Get Ready
Welcome Fair
The place to find all the information about the Welcome Fair at the end of Freshers Week
Once a year we host the SU Welcome Fair on the Clifton Downs for all University of Bristol students. It’s the perfect opportunity to check out the activities and groups you can get involved in during your time at University- all in one place! Here’s what you can expect on the day:
- 🎪 Meet 300+ Student groups who will be hosting information stalls, sharing their upcoming events and answering any questions you might have
- 🤹♂️ Watch or take part in the Give It a Go! Arena
- 🪴 Come to our SU Marketplace to bag the best student deals on houseplants, room décor and more
- 👚 Grab your university merch at the SU Shop Pop-Up
- 🧘♀️ Visit our Calm Tent to relax and take a break from the fair
- 🍔 Eat local food, meet national brands, and take part in free giveaways
- 💖 Check out our employment, volunteering and networking opportunities
There is something for everyone at Welcome Fair! Take the first steps in finding your community here in Bristol, and come along.
The first hour of the event is a quiet hour. This is so that students with access requirements can make the most of Welcome Fair before the volume starts to rise and crowds start to enter. Additional staff will be on hand during this our to support you, and you can bring your caregiver along.
This year Quiet Hour will be from 9:30 to 10:30.
FAQs
What happens at the fair?
The Welcome Fair is the highlight of welcome week, with over 13,000 attendees last year! This event has something for everyone - whether you're eager to explore new groups, communities and sports (even giving them a try!), or simply looking to indulge in delicious food and drink from local vendors. Stroll through our vibrant market stalls, and when you're ready to unwind, relax in our peaceful calm tent. No matter the weather, it’s the perfect way to kick off the year. Don’t miss out!
Who can come to the fair?
All University of Bristol students can come to the Welcome Fair, as long as you’re a registered with the University of Bristol and have your Ucard or photo ID!
When and where is the Fair?
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Date: Friday 13 September 2024
Location: The Downs, Parrys Lane
Gates open for quiet hour: 9:30am
Gates open for general access: 10:30am
Last entry: 5pm
Event closes: 6pm
How do I get to the Fair?
Public transport
Bristol SU Welcome Fair takes place on Durdham Downs at the junction of Parrys Lane and Saville Road. What Three Words /// impose.foal.assure As part of our sustainability plan, we urge you to use public transport where possible or even walk to the event.
Buses - First Bus
Durdham Park Stop - 1, 2, 2a or 3 buses. From this stop it is a 6minute walk to the Welcome Fair entrance along Westbury Road Black Boy Hill Stop – 1,2a, 3, 72a, 505 buses. From this stop it is a 12min walk to the Welcome Fair entrance along Westbury Road Due to the volume of people making their way to the event waiting time for buses is longer than advertised and demand for each bus is higher. Where possible we highly recommend walking or cycling to the event.
Cycling
Please bring your own lock to take advantage of the temporary bike rack on Parrys Lane. Don’t attach bikes to the perimeter fencing or you risk having it removed Please collect your bike on the same day, bikes left overnight may be removed Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller blades or personal motorised vehicles are not permitted inside the event – this is with the exception of mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs
Electric Scooters
Electric scooters are available to hire across Bristol. There isn’t parking available at the fair, so you will need to leave your scooter at the nearest parking area.
Walking
North Village to Welcome Fair – estimated walking times
- Badock hall – 14min
- Churchill Hall - 14min
- Durdham hall - 12min
- Hiatt Baker Hall - 8min
- University Hall – 14min
- Wills Hall – 8min
East Village to Welcome Fair
- Chantry Court - 47min
- The Court Rooms - 45min
- Dean Street Works - 44min
- The Hawthorns - 34min
- Marlborough House - 45min
- New Bridewell - 48min
- Print Hall - 56min
- Redland Road - 23min
- Riverside - 53min
- St Michales Hill - 35min
- St Michales Park - 35min
- St Thomas Street - 57min
- Woodland Road - 37min
West Village to Welcome Fair
- Brunel House – 46min
- Clifton Hill House - 42min
- Culver House - 43min
- Deans Court - 45min
- Goldney Hall - 43min
- Harbour Court - 49min
- Hillside Woodside - 49min
- Manor Hall - 41min
- Northwell House - 34min
- Orchard Heights - 44min
- Queens Road - 37min
- Richmond Terrace - 37min
- Unite House - 45min
- Winkworth House - 47min
- Woodland Court - 29min
How accessible is the fair?
