The UKI Discs Meeting 2026 will take place in Meeting Room 2 (MR2) at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Wilberforce Rd, Cambridge CB3 0WA. Map.

The department is within walking distance of nearby Churchill College (5min), the Institute of Astronomy (12min), Westminster College (12min), and the city center (25min).

The closest bus stop to the department is on Madingley Road: the stop is called Storey’s Way and is located just to the east of the intersection between Storey’s Way and Madingley Road. People arriving at Cambridge Station can take the U1/U2/X3 bus from the station directly to Storey’s Way (~26min). Note that most buses to/from the central station arrive/depart just south of the station (turn left after exiting the station).

Accommodation

Attendees are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. We strongly recommend booking accommodation as soon as possible. July is a busy month in Cambridge (due to graduation, summer schools, and tourism), and prices tend to rise rapidly as summer approaches.

Cambridge Colleges are usually (but not always!) cheaper than hotels. Below are some convenient College options located within walking distance of the department:

Note that the city center (as measured from the Senate House) is also within walking distance (~25min) from DAMTP.

For those who do not wish to stay in a Cambridge college, some options include:

Campus Map

The meeting will take place in Meeting Room (MR2) in Pavilion A (i.e. the Central Core) of the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. There are three ways of accessing the central core (see map):

  • (i) from the entrance on Wilberforce Road,
  • (ii) by walking past the Betty and Gordon Moore Library (recommended if coming from the north),
  • (ii) following the footpath and entering through the Faulkes Gatehouse (recommended if coming from the south).

After you enter the Central Core (Pavilian A) from the main entrance (i.e. the east-facing entrance), the registration desk will be located immediately to the right.

MR2 itself is an auditorium located down the stairs immediately opposite the entrance to the Central Core. Campus Map

Getting Here

Arriving by train

Cambridge has three train stations: Cambridge South (newly opened), Cambridge, Cambridge North. We strongly recommend arriving at Cambridge, which is located just 4km (2.5 miles) from DAMTP. The station sits on the Great Northern Line, with regular direct services from London Kings Cross, making it easily accessible from central London and surrounding areas.

From Cambridge Station, you can reach the department by bus (£3, 20-25 minutes) or by taxi/Uber (£8–£12, 10-12 min).

Bus: the closest bus stop to the department (DAMTP) is on Madingley Road: the stop is called Storey’s Way and is located just to the east of the intersection between Storey’s Way and Madingley Road. People arriving at Cambridge Station can take the U1/U2/X3 bus from the station directly to Storey’s Way (~26min). Note that most buses to/from the central station arrive/depart just south of the station (turn left after exiting the station). Services run frequently on weekdays, with slightly reduced schedules during evenings and weekends. For live schedules and ticket info, visit https://www.whippetbus.co.uk/times/universal/u1/.

Taxis and Ubers: there is a taxi-rank located just outside Cambridge station (immediately to the right as you exit the station). A popular taxi service in Cambridge is Panther Taxis https://www.panthertaxis.co.uk/. Uber pick-up points are located in the parking lot just past the taxi-rank.

Arriving by (long-distance) coach

You can travel to Cambridge from other parts of the UK by long-distance coach via National Express https://www.nationalexpress.com/en. Services stop at either Parker’s Piece (near the centre of town) or Madingley Park and Ride in west Cambridge depending on the route. The latter is about a 21min walk from the department.

Arriving by car

There is very limited parking at the department (Centre for Mathematical Sciences). Attendants wishing to park here should contact the organizers first.

There is also a parking garage in the center of town (Grand Arcade car park), although this is quite pricey.

Finally, there are two large car parks on the outskirts of town (i) Trumpington Park and Ride and (ii) Madingley Road Park and Ride. Buses run frequently from these to the center of town.

