The venue
The symposium will be a chance to blend stimulating discussion and debate with the opportunity to enjoy the early spring countryside surrounding Higham Hall, an atmospheric 19th century mansion set in an unspoiled part of the Lake District.

Higham has spectacular views over Bassenthwaite Lake to Skiddaw (the 'Giant of the Northern Fells'), modern conference facilities, good accommodation, local cooking and its own bar.

Getting to Higham

View a map showing the location of Higham Hall in detail (the brown arrow points to the location; use the scale at the bottom of the map to zoom in).

Cars
Directions to Higham Hall
If travelling from Penrith/Keswick, follow the A66 along the side of Bassenthwaite Lake and take the first turning right at the end of the lake. Then take the second turning on the left, and then the second turning on the right. Higham is half a mile up the hill, on the left.

If travelling from Cockermouth or the west, follow the A66 to the same junction, but turn left (opposite the turning to the Pheasant Inn).

If travelling from Carlisle, turn left at Bothel (A591) and travel as far as the Castle Inn. Turn right here (B5291), bear right after Ouse Bridge and then take the second turning on the right.

Trains
If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Penrith. From Penrith to Higham takes about 45 minutes by road. Train information is available from National Rail Enquiries Online.

The ICE minibus will meet trains the morning before the conference starts, and will run back to the station at the end of the symposium. See the programme for times.

Buses and taxis
If you don't manage to get the minibus, you can get a local bus to Keswick (buses meet all the mainline trains and take about an hour to get to Keswick) and then take a taxi to Higham from there, costing about £10. Alternatively, a taxi from Penrith station to Higham costs about £40.

Bus times between Penrith and Keswick can be searched for on the Cumbria journey planner web site.