Accessibility of the site
Bristol SU Welcome Fair takes place on Durdham Downs at the junction of Parrys Lane and Saville Road. Access to the site is along uneven hard standing path and the event takes place fully on grass. In the event of bad weather, mud and puddles are likely.
Quiet Hour
The Welcome Fair will open at 9:30am to students with access requirements. Bristol SU staff will be available to support student experiences at the event during this hour. If you would like to bring a carer with you to the event, who is not a registered student please email bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk to arrange this.
Calm Tent
Bristol SU is providing a ‘Calm Tent’ this year, designed to create a calm space for students who want to take a break from the main event. Our tent is made up of comfortable deckchairs and beanbags, with soft cushions and blankets, to relax on. There will be fairy lights, eye masks, stress balls, colouring books, magazines, jigsaws and more. So, if you need to take a moment away from the fair please join us there.
Hidden Disabilities
We understand that a hidden disability is not immediately apparent. We are encouraging those who require additional support, help or a little more time to utilise the hidden disability sunflower scheme. If you do not have a sunflower item, stickers will be available at the Main Entrance and Bristol University Neurodiversity Society (BUNS) stall in the Volunteering, fundraising, sustainability, welfare, campaigns & causes tent.
Other questions around accessibility
If you have other access requirements, please contact us in advance of the event via bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk and we shall make every effort to make a reasonable adjustment to meet your needs if possible.
I’m not a first year student – can I come to the fair?
The fair is open to all University of Bristol students no matter which year you’re in. You’ll just need to bring your UCard with you.
I’ve lost my UCard can I still attend?
Yes, as long as you are a registered student at the University of Bristol and have photo ID we will be able to let you in to the event.
Can I bring someone with me who isn’t a University of Bristol student?
University of Bristol Students are able to attend the fair and you’ll need to show your UCard to come in.
Students with caring responsibilities for children under the age of 16 are welcome to bring them to the event. The children will be registered at the point of entry and are the responsibility of the accompanying adult at all times.
Students with carers are invited to bring them to the event with them. You can pre-register their attendance by emailing bristolsu@bristol.ac.uk or register them on the day by talking to a member of staff in a Bristol SU t-shirt at the entry gate.
If your guest does not fall into these categories they will not be allowed entry to the site.
Is the Welcome Fair the same as Destination Bristol?
No – This is run by the University and will give you an introduction to different university services. We will be there, so come and say hi at the SU stand.
The Welcome Fair is run by Bristol SU and is your opportunity to meet the wide range of student groups at Bristol and will take place on the Downs on Friday 22 September.
I can’t attend the Fair – will you run it on another day?
The Welcome Fair will only be running on Friday 22 September, however all of the information about who is there and what they are offering is available online at bristolsu.org.uk/welcome-fair
If you aren’t able to attend the fair, you are still able to attend Give it a Go! sessions to meet our student groups and decide if you wish to purchase membership.
The Welcome Fair is run by Bristol SU and is your opportunity to meet the wide range of student groups at Bristol and will take place on the Downs on Friday 22 September.
Which student groups will be at the fair?
You can see a full list of all the student groups attending the fair at bristolsu.org.uk/welcome-fair
Which vendors will be at the fair?
You can see a full list of all the vendors and commercial stalls attending the fair at bristolsu.org.uk/welcome-fair
What should I wear?
The fair is outside on a grassy area – in the event of bad weather, mud and puddles are likely. Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfy shoes.
What should I bring with me to the Fair?
Make sure you bring your U-Card for entry to the fair, and a refillable water bottle. There will be vendors at the fair, so you might find it useful to bring money, although entry to the fair is free. Depending on the weather, you might wish to bring a raincoat or sun cream.
What is the Give it a Go Arena?
The Give it a Go arena is a space at the fair where different student groups will be running free ‘Give it a Go’ sessions so that you can try out a range of different activities. Booking is not required. You can see the full timetable at bristolsu.org.uk/welcome-fair
