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Out of Hours Arrival Information

for International/EU Students

1. Arriving in the UK: Getting from the Airport to Reading Town Centre

2. Getting from Reading Town Centre to the University, Halls and other Accommodation

3. At Your Accommodation

4. Next Steps: Enrolment

5. University Halls Addresses

6. List of Hotels in Reading

1. Arriving in the UK: Getting from the Airport to Reading Town Centre FROM HEATHROW AIRPORT You do not need to go to central London

By RailAir coach

RailAir is a coach which goes from Heathrow Airport directly to Reading town centre, taking approximately 1 hour. It runs every 30 minutes from 05:00 in the morning to 00:51 at night. A single ticket purchased at Heathrow costs £20 (Jan 2016). This must be bought from the National Express sales desk before you get on the coach. The ticket sales desks and coach pick up points are listed below. Full information: www.railair.com

Directions from Terminal 2 -

The RailAir coach departs from Heathrow Central Bus Station. From Arrivals, follow the signs for bus and coach which takes you underground. Then follow the signs for the Heathrow Central Bus Station. It is around a 4 minute walk

Directions from Terminal 3 -

RailAir coach departs from the Heathrow Central Bus Station. From Arrivals, follow the signs for bus and coach and Heathrow Central Bus Station. This is around a 7 minute walk

Directions from Terminal 4 -

Use the FREE Heathrow Express shuttle service. Travel in the carriages at the rear of the train and alight at Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Follow signs for Terminals 2 and 3 but as soon as you see signs for buses and underground follow these instead.

Directions from Terminal 5 -

Follow signs for Local Buses upon exiting Arrivals. RailAir tickets can be purchased from the National Express Sales Desk located inside the Terminal building (turn left out of Arrivals) opposite Costa Coffee. You will find Stand 9 by exiting the terminal building opposite the National Express Sales desk

By taxi If you wish to take a taxi from Heathrow to Reading, advanced booking is recommended for the best price. Loddon Cars Taxis: +44 (0)1189 321 321 or www.loddoncars.com/booking The fare for a pre-booked taxi to Reading is about £40. Taxis are also available from the taxi ranks outside Heathrow at each terminal. The fare from Heathrow to Reading may cost up to £80. A map of the taxi ranks can be found on the Heathrow Airport website: www.heathrow.com/transport-and-directions/taxis-and-minicabs.

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Hotels at Heathrow

If you are concerned about travelling late at night, you may consider staying at a hotel at the airport and travelling to Reading the next day. www.heathrow.com/plan-and-book-your-trip/heathrow-hotels

FROM GATWICK AIRPORT

By train Trains to Reading from Gatwick Airport take about 1 hour and 15 minutes and run every hour. They start at 05:30 in the morning and the last train is at 22:15 on weekdays and at 23:15 at the weekend (May 2016). Make sure you get a direct train so that you don’t have to change at any stations en route. Travel from Gatwick Airport - www.gatwickairport.com/to-and-from Train times - www.nationalrail.co.uk

Hotels at Gatwick Airport

Gatwick Airport hotel information: www.gatwickairport.com/hotels

FROM STANSTED AIRPORT

By train Stansted Airport has an Express train which departs every 15 minutes to London Liverpool Street station. Trains run from 05:30 until 00.30 every day (May 2016) and take about 50 minutes. From Liverpool Street station you need to take the London Underground to Paddington Station. The Circle Line or the Hammersmith & City Line (Westbound, Platform 2) are direct services to Paddington Underground Station. The London Underground Network closes between midnight and 05:30 and you are advised to use either Taxis or the Night Bus Network to get to Paddington. From Paddington station, trains go to Reading during the night but are much less frequent between midnight and 05:00. Stansted Express trains - www.stanstedairport.com/to-and-from-the-airport Train times - www.nationalrail.co.uk

Hotels at Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport hotel information: www.stanstedairport.com/flights-and-hotels/hotels/stansted-airport-hotels

FROM LUTON AIRPORT (also known as LONDON LUTON AIRPORT)

By train You will need to get a train from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras International and then take the Underground from London St Pancras International to London Paddington. Trains run throughout the night from Luton Airport and the total journey to Reading takes about 1hour 40 minutes (longer during the night). From Kings Cross St Pancras Underground Station take the Circle Line or the Hammersmith & City Line (Westbound, Platform 1) both of which are direct services to Paddington Underground Station. The London Underground Network closes between midnight and 05:30 and you are advised to use either Taxis or the Night Bus Network to get to Paddington. From Paddington station, trains go to Reading during the night but are much less frequent between midnight and 05:00. Luton Airport transport - www.london-luton.co.uk/to-and-from-lla Train times - www.nationalrail.co.uk

