Plan Your Stay

VENUE

Bishop Grosseteste University (BGU)
Address: Longdales Road, Lincoln LN1 3DY, United Kingdom
Website: http://www.bishopg.ac.uk/

ACCOMMODATIONS

Bishop Grosseteste University Campus Accommodations
Over the last 3 years, the University has undergone a large upgrade and refurbishment program. The university now offers a range of new, contemporary en-suite cluster flats and bedrooms, most with shared facilities including kitchens, bathrooms, and showers. All rooms include free Wi-Fi and breakfast in the dining facilities. BGU is able to offer a limited number of bedrooms with wheelchair access and the use of disabled bathroom facilities.

BGU VENUE ACCOMMODATION FLYER
Accommodation on campus can only be booked and paid for directly through the University and cannot be arranged by IAIA. See the attached flyer for reservation instructions.

Hotel Accommodations (Uphill area – close to the venue)
Lincoln has a wide variety of hotels across several categories for those delegates that wish to make other arrangements. There are a number of good local hotels and Bed & Breakfasts within a gentle 20-minute walk of the venue. For more information on local hotels and accommodation, visit:

Bank Holiday Weekend
Saturday-Monday, 27-29 August 2016, is a UK public holiday and traditionally the weekend that many people finish their summer holiday. During this weekend the Uphill area of Lincoln hosts an annual “Steampunk Festival.” This is the largest festival of its type in Europe. Delegates may wish to visit during this weekend for its novelty value but will be warned that the city is busy and accommodation hard to find. However by the conference start mid-week most festival visitors will have departed and accommodation pressures eased. Hotels charge a premium over the bank holiday and many hotel websites refuse to offer their normal “book early” discounts or reserve rooms for large parties.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

All attendees from outside the UK are responsible for making sure they have the correct documentation to enter the country. Before you travel, please consult the UK Border Agency’s (UKBA) guide at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/customs-travel/.

Delegates coming to participate in the symposium, who are citizens of a non-EEA country, will be considered as Business Visitors and will require a Standard Visitor visa. Delegates should visit the UKBA website to check whether they need to obtain a visa before traveling to the UK. If you are planning for a spouse or family member to accompany you on the trip to the UK for tourism purposes then they should apply for a General Visitor visa. If family members are traveling for any other reasons, they should check the visa requirements page at https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/tourist-short-stay-visas and select the correct visa type.

We strongly advise delegates to explore visa requirements as early as possible, and should a visa be required, to apply as soon as possible as because the process can take up to 30 working days. The following link will tell you if a visa is needed: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

TRANSPORTATION TO LINCOLN

BY TRAIN
Lincoln is linked with the majority of major UK stations including Nottingham, Sheffield, London, and Leeds. Lincoln Central Train Station is located in the south of the city center, and is a 10-minute, £4.00 taxi ride from the campus. Black cab taxis operate from the station forecourt. For train timetables, see www.eastcoast.co.uk.

BY AIR
Humberside International Airport, located 30 miles northeast of Lincoln, has connections to Aberdeen and Amsterdam (Schiphol) Airport. The easiest way to travel to Lincoln from Humberside airport is by road, and car rental companies are available at the airport.

East Midlands Airport (Nottingham), located 50 miles to the southwest of Lincoln, services low-cost airlines and has multiple European connections. The easiest route to Lincoln is via Skylink bus service (runs every 20 minutes) from the airport to Beeston or Nottingham Railway Stations, followed by a train to Lincoln Central Station. Skylink bus tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver. Car rentals are also available.

Manchester Airport is an international airport and the largest outside the London region. TransPennine trains connect Manchester to Lincoln.

Birmingham Airport is a regional airport with good international links. There are good train connections to Lincoln during the day, running every 60 minutes with a total travel time of under 3 hours.

BY BUS
Bus timetables can be viewed at www.lincsinterconnect.com.

BY CAR
Join the A46 Lincoln by-pass and follow signs for Lincoln North. At the roundabout with the A15 head towards the city centre along Riseholme Road to the first roundabout and turn left taking the first exit into Longdales Road. The entrance to the visitors' and the student car park is approximately 100 metres on the right. The address for BGU is: Longdales Road, Lincoln LN1 3DY.

TRANSPORTATION WITHIN LINCOLN

Most sites are within walking distance in Lincoln. Taxis can be called by phone (Discount Cabs: 01522 800800; Direct Cars: 01522 567567). The public bus network connects the venue with the city center and regular buses pass the symposium site.

ACCESSIBILITY

If you have a disability and require assistance, please contact Ben Cave (ben.cave@bcahealth.co.uk) by 12 August 2016 to discuss your specific needs.

The campus at BGU is disability compliant. All new buildings in the UK are required to have wheelchair access, and even hotels in old heritage houses often have lifts, ramps and other facilities. Note that some hotels/B&Bs in historic buildings may have more limited access. The buses and trams have low floors for easy access, and trains offer a Disabled Person’s Railcard (www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk) for fare discounts.

Helpful sites:
Disability Rights UK: www.disabilityrightsuk.org
Good Access Guide: www.goodaccessguide.co.uk
Tourism For All: www.tourismforall.org.uk

GENERAL INFORMATION

Lincoln is one of the UK’s finest small historic cities. Founded by the Romans in AD 50, it lies on the River Witham and the cityscape is dominated by one of Europe’s largest gothic cathedrals. Lincoln has a colorful past that is preserved in a fascinating variety of historic Medieval, Tudor, and Georgian buildings, particularly in the ancient medieval core. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting a wide variety of UK and international visitors keen to visit some of its most popular sites and attractions, such as Lincoln Castle (home to rare originals of England’s Magna Carta & the Charter of the Forest), the Guildhall, the Bishop’s Palace, and the Old Windmill. Several historical museums, such as the Museum of Lincolnshire Life and the Archaeological Museum, can also be visited. Old and new blend together to offer boutique shopping, cobbled streets, and Roman ruins alongside contemporary culture and vibrant nightlife.

Visit Lincoln
Lincoln's historic Castle Square Information Centre is housed within a Tudor building opposite the Cathedral and Castle. (Tel: 01522 545458 / Email: visitorinformation@lincolnbig.co.uk)

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Delegates without travel or health insurance are personally liable for covering any medical and associated costs they incur. IAIA recommends that delegates purchase travel insurance and ensure that the policy covers all medical expenses for injury or illness, as well as theft of valuables, damage to baggage, and cancellations or interruptions to flight plans.

SPECIAL NOTE ON UK AIRPORT SECURITY

UK airports administer extensive security screening for passengers. Additional screening of electronic devices may take place, so ensure that electronic devices are charged before travel. If a device does not switch on when requested at a security checkpoint, it will not be allowed on the aircraft. Further information on this and on current hand luggage restrictions at UK airports can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website (https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration).

TIPPING CUSTOMS

In Britain it is normal to tip taxi drivers and waiting staff in restaurants from 10-15%. Many restaurants automatically add a service charge to the bill, so check before leaving a tip. It is not customary to leave a tip when buying a drink in a pub or bar.

CURRENCY

The currency throughout the UK is the Pound (£). Banks and ATM facilities (which are often known in the UK as Cashpoints or cash machines) are widely available throughout Lincoln. Note that some non-bank ATMs (such as those at convenience stores) charge an additional fixed fee for withdrawing money. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged at most banks. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in most shops, bars, restaurants, and tourist locations.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage in Britain is 220/240 AC, 50 Hz. Electrical plugs have three rectangular pins.