24 December – Monday 2 January
All Info Point/Hubs and SID closed.
Tuesday 3 – Friday 6 January
Phone Lines, SID enquiries and Info Point Desks open 9.00am - 5.00pm
Forum study spaces
- Open 24/7 throughout Winter Break
Forum Library
- 24/7 from 24 December - 4 January (including study spaces)
- Library online chat available 24/7 throughout
- Library staff available at Forum Library, 28-30December 10.00-16.00. Normal service will be resumed on January 3rd.
Student Services Centre study spaces
- 24/7 from 24 December - 4 January (including PC provision)
St Lukes campus
- Haighton Libraryclosed 23 December, reopening 4 January
International Student Support can be contacted in the usual ways until 3pm Friday 23 December after which we will close for the Christmas break. The team will be back at 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
If your question can’t wait, why not browse through our most popular links to help answer your questions:
Wellbeing Services will be operating a reduced service over the winter break.
Up until Friday 23 December, please call 01392 724381 if you need any support. Our wellbeing and welfare teams are ready to assist you.
From 5pm Friday 23rd December - Tuesday 3rd January please contact Estate Patrol on 01392 723999 who will assess your call and get in touch with an on-call Wellbeing Adviser as appropriate. Estate Patrol is a mobile, response-based service covering all aspects of security, safety and welfare for staff and students.
There is also a lot of information, advice and guidance on the University’s Wellbeing and Support webpages. This includes apps, webinars and workbooks which you may find helpful.
You an access a wide range of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy based support online through Living Life to the Full, including courses on low mood, anxiety and stress. You can access Living Life to the Full through our A-Z of support services.
All students have access to Togetherall which is an online support community, offering peer and professional support and is available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Postgraduate research students can also access Spectrum Life for counselling and support .
If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health and want to speak with someone you can call First Response on 08081968708 First Response Service | DPT
You can also contact The Samaritans on 116123. Or 999 in an emergency.
The Student Health centre will be offering NHS GP services to students from 8.30am – 6pm Monday to Friday except for Bank Holidays of Sunday 25, Monday 26 December 2023, Tuesday 27 December 2023 and Monday 2 January 2023.
Please where possible continue to use Online Consultations and call 01392 6766676 if you have an urgent request. We can provide virtual appointments via the telephone or video and will arrange face to face assessments if clinically required. St Thomas Medical Group | NHS GP Surgery
If you would like to request repeat medication please email d-icb.stthomasp@nhs.net detailing the medication you require. If you have not had the medication prescribed by the Student Health Centre team before, please send us an online consultation form.
Outside of these hours please phone NHS 111 for non-urgent medical advice. For medical emergencies please call 999.
Regular pastoral support will be in place until Friday 16th December. Please contact chaplaincy@exeter.ac.uk or contact Ramona Nash on 07557 064976 (until 14 December) or Simon Taylor on 07968 237278 (15-16 December).
**Please be aware this is not an emergency service and for specific mental health support, please see the Wellbeing Services section**
Muslim Prayer – The Old Library prayer rooms (Streatham) and the prayer rooms at Staff House (St. Luke’s) will remain open during the University's closure period (25 December - 3 January 2021 inclusive) for students to access the prayer space. This will be available via swipe card access.
The mosque will be open as usual for daily prayers throughout the Christmas period. Yousef Hindess will be attending noon prayer and late evening prayer should you wish to meet with him.
The Career Zone Front Desk service will be open for business as usual until the last day of term (Friday 16 December, 9-5) and then will be open 10am-3pm virtually during the vacation. At Penryn the virtual opening times are 12-4pm.
Residence Receptions
Residence Reception opening hours will differ between Monday 19 December and Tuesday 3 January. To find out your reception’s opening hours, please see here. If your reception isn’t open during this period and you need help with lost keys or any other emergencies, please contact Estate Patrol.
Cleaning
Cleaning will be undertaken daily between 24th and 2nd January within the Forum / Forum Library between 10am and 5pm. Wipes are located in the Library and study spaces and also within self-catered residences on campus for those remaining on campus.
Residence Life
Res Life Mentors will be running a live chat from 1-3pm each day (excluding 25, 26 December and 1 January) accessed through their website: Residence Life Team | Accommodation | University of Exeter
The Digital Hub in Penryn and Exeter will be shut for face-to-face support between the following dates:
- Friday, 16 December 2022 at 12:00 – opening 09:00, Wednesday 4 January 2022
The IT Service Desk will be closed for support:
- to be updated by 16 December
Don’t worry though as we have many guides and videos available on the Digital Hub online and also you can find the solution to IT problems via the IT Knowledge Base.
- Tuesday 6 December 8-9pm (Sport shall): Cheerleading
- Thursday 8 of December 12-1pm (Studio 3): Jiu Jitsu
- Tuesday 13 of December 8-9pm (Sports hall): Badminton
- Thursday 15 of December 12-1pm (Squash courts): Squash/racquetball
12 days or Xmas campaign that is running 1-12 December offering freebies and discounts. It is all being released across the Uni of Exeter Sport Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
The Social Sport Christmas Cups are here! Beginning with group games, everyone will play against multiple other social sport teams. Those that do well will progress to the knockout stages, playing until there are only two teams left. Win the final, and your team will be crowned our Christmas Cup winners.
Football:
The football Christmas Cup will take place on the Rubber Crumb, Saturday 10th of December 12-6pm. Entries are open now on Playwaze until 11:59pm on Wednesday the 7th of December. To enter, please click here.
