Frequently asked questions: Radcliffe Observatory Campaign Phase 1

With scaffolding now nearing completion on both the north and south elevations, work on the next phase of the window restoration programme is due to commence. The repair and conservation of the building’s 62 windows is a complex and labour-intensive undertaking, requiring specialist craftsmanship. As a result, there will be some unavoidable operational impacts on rooms within the building during the course of the works. Further information on these impacts is provided below.

Last updated 15 June 2026

 

Key dates to note:

• The Common Room, William Gibson Room, Fellows’ Room and Tower will be closed from 6 July until 6 October, with no access to upper floors during this period.
• The Grzeslo Dining Room will also be unavailable from 6 July until lunchtime on 15 September. The Events office will also not be in use at this time – please email or Teams the Events department during this time.
• The kitchens will require an additional week of summer closure to facilitate repair and refurbishment of the kitchen windows. As a result, there will be no dining service from 21 August until 14 September and lunch service will resume on 15 September .
• From 13 July, the Dining Room windows will be temporarily removed and replaced with boarding. this will alter the appearance and atmosphere of the Dining Room.
• The lodge will move from its current location to the east wing of the Observatory, this will happen in late September.  Futher details will be communicated in due course.

Questions

Will I still be able to book in for lunches?

Yes this remains the same, except for the dining room having no natural light for a few weeks in July and August and then the dining room is closed completely from 22nd August until 15th September, when normal lunches will resume.

What alternatives are there to the Common room?

The Stables bar and Gallery can be used as an informal space, as well as the Gardens and Quads.  The coffee machine in the Gallery is available to use apart from the catering closedown period (21 August – 14 September)

Will student suppers be affected?

No, these will continue to be held in the dining as usual, expect for the dates and disruption mentioned above.

If the upper floors are closed, where will pre dinner drinks and after dinner coffee be served?

Subject to weather conditions, the gardens will be utilised where possible; otherwise, drinks receptions will be hosted in the Bar. Formal Hall dinners during this period, the post-dinner coffee service will be temporarily suspended

If I live in the Doll Building and find it really noisy, what can I do?

There might be some noise and it might be intermittent. Free earplugs are available at the lodge or you can borrow a set of noise cancelling earphones.

Can I access the coffee machine in the common room?

Yes until early July and then members will need to use the coffee machine in the Stables until October.

Can I use the music equipment?

Most of the equipment is in storage until the rotunda reopens. As soon as we have a date for this, we will inform the community.

Can I still bring guests into lunch or dinners?

Yes of course. You might want to prewarn them that at some points the dining room might feel a little different.

Are the toilets still available in the foyer of the ground floor?

Yes when the dining room is open, so will the toilets, however from mid July the toilet window will be blocked off, meaning access to the main sink will not be accessible.  During this time only the main larger toilet will be in operation which has its own sink and dryer.

Will the Ball or other student events be affected?

Events already booked into the calendar will not be affected, except for the visual impact of scaffold around the Observatory, so please bear this in mind.

What time of day will there be noise?

It might be intermittent during the day. Whilst the scaffold is being built, the noise might be a little worse but once the scaffold is up, the noise should be minimal.

Will it be noisy at weekends?

The contractors should stick to the working hours of Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 16:00s. On occasions, we may need to allow the contractors to work later in the day or at weekends, but we will try and give all residents notice.

Will I be able to use the gardens?

Yes, the main lawn area will be open, but the small lawn areas next to the Observatory will be fenced off by the contractor to ensure the safety of the community. The southern lawns in front of the Observatory will be open to all from mid-April.