alumni reunions
Alumni reunions are an opportunity to revisit favourite corners of College, catch up with friends, and see how St John’s continues to evolve while remaining recognisably itself.
Summer reunions
During the summer vacation, and subject to availability, we are delighted to welcome reunion groups back to College for residential stays, formal dinners, tours and social gatherings.
Whether you are organising a year-group reunion, gathering former society members, or simply bringing friends back together, we can help create a memorable visit.
What we offer
Bed and breakfast accommodation
Stay in College during the summer vacation and relive student life on the Bailey. Subject to availability, we may even be able to allocate your former room.
Formal dinners
Enjoy a special evening in College with a drinks reception and three-course dinner. Whether black tie or more informal in style, we can work with you to create an occasion that suits your group.
College tours
Discover what has changed and what has stayed the same. Tours can be led by current students or members of staff and offer a chance to explore the College’s historic buildings, gardens and recent developments.
John's Bar
Subject to staff availability, the College Bar can be opened exclusively for reunion groups, providing a relaxed setting to continue conversations long into the evening.
College facilities and grounds
From the Library and Learning Resource Centre to the gardens and riverside setting, reunion groups are welcome to enjoy College facilities throughout their stay.
Support with planning your reunion
Every reunion is different. Some groups choose a simple overnight stay, while others build a full weekend programme around dinners, tours, walks, talks and visits to Durham. Our team will be delighted to help you plan a visit that works for your group.
Our reunion weekend was such a memorable time. It was simply lovely to catch up with our peers and also to see what the college is like now. We came away feeling so very blessed to have had our time at St John’s, and to have had an opportunity to bring our experiences up to date.
Zillah, class of 1976
Visiting during term
You don’t need to wait for a reunion weekend to come back to John’s.
If Durham is your destination, or simply a stop on a longer journey, we would be delighted to welcome you back. Visiting during term offers the chance to experience College life in full swing, meet current students and see the community as it is today.
If possible, let us know in advance and we can arrange a tour with a member of staff or student ambassador and perhaps even a cup of tea or brunch while you’re here.
Reunions and visits in pictures
The faces may change, but the welcome remains the same. From reunion weekends and anniversary celebrations to spontaneous visits for tea, brunch or a stroll around College, Johnians continue to return to the place they once called home.
Get in touch
We’d be delighted to help you arrange a visit or reunion: just email us with your name, year group and preferred dates.
Reception: +44 (0)1913343500
Email: [email protected]
St John’s College, Durham
3 South Bailey
Durham DH1 3RJ
Alumni visits and reunions
In the John's Chronicle
13 September 2023
The Diamond Reunion of the Class of 1963
In October 1960, we were thirty-five young men who met for the first time in the Junior Common Room at St John’s, Durham. Little did we know what an important part we would play in each other’s lives, staying in touch as individual friends over the following years. In 1993, Richard Graham (previously Feek) ‘activated’ this network and we held our first alumni reunion at St John’s – thirty years after our graduation.
1 July 2023
An Alumni Visit
Annabel Jenkinson had the opportunity to interview some John’s alumni who have kept in contact since their time at the College in the 1990s. Towards the end of April this year, we had the privilege of welcoming a group of John’s alumni back to St John’s for a visit. Charlotte Barnes (née Buckley), Janine Broome, […]
22 June 2022
Reconnecting with St John’s after 40 years
Written by Nick Hughes. A St John’s alumnus (1977 – 1980) tells us of his reconnection with College after coming back to visit on an Open Day with his son, nearly 40 years on.