Accommodation
Please note: delegates must organise their own accommodation; a list of suggested options is provided below.
Luther King House, Fallowfield - a Christian interdenominational educational college, which offers bed and breakfast accommodation.
Best Western Willowbank Hotel, Fallowfield - a fairly cheap and popular hotel situated at the bottom of Fallowfield, with bus stops in both directions on the hotel's doorstep.
Holiday Inn Express, Oxford Road - a recently-built budget hotel usefully located next to Oxford Road train station.
Days Hotel, Sackville Street - located adjacent to the University's North campus, where there is a cheap and convenient shuttle bus service to the Main campus. Alternatively, Oxford Road is just a short walk away.
Britannia Manchester Hotel, City Centre - a decently priced hotel in the city centre that is opposite Piccadilly Gardens, and just next to the National Express Coach Station.
Ibis Manchester Centre, City Centre - economy hotel located between Piccadilly Gardens and Oxford Road train station.
For more options or information on places to stay, please consult the Visit Manchester website. Alternatively, Manchester has a number of hostels situated across the city centre; for more information on these, see here. Finally, there are options to arrange short-term rentals of apartments, houses and rooms via http://www.airbnb.co.uk.
Luther King House, Fallowfield - a Christian interdenominational educational college, which offers bed and breakfast accommodation.
Best Western Willowbank Hotel, Fallowfield - a fairly cheap and popular hotel situated at the bottom of Fallowfield, with bus stops in both directions on the hotel's doorstep.
Holiday Inn Express, Oxford Road - a recently-built budget hotel usefully located next to Oxford Road train station.
Days Hotel, Sackville Street - located adjacent to the University's North campus, where there is a cheap and convenient shuttle bus service to the Main campus. Alternatively, Oxford Road is just a short walk away.
Britannia Manchester Hotel, City Centre - a decently priced hotel in the city centre that is opposite Piccadilly Gardens, and just next to the National Express Coach Station.
Ibis Manchester Centre, City Centre - economy hotel located between Piccadilly Gardens and Oxford Road train station.
For more options or information on places to stay, please consult the Visit Manchester website. Alternatively, Manchester has a number of hostels situated across the city centre; for more information on these, see here. Finally, there are options to arrange short-term rentals of apartments, houses and rooms via http://www.airbnb.co.uk.
Directions
Buses - for all commuters
The conference will take place in the Samuel Alexander Building (number 67 on the Campus Map), which is situated on the University's Oxford Road campus. Oxford Road is widely recognised as the busiest bus route in Europe, and so while you won't find yourself waiting too long for a bus, it is important to check that you know which direction you're heading, and which service you need to take to get there.
The University is easily accessible by public transport: from Piccadilly Gardens, which is the main bus station in the city centre, all blue magic buses and Stagecoach services 41, 42, 43 stop directly outside the Student Union, which is just in front of Samuel Alexander. These buses leave very regularly from the far (Primark) side of the stands at Piccadilly Gardens. The journey to University is approximately 10 minutes.
Buses that travel along Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road are 24/7, and serve Rusholme (taking you through the sights, sounds and scents of Manchester's famous Curry Mile), Fallowfield, Withington, and then continue on to East or West Didsbury. Please check with your accommodation reception about the best bus route to take into University.
The cheapest buses serving the Oxford Road are 'Magic' and First buses, on which a single fare anywhere between Didsbury and the city centre is £1. Prices on other Stagecoach buses and for other routes vary.
Trains
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147 (but note that this does not run on Saturdays); follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left. Alternatively, Piccadilly Gardens are a short walk down out of the main doors of the station, and to the right (see above for details of buses). The route is well-signposted and unmistakable by the number of commuters on their way to or from the station, or you can take the Metrolink for one stop to Piccadilly Gardens (less than two minutes). Finally, there is also a large taxi rank to the rear of the station; a taxi to University will cost around £6, and the journey will be very short.
If you are coming in via Manchester Oxford Road railway station, the University is either a relatively short walk (approximately 15 minutes) along Oxford Road to the right as you leave the station, or there is a bus stop just opposite the station that is well-serviced by buses, nearly all of which will take you to the University (check front-of-bus displays) in a journey that takes less than 5 minutes.
Finally, if you are arriving at Manchester Victoria railway station, Piccadilly Gardens (see above) are situated on the other side of the city centre. To get there on foot (approximately 15 minutes), walk towards the Arndale centre and carry on to the right, then turn left onto Market Street underneath the Food Court. Piccadilly Gardens are at the far side of Market Street, just past Debenhams and Primark. Alternatively, you can take the free Metroshuttle bus service to Oxford Road railway station from where you can get to the campus on foot or by bus (see above). Please note that the Metrolink (tram) stop for Manchester Victoria is currently closed.
