British Rowing Coaching Conference 2025

By Train
University (Birmingham) Train Station

• University train station has step free access.
• Colleagues can book Passenger Assist with the train company you are starting your journey with to arrange assistance, help you on and off trains at University (Birmingham) reserve wheelchair spaces and seats, and provide you with detailed rail information. There is more information available on Network Rail’s website.

The facilities at the station include:

• Accessible seating with integrated space for wheelchairs
• An accredited Changing Places toilet facility
• An accessible toilet
• A staffed welcome desk
• Facilities for service animals
• Accessible information board.

By Walking
It is a 15 minute walk from the train station to the venue. It is suggested that you exit the station via the Westgate Exit and following the signs to the University Campus. This route is fully paved, with tactile paving at each road crossing. It is generally flat with uphill ramps along the route.

• Putting directions into a maps app may provide a slightly faster route or follow signs to Conference Park.
• The roads and paving slabs near the venue are in good condition.
• There is tactile paving at both of the pedestrian crossings from one side of Oxford Street to the other. Traffic light controlled crossing is available outside of the venue.

By Bus Service
Buses X21 and X22 run to the venue on Edgbaston Park Road. Bus Stop Westmere or University North Gate.

To plan your journey please visit the National Express West Midlands website.

Taxis

• Taxis are available at all train stations and in the city centre
• Uber also operates in the city.

Driving
The Hotel and Conference Centre postcode is B15 2RS

Approaching from the NW or SE along the M6, leave at Junction 6 (signposted Birmingham Central), to drive along the A38(M). Continue along the A48, then take the B4127. Turn left onto Wheeley’s Lane and then continue straight until you reach the Conference Centre and Hotel on your right.

Approaching from the M42 north, leave at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound and then follow the directions above.

Approaching from the SW, leave the M5 at Junction 4 signposted Birmingham SW to join the A38.

Approaching from the M40, from Junction 3A head west on the M42. At Junction 3, take the A435 exit (Birmingham South)

Car parking

• The venue has complimentary car parking and surface level parking is available to the left and right of the hotel’s main entrance. You can also park for free on the ground floor of the Northeast Car Park 250yd from the hotel’s main entrance. Please enter your vehicle registration with the reception team or via our hotel iPad located at the host desk.
• There are four disabled parking bays directly outside the venue. Unfortunately, these are not bookable and available on a first come first served basis. If there are any issues related to this then please do get in touch.
• There are six electric charging points (fee applies) and the reception staff will provide more information on arrival.

Cycling

The venue is easily accessible from the surrounding suburbs of Edgbaston, Selly Oak and Harbourne. Cycle parking facilities are provided in numerous locations across campus. The Munro Sports Centre also provides free use of its shower facilities to cyclists.

Lifts, floors and steps

• There is step-free access throughout the building via lifts.
• It is a flat level from the entrance to the lift to the right of the lobby.
• The entrance consists of an accessible entrance. Colleagues will be available during the day to ensure that this access is available.
• The main room and the refreshments are on the ground floor.
• We will be using breakout rooms on the first floor – these are all accessible by lift.
• All the steps in the venue have treads on their edges and all the staircases have handrails.
• Accessible floor plans are available. If you wish to see these please email [email protected]

Bathrooms

• Located on the ground and first floor are accessible toilets.
• All toilets are located near to the delivery rooms and are easily accessible and sign posted.

Seating

All seating in the venue have backrests. Seats do not have armrests.

Fire alarm

• There is a fire alarm test scheduled for the day of the event. We will confirm the time of this on the day.
• The evacuation meeting point is based at the front of the hotel. Look out for the green and white fire assembly point sign.

Quiet Spaces

• Throughout the venue there are open spaces which delegates can use as quiet spaces. These are located on all floors.
• We are expecting to be the only users of the building on this day.

Lighting

The venue has natural light throughout.

