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WitchyCon 2007 Convention Site & Location
Driving to Wantage couldn't be easier and still retain it's village charm! Wantage is right on the A417 making it easy to get to from the A34 and the A420. That in turn makes it a hop, skip and a jump from the M4 or M40 making it super accessible from anywhere inthe country. What with small village charm, supurb parking facilities, cheap (for Oxfordshire) parking and a great conference, what more could you ask for? The Civic hall is right in the center of town so no matter which direction you enter Wantage from, follow the signs to the town center. Once there, you will see a tiny short stay parking lot in the center of a roundabout - you should also see signs directing you to the Civic hall. Driving - Coming from the A34, follow the signs for the town center (pictured on this map as market square). You come in via Charlton Road (A417) to Wantage road (past a Waitrose) and it is an immediate left turn on to Newbury Street when you enter the center of town. It's a giant roundabout (the center of town) so don't worry if you miss the turn. Then there is another sign taking you down Church Street and then a turn in to the Civic Hall car park called the Portway Road car park which, if you miss the Church Street turning you can also enter from the next left turn at Portway road where the Royal Oak pub is. Driving - If you come from the A420 direction, follow the signs for the town center (pictured on this map as market square). You will come in on the A417 via Mill St to the Market Square in the center of town. The Civic hall turn off is a right turn off that town center roundabout. Then there is another sign taking you down Church Street and then a turn in to the Civic Hall car park called the Portway Road car park which, if you miss the Church Street turning you can also enter from the next left turn at Portway road where the Royal Oak pub is. Parking is abundant and I'm sure car pooling once again will be popular. If you NEED A LIFT or if you can OFFER A LIFT, please check the Member Notices page. There are approximately 180 car parking spaces right outside the venue in the "Portway" car park however if you come from the A420 direction, you will find the other Long Stay first so be careful. The Civic Hall is well marked within Wantage proper using street signs however if you choose to park in the other Long Stay Car park there is a short cut to the venue by walking through the arcade next to the Arbery resteraunt and pub. Both car parks allow for all day parking but if you wish to park on site ARRIVE EARLY as this is a town center car park. The long stay by the "Local Service Point" is about a 10 - 15 minute slow amble from the Civic Center. If you're in a hurry, it's a 5 minute brisk jog (or less). Public Transport is a little more challenging. There are several bus routes that will take you to Wantage including Stagecoach - Stagecoach 34 bus (Oxford (St Aldates) - Abingdon - Steventon - Drayton - Harwell IBC - Wantage Market Square (5min walk from venue)), Stagecoach 32 bus (Abingdon - Culham - Sutton Courtenay - Milton Park - Didcot - Harwell Village - Harwell IBC - Hendreds - Ardington - Wantage Market Square (5min walk from venue) - Grove) and Weavaway Travel Ridgeway Bus(Swindon - Uffington - Childrey - Letcombes - Wantage Market Square (5min walk from venue)) but for the full picture on all the busses and services to wantage, just grab a pdf copy of the map of bus services in Oxfordshire, and a list of buses. Lunch was a bit of a disaster at WitchyCon 2005 and so below you will find a list of local eating places, a sample of their menu and their distance from the venue. You can also visit http://www.wantage.com/html/food_and_drink.html for where to eat in Wantage but very little information is available. Click on the venue to be taken further below to a sample from their menu. The closest pub is the Royal Oak which does not serve food. A 3 - 5 minute amble away are: Thai Resteraunt Yummy Thai, Blue Boar Pub, Bakers Oven, Madison Tea Room A 6 - 10 minute amble away are: Lesley Ford (for deli food), Cafe Marcel (3rd floor, no disabled access I could see), Arbery (through Victoria Cross Gallery), Waitrose (for grocery food), Fish & chips across from the Waitrose A 11 - 15 minute amble away are: Silvana Sandwitch Shop, Penguin Fish Bar (Fish & Chips)
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