Coaches
If you are arriving into Manchester Shudehill, Piccadilly Gardens bus station is a short walk away. Simply cross the road opposite the station, and then turn left before you get to the Manchester Arndale shopping centre car park. Once you get to Primark, turn left along the tramlines, and Piccadilly Gardens bus stands are then on the right as you come out onto the open square. This walk takes about 5-10 minutes.
If you are coming in via the National Express coach station, simply head out towards Portland Street (the main road), and cross over. Then turn right, and Piccadilly Gardens are situated on the left as you come out into the open square. This walk takes about 5 minutes. Buses to the University depart from the furthest stands, nearest to Primark.
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147; follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left.
From Piccadilly Gardens, which is the main bus station in the city centre, all blue magic buses and Stagecoach services 41, 42, 43 stop directly outside the Student Union, which is just in front of Samuel Alexander. These buses leave very regularly from the far (Primark) side of the stands at Piccadilly Gardens. The journey to University is approximately 10 minutes.
Buses that travel along Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road are 24/7, and serve Rusholme (taking you through the sights, sounds and scents of Manchester's famous Curry Mile), Fallowfield, Withington, and then continue on to East or West Didsbury. Please check with your accommodation reception about the best bus route to take into University.
The cheapest buses serving the Oxford Road are 'Magic' and First buses, on which a single fare anywhere between Didsbury and the city centre is £1. Prices on other Stagecoach buses and for other routes vary.
Trains
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147 (but note that this does not run on Saturdays); follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left. Alternatively, Piccadilly Gardens are a short walk down out of the main doors of the station, and to the right (see above for details of buses). The route is well-signposted and unmistakable by the number of commuters on their way to or from the station, or you can take the Metrolink for one stop to Piccadilly Gardens (less than two minutes). Finally, there is also a large taxi rank to the rear of the station; a taxi to University will cost around £6, and the journey will be very short.
If you are coming in via Manchester Oxford Road railway station, the University is either a relatively short walk (approximately 15 minutes) along Oxford Road to the right as you leave the station, or there is a bus stop just opposite the station that is well-serviced by buses, nearly all of which will take you to the University (check front-of-bus displays) in a journey that takes less than 5 minutes.
Finally, if you are arriving at Manchester Victoria railway station, Piccadilly Gardens (see above) are situated on the other side of the city centre. To get there on foot (approximately 15 minutes), walk towards the Arndale centre and carry on to the right, then turn left onto Market Street underneath the Food Court. Piccadilly Gardens are at the far side of Market Street, just past Debenhams and Primark. Alternatively, you can take the free Metroshuttle bus service to Oxford Road railway station from where you can get to the campus on foot or by bus (see above). Please note that the Metrolink (tram) stop for Manchester Victoria is currently closed.
Coaches
If you are arriving into Manchester Shudehill, Piccadilly Gardens bus station is a short walk away. Simply cross the road opposite the station, and then turn left before you get to the Manchester Arndale shopping centre car park. Once you get to Primark, turn left along the tramlines, and Piccadilly Gardens bus stands are then on the right as you come out onto the open square. This walk takes about 5-10 minutes.
If you are coming in via the National Express coach station, simply head out towards Portland Street (the main road), and cross over. Then turn right, and Piccadilly Gardens are situated on the left as you come out into the open square. This walk takes about 5 minutes. Buses to the University depart from the furthest stands, nearest to Primark.
The conference will take place in the Samuel Alexander Building (number 67 on the Campus Map), which is situated on the University's Oxford Road campus. Oxford Road is widely recognised as the busiest bus route in Europe, and so while you won't find yourself waiting too long for a bus, it is important to check that you know which direction you're heading, and which service you need to take to get there.
The University is easily accessible by public transport: from Piccadilly Gardens, which is the main bus station in the city centre, all blue magic buses and Stagecoach services 41, 42, 43 stop directly outside the Student Union, which is just in front of Samuel Alexander. These buses leave very regularly from the far (Primark) side of the stands at Piccadilly Gardens. The journey to University is approximately 10 minutes.
Buses that travel along Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road are 24/7, and serve Rusholme (taking you through the sights, sounds and scents of Manchester's famous Curry Mile), Fallowfield, Withington, and then continue on to East or West Didsbury. Please check with your accommodation reception about the best bus route to take into University.
