15th – 17th April 2009

UKCS 2009, Swansea, 15th -17th April

UKCS 2009. Views of Swansea

The Organisers have made block bookings with various hotels in central Swansea and the surrounding area, for participants’ convenience of booking at the time of registering.  Please read the hotel listing descriptions carefully as distances from the venue and facilities vary.

To book your accommodation you may either:

1. Book On-line as part of the On-line Registration system

or

2. Book by completing a Registration Form.

FOR ALL ACCOMMODATION BOOKINGS, A CREDIT CARD MUST BE PROVIDED, WHICH WILL BE FORWARDED ON TO THE CHOSEN HOTEL. NO DEDUCTION WILL BE MADE BY THE CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT FOR YOUR ACCOMMODATION. 

*** ACCOMMODATION CANNOT BE INVOICED FOR ***

The accommodation account (including any extras) is payable by you directly to the hotel on your departure. A receipt for all accommodation costs will be available from your hotel on departure.

Important Booking Guidelines:

  1. No booking will be made if a credit card number is not provided.
  2. Accommodation cannot be guaranteed after 1st April 2009 as allocations will need to be returned to the hotels.  At that time, we recommend that you contact Swansea Tourist Information Centre:
    T:        + 44 (0) 1792 468321
    F:        + 44 (0) 1792 464602
    E:        tourism@swansea.gov.uk
    W:       www.visitswanseabay.com
  3. Cancellations: All accommodation alterations or cancellations must be submitted in writing to the Conference Secretariat. Any cancellations after 15th March 2009 may incur a loss of one night’s deposit, depending upon the hotel’s cancellation policy.

Note for Late-Bookers: The Conference Secretariat is NOT able to accept any requests for accommodation after 1st April 2009. At that time, we recommend that you contact The Swansea Tourist Information Centre:
T: + 44 (0) 1792 468321 F: + 444 (0) 1792 464602 E: tourism@swansea.gov.uk

Guidance on discounted late bookings

The Organisers have endeavoured to obtain the best rates possible on the basis of block bookings. However, it may be possible for individuals to obtain cheaper rates if bookings are made shortly before the Conference, either via agencies on the Internet or direct to a hotel. If you decide to make your own arrangements for accommodation, your request for rates for late bookings should be directed to the hotel of your choice and will be subject to availability.

Venue

The natural environment around Swansea is internationally renowned for its beauty and opportunities for activities.  Local companies abound to help you enjoy the walking, mountain-biking, horse-riding and almost endless range of water sports.  Similarly, there are accommodation options across the area and it may be worth you taking a little time to look at the web pages linked here, to maximise your visit to this lovely area before you finalise your travel plans and dates.
Here is an introduction to the activities available in the area: www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=12996  and here is some background on the local attractions: www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=15498

Venue Address

Swansea Grand Theatre, Singleton Street, Swansea, SA1 3QJ www.swanseagrand.co.uk

Travelling to UKCS 2009

By Train

Frequent trains run direct from London Paddington, Bristol, Manchester and Cardiff to the Swansea Bay area, and there are good connections from north-east, south and south west England.

Here is a website with further information, including how to get around the Swansea area having arrived at the train station:

www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=12961

By Car

Here is a helpful website which includes approximate distance and journey time from key places around the UK, as a guide.  Swansea is just a 3½ hour from London, and 2¾ hours from Birmingham.

www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=12959

Carparking at the Grand Theatre
There is a supervised car park in Singleton Street at the front of the Theatre. Please note that the car park is open to the public and could be very busy during shopping hours. Please allow plenty of time to park.

By Air  

Here is local airport information:
http://www.visitswanseabay.com/index.cfm?articleid=12957

MAPS

Here is a good city centre map of Swansea showing The Grand Theatre www.swanseagrand.co.uk , the train station and the carparks:
www.visitswanseabay.com/media/pdf/e/c/City_Centre_Map_2009.pdf
If you decide to stay outside the city centre, then this map may be useful to you, providing you with information on the local sustainable transport network:
www.visitswanseabay.com/media/pdf/e/8/Swansea_Bay_Alternative_Travel_Map.pdf