Breaks

There are breaks between all of the sessions, including an hour-long lunch break. However, there will be a rolling tea and coffee station on the ground and first floor and colleagues can go and help themselves whenever they would like throughout the day.

Doors

• The entrance consists of glass doors and an accessible entrance to the right. Colleagues will be available during the day to ensure that this access is available.
• Doors to each room are solid grey with no windows. These are all push doors to open, although will be propped open for the start and end of sessions.

Steps

All the steps in the venue have treads on the edge of them and all of the staircases have handrails.

Presentation Slides

• We will share slides following the day, however if you require them in advance of any session you choose to attend then please do let us know.
• All rooms have multiple screens available that will project the same image.

Language and communication access

• A hearing loop is available in all rooms.
• Microphones are available for speakers in the main room only due to the size of the room.

• The toilets on the ground floor are single sex. The accessible bathroom is gender neutral.
• Please ask if you need to store medicine or expressed milk as a fridge can be made available for you to access.

When you arrive, there will be members of the British Rowing team to meet you and direct you to registration, refreshments, or rest rooms as required.

Edgbaston hotel will contact you directly to confirm any dietary requirements.

If you have any particular needs that it would be helpful for us to know so that you can get the most out of the event and that weren’t covered or declared at the point of booking then please let us know by emailing [email protected].

Accommodation is not included in the ticket proces and available on a first come first served basis at the Conference Centre and Hotel. British Rowing has a discount code. Please see the Discount Code document for more information on how to book.

Other accommodation available nearby is:

Premier Inn (Birmingham New Street Station)

Travel Lodge Birmingham Central Plaza

Park Regis Birmingham

Novotel Birmingham Centre

Edgbaston House

Holiday Inn Express (Birmingham City Centre)

British Rowing is aware of the amount of time coaches dedicate to coaching, meaning time away from families. Birmingham is a great city for people of all ages and if you would like to bring your families with you, so that you can enjoy downtime together, then below are suggestions of family friendly activities in the area. Please let us know if you plan to bring family, by emailing [email protected] and if enough people are doing similar, we will coordinate trips from the venue.

If you require the support of your carer for the duration of the conference, then a lounge is available at the venue with tea and coffee for their comfort. Please get in touch with [email protected] who will coordinate this with the venue on your behalf.

Next to the Hotel

Edgbaston Golf Club

A beautiful 18-hole course ranked amongst the top three in Warwickshire. 15-minute walk (from £50 per game)

Winterbourne House and Garden

An Arts and Crafts family home, tea room and gift shop, surrounded by seven acres of beautiful botanic garden. Four minute walk (discounted entrance fee of just £6.00 – tickets can be purchased at the hotel reception)

Lapworth Museum of Geology

Home to one of the UK’s most impressive geological collections, complete with a life-sized Allosaurus replica. 14-minute walk (free entry)

With free parking and University train station just a ten-minute stroll away, you can enjoy the city centre’s highlights with ease – and come home to a peaceful night’s rest away from all the noise and bustle.

In the City

Culture

Birmingham is blessed with a range of outstanding museums and places of interest. Explore the collection at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Revisit the nineteenth century and book a tour of the restored Back to Backs. Take a unique tour of the city’s history with a narrowboat tour of the canals.

Families

Visit Cadbury World for a full day of chocolate-themed fun, less than 15 minutes’ drive from Edgbaston Park Hotel. Explore Cannon Hill Park, home to Birmingham Wildlife Conversation Park. Head into the city to Legoland Discovery Centre, featuring a miniature Lego Birmingham.

Dining

Birmingham is rightly famous for its food culture. For a quirky night out, choose street food at Digbeth Dining Club. Visit the ‘Balti Triangle’ for authentic curry, or try vegan fine dining at Land.

Shopping

Find the big names at the Mailbox, or Selfridges and high street favourites in the Bullring. Explore traditional shopping arcades, or discover unique independent shops in Digbeth’s Custard Factory.