The cheapest buses serving the Oxford Road are 'Magic' and First buses, on which a single fare anywhere between Didsbury and the city centre is £1. Prices on other Stagecoach buses and for other routes vary.
Trains
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147 (but note that this does not run on Saturdays); follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left. Alternatively, Piccadilly Gardens are a short walk down out of the main doors of the station, and to the right (see above for details of buses). The route is well-signposted and unmistakable by the number of commuters on their way to or from the station, or you can take the Metrolink for one stop to Piccadilly Gardens (less than two minutes). Finally, there is also a large taxi rank to the rear of the station; a taxi to University will cost around £6, and the journey will be very short.
If you are coming in via Manchester Oxford Road railway station, the University is either a relatively short walk (approximately 15 minutes) along Oxford Road to the right as you leave the station, or there is a bus stop just opposite the station that is well-serviced by buses, nearly all of which will take you to the University (check front-of-bus displays) in a journey that takes less than 5 minutes.
Finally, if you are arriving at Manchester Victoria railway station, Piccadilly Gardens (see above) are situated on the other side of the city centre. To get there on foot (approximately 15 minutes), walk towards the Arndale centre and carry on to the right, then turn left onto Market Street underneath the Food Court. Piccadilly Gardens are at the far side of Market Street, just past Debenhams and Primark. Alternatively, you can take the free Metroshuttle bus service to Oxford Road railway station from where you can get to the campus on foot or by bus (see above). Please note that the Metrolink (tram) stop for Manchester Victoria is currently closed.
Coaches
If you are arriving into Manchester Shudehill, Piccadilly Gardens bus station is a short walk away. Simply cross the road opposite the station, and then turn left before you get to the Manchester Arndale shopping centre car park. Once you get to Primark, turn left along the tramlines, and Piccadilly Gardens bus stands are then on the right as you come out onto the open square. This walk takes about 5-10 minutes.
If you are coming in via the National Express coach station, simply head out towards Portland Street (the main road), and cross over. Then turn right, and Piccadilly Gardens are situated on the left as you come out into the open square. This walk takes about 5 minutes. Buses to the University depart from the furthest stands, nearest to Primark.
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147; follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left.
From Piccadilly Gardens, which is the main bus station in the city centre, all blue magic buses and Stagecoach services 41, 42, 43 stop directly outside the Student Union, which is just in front of Samuel Alexander. These buses leave very regularly from the far (Primark) side of the stands at Piccadilly Gardens. The journey to University is approximately 10 minutes.
Buses that travel along Oxford Road and Wilmslow Road are 24/7, and serve Rusholme (taking you through the sights, sounds and scents of Manchester's famous Curry Mile), Fallowfield, Withington, and then continue on to East or West Didsbury. Please check with your accommodation reception about the best bus route to take into University.
The cheapest buses serving the Oxford Road are 'Magic' and First buses, on which a single fare anywhere between Didsbury and the city centre is £1. Prices on other Stagecoach buses and for other routes vary.
Trains
If you are arriving via Manchester Piccadilly railway station, the most direct bus to the University is the 147 (but note that this does not run on Saturdays); follow signs downstairs to the Metrolink and taxi rank, then cross the road and the bus stop is a little along the road to the left. Alternatively, Piccadilly Gardens are a short walk down out of the main doors of the station, and to the right (see above for details of buses). The route is well-signposted and unmistakable by the number of commuters on their way to or from the station, or you can take the Metrolink for one stop to Piccadilly Gardens (less than two minutes). Finally, there is also a large taxi rank to the rear of the station; a taxi to University will cost around £6, and the journey will be very short.
If you are coming in via Manchester Oxford Road railway station, the University is either a relatively short walk (approximately 15 minutes) along Oxford Road to the right as you leave the station, or there is a bus stop just opposite the station that is well-serviced by buses, nearly all of which will take you to the University (check front-of-bus displays) in a journey that takes less than 5 minutes.
Finally, if you are arriving at Manchester Victoria railway station, Piccadilly Gardens (see above) are situated on the other side of the city centre. To get there on foot (approximately 15 minutes), walk towards the Arndale centre and carry on to the right, then turn left onto Market Street underneath the Food Court. Piccadilly Gardens are at the far side of Market Street, just past Debenhams and Primark. Alternatively, you can take the free Metroshuttle bus service to Oxford Road railway station from where you can get to the campus on foot or by bus (see above). Please note that the Metrolink (tram) stop for Manchester Victoria is currently closed.
