Directions

By road

The Campus is located directly off the A34, accessed from Junction 13 of the M4 motorway in less than 10 minutes (9 miles). Junctions 8 and 9 of the M40 are both within 30 minutes of the Campus.

The Research Complex at Harwell is located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

Satnav users

If your SatNav does not recognise our postcode (OX11 0FA) or directs you to Didcot town centre, please enter the postcode for the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory: OX11 0QX.

From the A34 (northbound)

Exit the A34 at the Chilton junction, branch left (signposted Wantage), then merge onto the A4185. At the next roundabout take the first exit (signposted Harwell Campus Fermi Entrance, Diamond, HPA, RAL).

Go straight across two mini roundabouts and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is on the left after the Diamond Light Source building.

From the A34 (southbound)

Exit the A34 at the Chilton junction (signposted Harwell Campus and Chilton). At the top of the slip road, turn right (second exit) onto Hagbourne Hill. At the next roundabout, take the third exit onto the A4185. After going over the A34, go straight ahead at the next roundabout, remaining on the A4185.

At the next roundabout, take the first exit onto Fermi Avenue (signposted Harwell Campus, Fermi Entrance, Diamond, HPA, RAL). At the next roundabout, take the first exit and go straight on at the following roundabout. The entrance to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is on the left after the circular Diamond Light Source building and opposite Little Stars Nursery.

From Heathrow Airport

Take the M4 motorway towards Slough, Reading and the West. Continue as far as junction 13 and then head North for about 8 miles on the A34 towards Oxford and follow the A34 (northbound) directions given above.

London Heathrow airport is less than one hour by road.

From Gatwick Airport

Take the M23 to London and Guildford. At junction 7/8 join the M25 to Heathrow and Watford. At junction 15, take the M4 towards Slough, Reading and the West, and continue to junction 13. Head North for about 8 miles on the A34 towards Oxford and follow the A34 (northbound) directions given above.

Gatwick airport is less than 1.5 hours from the campus.

Parking

RCaH has limited parking available next to the building. Parking is also available in the bus station opposite the entrance to the RAL site.

By train

The nearest rail station is Didcot Parkway, served by trains from London Paddington.

• Train Information – Rail timetable information

National Rail Enquiries: +44 (0)8457 48 49 50

Didcot Parkway rail station is only 5 miles away, with direct services to central London (Paddington) in less than 45 minutes and Oxford city centre in less than 15 minutes.

By taxi

RCaH is about a 15-20 minute drive from Didcot Parkway railway station, and about 35-40 minutes from Oxford railway station.

By bus

A regular bus service runs to the campus.

• Science Transit Shuttle timetable – the Science Transit Shuttle runs every half hour from 7am to 7pm between Harwell Campus and Oxford University. It is specifically for use by people commuting between the two sites.
• Thames Travel bus timetable – a dedicated bus shuttle service, with four buses per hour in each direction from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, serves the Didcot Parkway Rail Station to Harwell Campus route (bus numbers X32 and 32A).

The main gate is about 150m from the bus station on the opposite side of Fermi Avenue.

Travelling from airports

Harwell is about one hour’s drive from Heathrow Airport and two hours from Gatwick Airport. Your host may be able to arrange transport from Heathrow.

Heathrow

A frequent coach service, Reading-Heathrow Railair, takes passengers to Reading Station to connect with trains to Didcot Parkway. The service picks up from all four terminals and the journey time to Reading is about 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

Visit the Heathrow Airport website for further details.

Gatwick

A direct train service operates between Gatwick Airport and Reading Station to connect with services to Didcot Parkway. The journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.

Visit the Gatwick Airport website for further details.

Facilities at the Research Complex Site

Accommodation

There are a number of hotels nearby and also accommodation can sometimes be arranged on the campus at Ridgeway House or in Abingdon at The Cosener’s House. Please contact your host if you need accommodation.

Restaurant

Restaurant facilities are provided both on the RAL site and as part of the meeting and conference facilities at The Cosener’s House.

Further information about the Harwell Campus is available at: www.harwellcampus.com