The Campus is in Hatfield, which is about 25 miles north of central London. It is within easy reach of major road, rail and air links

See the Travel page for information on how to get to the conference venue

Introducing Hatfield

Dating back to Saxon times, the village of Hatfield was first known as "Hetfelle" and then became known as "Haethfeld" when around 970 King Edgar gave 5,000 acres to the monastery of Ely. No records remain from this time until 1226 when Henry III granted the Bishops of Ely rights to an annual four-day fair and a weekly market. Old Hatfield retains many historic buildings notably the Old Palace, St. Etheldreda's Church and Hatfield House.

Perhaps the most famous local historical landmark is Hatfield House, seat of the Cecil family, whose history is not only closely interwoven with that of the town but also of Tudor times. Princess Elizabeth Tudor was confined for three years in what is now known as "The Old Palace" in Hatfield Park. It was here in 1558, whilst said to be sitting under an oak tree in the Park, that she learned that she had become Queen following the death of her half-sister, Mary. Records show that within a few days the young Queen Elizabeth held her first Council in the Great Hall (The Old Palace) of Hatfield.

The opening of the de Havilland aircraft factory prior to the Second World War resulted in further rapid growth of the town. The birthplace of the Mosquito, Comet and Trident ensured that the name of Hatfield will forever be linked with the history of British Aviation. The de Havilland Company, later Hawker Siddeley and finally British Aerospace became the district's largest employers. The urgent post-war demand for new housing and the growth, locally, of de Havilland's and other factories resulted in Hatfield being designated as one of the eight "new towns" to ring London. Distinct "new town" characteristics are the number of trees and open spaces which were outlined in the original design. The closing of British Aerospace in 1992 had a serious impact on the area. However, with Hatfield Business Park and the University of Hertfordshire already established and expanding and the redevelopment of the airfield site taking shape, the future of the Town is exceptionally promising.