Preparatory Questionnaire
If you have not already done so, please help festival staff to prepare by filling out our preparatory questionnaire.
Venues
Our venues in Cambridge will be:
Great St Mary’s (University Church, Cambridge)
A wonderful, comfortable, large and inviting church, Great St Mary’s foundations were laid in 1010, and it has been the University Church since 1209.
Opening and closing worship, plenary lectures and some afternoon seminars will be held here. Find out more here.
St John’s College
Founded in 1511, St John’s is one of 31 colleges at the University of Cambridge. Its former students include Nobel Prize winners, Prime Ministers, scientists and artists – it is an inspiring place to study and visit.
Our reception, breakfast, lunch and evening catering, late night liturgy and some afternoon seminars will be here. Find out more here.
Catering
As before, we aim to make hospitality in wonderful settings, a key part of the programme. We have options in the ticketing for the following:
- Sunday 15th September: Drinks reception (in the college garden if weather is kind) and Festival Gala Dinner. 7pm onwards – join us for a sumptuous candlelit 3 course meal in the beautiful 16th century Great Hall (limited number of tickets available). Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available.
- Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th September: Buffet lunch in the Great Hall, St John’s: this will be a sandwich and finger buffet.
- Monday 16th September: Evening dinner - a 2-course meal in the Great Hall, St John’s.
- Tea, coffee and biscuits are included in the ticket price for morning and afternoon breaks on both Monday and Tuesday.
St John's College will have a bar available from 5pm from the Sunday until the Tuesday. If you have purchased a ticket with catering, please specify your dietary requirements in the preparatory questionnaire.
Accommodation
We have reserved at total of 100 rooms for delegates at St John’s College. All prices include a cooked breakfast in the Buttery at St John's College.
Rooms are a choice of single and twin-bedded, with tea and coffee making facilities, towels, and toiletries. Rooms are serviced daily.
If non-ensuite, bathrooms are typically shared between two or three delegates.
Some ground floor rooms are available for guests with minor disabilities
We know that many of you will have family and friends in the area and/or would prefer to book your own accommodation as needed – though do bear in mind we have secured an attractive B&B rate at St John’s. You might find the following links helpful: Visit Cambridge and University Rooms. Our location is central Cambridge and both Great St Mary’s and St John’s are around a 5-minute walk apart. There are also numerous cafes, pubs and restaurants all within a short walk of both locations – we will post up some links to those recommended in due course.
See photography for examples of the accommodation.
- Overnight accommodation – ensuite B&B single occupancy - £106.40 per person per night.
- Overnight accommodation – ensuite B&B twin occupancy - £164 per room per night.
- Overnight accommodation – not ensuite B&B single occupancy - £74.55 per person per night.
Getting to Cambridge
By road
Cambridge is easily accessible from the M11, M1 and A1 (M) motorways, and the A14. Parking on site is limited and liable to be expensive. There is no parking at either venue.
By rail
Cambridge is a 50-minute journey from London King’s Cross and slightly longer from Liverpool Street stations. There are also good cross-country services from Peterborough to link with trains from the North and Midlands. For further information visit the national rail website or call 08457 484950. A taxi to our venues will take around 15 minutes and cost approx. £10.
By park and ride, bus or coach
Cambridge operates a convenient ‘Park and Ride’ service, with five sites around the city. The Madingley Road and Newmarket Road sites but route passes just outside St John’s, stopping on Bridge Street: the other services stop at the central bus station. More information is available on the City Council’s website.
More bus and coast services terminate at the Cambridge bus station. From here, make your way towards the centre of town, down St Andrew’s Street. At Lloyds Bank, bear left into the pedestrianised city centre and follow Sidney Street. Follow this road until you see St John’s College Chapel. Turn left opposite the Round Church, enter the College though the iron gates to the right of the Chapel and see the Porter’s Lodge for entrance.
Live streaming
Though we encourage in-person attendance, we know that is not possible for everyone. We plan on live streaming/filming some of the key talks. Further details will be announced in due course.
Photography
See below photographs of the event venues: Great St Mary's - view from organ loft, Great St Mary's exterior, Great Hall St John's, B&B single rooms x2, New Court Bedroom, Old Music room.