The New Cultural Quarter and Performing Arts Centre


A magnet for the College’s creative community...

The most ambitious building project we have undertaken in many years, the new Cultural Quarter will be a stunning addition to the cultural life of the College and the wider community.

PROJECT COST: £13.9M

Project Target Achieved

Fundraising is now complete and work on this ambitious project has commenced with a projected opening November 2017. £10.9m has been raised by the generosity of parents and OWs and £3m has been funded by the College.

 

The vibrant Cultural Quarter will open up a myriad of possibilities, embracing the benefits of an holistic education and providing a cultural laboratory where students can experiment, create, perform and engage with their peers. It will be home to the new Performing Arts Centre – housing the Performance Auditorium and Cultural Living Room – set within a beautiful landscape including gardens, walkways, and a central ‘plaza’ that will become both a cultural and social hub for the College.

 

One of the best 27 buildings on the planet

The designs that have been developed by Architects Studio Seilern have been awarded the winner in the ‘Best Building in Education’ category at the World Architecture Festival in November 2015 and is included as one of the best 27 buildings on the planet.

PERFORMANCE AUDITORIUM AND THE CULTURAL LIVING ROOM

A state-of-the-art performance space – part concert hall, part theatre, part opera house – where we can put on large-scale concerts, musicals and plays, and a multi-performance and exhibition space where activities will be driven by the students.

Imagine the possibilities… Ballet with a live orchestra; joint events with the local music community and with our partner schools; visiting orchestras; rock concerts and much more. It will also release much needed space in our current theatre for additional dance and rehearsal facilities, and will become the building where the entire College can come together. The Cultural Living Room will become another vibrant social hub for the campus where creative arts, events, exhibitions and student life are allowed to occur spontaneously.

The Cultural Quarter

Naming Opportunities

To show our appreciation of your support we have provided a number of opportunities to name elements of projects and programmes. By doing this we remind the wider community how essential philanthropic support is to the College.

Theatre seats are £500, flagstones in the Cultural Plaza £1,000 and trees are £1,500. There are also opportunities to name various areas of the new complex.

Latest News

Angus Neale (Bn 18) completes the Marathon des Sables in memory of Haydn Robarts (Bn 18)

05 May 2026

In March, we shared that Angus Neale (Bn 18) would be running the Marathon des Sables in memory of his friend and fellow OW, Haydn Robarts (Bn 18). It is a self-supported, 270km race which takes place over seven days in the Moroccan Sahara. Crossing desert dunes in ferocious heat, it has been dubbed the […]

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Adam Wilkie (Bn 11): In My Father’s Lane

21 April 2026

Old Wellingtonian, Adam Wilkie (Bn 2006-11), son of Olympic champion David Wilkie MBE, has quit his job to take on an extraordinary challenge: to match his father’s world record-breaking 200m breaststroke time – 50 years after it made history, and just two years after his father’s death from cancer. David Wilkie was one of the […]

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OWs Deliver Life-Saving Medical Supplies to Ukraine

16 April 2026

In December 2025, Neil Polley (Pn 75) and Christopher Hill (Pn 75) drove more than 3,000km across Europe to Lviv, Ukraine, delivering medical supplies and support vehicles to those working on the front line.  Neil and Christopher volunteered with Driving Ukraine, a charity established in 2022 that has organised 54 convoys to date. The organisation provides vehicles, medical […]

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Upcoming Events

13 June 2026

Wellington Christian Parent Prayer Group

The Chapel, Wellington College

 

 

You are warmly invited to join the Wellington Christian Parent Prayer Group, set up by a group of current parents from a variety of church backgrounds, who believe prayers have a positive impact on school life. The group welcomes everyone within the Wellington Community with an interest in praying blessings on the school community.

The next meeting will be held from 1-2pm on Saturday 13th June in the Chapel.

The meetings are very informal and meet a few times per term. To join or for further information please email community@wellingtoncollege.org.uk


14 June 2026

London’s WWI & WWII Memorials and key sites – Walking Tour with Anthony Seldon

Meet at 11am in Park Lane and finish at about 2/2.30pm.

 

 

This is a walk for the whole family and dogs.  You’ll be amazed at what’s hiding in plain sight within the busy streets of London, left over from both World Wars.  Beginning the walking tour at the Animals in War Memorial in Park Lane, we will uncover eleven fascinating sites with Anthony Seldon along the way, and round off the experience with a late lunch near Tower Bridge, for those who want to join, at about 2/2.30pm.  Nearer the time, we will send a map with route and timings so that people can join along the way.  No need to book in advance, however please complete the form as an expression of interest.

Please note, this tour is open to parents, past parents and OWs.

Book your place »

16 July 2026

Public Historic Tour of Wellington College

Wellington College

 

 

A unique opportunity for the general public to discover the historic buildings and grounds of Wellington College, in support of the Crowthorne Carnival Association. College Archivist Caroline Jones will tell the story of Wellington College’s foundation, guiding you around the central buildings and sharing some treasures from the College’s collection. The tour will include the Chapel, Great School, the Royal Foundation Room, Dining Hall and Waterloo Hall. Tickets cost £10 per person, with 100% of ticket sales being donated to the CCA. Please note, this tour is now at capacity; please email community@wellingtoncollege.org.uk


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