Host City: Cambridge, UK
Cambridge is one of the best small cities in the UK, just 60 miles north of London. It's home to the world-famous University of Cambridge, its Colleges, stunning architecture, superb venues, a vibrant cultural scene and acres of green space. Cambridge has been at the centre of world-changing discoveries for centuries. Today it boasts two universities and a progressive and diverse industry landscape. The city is an important centre of enterprise, leading the way in innovation, research, science and technology.
Host Institution: University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a collegiate public research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by King Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's fourth-oldest surviving university. The history and influence of the University of Cambridge has made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
Cambridge is formed from a variety of institutions which include 31 constituent colleges and over 100 academic departments organised into six schools. The university also operates eight cultural and scientific museums as well as a botanic garden.
As of September 2017, Cambridge is ranked the world's second best university by THE World University Rankings, the world's fourth best university by three other ranking tables, and no other institution in the world ranks in the top 10 for as many subjects. The university has educated many notable alumni, including eminent mathematicians, scientists, politicians, lawyers, philosophers, writers, actors and foreign Heads of State. As of 2017, 116 Nobel Laureates, 10 Fields Medalists, 6 Turing Award winners and 15 British prime ministers have been affiliated with Cambridge as students, faculty or alumni.
Venue: William Gates Building - The Computer Laboratory
The Department of Computer Science and Technology (The Computer Laboratory) is an academic department within the University of Cambridge that encompasses Computer Science, along with many aspects of Engineering, Technology and Mathematics.
Directions
William Gates Building, Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge
15 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0FD
The William Gates Building is 2 km (1.3 miles) west of the City Centre, along Madingley Road, towards the American Cemetery.
By bicycle
To find the optimal cycling route from anywhere in Cambridge, consult the CycleStreets journey planner. Cycle parking is available in front of the William Gates Building in the covered cycle park.
By bus
There are two regular bus services from the City Centre to the William Gates Building, and a third to the nearby P+R, 10 minutes' walk away:
Universal Bus: The Universal Bus runs between Madingley Road P+R, railway station, and Addenbrooke's Hospital via the West Cambridge Site and the City Centre. The route timetable can be found here.
Ticket prices are £2 for a one-way journey, £3 for a return journey, and £1 for a one-way trip for University card holders who show their card at purchase.
Citi 4 Bus: The Citi 4 bus operates from Cambridge Drummer Street (Stop D3) with a stop outside the Veterinary School on the West Cambridge Site. For Citi bus timetable details, visit the Stagecoach website.
Madingley Road Park and Ride: This P+R service runs between Newmarket Road and Madingley Road via the City Centre (stop D2 in Drummer Street).
The bus terminates at the Madingley Road P+R Site which is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the William Gates Building. For further route and timetable information, visit the County Council website.
For more information about all three bus services, see the links from the Bus Services page maintained by the Estate Management and Building Service.
By coach
All national bus services currently stop in Parkside (by Parker's Piece park). From here you will need either to take a taxi or walk to Drummer Street and catch a Citi 4 local bus from Bay D3.
Tip: If your bus (e.g., the X5 from Oxford, or coach from Stansted or Heathrow airport) stops at the Madingley Road Park and Ride Site, which is only 800 m west of the Computer Laboratory, then getting off there is far faster and more convenient than going to the City Centre followed by the 3 km back out.
From Cambridge train station
Cambridge train station is located one mile south-east of the City Centre. The Universal Bus operates a direct link from the railway station to the West Cambridge Site.