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Locating the Department

West Cambridge site

The Department building is located at 27 Charles Babbage Road on the West Cambridge site. The Department is identified by the pin on the University's Official Map (main entrance is marked by the red arrow).

The full postal address and telephone number is found on the Contact Us page.

Modes of transport to reach the West Cambridge site

By train

There are excellent train connections to Cambridge from London King's Cross and London Liverpool Street. There are also direct trains from many other UK areas including Birmingham, Ipswich, King's Lynn and Norwich. Connections from the North of England and Scotland can be made via Peterborough.

Cambridge railway station is around 4 miles from the Department of Materials Science - taxis are available from the rank outside the station, however, the Universal (U) bus service can be boarded at the station in Station Place (in the direction of Eddington) and goes through the West Cambridge site. You can alight the U bus at the stop right outside the Department on the West Cambridge site.

By bus/coach

National Express operate a regular coach service from Cambridge to many destinations in the UK including a number of major airports. The bus stops for these services are alongside Parkers Piece, opposite Parkside Police Station. The main bus station is in Drummer Street, within walking distance of the Department. The Park and Ride services also stop in the Drummer Street area.

Further information on travelling by bus can be found on the County Council's website. From Drummer Street you can take a taxi, from the rank nearby, to the Department or else you can walk to Silver Street or Trumpington Street to make a connection with the Universal (U) bus service which goes through the West Cambridge site. You can alight the U bus at the stop right outside the Department on the West Cambridge site.

By car

Important information regarding parking

Please note that parking on the West Cambridge site is for University Car Park permit holders only. The site roads should not be used for parking, nor should the designated drop-off points. Car parking spaces are not controlled by the Department; they are managed centrally by Estate Management.

If you are a visitor with a specific need for parking directly on-site, for example, if you are a blue badge holder or you are bringing equipment/tools, then please liaise with your host in advance of your visit so that they can make enquiries regarding parking provision on the day you are visiting. Parking spaces are extremely unlikely to be available on the day of your visit unless you have made advance arrangements.

For visitors without a specific parking need, the nearby 'Park and Ride' site on Madingley Road (close to the M11/A1303 junction) offers free parking for up to 18 hours (bus tickets are charged separately) and is only a short walk (<0.5 miles) from the Department. Longer stays are possible at good rates.  Maps and timetable for all Cambridge's Park and Ride sites can be found here and here is a link to the University map.  The Universal (U) bus service that stops outside the Department (timetable) can also be boarded from a new bus stop on Eddington Avenue (in the direction of Cambridge station/Addenbrooke's hospital) which can be found via a footpath to the rear of the P&R site. 

From the South and from London, Cambridge is a short trip up the M11 motorway. Leave at junction 13, turn right along the A1303. The West Cambridge site entrance is on the right as you travel along this road towards Cambridge. Once you have entered the site, travel along JJ Thomson Avenue and then turn right at the end onto Charles Babbage Road. Continue along this road until you reach the Department at the far end on your left.

From the north, the A1 and M1 link to the A14 dual carriageway straight to the city along the Huntingdon Road. Turn right onto Storey's Way, through the traffic calming bollards, following the road around to the junction with Madingley Road. Turn right onto Madingley road as if you are heading out of Cambridge. A short way along here you will find the entrance to the West Cambridge site on your left. Once you have entered the site, travel along JJ Thomson Avenue and then turn right at the end, onto Charles Babbage Road. Continue along this road until you reach the Department on your left.

From the east the A14 again takes you to Cambridge. It is recommended to follow the A14/A428 towards Bedford, turning off onto the A1303 and to head into Cambridge over the M11, following the instructions as if you had travelled from the South or London.

From the west/Bedford area you can arrive in Cambridge via the A428, turning onto the A1303, just before the A428 becomes the A14. Follow the A1303 towards Cambridge over the M11, following the instructions as if you had travelled from the South or London.

By air

The nearest airport to Cambridge is London Stansted - about 25 miles south of Cambridge. Generally speaking it is the budget airlines that operate from Stansted. There is a direct train service from Stansted to Cambridge (Birmingham to Stansted via Cambridge) and there are frequent coach and bus connections too. If you are renting a car you should take the M11 northbound in order to reach Cambridge.

Depending upon your air carrier it may be possible to travel to London Luton or Birmingham International airports, which are also relatively near, or you may be forced to land at London Heathrow or London Gatwick which are much further away. All are served by good coach services. National Express operate regular daily services from Cambridge to most airports.

 

Where to stay

Cambridge is a popular tourist and conference destination. It is therefore advisable to book accommodation well in advance of your visit. The Cambridge Visitor Information Centre can help with information on accommodation and can book a place for you.

 

Travelling within Cambridge

Walking or cycling are the best modes of transport around Cambridge and its immediate surroundings. There are also buses serving the city and local villages, including the 'Universal' bus linking the University sites on the west of Cambridge to the city centre and Addenbrooke's. A discounted single fare is available for University Card holders.