All accommodations during The Cambridge Lectures are located on-campus at Queens’ College, University of Cambridge. Founded in 1448, it has been described as “the most complete and compact example of a medieval college at Cambridge”.
Rooms
During your stay you will be assigned a room in one of three buildings: Fisher, Cripps Court or Erasmus. Each of these three buildings ordinarily operates as a student residence, and none are equipped with elevators. While the rooms are not appointed in the style of a four-star hotel, we strive to make them as comfortable as possible. Not all rooms are ensuite and those who share bathroom facilities will find that it is quite manageable. Bath and hand towels – but no face cloths – are supplied and are changed three times during your stay. Bed linen is also changed three times during your stay.
There are tea-making facilities in each room and adjacent to each room grouping is a kitchenette equipped with a small fridge.
There are no alarm clocks in the rooms and we are unable to offer wake-up calls.
While rooms are assigned on a random basis, if for medical reasons you require a room on the ground floor, please advise so that your request can be accommodated before the room assignments are conducted (which usually occurs in the late spring to early summer of the conference year).
Meals
All meals are in the Dining Hall located in Cripps Court – except for lunch on arrival day (Sunday, July 10) which will be in the College Bar. The meals are varied, excellent and always plentiful – certainly not your typical student fare. Although the pre-set menu is specially prepared for us, most dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Wine is available at dinner and can be purchased at the bar set up outside the Dining Hall.
Mealtimes provide a wonderful opportunity to socialize with others attending The Cambridge Lectures. The tables are set in the style of a traditional school dining hall with long banquet tables. There is nothing quite like experiencing the talented team of dinner servers as they offer up and clear away each dish in perfect unison.
Continental breakfasts will be available on each of Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17, and dinner will be served on Sunday, July 17. Delegates will be on their own for lunch and dinner on the Saturday and lunch on Sunday. This will provide you with a wonderful opportunity to sample the local fare in and around the City of Cambridge.
Attire
Attire for breakfast and lunch, like the lectures themselves, is casual. Attire for dinner is business casual – jackets, but no tie for men; comparable attire for women.
The only occasions requiring business attire, i.e. suit and tie, are the official photograph session and the reception
hosted by the High Commissioner. Both of these occasions are scheduled to take place on Monday, July 11, (weather permitting). There are no black tie functions.
In addition, those taking advantage of the horse racing events in nearby Newmarket will want to attend in suitable business attire. Hats are optional!
There are plenty of opportunities to jog, play tennis and squash, take a walk, cycle or better yet, punt along the River Cam. You may want to bring appropriate sporting attire.
Generally, the weather is typical of Canada, although the evenings can be cool. Bringing clothes that can be layered is a good idea. It is also useful to bring an umbrella since the rain can make an appearance without much warning.
Other Facilities
(a) Laundry facilities, including coin-operated washers and dryers, detergent and ironing boards are available in Cripps Court, located near the Dining Hall. Irons can be signed-out for use from the Porters’ Lodge. There are also a number of dry cleaning and laundry services located throughout the City of Cambridge.
(b) Telephones are provided in each room and can be operated with a calling card that may be purchased at the Porters’ Lodge. Many of the public phones have been removed from Queens’ College, however, there is a public phone located in the Porters’ Lodge.
(c) The in-room telephones can be used for dial-up internet access. However, the connection can be costly. There are a number of internet cafés in the City of Cambridge which provide wireless and high speed internet access.
(d) Faxes can be received and sent at the Porters’ Lodge, and are subject to a fee by Queens’ College. The fax number, if dialing from North America, is 011-44-1223-33-55-77.
(e) Newspapers are not provided on-site. However, there are plenty of news agents located close to Queens’ College to satisfy all your current events’ needs.
(f) A small gym (with limited space and equipment) and squash courts are located in Cripps Court and are available for your use. Tennis courts are also available a short cab ride from Queens’ College. Racquets and balls are not provided.
(g) A conference office will be open – generally at meal times – across from the Dining Hall. Hours will be posted and members of our staff will be available and happy to answer all your questions.