Hotels near Luton Airport

Luton Airport hotel information: www.london-luton.co.uk/hotels

FROM BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

By train Regular trains run from Birmingham International Airport to Reading and take about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Trains start at 06:15 and run until 22:15 on weekdays and from 09:15 until 21:15 at the weekends (May 2016). Train times - www.nationalrail.co.uk Birmingham Airport - www.birminghamairport.co.uk

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Hotels at Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport website hotel information: www.birminghamairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/hotels-at-the-airport

USEFUL TRAVEL WEBSITES

National Rail Enquiries - for travel by train

National Express Coaches - for coach travel across the UK

Reading Buses - for information on local bus travel within the Reading area

2. Getting from Reading Town Centre to the University, Halls and other

Accommodation

If you arrive at Reading railway station by train or the RailAir coach, it is advisable to get a taxi to your

accommodation if it is late at night. Buses also run during the evening but if it is dark you may have

difficulty finding your building. Make sure you know the name of the Halls that you need to go to.

By Taxi

A taxi rank is located outside the train station and taxis cost between £7 and £10 from the train station to the University campus or Hall. The postcodes for the University campuses are: Whiteknights campus - Shinfield Road and Pepper Lane entrances: RG6 6UR Whiteknights campus - Earley Gate entrance: RG6 7BE London road campus - RG1 5AQ

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Greenlands campus - RG9 3AU A full list of University Halls addresses is available at the end of this document

By Bus

Buses run from Reading railway station to the University and some run through the night (Bus 21 & 17). It is only recommended if you have very little luggage and for daytime travel so that you don’t have difficulty finding your accommodation. A single journey costs £1.90 and must be purchased on the bus. You must have the correct money as no change is given. Full details of the buses to University can be found at www.reading-buses.co.uk/uni-timetables (Night Buses www.reading-buses.co.uk/night-buses-to-reading-university)

Bus Number

Bus stop at the train station

Drop-off point

21 & 21a EJ (outside the train station)

To Whiteknights campus: Bus stop in front of Whiteknights House on campus and Pepper Lane entrance

9 SA (outside main entrance to the train station)

To Shinfield Road: Very close to the main entrance to Whiteknights campus

9 or 21 SA or EJ To London Road campus

19a, 19b, 19c

SA (outside main entrance to the train station)

To Whiteknights Road: Close to the Earley Gate entrance of Whiteknights campus

17 FN (go up Station Road and turn right on Friar Street)

To Wokingham Road: A short walk to the Earley Gate entrance of Whiteknights campus

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Private accommodation For private Halls of Residence in Reading which are not operated by the University you will have to organise

key collection in advance. If you arrive out-of-hours, it may be necessary to collect the key the next day and

this will have to be organised with the company directly. If you find that you need a hotel for the night, a

list of hotels in the local area is provided at the end of this document.

Here is a list of the addresses for the main Private Halls in Reading. Accommodation

Address and Postcode

Collegiate – Saxon Court Apartments www.collegiate-ac.com/uk-student-accommodation/reading/saxon-court-apartments

Saxon Court Apartments: St Giles House, 10 Church Street, Reading, RG1 2SQ

Unite – Kendrick Hall and Crown House www.unite-students.com/reading

Kendrick Hall: 4 Crown Place (Off London Road), RG1 5AE Crown House: 10 Crown Street, Reading, RG1 2SE

Fawley Bridge – Loddon House and Kings Road www.fawleybridgestudents.com

Loddon House: Loddon House, Regis Park Road, Reading, RG6 7AJ Kings Road: 191 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 4EX

CRM Students www.crm-students.com/crm-accommodation/reading/queens-court

Queens Court: Queens Walk, Oxford Road, Reading, RG1 7PT

Fresh Student Living www.freshstudentliving.co.uk/location/reading/central-studios-reading

Central Studios, 6 Greyfriars Road, Reading, RG1 1NP

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3. At Your Accommodation

University Halls Accommodation Out of Hours Arrival If your Halls reception office is closed when you arrive, there will be an Arrivals Sign outside the reception

entrance explaining what you need to do. You need to use the Call Point or alternatively call the halls

hotline on +44(0)118 378 7777 and a member of staff will come to meet you.

You will be given a temporary check-in form to complete and asked to provide some Photo ID (e.g. passport, driving licence). Once the form has been completed, you will be issued a temporary room card/key so you can go to your room and unload your bags. The check-in process can be finalised in the week once you have registered your visa documents. EU students will be checked in and issued a room card/key without the need to complete the temporary check-in process. A small Welcome Bag will be given to you in your Halls with some basic necessities including a bottle of water, snack bar, tea and coffee sachet/milk carton/sugar sachet. A mini toothbrush, toothpaste and toilet roll are also included in the pack.

HALLS HOTLINE: +44(0)118 378 7777 The Halls Hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year to help with any issues relating to living in halls.

