British Mystery and Crime Writers, London and Oxford

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does the program fee cover?
A. The program fee covers lodging in London and Oxford; all breakfasts and dinners in London; all breakfasts and lunch and dinner on Saturday & Sunday in Oxford; London speakers’ fees; St. HIlda's mystery weekend conference fee; tours; theatre ticket; and workshop fee or Wisconsin resident tuition (credit option). (Graduate tuition is extra.) 

Q. Do I make my own flight arrangements to London?
A. Yes. You should plan to arrive in London on or before Monday August 10, 2009. The program starts at 5:15 p.m. on the 10th for a brief orientation followed by dinner.

Q. How do I get to the residence hall from the airport?
A. Once you have signed up to participate in the program, you will receive instructions for making your way to the residence hall. It is a fairly easy process.

Q. How do I get from the residence hall in London to St. Hilda's College in Oxford?
A. The group will be transferred by coach on the morning of Friday August 21.

Q. How do I get to the airport from St. Hilda's when the program ends?
A. The program arranges for transfer by coach or minivan to Heathrow Airport on Monday August 24, departing approximately 6:30 a.m. and arriving at Heathrow by 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. You should try to schedule your return flight for departure after 10:30 a.m. For Gatwick departures, Kathy can tell you how best to get to the airport on your own.

Q. Are there prerequisites for taking the trip?
A. There are no prerequisites--anyone is welcome to go.

Q. Can I earn college credit for the program?
A. Yes. You can earn three undergraduate or graduate credits in either English 395 or English 595: Workshop in British Mystery and Crime Writers.

Q. Are there specific requirements for the program if I take it for credit?
A. Yes. Full details of the requirements will be sent as soon as you enroll in the program, and you can begin reading any time before the trip begins.

Q. What if I’m not a student?
A. Non-students make up the majority of participants. Most people go on the trip because they love mysteries, especially those by British writers. All participants are automatically enrolled in the non-credit workshop. University credit is optional (three credits, undergraduate or graduate).

Q. Where will we stay in London?
A. We will stay in Canterbury Hall, a residence hall of the University of London located in Cartwright Gardens. This is a centrally located area, close enough to the theatre district, Covent Garden, and Trafalgar Square to walk in 20-30 minutes. The closest tube stations are Russell Square, Euston, and King's Cross.

Q. Do I have to share a room?
A. No. All rooms are private, and each pair of rooms shares a bathroom, so just two people use each bathroom. Bathrooms are equipped with a shower/tub.

Q. What if I want to spend extra time in London before the program begins or in Oxford after it ends?
A. Your program fee includes lodging in London and Oxford from Aug. 10-24. If you want to book extra nights in London before the 10th, the cost, including breakfast and dinner, is approximately £42.00/day. You will pay the residence hall directly in the first day or two after checking in. If you want to stay on in Oxford, the cost for room and breakfast is approximately £42.00. You will pay that in advance, through Kathy, with a credit card. LET KATHY KNOW if you want to stay extra nights in either London or Oxford and she will book them for you.

Q. What are the optional post-program sightseeing activities?
A. In Oxford, on Monday the 24th, there is an optional daytrip to Stratford-Upon-Avon and Warwick Castle; on Tuesday the 25th, there’s an optional daytrip to Blenheim Palace, Bladon (Churchill’s birthplace), and the Cotswolds. LET KATHY KNOW if you want to go on these trips.

Q. What accommodations will we have at St. Hilda’s?
A. At St. Hilda’s College, everyone has a private room. However, bathrooms are shared by more than two rooms. Each hall has its own bathroom configuration, but facilities are plentiful and each bath/shower area is private.

Q. Is any preparation needed for meeting our guest authors in London?
A. There is no preparation for meeting the authors, other than reading their books if you want to.

Q. Will I get a list of books by our London speakers?
A. Yes. Upon request any time but definitely after enrolling in the program, you will receive a list of books by all of the speakers for the London part of the trip.

Q. Will I get a list of books by the speakers at St. Hilda’s conference?
A. Yes.  As soon as the list of speakers for the conference is complete, you will receive a list of their books. How much you prepare for the Oxford part is completely up to you. We will not meet as a group during the conference, but it will enhance your enjoyment if you have read works by some of the speakers. 

Q. What if I sign up and then have to cancel?
A. If you cancel up to twelve weeks before departure, you will receive a refund of everything you have paid except for the non-refundable deposit of $200. After twelve weeks, you may be assessed housing or other cancellation charges.

Q. Should I buy travel insurance?
A. Travel insurance is recommended. We have been happy with Travel Guard, which you can buy online at www.travelguard.com.

Q. How do I sign up?
A. Send a non-refundable deposit of $200 (in a check made out to UWSP Continuing Education) to UWSP Continuing Education, Main Building, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI 54481. Include your name, address, e-mail address, and telephone number and mention that it is for the British Mystery and Crime Writers trip.

Q. What if I have more questions?
A. Direct your questions to Kathy Ackley (kackley@kconline.com), Program Leader, or Kim O’Flaherty, Program Manager (Kim.O'Flaherty@uwsp.edu), UWSP Continuing Education.