You may have noticed changes have begun taking place across campus – the major transformation in the Main Quad and surrounding buildings have started and will last until January 2026 in time for UCL's 200th anniversary.
Mitigations are being put in place to minimise the impact this is having, but the way you experience and get around campus will look different as renovation works take place.
Getting around campus
The Main Library entrance is now closed for the duration of the works, and will be accessible from the first floor of the South Junction staircase (the stairs opposite the Union shop).
There will be no access to the North Cloisters, however, you will still be able to enter the far North Corner to access the Housman Room and Physics and Geography departments. This route is accessible for wheelchair users.
The South Cloisters and Octagon Gallery will be closed, but you can still access the South Corner to reach the Garden Room, Offices, and South Junction.
To access the Wilkins Terrace or the Jeremy Bentham Room, you should enter from The Refectory or the Bloomsbury Theatre entrance and avoid Octagon Gallery or the North Cloisters since these will be closed.
To access the Student Centre, you should enter through front of the building via Gordon Street or from the back using the staircase at the end of the far South Corner or the lifts at South Junction since South Cloisters are now closed.
What about events?
We have been working closely with the Estates Campus Experience Team to reduce the impact of the Quad closure on how you experience campus. We are working to find alternative locations for events and activities throughout the year, which include:
- Gordon Square for large events i.e International Festival, Welcome Week, and Awards receptions.
- An External Venue for Welcome Fair
- Event spaces in Senate House
- The JBR exclusively for clubs and societies on Mon, Weds, Fri after 15:00 and all-day Saturday and Sunday
- Fully covered and heated Wilkins Terrace every day from 16:00 and then all-day Saturday and Sunday
Things to consider
- Campus spaces may feel busier so you may want to factor in additional time when travelling
- All bike racks in the Main Quad will be unavailable for the construction period
- Please be mindful and respectful of others when using the alternate paths, as these areas may feel more crowded
- Before visiting campus, check out the webpages to ensure that nothing has changed since your last visit
Support on campus
During the early stages of the works, additional Campus Experience Team members will be on hand to provide support with directions and routes around campus. Additional signage will be put up to help with navigating your journey.
Further details will be shared on the Bicentennial Physical Legacy Works webpages.