First time to the castle?
|
If this is your first time to the conference, then we have to start with WELCOME! We are thrilled that you are coming and we hope you will enjoy the conference enough to want to return. The conference is essentially the opposite of an AERA experience. The Herstmonceux Castle is located south of London near the south coast of England (see map below) We are all together in a magical setting for four days and have the rich opportunity to meet many new people and experiences. The castle is quite isolated from local towns and shops. However, there is a pub in the castle and each night we gather there to reflect on the day's events.
We hope the following information helps with any questions you may have about attending. |
|
Getting to Herstmonceaux
You can get to the Castle via car, bus, train and taxi. We have even had people ride their bikes: For international travellers, you fly into either Gatwick or Heathrow. The directions from there are as follows:
From Heathrow
You have options from Heathrow that include both train and bus. It is possible to take a National Express coach (about 20 pounds) from Heathrow to Gatwick (100+ buses per day), then take a train from Gatwick station to Polegate (every half hour, about 11 pounds), then take a taxi from Polegate station to the castle (about 15 pounds). Alternatively, you can catch the train into London and then buy a ticket to travel to Battle. Whichever option you choose, you will need to catch a taxi for the final leg of the trip to the castle and get dropped off at the Bader International Study Centre (which is where we are staying).
From Gatwick
If you are flying into Gatwick, then all you need is the train to Polegatge and taxi to the Bader International Study Centre at Herstmonceaux castle.
Arriving and checking in
Once the taxi passes the Castle gate house and you start down the slope, keep your eyes to the right for that magical first glimpse of Herstmonceux Castle. Don't worry that you go past the castle, because you want to be dropped off at Bader Hall (the Bader International study Centre). Go to the reception and check in.
You can get to the Castle via car, bus, train and taxi. We have even had people ride their bikes: For international travellers, you fly into either Gatwick or Heathrow. The directions from there are as follows:
From Heathrow
You have options from Heathrow that include both train and bus. It is possible to take a National Express coach (about 20 pounds) from Heathrow to Gatwick (100+ buses per day), then take a train from Gatwick station to Polegate (every half hour, about 11 pounds), then take a taxi from Polegate station to the castle (about 15 pounds). Alternatively, you can catch the train into London and then buy a ticket to travel to Battle. Whichever option you choose, you will need to catch a taxi for the final leg of the trip to the castle and get dropped off at the Bader International Study Centre (which is where we are staying).
From Gatwick
If you are flying into Gatwick, then all you need is the train to Polegatge and taxi to the Bader International Study Centre at Herstmonceaux castle.
Arriving and checking in
Once the taxi passes the Castle gate house and you start down the slope, keep your eyes to the right for that magical first glimpse of Herstmonceux Castle. Don't worry that you go past the castle, because you want to be dropped off at Bader Hall (the Bader International study Centre). Go to the reception and check in.
Accommodation
Bader Hall
Accommodation during the Conference is in rooms in Bader Hall, located about 500 metres from the Castle. Both ensuite and standard rooms are available. Ensuite rooms are limited in number; standard rooms have two beds and can be booked either as single or shared accommodation. We all walk back down to the Castle for meals, which are served in the dining hall of the Castle itself.
Getting oriented
We sleep in Bader Hall and when you arrive, that is where you will check in (at “Bader Reception”). The Dining Hall, meeting rooms, and pub are all in the castle.
One of the joys of the Castle Conference is exploring and finding your own way around. Don't be afraid to wander around and visit the gardens. You can also skip a session and have a cup of tea in the tea house by the front door. We also recommend taking the opportunity to explore the Castle grounds. Take a walk through the forest and around the moat.
We sleep in Bader Hall and when you arrive, that is where you will check in (at “Bader Reception”). The Dining Hall, meeting rooms, and pub are all in the castle.
One of the joys of the Castle Conference is exploring and finding your own way around. Don't be afraid to wander around and visit the gardens. You can also skip a session and have a cup of tea in the tea house by the front door. We also recommend taking the opportunity to explore the Castle grounds. Take a walk through the forest and around the moat.
Informal mentoring
We know that it can be a bit daunting if this is your first or second castle conference, so informal mentoring is aimed at helping you make connections with others at the castle. Participants will be encouraged to intermingle with new and experienced S-STEP colleagues to help build connections and get past those awkward first meetings.
We know that it can be a bit daunting if this is your first or second castle conference, so informal mentoring is aimed at helping you make connections with others at the castle. Participants will be encouraged to intermingle with new and experienced S-STEP colleagues to help build connections and get past those awkward first meetings.
|
Eating, drinking, and being merry
All the main meals are in the Castle dining hall. Food is served cafeteria-style and you will pick up the routine quickly; there is always a vegetarian choice. Tea and coffee breaks occur both morning and afternoon in the Elizabethan Room or in the Castle Courtyard. In the evenings we all gather at the Castle pub, which serves beer and wine. A highlight of the Castle Conference is the banquet in the Grand Hall. Please see the Banquet page for information about the theme and come along prepared.
|
Fairy Dawn and Al Capone from the 'rubiks cube' theme
|
Wifi Access
There is free wifi at the Castle and this extends to the accomodation block in Bader Hall. When you first check in to your room, you will get the wifi code.
There is free wifi at the Castle and this extends to the accomodation block in Bader Hall. When you first check in to your room, you will get the wifi code.
Presenting a session at the castle
The expectation for presentations at the Castle are different than some conferences. We encourage presenters to consider how best to use their 50 minute presentation slot to share their research in a creative manner. We recommend a presentation of 20 minutes and then engaging the audience in some active way. We frequently have experiential and artistic presentations. It is also not uncommon for people to present unfinished ideas or questions and then get feedback and advice from the experts in the audience. Just remember that your paper is in the conference book, so you don't need to do an audio presentation of the written paper.
In terms of equipment, bring your laptop so you can plug into the digital projector that is in each room. If you don't bring a laptop, it is always possible to borrow one. There are also large sheets of paper in each room if you want to write notes or capture ideas. Outside of this, you need to bring any additional presentation aids with you.
The expectation for presentations at the Castle are different than some conferences. We encourage presenters to consider how best to use their 50 minute presentation slot to share their research in a creative manner. We recommend a presentation of 20 minutes and then engaging the audience in some active way. We frequently have experiential and artistic presentations. It is also not uncommon for people to present unfinished ideas or questions and then get feedback and advice from the experts in the audience. Just remember that your paper is in the conference book, so you don't need to do an audio presentation of the written paper.
In terms of equipment, bring your laptop so you can plug into the digital projector that is in each room. If you don't bring a laptop, it is always possible to borrow one. There are also large sheets of paper in each room if you want to write notes or capture ideas. Outside of this, you need to bring any additional presentation aids with you.
Further questions
If you can think of other questions that we have not answered, please send an email and we will do our best to add more details. We want you to enjoy this conference more than any other conference you have ever attended. If you have any problems with your room, the food, or the conference logistics, PLEASE mention to us right away (or scribble a note and hand it to one of us) and we’ll do our best to improve things.
If you can think of other questions that we have not answered, please send an email and we will do our best to add more details. We want you to enjoy this conference more than any other conference you have ever attended. If you have any problems with your room, the food, or the conference logistics, PLEASE mention to us right away (or scribble a note and hand it to one of us) and we’ll do our best to improve things.