Social Events

We can’t wait to welcome you to London for the ASCOLA 2026 conference.

Alongside our academic schedule, we’ve curated a series of exciting social events designed to give you a chance to let off some steam, see the city, and have fun!

Day 1

Standing Reception

Location: University College London (UCL) Main Building

When: 18:00 – 22:00, July 1st

Following the opening of the conference, we’ll spend the evening at the historic heart of UCL. Join us for a standing reception in the iconic Portico Building (South Cloisters and Japanese Garden), part of UCL’s main building, a landmark site now celebrating its 200-year bicentenary.

This is the perfect opportunity to break the ice, meet fellow delegates, and connect with colleagues in a truly historic setting before the conference begins in earnest tomorrow.

NB: This event is for registered attendees only.

Pub Crawl

Location: Soho (Central London)

When: After the standing reception

To round off the first day, after the Standing reception join us for an informal pub crawl in Soho, one of London’s most vibrant and storied neighbourhoods. The British pub is a cultural institution unlike anything else in the world. It’s part living room, part town square, where strangers become friends over a shared round. From cosy Victorian interiors to buzzing beer gardens, pubs have been the backdrop to British social life for centuries. This is your chance to experience that tradition first-hand, hopping between a handful of Soho's best spots while continuing conversations and meeting fellow delegates in the most authentically British way possible.

Day 2

Conference Dinner

Location: Goodenough College

When: 18:00 – 23:00, July 2nd

Our traditional Conference Dinner will take place on Thursday evening in the homely and distinctly British setting of Goodenough College.

The night will begin with pre-dinner drinks (pay bar), followed by a seated dinner. We’ll then conclude the evening with music and dancing, an ideal chance to unwind and celebrate after a busy day of panels.

Cost: £54.00 including a seated two-course dinner (costs do not include drinks)

Please use this link to make your booking.

Day 3

Farewell Reception

Location: King's College London (KCL), Bush House Arcade Café

When: Mid-day (following the close of sessions), July 3rd

Before you depart on Friday, we’ll host a final farewell reception at the Bush House Arcade Café at KCL. This will be a chance to wrap up discussions, exchange final contacts, and say goodbye over refreshments before heading home.

Afternoon Tea on the Thames

For those staying in London a little longer on Friday afternoon, we have organised an (optional) cruise on the River Thames. You’ll get to experience the city from a different perspective while indulging in a quintessential British tradition - afternoon tea! The 90-minute cruise will offer scenic riverside views of London’s landmarks, accompanied by a commentary. The event is fully pre-booked, with fixed capacity and no flexibility for late arrivals.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, 3rd July

  • Time: Boarding at 15:15. Cruise starts promptly at 15:30 and finishes at 17:30.

  • Location: Tower Millennium Pier (right by the Tower of London). Members of the organising team will be accompanying the participants from the conference venue to the pier (20’ from Temple station to Tower Hill)

  • Cost: £59 per person for afternoon tea

  • Dress Code: Casual attire (Khakis, nice jeans, dresses, button-up shirts etc.)

Please use this link to make your booking.

Pub Crawl

Location: Dalston (North West London)

When: After the boat cruise

For those with energy left after the cruise, join us for an informal evening in Dalston, one of East London's liveliest neighbourhoods. We'll settle into one or two of Dalston's best pubs and bars. We won’t have an itinerary or a schedule, just good company and a relaxed atmosphere to wind down after a packed few days. It'll be the perfect chance to say a proper goodbye to each other before we start to head off.

Day 4

Cambridge Day Trip & Punting on the River Cam

For those staying on for an extra day, we are also delighted to offer an optional Day 4 excursion to Cambridge, one of the world’s most iconic university cities.

This trip will include the classic Cambridge experience: punting on the River Cam, offering beautiful views of the historic colleges and riverside scenery, a perfect and relaxing way to conclude ASCOLA 2026.

  • The itinerary will be as follows:

  • 11:00 Meet at Cambridge Station and walk towards Market Square for lunch (n.b. you should make your own way to Cambridge which is ~1hr from central London via train)

  • 13:45 Punt from Silver Street (outside Queen’s College) with Scudamores (GBP 28 per person).

  • 15:00: College tour: St John’s (GBP 10 per person)

  • 17:00 Drinks at the Eagle pub

  • 20:00 Return to Cambridge Station

Please use this link to make your booking.

Coordinators: Fola Pineiro (+44 (0)7584091264, fsp26@cam.ac.uk)

Greenwich Cultural Visit

If you would like to explore more of London, we’re organising a social visit to historic Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the banks of the Thames.

The itinerary will be as follows:

  • 12:00 Meeting at Maze Hill station and walk (approximately 15–20 minutes) to the Royal Observatory. Due to capacity constraints, participants are split into two groups with staggered entry times, each receiving a guided tour.

  • 12:30-13:30: Royal Observatory Entry time/guided tour, Group 1

  • 13.00-14:00: Royal Observatory Entry time/guided tour, Group 2

  • Lunch break at The Prince of Greenwich (not included in the ticket price).

  • 15:00-16:00: Cutty Sark Entry time/guided tour, Group 1.

  • 15:30-16:30: Cutty Sark Entry time/guided tour, Group 2

The ticket includes entry and guided tour to both the Royal Observatory and the Cutty Sark

Please use this link to make your booking.

Coordinators: Stavros Makris (+447494226579, s.makris@ucl.ac.uk)