Frequently Asked Questions

Conference

• How can I find out the College vacation dates for future years?

  This information can be found by following this link.

• Can we host an event in both the Møller Centre and College buildings?

  We welcome events which are jointly hosted. Please contact the Conference Office for more information.

• Can our guest speakers and VIPs stay at the Møller Centre?

  Executive accommodation is available at the Møller Centre for guests attending events in College. However, availability of rooms is limited and we recommend early confirmation of numbers. Please contact our Accommodation Office for more information.

• Can we hold an outdoor concert?

  Our premises license restricts musical performance in our grounds. We recommend that music is performed either in the Wolfson Hall or the Recital Room with interval drinks served on the College lawn.

• Do you host events with other Colleges?

  Yes. There are a number of Colleges in close proximity to Churchill. Please contact the Conference Office to discuss your requirements.

• Do you welcome groups which do not require conference facilities?

  Yes, we welcome groups during vacations. Please contact the Accommodation Office to discuss your requirements.

• Do you have a gym?

  Yes, we have a gym on site, and all guests wishing to use this facility must complete an induction. We also have squash and tennis courts and jogging paths around the site. There are no charges to use our facilities. Information and keys are available from the Porters' Lodge.

Accommodation

• Can independent travellers book accommodation at the College?

  Yes, rooms can be booked on an individual basis during the vacations. Bookings can be made via our Accommodation Office.

• Do you have accommodation available during term time?

  No, only members of College and their guests may stay in College during term. However you may find availability at the Møller Centre, our sister venue on the College site. Please contact the Møller Centre directly.

• What happens if we need more bedrooms than you have available?

  Additional accommodation can be sourced at the Møller Centre, or neighbouring colleges within strolling distance on Storey's Way. Our Accommodation Office will co-ordinate these bookings and liaise with the other Colleges on your behalf. Separate contracts will be prepared for you with each venue.

• Do bedrooms have Internet access?

  All bedrooms have free high-speed broadband access via CAT-5 ethernet cable. If you do not have your own cable, they are available to purchase from the Porters. Lodge for £4.

• Can you upgrade rooms for VIPs?

  We can arrange to upgrade individual rooms for VIPs with fully stocked mini refrigerators, fruit bowls and flowers.

• Do you have TVs in the bedrooms?

  Our study bedrooms are designed for students and do not have televisions, but there is a TV room in the main college building. Popular sporting fixtures can be broadcast on a large screen in the Buttery Bar by prior arrangement. All bedrooms have clock radios and free Internet access.

• Do you have self-catering accommodation?

  No, meals can be purchased from the main Dining Hall and Cambridge has a wide variety of restaurants only a short walk from the College.

Catering

• Do you cater for weddings?

  We welcome weddings from members of the College and Alumni. Contact should be made with the Conference Office in the first instance. We regret that we are unable to cater for non-College weddings. Conference Cambridge can offer a list of alternative venues.

• Can we bring our own wine and caterers?

  You are welcome to bring your own wine. We charge a corkage fee for this which covers the cost of service and handling. Please contact the Conference Office for details. We do not normally allow other caterers to use our kitchens as these are in constant use for College dining. Our catering team has many years of experience dealing with special diets and we have a number of specialist suppliers for Kosher and Halal meals. Please contact our Catering Manager to discuss your needs.

• Can we change your menus?

  We are happy to accommodate any special requests for different menu items. Contact our Catering Manager to discuss your requirements.

• Can we hold a barbeque at the College?

  Yes: we welcome summer parties. However, there are restrictions on musical performance in consideration of our neighbours. Please speak to the Conference Office for more information.

• Can we have exclusive use of the Dining Hall?

  College members use the Dining Hall at lunchtime and in the evening. During vacations it is possible to arrange exclusive use provided that we are able to make alternative arrangements for College members resident on-site. To enquire about availability and rates, please contact the Conference Office.

• Can you cater for food allergies and special diets?

  Yes: our experienced team of chefs prepare appropriate meals throughout the year for College members with special dietary requirements. It is important that guests with food allergies alert us to their needs before their arrival so that special arrangements can be made. Please contact the Conference Office with your requirements.

• Can we use the self-service counter in the Dining Hall?

  Yes: individual guests are welcome to use this service and pay at the till. We normally arrange account payment for groups wishing to use the counter. Please contact the Conference Office with your requirements.

Audio Visual Services

• Can we use our own production company?

  The College employs a team of full time technicians to support all of our clients' events. The Wolfson Hall is equipped with the latest presentation, recording and sound reproduction technology. The team is experienced in working with data and video projection, sound reproduction, pod-casting, video conferencing and video editing. If you have a production company that you are used to working with our technicians will be happy to work alongside them to ensure they make the best use of the equipment in the theatre. Please contact our AV team to discuss your requirements.

• Can we build a set on the stage?

  Yes: you will need to book the Wolfson Hall for installation and break-down times which will be charged in addition to the hire period. We have a number of requirements regarding health & safety considerations such as flame retardancy and stability of props. Details, including the measurements of the stage are available from the AV team.

• Do you have front or back projection in the Wolfson Hall?

  We have front projection. The projection room is located above the seating at the back of the auditorium.

General

• Do you have parking on site?

  Yes: we have 120 free spaces, which are available on a first-come-first-served basis. We also occasionally create overflow parking adjacent to North Court, but this is subject to prevailing weather conditions. Additional free parking is available all day at the Park & Ride facility on Madingley Road. Buses run every 10 minutes to the corner of Storey's Way. Further information is available here.

• Do you have dedicated parking spaces for wheelchair users?

  Yes: we have 3 allocated spaces, which are highlighted on the site plan of the College. This can be downloaded here, or a copy obtained from the Conference Office.

• Do you have speakers available to talk about the College history?

  Yes: we can arrange after-dinner and academic speakers and tours of the Churchill Archive Centre for groups of up to 60 people. There is a separate scale of fees for these. Please contact the Conference Office to discuss your requirements.

• Do you have first aiders on site?

  Yes: there are a number of trained first aiders on site, including all the Porters in the Porters' Lodge, which is open 24 hours a day. We also have arrangements with an out-of-hours doctor service for referring guests who feel unwell. Addenbrooke's Hospital is the closest Accident & Emergency service in Cambridge.

• Can you book me a guided tour of Cambridge?

  Yes: the city council licenses Blue Badge Guides who can provide walking tours of the City Centre during vacations. Further information is available from Visit Cambridge or alternatively speak to the Conference Office about our recommended guide.

• What arrangements are available for guests with disabilities?

  Fixed induction loops are fitted in the Wolfson Hall and several of the meeting rooms. We also provide a portable induction loop which guests can obtain from the AV Team. Other services include accessible lifts to the Dining Hall and Buttery Bar; a fully adapted wheelchair accessible bedroom; ramped access to all public areas; large print versions of menus, welcome packs and site plans. More details can be found on our Accessibility page.

• Can our guests smoke at Churchill College?

  In compliance with government legislation, smoking is not permitted within the buildings or bedrooms of Churchill College. There are designated outdoor smoking points with cigarette refuse bins in each courtyard and adjacent to the Concourse.