Conference Venue

We are proud to be hosting this year’s event in the impressive County Hall – Westminster Bridge, with breathtaking views over The Houses of Parliament & Big Ben. Located next to The London Eye, Waterloo and Westminster underground stations are a six-minute walk – for venue map click here.

Designed by architect Ralph Knott, County Hall was officially opened by King George V and Queen Mary on 17 July 1922 after construction began prior to the First World War in 1911.

Further improvements were made to it until 1933. Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the north and south wings, which were erected in 1939. Additional changes to the complex, as well as repairs of World War II air-raid damage, were completed by 1963, and the “Island Block” was added in 1974.

For 64 years, County Hall served as the headquarters of local government for London, initially the London County Council and later the Greater London Council.

The octagonal Council Chamber sits at the centre of County Hall, and provided seating for over 200 council members and four galleries overlooking the Chamber for the public and members of the press.

During the 1980s the then powerful Labour-controlled GLC led by Ken Livingstone was locked in conflict with the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher. Since the Parliament buildings were just across the river from County Hall, the façade of County Hall frequently in more than one year of her tenure served as a billboard for opposition slogans. When the government of Margaret Thatcher abolished the GLC in 1986, County Hall lost its role as the seat of London’s government.

Additional Information:

Westminster Bridge crosses the River Thames close to the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. Built between 1738 and 1750, it was the second bridge built to cross the Thames. The current bridge, however, was designed by Thomas Page and opened in 1862. With a total length of 76.2 m spanning the seven arches and a width of 26 m, Westminster Bridge is a metallic bridge with Gothic details designed by Charles Barry (the architect who designed the Houses of Parliament). The bridge is well-known for its special green colour.

Speakers

Speakers include:

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Accommodation

Please find below suggestions for hotels within walking distance of the conference venue.

London Marriott Hotel County Hall*****
T: +44 (0)20 7928 5200
W: London Marriott Hotel County Hall
Online Booking
Rates begin at £370+VAT.

The Royal Horseguards*****
T: +44 20 7523 5062
W: The Royal Horseguards
Online Booking
Rates begin at £350+VAT.

Other hotels

With more reasonable rates, centrally located and with a short, direct underground journey to the venue, we also recommend the following.

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London****
T: +44 333 400 6112
W: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London
E:  ppwlres@pphe.com
Discount Code: ETCVEN for discount on the best available rate.

Park Plaza County Hall London****
T: +44 333 400 6112
W: Park Plaza County Hall London
E:  ppwlres@pphe.com
Discount Code: ETCVEN for discount on the best available rate.

Click here for other nearby hotels

Directions to Westminster

Plane

London City Airport is the closest airport to The City of London. The airport, a hub for European and domestic flights, is just eight miles away. Take the Docklands Light Railway straight to Canning Town Station. Take the Underground – Jubilee Line to Westminster station. London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a short walk from there. Luton and Stansted serve European and domestic flights, while planes land at Heathrow and Gatwick from almost everywhere in the world. All four are no more than 45 minutes by train from central London.

From Heathrow Airport – Take the Underground – Picadilly Line to Green Park station and change to Jubilee Line to Westminster. The train runs every few minutes and the journey takes approximately 50 minutes. London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a short walk from there. Cost – approximately GBP£10.00. For information, click here

From Stansted Airport – take the Stansted Express train, which runs every half hour to Tottenham Hale station. The journey will take approximately 35 minutes. Take the Underground – Victoria Line to Green Park station and change to Jubilee Line to Westminster. London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a short walk from there. Cost – approximately GBP£20.40. For information, click here

From Luton Airport – Take the shuttle bus to Luton railway station. Take the train to Kings Cross/Thames Link. It will take approximately 35 minutes. The trains run every 15 minutes. After you arrive at Kings Cross/Thames Link, take the Underground – Victoria Line to Green Park station change to Jubilee Line to Westminster. London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a short walk from there. For information, click here

From Gatwick Airport – Take the Gatwick Express train to Victoria station. Trains run about every 15 minutes. It will take approximately 30 minutes. Cost – approximately GBP£9.50. For information, click here. From Victoria, take the Underground – Circle and District Line to Westminster station. London Marriott Hotel County Hall is a short walk from there.

*The above fares Do Not include the Underground rates.

Airport websites

• London City Airport
• Luton Airport
• Stansted Airport
• Heathrow Airport
• Gatwick Airport

Train

Westminster is the closest London Underground station to the hotel and to the venue. Get out at either one of these stops and we’re only a short walk away.

Waterloo Station is the nearest mainline stop to the hotel. Once again, it is only a few minutes by foot to our door. However, if that heavy luggage is weighing you down the taxi rank is always full of eager cabbies ready to help.

• thetrainline – UK train ticket website
• Network Rail – UK train service information
• London Underground

Other nearby hotels

Park Plaza County Hall London***
T: +44 333 400 6116
W: Park Plaza County Hall London
E:  ppwlres@pphe.com 
Rates begin at £190+VAT.

Premier Inn London County Hall***
T: +44 333 400 6112
W: Premier Inn London County Hall
Rates begin at £140+VAT.

Outside the event

We have included a selection of useful website links to principal attractions, events and places to take traditional afternoon tea should you wish to spend the weekend in London.

Useful website links

Visit London – Official website for London’s attractions »click here

TimeOut London– Link to what’s on in London »click here

The London Pass – Link to free entry to top attractions »click here

Attractions

Sir John Soane’s Museum – An eclectic and fascinating collection of sculpture, paintings, antiquities and jewellery collected by the architect who designed the Bank of England. »click here

National Maritime Museum / Royal Observatory Museum –
Located in Greenwich, these museums have a collection of over 2 million generic viagra effectiveness objects about the sea, ships, astronomy and time. »click here

Tate Britain – The home of British art from 1500 to the present day. »click here

An afternoon tea

Order tea and cake in elegant surroundings at:

The Wolseley – Smart Piccadilly restaurant, inspired by a grand Viennese café. »click here

Fortnum and Mason – Historic food store in London offering speciality goods and afternoon tea. »click here

Claridge’s – The Art Deco interior itself is worth a look even without tea. »click here

The Orangery at Kensington Palace – Overlooks the splendid palace gardens and serves afternoon tea as well as sandwiches and hot lunches. Phone: 020/7376-0239