Campus Security can be contacted at 0118 378 7799

4. Next Steps: Enrolment Enrolment will be taking place in the Palmer building on central campus on Thursday 15th September 2016 at 10:00 -15:00, over the weekend at 08:30 - 18:00 (Friday 16th to Monday 19th September 2016) and the rest of the week at 10:00 - 16:00 (Tuesday 20th to Friday 23rd September 2016). So you should head there the next day after you arrive to complete your University enrolment. A Help Desk will also be set up in a marquee outside Palmer Building with staff from the International Office who will be happy to assist you with any queries you may have. Once you have enrolled and taken a look around what the campus has to offer, don’t forget to take your Campus Card back to your Hall and complete check in.

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5. University of Reading Halls Addresses

NORTHCOURT GROUP

Reception for Halls in Northcourt Group:

Ground Floor, Sherfield Hall, Northcourt Ave, Reading RG2 7EY

Benyon Hall

The Maintenance Office, Sherfield Drive, Reading, RG2 7EF

Fickling Court, Blocks A-E, Sherfield Drive, Reading, RG2 7ES

The Granary Blocks, Blocks F-G, Sherfield Drive, Reading, RG2 7ET

The Cottages, Blocks H-K, Sherfield Drive, Reading, RG2 7EU

The Farmhouse, Sherfield Drive, Reading, RG2 7EZ

Sherfield Hall Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7EY

St Patrick’s Hall Northcourt Avenue, Reading, RG2 7HB

PARK GROUP

Reception for Halls in Park Group:

Ground Floor, Windsor Hall, Shinfield Road, Reading RG6 6HW

Childs Hall

Padworth House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JP

Quainton House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JQ

Ruscombe House, Shinfield Road, Reading RG6 6JR

Sonning House, Shinfield Road, Reading RG6 6JS

Tidmarsh House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JT

Mackinder Hall

Ashbury House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HA

Blewbury House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HB

Cholsey House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HS

Dunsden Crescent, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HD

Endbourne House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HE

Fawley House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HF

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Hurley House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HH

Stenton Hall & Townhouses

Ipsden House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JH

Jevington House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JJ

Kintbury House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JD

Lambourne Terrace 1-8, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JL

Newington Terrace 1-8, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JN

Oakley Terrace 1-9, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6JE

Windsor Hall Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HW

REDLANDS GROUP

Redlands Group - St George’s Hall Reception:

Ground Floor, St George’s Hall, Upper Redlands Road, Reading RG1 5HZ

St George’s Hall Upper Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5HZ

Wantage Hall Upper Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5JG

Redlands Group - Bridges Hall Reception:

Bridges Hall, Whiteknights Road, Reading RG6 6BG

Bridges Hall Whiteknights Road, Reading, RG6 6BG

Wessex Hall Cholsey House, Shinfield Road, Reading, RG6 6HS

UNIVERSITY CAMPUS POSTCODES

Whiteknights campus - Shinfield Road and Pepper Lane entrances: RG6 6UR

Whiteknights campus - Earley Gate entrance: RG6 7BE

London road campus: RG1 5AQ

Greenlands campus: RG9 3AU

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6. List of Hotels in Reading Prices listed below should be used as an indication only.

Tower House Hotel - from £35 per night 70-78 Wokingham Rd, Reading RG6 1JL Phone: 0118 926 5202 www.thetowerhousehotel.co.uk Elmhurst Hotel - £48 51 Church Rd, Reading RG6 1EY Phone: 0118 966 1588 elmhursthotel.co.uk Travelodge Reading Central - £48 60 Oxford Road, Reading RG1 7LT

Phone: 0871 984 6211

www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/64/Reading-Central-hotel Hillingdon Prince Hotel - £52 9 Christchurch Rd, Reading RG2 7AN Phone: 0118 931 1311 www.hillingdonprince.co.uk Quality Hotel - £59 4-8 Duke St, Reading RG1 4RY Phone: 0118 958 3455 www.choicehotelsuk.co.uk/en/quality-hotel-reading-reading-hotel-gb175 Great Expectations - £59 3 London Street, Reading RG1 4PS Phone: 0118 950 3925 greatexpectations.relaxinnz.co.uk IBIS Reading Centre - £69 25A Friar St, Reading RG1 1DP Phone:0118 953 3500 www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-5431-ibis-reading-centre/index.shtml Novotel Reading - £79 25b Friar St, Reading RG1 1DP Phone: 0118 952 2600 www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-5432-novotel-reading-centre/index.shtml Premier Inn Reading Central - £80 Letcombe Street, Reading RG1 2HN Phone: 0871 527 8924 www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/berkshire/reading/reading-central.html Pentahotel Reading - £88 Oxford Rd, Reading RG1 7RH Phone: 0118 958 6222 www.pentahotels.com/en/hotels/llrph-reading/everything