Getting to Eastbourne

By car:

I am not going to tell you the best way from your house! Use your sat nav or check out one of the websites that gives you directions. [I use http://maps.google.co.uk/]

But here are a couple of tips:

If you go round the M25, Heathrow is often busier than Dartford, except during the peak times morning and evening when there is often congestion at the Dartford River Crossing.

At Dartford there is a toll crossing which costs £1:50 during the day [free 10:00pm – 6:00am]. There are unstaffed toll booths if you have the correct money on the right hand lanes.

There is only one service station actually on the M25.

When you arrive in Eastbourne follow signs for Congress Theatre or Winter Gardens. You have to pay for most on street parking although there are some adjacent roads which are unrestricted. It’s just a matter of looking or go to our website where we will put up more detailed parking information.

By train:

Eastbourne is approximately 1hr 30mins by train from London Victoria. 1hr from Gatwick and 40mins from Brighton.

The Conference Office has made arrangements to enable delegates to the Conference to benefit from discounted train fares.

This has been arranged through the Virgin Trains Charity Line. In order to use this service you telephone the Charity Line on 0845 30 50 350 and quote ‘Playworkvq.com’ and account number 10069680.

You will need a credit card and they need at least 3 days notice. You can book tickets for any train journey but the greatest savings will be made on Virgin Trains.

There are also discounted fares on Southern trains from London. Contact their website for more information: http://www.southernrailway.com/

When you arrive at Eastbourne station you can either walk [about 15minutes] or get a taxi to the hotel or Winter Gardens. There are four exits from Eastbourne station. If you want to pick up a taxi go through the barriers and keep walking straight ahead (with the wall to your right and not passed the ticket office) - the exit is between the photographers shops. The taxi rank is right outside. Now here is a trick: the rank at the station only holds three cars and later in the evening or early in the morning you may have to wait for a car to turn up. So when on the train join the front carriage as it is the closest to the exit from the platform and if you move quickish you may be at the front of the taxi queue!

By air

Airplane

If you are choosing to fly – remember to book now to get the cheapest deals.

The nearest airport is Gatwick and you then follow the instructions for coming by train. The journey from Gatwick to Eastbourne is about an hour.

Helicopter:

There are a number of allowed places to land your helicopter near the Winter Gardens. Your pilot will know them. Once you have landed, if you need a taxi call 01323 720720.

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