Arriving by plane

Cambridge is relatively easy to reach from several London airports via public transport:

  • From Stansted Airport (closest option): Train: direct trains from Stansted Airport to Cambridge. Bus: National Express from Stansted Airport to Parkers Piece, Cambridge.
  • From Gatwick Airport: Train: take direct train from Gatwick through London to Cambridge.
  • From Heathrow Airport: Train: take Piccadilly Underground line to King’s Cross. Take train from King’s Cross to Cambridge. Bus: take National Express from Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 to Parker’s Piece, Cambridge.
  • From Luton Airport: Bus (recommended): take National Express from Luton to Cambridge Parker’s Piece.

These routes offer convenient and cost-effective options for reaching Cambridge from London’s major airports.

Food

Lunch

Lunch is included with the meeting registration. If you have any dietary requirements, please inform us when completing the registration form so that we can accommodate your needs.

Refreshments

We will be providing refreshments (tea, coffee, fruit juice, water, biscuits) throughout the meeting.

Dinner/Restaurants

There are a plethora of restaurants near the city centre (i.e. within a 5-10 minute walk from the Senate Hosue) catering to all tastes and dietary requirements.

Local Interest

Cambridge is a vibrant tourist destination, with many things to see and do. Some of the more popular activities are listed below:

Colleges and University: There are 31 colleges, though not all are accessible to the public, and those that are are not accessible at all times. The bigger colleges, all conveniently located near the center of town are:

Also worth visiting is the spectacular King’s College Chapel https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/kings-college-chapel

All of these generally charge admission. Admission is free for members/alumni of the university and (a limited number of) their guests.

Just south of the city center (but receiving significantly less foot traffic) you will find:

(The gardens at the back of the college are a hidden gem.)

Bookstores and libraries: Unsurprisingly, Cambridge is home a large number of bookstores, big and small, as well as many libraries.

Bookstores:

The two big bookstores are:

  • Waterstones
  • Heffers Bookshop

A particularly charming antique bookstore near the center is:

  • G. David Bookseller

There are several other smaller bookstores (mostly selling antique books) nestled in the various nooks and crannies of the city center.

Libraries:

Sadly, most of the nicest libraries are secluded in the various colleges, and are generally not accessible to the public. But if you make friends with some of the Cambridge-based attendees, they might give you a tour!

Perhaps the most historic library is the Wren Library, which is accessible to the public, albeit at limited times. It houses a copy of Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica (1687), and is a must-see for any theoretical physicist!

Museums: Cambridge is home to a large number of small, but excellent, museums. See https://www.museums.cam.ac.uk/.

Most of these are clustered near the center of town. A must-visit is the Fitzwilliam Museum which is located a five minute walk from the center of town. This museum is somewhat like a boutique version of the British Museum in London, and holds an eclectic collection, ranging from ancient Greek and Roman antiquities through to Renaissance artworks. The best part is, entrance is free!

There is also a wonderful botanic garden about a 20 minute walk from the center of town. (You can also take the PR3 bus from outside John Lewis and get off at the Botanic Garden stop.)

Walks:

Jesus Green: This short and pleasant walk starts from the Senate House in the center of town, which is where graduations are held. First scale the tower of nearby Great St. Mary’s for amazing views of the city. Then walk north past the historic colleges of Gonville and Caius (Stephen Hawking’s former college), Trinity College, and St. John’s, before stopping at the Round Church. Finally, continue along Bridge Street before turning right and following the river up to Jesus Green, which is a popular spot for picnics.

Grantchester Village: Attendees wishing to escape the hustle and bustle of the town might want to visit the charming village of Grantchester, south of Cambridge. The village is about a 40-50 minute walk from the center of town, most of which skirts the river Cam. Once there, you can get a traditional British pub lunch at one of the many pubs in the village, or visit the famous apple orchard for scones and tea: https://www.theorchardteagarden.co.uk/.

Punting: Punting is an extremely popular and fun activity in Cambridge in summer. You can book your own punts, or book guided tours, from the following companies:

Access to Swimming Pools and Gyms

The city hosts several gyms, pools, and climbing facilities. Below are a few options, most within a short (<20min) walking disance of the city center:

Gym/Climbing:

Swimming: