Logistics

On arrival

From 13:00 on Tuesday 4th September, please make your way to CMR15 (this is one of the Christodoulou Meeting Rooms -- see campus map below) to sign in and receive your BTM33 pack.

Should you end up at the OU's main reception, please ask staff there to direct you to CMR15.

If further assistance is required, try:

  • Gareth Williams (BTM33 organiser) on +44(0)161 9566861
  • Tracy Johns (School of Mathematics and Statistics Office Manager) on +44(0)1908 653550

Tea/coffee will be available in CMR15. If required, lunch may be purchased at The Hub (canteen-style catering, 2 minutes' walk from CMR15).

Feel free to bring luggage to campus -- we have a lockable room in which it may be left (at your own risk).

On campus

Many external doors at the OU require a swipe card for access. However, CMR15 is accessible without a swipe card.

Where the programme lists Tea/coffee, it will be provided by BTM33. Where the programme lists a Break, you are welcome to purchase your own refreshments from The Hub.

There is no cash machine (ATM) on campus; however The Hub accepts card payments, and offers a cash-back facility.

Off campus

There are several options for eating/drinking nearby:

  • The conference dinner (for those who have booked) takes place on Wednesday 5th September at 19:00 in the Hilton Hotel (10-15 minutes' walk from the OU).
  • The Kingston Centre is a long walk or short drive/taxi ride from campus. A range of shops (including supermarket and chemist) as well as lots of chain restaurants.
  • Ye Olde Swan and The Plough are extremely pleasant country pubs with good food and good beer. Booking is essential for groups wishing to eat. Around 15 minutes' walk from campus -- but in the opposite direction to the Hilton and Kents Hill hotels.

If you find yourself with a couple of hours to spare, we recommend a visit to nearby Bletchley Park.

Location and maps

BTM33 will take place at The Open University's main campus, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK.

Use Google maps to find The Open University.

A campus map is available (as a pdf file).

BTM33 activities will take place in the Alan Turing Building and Christodoulou Meeting Rooms (specifically CMR15).

Accommodation

BTM33 will organise accommodation for speakers. All other participants are asked to make their own accommodation arrangements. Accommodation in Milton Keynes can become expensive if it is not reserved in good time!

There are many hotels in Milton Keynes. Three in particular are within easy walking distance of The Open University:

  • Hilton Milton Keynes. This is where the speakers will stay, and is the likely venue for the conference dinner. Very easy access to/from the Open University by foot.
  • Kents Hill Park. Very close to the Hilton and equally easy access to/from The Open University by foot.
  • Woughton House (formerly the Mercure Parkside). In pleasant countryside surroundings and next to a delightful country pub, but a little bit further from The Open University than the Hilton or Kents Hill. The most direct walking route involves crossing sports fields on a footpath with no street lights. On the other side of campus than the Hilton or Kents Hill, so a little isolated from those two hotels.

Other options are also available; these are best explored online using a website such as LateRooms.com or Booking.com. In general prices are lower when reservations are made in good time, but there are always exceptions for those prepared to seek them out. Sometimes hotels in the centre of Milton Keynes (a bus/taxi ride away, or a very long walk) are more affordable than those close to The Open University.

Travel

The OU's webpage includes basic travel information, more detailed travel information and a link to OU-GO, a 3D campus guide app (not yet tested by BTM33 organisers!). Here is some further information:

  • BTM33 takes place at the OU's Milton Keynes campus (not any of the OU's other facilities around the UK). The Milton Keynes campus is in two parts. BTM33 is at the main campus, sometimes called Walton Hall. BTM33 is not at the east campus (10 minutes' walk away from Walton Hall).
  • There is ample parking for those coming by road. Postcode for sat-nav is MK7 6AA.
  • Milton Keynes Central is the best-served station for those coming by rail. A taxi from here to Walton Hall should cost around £10-£15. Buses are available.
  • HHH participants travelling from Cambridge: rail connections between Cambridge and Milton Keynes are poor. Instead, consider the excellent value X5 bus operated by StageCoach. Travel time around 2 hours. A taxi from the Milton Keynes coach station to the OU should cost £10-£15 and take around 10 minutes, depending on traffic. We understand that the INI is arranging a bus to transport HHH participants to/from BTM33.
  • BTM33 participants will be able to leave luggage in a locked room on campus from arrival until you are ready to check-in to your hotel, and again on the final day from hotel check-out until the close of the conference.