Formal Hall (or just Formal) is a three-course meal (plus tea/coffe and mints) served to you by our lovely catering staff in Newnham’s gorgeous Clough Hall. We dress up a bit for this evening meal and get our gowns out; we are also allowed to book in up to two guests who can come and enjoy formal here too! One bottle of wine can be brought into the hall per two people with a corkage fee of £1.
Everyone has a chance to go to free formals during their time at Newnham. You cannot invite guests to these formals. During Freshers’ Week, you have Matriculation Formal to celebrate your enrolment to the college. And every year you will be able to attend a Subject Formal, where all undergraduates, graduates and senior members of your subject sit and eat together.
Formals at Newnham usually take place on Wednesday evenings but some special ones (like Christmas Formal) take place on other weeknights. Please check each individual event for exact dates. Most diets can be catered for, please indicate on the booking form. The meal starts at 7.30pm so please be seated before then. It is recommended that large groups arrive well before 7.30 if they wish to be seated together.
To book formals, please click here. (You must be a current member of the college to book.)
Here you can include any dietary requirements for you and your guests, and look at the menu and dates for upcoming formals. The cost of the formal will be charged to your next College Bill.
Newnham College JCR 