Dining in College
SCR members dine at High Table in the main Dining Hall, accessed via the stairway outside the SCR. On rare occasions meals may also be held in the Pennington Room (directly above the SCR).
Times of meals
|
Breakfast |
8.00-8.45am (Saturday 8.00-9.00am; Sundays 8.30-9.15am). Taken on High Table in the main Dining Hall. |
|
Lunch |
1.00-1.30pm at High Table in the main Dining Hall. Self-service through the servery on Saturdays. |
|
Dinner |
6.30pm at High Table in the main Dining Hall; it is advisable to attend dinner at or shortly after 6.30pm. At weekends, dinner is at 6.00pm. |
|
Formals |
6.45pm drinks reception in the SCR for a 7.15pm silver service dinner on High Table. |
Members gather in the SCR prior to meals, especially formals and informals, when wine is served. Sherry and fruit juice are also available, as is the case at all times (note: it is not necessary to sign for these on formal nights).
Booking arrangements
With the exception of visiting Fellows (for which there are separate arrangements), all meals taken need to be booked in advance through the reception desk on 0191 33 45900 (or email elspeth.frostwick@durham.ac.uk copied to s.m.lemon@@durham.ac.uk). Please indicate any specific dietary requirements when booking. Note also that space may be limited at formals, so early booking is advised.
Bookings for lunch and evening meal must be received by 10.00am the same day (and by 10.30am on Fridays for weekend meals) in order to give the kitchen sufficient notice. Formals should be booked as early as possible to avoid disappointment, but in any case by 9.30am of the Monday of the week of the formal.
If you do not wish to participate in a Formal, an earlier meal will be available (at 5.45pm), although this will have to be booked at Reception.
Please note:
- that meals cannot be guaranteed during the vacation periods and the College reserves the right to withdraw the High Table facility.
- that no refunds will be given for meals booked and not taken.
Meal tariffs for SCR members
Charges for lunches and dinners are discounted for SCR members. Prices below are excluding VAT.
| Breakfast | continental (£1.00); English (£2.00) |
| Lunch | £4.00 (inclusive of main course, salad, dessert, fruit and coffee in SCR). |
| Dinner | £5.15 (inclusive of starter, main course, dessert, fruit and coffee in SCR). |
| Formal dinners | £12.00 (inclusive of a starter, main course, dessert and cheese & coffee in the SCR). The cost of wine consumed before and during the meal is split equally between the members attending. A soft drink option is also provided. |
| Guest Nights | Charges as announced. |
Dress code
The dress code for most formals is lounge suit/jacket and tie for men and equivalent for women. At some special formal dinners (Guest Nights, Christmas Formals and Burns' Night) the dress code is black tie. The dress code is indicated in the events diary.
Members of this and other universities are entitled to wear an academic gown (sometimes referred to as an 'undress gown'') to all formal meals. This practice is encouraged in conformity with that of other Durham colleges. A number of gowns are available in the SCR for the use of members.
Parking at College
The University has recently tightened-up its arrangements for parking. Whenever you are visiting the College for SCR business or a function, especially on a weekday during working hours, it is advisable to report to Reception. If you leave your name and registration number you will be issued with a coupon to display in your car