Please see below for some frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered on this page, please contact Lucy Thompson.
1. How do I get from the airport to the hotel in London?
We will be staying at the Covent Garden Travelodge. Please arrive at the Covent Garden Travelodge by 6pm on 21 July.
On arrival in the UK, you have two options on how to join the International Summer School. You can either:
a. Take one of the International Summer School coaches from Heathrow Airport (Terminal 3) to the hotel leaving at 2pm and 3pm on 21 July.
or
b. Join us directly at the hotel from 3.30pm on 21 July.
a. Take the Heathrow coach pick-up
There are two coach pick-ups on Saturday 21st July, leaving at 2pm and 3pm and are included in the programme fee. If you wish to use the coach pick-up you should inform Lucy, who will then allocate you to one of these coaches.
Both coaches will leave Heathrow Terminal 3. On arrival, please go to the meeting point at Terminal 3 as you come out of Arrivals. This is near the Marks and Spencers and clearly marked with the following sign:
There will be two members of University of Exeter staff at the meeting point between 12pm noon and 2pm to greet you and take you to the coach. They will be holding signs marked ‘University of Exeter’. You are requested to arrive at least one hour before your coach is to depart.
If you have problems on arrival and cannot find the International Office staff at the airport, you can contact them on 0044 (0)7976 238063.
Please confirm with Lucy whether you wish to use this service by 1 June.
b. Join us at the hotel
Accommodation in London is at the Travelodge Covent Garden. The hotel address and phone number is:
Covent Garden Travelodge
10 Drury Lane
High Holborn
London
WC2B 5RE
Tel: 0871 984 6245
Fax: 0207 831 1548
There will be University of Exeter staff at the hotel reception desk from 3.30pm on Saturday 21 July. Please find us there to collect your room keys.
Please see below for instructions on how to find the hotel.
From London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow connects into central London via the Piccadilly line of the London Underground (“the tube”). There are stops below terminals 1, 2, 3 and terminal 4. All terminals are well sign posted.
Take the Piccadilly Line on the Underground direct to Covent Garden. The service takes one hour and will take you all the way to Covent Garden for £5.30. You can purchase a ticket at the entrance to the airport Underground station.
On arrival at Covent Garden Underground Station follow the map below for the five minute walk to the hotel.
From London Gatwick Airport
The best way to get to the hotel from Gatwick Airport is by taking the Gatwick Express train to Victoria station. Gatwick Express trains depart every 15 minutes and take 30 minutes to get to Victoria Station. The Gatwick Express station is located in the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport. The station is clearly signposted from both the South and North Terminals - from the North Terminal you will need to take a short bus ride to the South Terminal. Tickets can be bought on the train and cost £18.90 for a single (one-way ticket) and £33.20 for a return (a ticket that will remain valid for your journey back at the end of the International Summer School).
From Victoria station, either take the London Underground to Covent Garden station or take a taxi cab from Victoria to the Covent Garden Travelodge hotel.
If taking the Underground, you will need to take a train on the Victoria Line. Get off at Green Park station and take a Piccadilly Line train to Covent Garden station (a 10 minute journey). If you would like to get a taxi direct from Victoria Station to the Covent Garden Travelodge, there are registered London Black Cabs available immediately outside Victoria station. It will cost you approximately £20.
On arrival at Covent Garden Underground Station, follow the map below for the five minute walk to the hotel.
If you have any problems on arrival in the UK and are making your own way to the hotel, please call 0044 (0)7580 159718.
You can print a copy of the official London Underground map from the TFL website.
.
Walking route from Covent Garden Underground station to Travelodge Covent Garden.
2. How do I get from London to Exeter?
A coach to Exeter will leave London at 8.15am on Wednesday 25 July. This journey is included in the programme fee. You will receive instructions on where to meet this service during your stay in London. You will be allocated to a small group for the duration of your stay in London. The group will be assisted by a member of staff or by a University of Exeter student buddy.
3. How do I get from Exeter to London at the end of the International Summer School?
On the morning of Saturday 11 August there will be a coach from your accommodation in Exeter to Heathrow Terminal 3 and then onwards to Victoria Coach Station in London. If you wish to travel on the coach you will need to be outside the entrance of the Holland Hall accommodation at 6.00am with your baggage. If you intend to leave at a different time you will need to pay for this and make your own arrangements, though we are happy to offer advice.
The coach should arrive at Heathrow Airport between 11.00am and 12.00 noon. Please make sure you know your check-in times when booking your return flight to ensure that you have enough time to get to your flight.
Victoria Coach Station is in central London and has good links to Gatwick Airport via the Gatwick Express train, which leaves every 15 minutes. It also has an Underground station which means it has good links to London stations - for more information see the London Underground map.
4. What should I pack with me?
Important documents
- Passport and any necessary visa clearance.
- Travel tickets, medical insurance and travel insurance.
- Travellers cheques or sterling currency for personal purchases during your stay (including lunches)
- Regular medication and inform the International Office about it prior to your arrival in the UK.
Clothing
Exeter’s climate can be unpredictable but tends to be warmer than other parts of Britain. Generally, July is warm, though rarely very hot. It can still rain regularly though, so please make sure you come prepared with waterproofs. Dress in Britain is generally informal but you may wish to bring something smart to wear for the graduation party on the final evening of the course. There will be trips to the beach and opportunities to play sport, go cycling or walking on the moors so if you wish to take part in these activities, please bring appropriate clothing.
Please note that we have a walking tour of London booked and a number of activities that will involve some walking so comfortable footwear is important.
