[OSM-talk] SOTM travel and what to see in Cambridge

[Richard Fairhurst]

Lars Aronsson wrote:

> I'm coming to SOTM but I don't know how or when.  I'll most
> probably fly Ryanair.  They take me to Stansted, which is very
> close to Cambridge.  Wikipedia says trains and buses leave
> Stansted for Cambridge every hour; buses probably cheaper.

Ryanair will try and flog you tickets for the Stansted Express (train)  
on the plane. Don't buy one. They're no cheaper, they go to London not  
Cambridge, and they have been known to sell such tickets when the  
trains aren't actually running. Actually, in general, don't buy  
anything from Ryanair unless you have to. ;)

> [...]
> Bletchley Park is located at Milton Keynes, halfway between
> Cambridge and Oxford.  This is farther than the distance
> Stansted-Cambridge, perhaps an hour (?) away, or two.  The
> museum's website describes how to get there from Milton Keynes,
> but what is the preferred way of spontaneous travel between Milton
> Keynes and Cambridge or Stansted?

X5 coach from Cambridge Bus Station (Drummer Street), which I think is  
hourly (www.stagecoachbus.com). Then take a bus or train from Milton  
Keynes to Bletchley. Note that there are three coach stops in Milton  
Keynes itself and you'll need to check connections to make sure you  
alight at the right one.

 From Stansted, you want coach 777 (www.nationalexpress.co.uk) to  
Milton Keynes (the MK Coachway bus station).

That said, other than Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes is a dump, though  
there are some pleasant villages nearby. Cambridge, however, is a  
great place and, as Andy says, can easily occupy a few days of your  
time. Don't forget, too, that Manchester is a fascinating, vibrant  
city if you feel like arriving a few days before SOTM.

cheers
Richard