Participants Information

This information is for conferences at Wilton Park.

For information on conferences held elsewhere, please contact the Conference Administration Manager. Contact details can be found on the Key Contacts page.

CONTACT DETAILS
Wilton Park Conferences
Wiston House, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3DZ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0) 1903 815020
Fax: +44 (0) 1903 815931
Email: admin@wiltonpark.org.uk

LOCATION
Wilton Park conferences are held at Wiston House which is situated close to the South Coast of England between Brighton and Worthing. 2km (1.5miles) from the village of Steyning on the A283. It is 85km (53 miles) south of London, which is 2 hours by car direct, or 90 minutes by train to Shoreham-by-Sea. If travelling from London Heathrow Airport please allow a minimum of 2 hours and at peak times 2.5 hours. The travel time from London Gatwick Airport is 45 minutes by car. If you travel by Eurostar to Ashford International Terminal, it takes 2 hours by car to Wilton Park. It is also 2 hours by car to the new Ebbsfleet International terminal, which becomes the second Eurostar terminal from autumn 2007, when Eurostar runs to/from St Pancras using the new High Speed Link 1.

VISA REQUIREMENTS
If you need a visa to enter the UK please apply well in advance of the conference to avoid any inconvenience. If you are in doubt about the UK's visa requirements, please look at www.ukvisas.gov.uk or contact your nearest British Embassy or High Commission. Please note that the current EU Schengen visa arrangements do not apply to the UK.

TRANSPORT: Arrival
BUS: A special bus will be available at Gatwick Airport to bring participants to Wilton Park for the opening of the conference. Click here to see a plan of the 2nd Floor Main Arrivals Concourse in the SOUTH TERMINAL which shows the precise meeting point (in ZONE S by entrance to the Train Station and Bureau de Change).

Gatwick Express trains run from London Victoria Station to Gatwick every 15 minutes and the journey takes 30 minutes.

Participants arriving at London Heathrow Airport are advised to take the NATIONAL EXPRESS Airport bus to Gatwick. The service runs approximately every 15-30 minutes and the journey takes approximately 90 minutes. The National Express website is www.nationalexpress.com.

RAIL: Our nearest railway station is SHOREHAM-BY-SEA, SUSSEX (not Shoreham in Kent). Direct trains to Shoreham-By-Sea leave from London Victoria Station. The service is half-hourly and the journey takes approximately 70 minutes. A timetable is available on-line at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk. The best option for participants is to take a taxi from outside the station on arrival, and ask for "Wiston House". The approximate cost is £18.00.

CAR: If driving to Wilton Park, take the A24 out of London and follow it down to Sussex until turning left at the Washington Roundabout (A283). Wiston House is three miles along this road on the right hand side. Click here for a route map indicating how participants can reach Wilton Park by car. For detailed maps please look at Multimap or Michelin.

TRANSPORT: Departure
Participants are advised to make necessary return bookings before setting out for Wilton Park.

After the conference, a special bus will return participants to Gatwick Airport South Terminal. Participants making their own travel arrangements are asked to depart from Wilton Park as swiftly as possible to enable us to prepare for the next conference.

LANGUAGE
Wilton Park conferences are usually conducted in English only and a good command of English is essential.

ACCOMMODATION AND PARTICIPATION
Wilton Park offers the comfort of an historic but modernised country house. Participants are accommodated in the main House and in specially converted cottages in the grounds. All rooms have their own private bathrooms. If participation exceeds the capacity of the House, some participants will be accommodated in a nearby Hotel for bed and breakfast only. This will not affect participation in any of the activities of the conference. Transport will be provided between Wilton Park and the Hotel.
N.B. Accommodation is normally provided from the opening day until the closing morning of the conference.

ACCOMPANYING PARTNERS
Wilton Park welcomes the partners of participants who are invited to attend all sessions and take part in discussions and other activities if space is available. A partner wishing to attend as a full participant in their own right should complete a second registration form. For a partner who stays, but does not want to participate in the conference, the charge is £85 per night. If you would like to be accompanied by your partner please contact the conference administration manager.

PARTICIPATION
Wilton Park conferences are intended to be interactive. Participants are encouraged to participate in their own personal capacity. Wilton Park conferences are held under the Chatham House Rule. Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s) may be revealed unless the express permission of the individual(s) concerned is granted.

CASH REQUIREMENTS
We can accept payment for bills (telephone calls, bar etc) in £Sterling, Sterling Travellers Cheques, Mastercard or Visa Credit Cards. Participants are advised to bring sufficient British currency to cover personal expenses. Sterling cheques up to the value of £30 can be cashed at Reception, provided they are supported by a guarantee card. Alternatively, other currency can be exchanged at a local bank if it is taken to Reception before 1100 on any weekday (except for the day of departure). Wilton Park has a small gift shop where luxury items can be bought, some of which feature scenes of the house and grounds, as well as essential toiletries. There is a local dry-cleaning service available.

CLOTHING AND PERSONAL
Dress during the day is normally informal. Men generally find a suit popular at the conference dinner. Hairdryers and tea and coffee-making facilities are available in all the rooms. The voltage at Wilton Park is 240AC and adaptors are available from Reception.

REST AND RELAXATION
There are 2 tennis courts and a croquet lawn, the equipment for which can be borrowed from the House. The surrounding area is ideal for country walks or jogging (suitable footwear is recommended as it can often be muddy in places). There are facilities nearby for squash and golf and bicycles can also be hired to explore the area. There is a modern indoor swimming pool in Steyning. Further details of these and other activities are available from Reception.

COMPUTER FACILITIES
We offer Wi Fi (broadband wireless internet access) in our Library via six laptops - there's no charge. You can also use our Wi Fi link to access the internet using your own laptop if it has Wi Fi capability, again at no charge.

MOBILE PHONES
Participants are kindly requested to keep mobile phones switched off during all plenary and discussion group sessions. Messages can be left for participants on 44 (0) 1903 815020.

CONFERENCE CHARGE
The conference charge is PAYABLE IN ADVANCE and will act as confirmation of your attendance. The charge covers transport from and to Gatwick Airport on the special bus, all meals and accommodation, attendance at all sessions and the cost of any extra activities included in the programme. Details of how to make your payment are provided in the invoice section of the registration form. Telephone/fax calls, photocopying, postage and drinks at the bar are payable separately.