Hockey:
The hockey Christmas Cup will take place on the Water Pitch, Sunday the 4th of December, 4-10pm. Entries will be taken via the intramural hockey Facebook page. To enter, please join the Facebook page here
Sports Park (Streatham Campus)
- Saturday 24: 08:30-14:00
- Sunday 25 and Monday 26: CLOSED
- Tuesday 27 – Friday 30: 08:30-18:00
- Saturday 31: 08:30-14:00
- Monday 1 January: CLOSED
- Tuesday 2: 06.30-22.00 (Back To Normal Hours)
Sport - St Lukes Campus
- Saturday 17 and Sunday 18: 08:30-15:00
- Monday 19 and Tuesday 20: 08:30-19:30
- Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22: 08:30-15:00
- Friday 23: 14:30-21:30
- Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26: CLOSED
- Tuesday 27 – Thursday 29: 08:30-15:00
- Friday 30: 14:30-21:30
- Saturday 31: 08:30-13:30
- Sunday 1 – Tuesday 3 January: CLOSED
- Wednedsay 4 and Thursday 5: 08:30-19:30
- Friday 6: 14:30-21:30
- Saturday 7 and Sun 8: 8:30-15:00
Fitness Class timetables
- We have many great Fitness classes happening even though the Christmas break at Streatham and St Lukes.
Strava Festive Break Challenge: there are two simple rules.
- Join our Strava club - Click Here
- Take a festive selfie and post it onto our Strava run and tag us on Instagram @uniofexetersport
Prizes will be awarded for the best photos!
For the latest opening times of campus retail and catering click here.
For information about Students Guild opening times see here
Join the Full Time Officers for their Guild Grotto on Friday 9 December 3-5pm, Forum. Followed by a mystery Christmas film in Newman Collaborative from 6pm.
Friday 9 December |
3-5pm |
Join the Full Time Officers for their Guild Grotto, Forum followed by a mystery Christmas film in Newman Collaborative from 6pm. |
Wednesday 21 December |
11.00-12.00 |
Winter Break Coffee Morning - come and meet other students staying in Exeter over the winter break. |
The Estate Patrol Control Room is staffed 24/7 this includes the Christmas closure period. Estate Patrol Officers will be available to provide advice, direction and attend incidents as required. The Non-emergency telephone line is 01392 723999, in cases of emergency individuals should contact the emergency services on 999 and then contact the Estate Patrol through their emergency line 01392 722222.
In the event of an emergency involving student welfare, Estate Patrol (01392 723999) will be able to contact Student Services Senior Management Team staff to co-ordinate a response.
During the Christmas closure period Saturday 24 December to Monday 2 January inclusive, the heating systems in all academic and academic related buildings listed below will be run in an energy saving mode that will maintain a minimum building temperature of around 12’C.
The temperature within buildings will be returned to normal levels within sufficient time to ensure the buildings are up to temperature for our return on Tuesday 3rd January.
Buildings run in energy saving mode:
- Amory Building (all except research lab areas)
- Arabic & Islamic
- Business School Blg One
- Business School Streatham Court
- Business School Xfi
- Byrne House
- Clayden House
- Clydesdale House
- Cornwall House
- Duryard House
- Laver Building - excluding the IT Data Centre which operates as normal
- Devonshire House
- Estates Services Clydesdale Rise
- Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
- Forum Offices
- Harrison Building (all except research areas)
- Hatherly Building (all except research areas)
- Hope Hall offices
- Innovation Centre 1
- Innovation 2 Radiators
- Kay Labs
- Kay House
- Knightley
- Lafrowda House
- Lazenby
- Newman and Peter Chalk Centre
- Northcote House
- Old Library (except data centre)
- University of Exeter Medical School admin areas
- Physics (all except research areas)
- Queen’s Building
- Reed Hall
- Reed Mews Careers and Health Centre
- Roborough House
- Thornlea/Alexander Building/Whitehouse
- Science Park V Simulator (except research equipment areas)
- St. Luke’s Baring Court
- St. Luke’s College House
- St.Luke’s North Cloisters
- St. Luke’s Richards
- St. Luke’s Smeale
- St.Luke’s Staff House
- St. Luke’s South Cloisters (except research areas)
- St.Lukes X Keys
- Streatham Farm
- SWIOT Building
- Washington Singer & Sir Henry Welcome (all except labs and aquaria)
Temperatures in residential buildings will be maintained at normal levels unless it is specifically requested to run them in energy saving mode.
The heating in the following buildings will not be altered:
- Amory Labs,
- Biocatalysis
- Forum Street
- Geoffrey Pope, Labs & Research areas
- Hatherly Labs & Research
- Innovation Centre 2 Air Systems
- LSI Labs & research,
- UE Medical School Labs,
- Northcote Theatre,
- Physics Helium Store
- St. Luke’s Chapel
The heating in the following buildings will follow published opening times:
- Sports Park Streatham
- Sports Park St. Luke’s
- Forum Library including Seminar Rooms & Library Extension Rooms
- St. Luke’s Haighton Library
Estate Patrol will be unable to fulfil requests to have heating turned on in buildings over the closure period.
Normal service until Friday 23 December, re-starting Tuesday 3 January.
Receptions (non student residences)
Normal operation until 4pm / 5pm Friday 23 December, re-opening Tuesday 3 January.
Central Mail Room, Streatham Campus
Normal operation until 4pm 22nd December for Royal Mail deliveries and collections – re-opening Tuesday 3rd January