When should I arrive?

We hope that most attendees will be able to attend the whole meeting: international delegates may also wish to advantage of a visit to the UK to plan a longer visit including other sites. However, we recognise that many delegates have significant time constraints. Here is the most important information to help you plan:

Congress events on the main site

• Registration will be open at University Place, the main Congress venue, from 15.00 until 19.00 (3pm until 7pm) on Sunday 21 July.
• The first Congress event is the opening reception at the Manchester Museum (one minute’s walk from University Place) on the evening of Sunday 21 July, starting at 18.00 (6pm).
• On Monday morning, registration will be open from 08.00 to 16.00.
• The first Congress session is the opening ceremony and plenary on Monday 22 July. The start time is 08.45. IMPORTANT: owing to the size of the event, we particularly request that all delegates arrive VERY PROMPTLY at 08.45 to allow time to be seated.
• The first panels will take place later on Monday morning, starting at 11.00 and 11.10.
• From Tuesday to Saturday, registration will be open from 08.30 to 16.00.
• There are sessions right through the week, including Saturday 27 July. Thursday afternoon has been cleared of programme content, as far as possible, to allow time for excursions.
• The final panels will take place on Saturday afternoon, ending at 17.30 and 17.40. They will be followed by the Congress dinner.
• The final Congress sessions will be the plenary young scholars’ awards and closing ceremony on the morning of Sunday 28 July, ending at 12.00.

For full details of the schedule, see the Programme pages.

Staying longer: associated events

Please note that some trips and excursions organised by groups contributing to the Congress, such as the Newcomen Society and INHIGEO, have been planned to take place immediately before the main Congress or immediately after it. If you plan to attend, please plan accordingly. See the Visits and excursions page for more information.

Staying longer: other activities

If you’re able to arrive early in Manchester, it's worth knowing that the Manchester International Festival, a high-profile biennial arts and culture festival featuring world premières, runs from Thursday 4 to Sunday 21 July, closing just as the Congress opens. Tickets for the most popular events sell out very quickly, so early pre-booking is essential.

If you’re looking to combine your visit with a research trip, see our notes on local research resources.

This website also contains several detailed guides to attractions in Manchester and the surrounding region. There's plenty to see here: if possible, we recommend that you take time before or after the Congress to explore the area. We also have some suggestions for international visitors whose journey to Manchester takes them via central London.

For suggestions of interesting sites relevant to the history of science, technology and medicine around the UK more generally, start with the BSHS Travel Guide.