The Berystede Hotel & Spa
This year, PaedSCI is taking place at the Berystede Hotel & Spa, a quintessentially British 4-star hotel set in landscaped gardens, just a short drive from Ascot town centre and local attractions. Ascot is the home of the world famous Royal Ascot racecourse, and is in close proximity to Windsor castle and Eton college and town. The Berystede offers comfortable rooms, free Wi-Fi, a relaxing spa, gym facilities with an indoor pool and hydrotherapy facilities, and an AA Rosette-rated restaurant.
We are pleased to be able to offer a 10% discount for delegates wishing to stay at the conference hotel, which will be shared with you at point of registration confirmation.
Please also view other accommodation options in the nearby area, as well as sights and travel information, in the
Getting to the Venue
Venue Address
From London Heathrow Airport (LHR) (closest major airport)
By Car / Taxi / Rideshare:
Driving distance is about 14–15 miles (22–24 km) and typically takes ~25–30 min by car or taxi.
By Public Transport:
You can take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line into central London and transfer to a train to Ascot via Waterloo.
A more direct option is a local bus from Heathrow to Staines and then a train from Staines to Ascot, though this can take ~1 hr 15–90 min depending on connections.
MacDonald The Berystede Hotel, Bagshot Rd, Ascot SL5 9JH, United Kingdom (link leads to Google Maps)
From London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
The easiest rail option is to take a Gatwick Express or Southern train to Clapham Junction, then a service to Ascot via London Waterloo. This journey usually takes ~1 hr 45 min to 2 hrs depending on connections and waiting times.
You can also transfer via Reading on certain routes, but schedules vary — check National Rail or the train operator app ahead of travel.
By car or Taxi
The hotel is conveniently located off the A30 Bagshot Road and has free guest parking on site.
It is well connected to the M3, M4 and M25 motorways, making it accessible from London, the South Coast and beyond.
By Train
From London and UK national rail networks:
The nearest train station is Ascot Station, about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the hotel.
From London: Take a South Western Railway service from London Waterloo toward Ascot; the journey is typically ~1 hr.
From Ascot Station to the hotel: You can take a short taxi (≈ 2 min, around £5–£7), local bus, or walk (~25 min).
Trains run regularly, but check times in advance, especially for early arriving/departing flights.
By Bus
Local buses (e.g., routes 1, 1A, 500) stop within a short walk of the hotel on Bagshot Road.
Buses are less frequent than trains and taxis but can serve short hops from Ascot town centre.
The Conference Venue: The Retreat at the Berystede
The Retreat Conference Centre at Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa in Ascot is fully accessible throughout, designed to support delegates of all mobility levels. The purpose-built venue features step-free access and lifts to all floors, making movement between meeting rooms and breakout spaces seamless for everyone. This accessibility, paired with its dedicated reception, private parking and a supportive events team, ensures an inclusive conference experience for all attendees.
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The venue benefits from on-site private parking and its own dedicated reception, reliable Wi-Fi and AV capabilitiesfor presentations, and flexible meeting and breakout spaces.
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For delegates with auditory impairments, the venue offers a hearing loop.
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The Retreat Conference Centre at Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa offers reliable Wi-Fi coverage across all meeting and breakout spaces, ensuring seamless connectivity throughout the event. Cloakroom storage is available for delegates’ convenience, and a range of on-site catering options can accommodate refreshments, working lunches and formal dining. In addition to the dedicated conference facilities, the venue provides comfortable lounge areas and communal spaces ideal for informal networking, conversation, or quiet downtime between sessions.
Happening in Ascot
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, serving as an official residence of the British monarch for nearly 1,000 years. Founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century, it remains a working royal palace as well as a major historic site. Visitors can explore the State Apartments, which house significant works from the Royal Collection, and St George’s Chapel, a notable example of late medieval Gothic architecture and the site of royal ceremonies and burials. Located just a short distance from Ascot, the castle offers delegates a direct connection to the constitutional and architectural history of the United Kingdom.
Eton is a small historic town on the River Thames, directly opposite Windsor, best known as the home of Eton College. Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, the College has educated generations of British political leaders and public figures and remains one of the most internationally recognised schools in the world. The town itself is compact and traditional, with independent shops, galleries and cafés along Eton High Street. For visitors, it offers a concise but distinct sense of Britain’s educational heritage and institutional continuity.
Eton College and Town
Located within Windsor Castle, St George’s Chapel is a masterpiece of late medieval Gothic architecture and the spiritual home of the Order of the Garter. Renowned for its soaring fan vaulting, carved choir stalls and royal tombs — including Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II — it remains an active place of worship at the heart of British ceremonial life. Why not end your visit with Evensong? Sung daily by the Chapel Choir beneath the vaulted stone ceiling, it offers a moment of reflection in one of England’s most historic settings.
St Georges Chapel Windsor
Set within the luxury Coworth Park estate, this is one of the most refined places locally for traditional afternoon tea, with classic finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and pastries served in an elegant lounge overlooking parkland. The setting combines understated country-house formality with attentive service, offering a calm and polished environment ideal for informal meetings or a relaxed post-conference gathering.
Afternoon Tea in Coworth Park Drawing Rooms
Nestled in the heart of Berkshire in South East England, Ascot is a quintessentially English town known worldwide for its rich equestrian heritage. Its most famous landmark is Ascot Racecourse, founded in 1711 and deeply rooted in British sporting and social history — a centrepiece for thrilling thoroughbred racing and iconic events throughout the year, including the celebrated Royal Ascot.
Beyond its legendary race days, Ascot offers a charming blend of countryside tranquillity and refined local life. Visitors enjoy scenic walks through wooded surroundings, nearby golf courses, and a selection of inviting cafés, pubs and boutique shops. Its convenient location — just a short distance from the River Thames and the historic town of Windsor — makes Ascot an excellent base for exploring the wider Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, combining relaxed village atmosphere with easy access to cultural highlights.
Depending on nationality and travel purpose, you may need either a UK visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. Whether a visa or ETA is required depends on your citizenship, length of stay and reason for travel – business travel or attending a conference usually falls under permitted short-stay activities. Official UK entry requirements should be checked early on the UK Government website so you can apply in good time and avoid delays.
Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): Beginning 25 February 2026, most travelers from countries that previously did not need a visa (including EU, US, Canada, Australia, Japan and many others) must obtain a UK ETA before boarding transport to the UK. This is a digital travel permission linked to your passport, valid for up to two years and allowing multiple visits of up to six months at a time. ETA applications are submitted online or via the official UK ETA app; decisions are usually issued within a few days. British and Irish citizens are exempt.
By region
European Union: From April 2025, EU nationals no longer enter with just an ID card; a passportand ETA are required for short-stay visits, including conferences. No traditional visa is usually necessary for stays up to six months.
North America (USA, Canada): Citizens of these countries must obtain an ETA before travel for business or conference attendance; they are generally visa-exempt for short stays under the ETA once approved.
Asia, Africa, Latin America: Requirements vary widely. Nationals from some countries do require a visa(Standard Visitor visa) instead of or in addition to an ETA. The list of visa-required nationalities is published by the UK Government and delegates should check Check if you need a UK visa on GOV.UK.
Application tips for delegates:
Start the visa/ETA process early (several weeks before travel).
When needed for visa applications, PaedSCI organisers can provide invitation letters to support applications.
Please contact us via email for further discussion
Ensure your passport is valid throughout your stay and that any ETA or visa is linked to the correct passport.
Border control officers will still check eligibility on arrival even if you hold an ETA or visa.