Accommodations & Travels
Accommodation
Accommodation is not included in the registration fee. Participants are required to make their own hotel reservations and pay for their own accommodation.
Durham is a small city. The number of rooms within walking distance of the Waterside Building is limited. Participants are strongly encouraged to book their accommodation as early as possible.
Here is a list of hotels close to the Waterside Building
We have secured a discounted rate of {TBC} per night for the 22-24 March at the Radisson Blu. Please note that the number of rooms available at this discounted rate is limited. To access the discounted rate, please use the code {TBC} when making your reservation via the hotel’s webpage.
Travelling to Durham
Colloquium venue
The Colloquium will be held at Durham University Business School, in the Waterside Building.
| Durham University Business School Waterside Building Durham DH1 1SL United Kingdom View on Google Maps |
Travelling by air
Newcastle International is the closest airport and the simplest arrival point for most delegates. Manchester offers a wider range of long-haul connections but a longer onward journey.
| Airport | Distance | Onward Journey to Durham |
| Newcastle International (NCL) | About 30 miles north | Tyne and Wear Metro from the terminal to Newcastle Central Station, then a direct train to Durham. Around an hour in total. Taxis take roughly 45 minutes. |
| Teesside International (MME) | About 25 miles south | Limited scheduled services. Taxi or rail via Darlington. |
| Manchester (MAN) | About 130 miles southwest | Trains run from the airport station, usually changing at York or Newcastle. Allow around three hours. |
| London Heathrow (LHR) | About 270 miles south | Underground or rail to London King’s Cross, then a direct train to Durham. Allow around five hours. |
By train
Durham is located on the East Coast Main Line, making rail one of the easiest ways to get to the city from across the UK. Direct services run from London King’s Cross in around three hours and from Edinburgh in around two hours, with regular services throughout the day from York, Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham.
Timetables and tickets are available from National Rail Enquiries. Booking in advance is considerably cheaper than buying on the day.
By coach
Durham is served by National Express, FlixBus and Megabus from most major UK cities. Coaches stop at Durham bus station in the city centre, a short walk from the venue.
Getting to the Waterside Building
On foot
The Waterside Building is approximately a 10-minute walk from Durham railway station, with most of the route being downhill and the final stretch following the river. It is also around a ten-minute walk from the bus station and Durham city centre.
By taxi
Taxis can be booked via Uber, and licensed taxis are available outside Durham railway station. When booking or speaking to a driver, ask for the Durham University Business School on Freeman’s Place rather than Durham University more generally. Durham University is spread across the city, and some of the colleges are a considerable distance from the venue.
Parking
There is no delegate parking available at the venue. Durham city centre has limited public parking, so travelling by car is best avoided where possible. However, if you choose to drive to the colloquium, the following NCPs are located close to the venue:
| 1. The Sands Multistorey Car Park (78 Freeman’s Pl, Durham DH1 1SG) 2. Walkergate Car Park (30 Freeman’s Pl, Durham DH1 1SW) 3. Sidegate Car Park (15 Sidegate, Durham DH1 5SY) |
Participants travelling to the colloquium by car are advised to use one of Durham’s NCP car parks. Please remember to pay for your parking, as the NCP car parks are monitored.
Accessibility
The Waterside Building is fully step-free and accessible. However, Durham is a historic city built on a steep peninsula, and some routes between the railway station, city centre and cathedral involve steep gradients and cobbled surfaces. Participants with accessibility requirements should plan their routes in advance
Travel insurance
Participants are strongly advised to arrange their own personal travel and health insurance before travelling to the conference.
Visas and Electronic Travel Authorisation
All participants are strongly advised to check the UK entry requirements well in advance of travelling, even if they have recently travelled to the UK. Use the UK government’s online checker to determine whether you need a visa.
Visitors who do not require a visa will generally need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling to the UK. Further information, including the current fee and application requirements, is available on the UK government website.
Please note that a number of third-party websites and agencies may offer to submit ETA applications on your behalf for an additional fee. This is not necessary. Apply directly through the UK government website, where the process takes a few minutes and costs considerably less.
Participants transiting through another country should also check whether they require a transit visa for that country.
Durham and local amenities
Eating and drinking
Tea, coffee and lunch will be provided on each day of the colloquium. The Waterside Building is located beside Millennium Place, with a range of cafés, restaurants and a supermarket within a few minutes’ walk. Durham’s historic city centre, including the cathedral and castle, is also within walking distance of the venue.
Exploring Durham
Durham offers a number of things to explore. For example, Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site, both located within walking distance of the venue. Participants are encouraged to visit the This is Durham website for further information and recommendations on places to visit, things to do and experiences to enjoy during their stay in Durham.