Travel
Visas:
EU and EEA citizens have right of entry (at least for the near future).
Others should check the visa website
‘Old commonwealth’ and USA is pretty straightforward, but rules for the rest of the world vary.
A Standard Visitor visa presently costs £87 (about $US120).
Health
Some countries have reciprocal arrangements, at least for emergency cover. But this is a bit fluid and flexible, and British authorities are likely to be ‘hard nosed’, or at a local level ignorant of these agreements. Please check and take out appropriate medical insurance.
To Cambridge
London is about an hour away, there are approximately 100 trains each way each day. London stations are Kings Cross (main) and Liverpool St.
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… Trains to Cambridge depart from two London stations: Kings Cross and Liverpool Street. These are three underground stops apart. Kings Cross prices seem fixed at PEAK fare (£23.60 on the day, £16.80 advanced purchase); Liverpool Street departures have a greater range of cheaper prices (even SUPER OFF PEAK for as little as £6). On Saturday 15th there are trains about every 20 – 30 minutes during the day from each station. Journey times vary from less than an hour to an hour twenty minutes. On Sunday 16th trains are less frequent and first departures are about 7:40AM, arriving some time after 9. Google for: trains london to cambridge. There are several sites: https://www.thetrainline.com/ , http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ , https://www.greateranglia.co.
To walk from the station to Clare College Memorial Court (about 2.8km): walk to the end of Station Rd, turn right into Hill Rd, cross and turn left into Bateman St, at the end (500m) turn right onto Trumpington Rd, in 200m turn left onto The Fen Causeway, then turn right onto Queens Rd and you have about 700m to go (you could pause for refreshments at The Granta if needed).
In Cambridge
The station is about 2 miles (= 3km) from Clare College. It is flat and walkable (say 45 minutes). Taxis depart from outside the station, fare would be about £8. Closer to the day we will provide detailed directions. For those coming by car – Cambridge has a weird one-way system for traffic in the inner city.
On Arrival
Travel by taxi to the Porters’ Lodge of the College where you are staying:
Clare College Memorial Court
Caius College Old Court
After completing formalities and depositing your luggage you are free.
But please check the map in your College welcome package for immediate destinations.
Logistics
On arrival report to the Porters Lodge for directions to rooms, keys etc.
For Clare College go to Memorial Court on Queen’s Road.
Clare College ‘buttery’ where breakfast is served is in the Old Court site, about 10 minutes walk from Memorial Court where we are being accommodated and where the Congress is being held.
College breakfasts are generally generous.
Morning and afternoon tea, and lunch, will be served in the Garden Room, part of the Gillespie Centre complex.
Further information will be available when you register for the Congress.
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In Cambridge
Cambridge is an English university town.
Be wary of cyclists legs pumping furiously, backs vertical, eyes ahead, hurtling on footpath (= pavement) or road. Many bicycles are ancient, sharp, knobbly, heavy, and minimally manoeuvrable. Bells are usually only rung after it is too late to avoid a collision.
SERIOUSLY – do keep a watch out for cycles and do check both ways before stepping onto the road (especially pedestrian roads – cycles abound) as both cycles and electric cars provide no acoustic hint.
There is a complicated one-way system for vehicles and some areas have restricted entry. Taxi fares about town are usually around £7 … and ‘unexpected paths’ are likely due to escaping the one-way system and other restrictions.
Around town it is better to walk.
There are probably 100 restaurants and pubs serving food and beverages within 15 minutes walk of the venue. Some are upmarket and will take as much as you wish to pay … but others are reasonable
Expect to pay around £3 for a pint of beer and £5-7 for a cheap pub meal. BUT check before you buy!
We will try to have a map with food and refreshment outlets in your congress bag … but there will be many others.
Richard Rowe
International Congress Coordinator
WDA