Coaches
If you are arriving into Manchester Shudehill, Piccadilly Gardens bus station is a short walk away. Simply cross the road opposite the station, and then turn left before you get to the Manchester Arndale shopping centre car park. Once you get to Primark, turn left along the tramlines, and Piccadilly Gardens bus stands are then on the right as you come out onto the open square. This walk takes about 5-10 minutes.
If you are coming in via the National Express coach station, simply head out towards Portland Street (the main road), and cross over. Then turn right, and Piccadilly Gardens are situated on the left as you come out into the open square. This walk takes about 5 minutes. Buses to the University depart from the furthest stands, nearest to Primark.
Things to see & do during your visit
There are plenty of things to see and do in Manchester, and if you get chance during your stay, it's well worth taking an extra day or so to explore all that the city has to offer. Above all the usual tourist stuff from a tour of Old Trafford to a tour of Coronation Street; from a walk around one of Manchester's many parks to a walk around the intu Trafford Centre, we have identified some places of interest that touch upon some of the themes that will be developed during the conference.
Manchester Art Gallery houses a range of collections. Highlights include works by the Pre-Raphaelites, including Holman Hunt's Shadow of Death and Hireling Shepherd. Delegates may also be interested in the temporary exhibition 'A Sensory War' and Stanley Spencer's paintings from the Sandham Memorial Chapel, on loan from the National Trust until 1 March 2015.
Imperial War Museum North probes deeper into the question of war, and everything from the building itself to the collections it houses are a striking embodiment of the politics and legacies of our conflicts and conflicting interests. An exhibition looking at the far-reaching impacts of war from streets to trenches is coincident with the dates of the conference.
The Gallery of Costume, located just a short walk or bus ride from the University, may be of interest for delegates considering the role of fabrics and fashions with regards to images, both anthropological and visual, in terms of how clothes inform our identities.
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) can be a useful destination if delegates want to reflect on how developments outside of theology are influencing and reshaping how we see ourselves alongside our technological innovations.
John Rylands Library, Deansgate is the University's special collections library, housed in a stunning neo-Gothic building. Items from the collection can be seen in changing displays, including the St. John fragment - the oldest known manuscript fragment from the New Testament.
Delegates may also be interested in visiting some of Manchester's many places of worship. Highlights include Manchester Cathedral, which has a diverse arts programme, and St. Mary's 'The Hidden Gem' which houses Stations of the Cross by Norman Adams, RA.
For more inspiration of places to visit, take a glance at our introduction to Manchester as a city, which links to some other cultural institutions that may be of interest.
Manchester Art Gallery houses a range of collections. Highlights include works by the Pre-Raphaelites, including Holman Hunt's Shadow of Death and Hireling Shepherd. Delegates may also be interested in the temporary exhibition 'A Sensory War' and Stanley Spencer's paintings from the Sandham Memorial Chapel, on loan from the National Trust until 1 March 2015.
Imperial War Museum North probes deeper into the question of war, and everything from the building itself to the collections it houses are a striking embodiment of the politics and legacies of our conflicts and conflicting interests. An exhibition looking at the far-reaching impacts of war from streets to trenches is coincident with the dates of the conference.
The Gallery of Costume, located just a short walk or bus ride from the University, may be of interest for delegates considering the role of fabrics and fashions with regards to images, both anthropological and visual, in terms of how clothes inform our identities.
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) can be a useful destination if delegates want to reflect on how developments outside of theology are influencing and reshaping how we see ourselves alongside our technological innovations.
John Rylands Library, Deansgate is the University's special collections library, housed in a stunning neo-Gothic building. Items from the collection can be seen in changing displays, including the St. John fragment - the oldest known manuscript fragment from the New Testament.
Delegates may also be interested in visiting some of Manchester's many places of worship. Highlights include Manchester Cathedral, which has a diverse arts programme, and St. Mary's 'The Hidden Gem' which houses Stations of the Cross by Norman Adams, RA.
For more inspiration of places to visit, take a glance at our introduction to Manchester as a city, which links to some other cultural institutions that may be of interest.
The image (top) is a detail from William Blake's, The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (c.1825, ‘The Haines version’). 42.2 x 35.3 cm. Pen and ink and watercolour on paper. Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, CT.
The image (above) is a photograph of The Historic Reading Room of the University of Manchester's John Rylands Library, Deansgate, by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.
The image (above) is a photograph of The Historic Reading Room of the University of Manchester's John Rylands Library, Deansgate, by courtesy of the University Librarian and Director, The John Rylands Library, University of Manchester.
