How to find us
The Central Laser Facility is located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the heart of Oxfordshire.
Address
Central Laser Facility
STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX
Tel: +44 (0)1235 445 603
Fax: +44 (0)1235 445 888
Email: CLF enquiries
By road
Driving from the A34 (northbound)
Approximately 8 miles on from the A34 junction with the M4 at Newbury, take the A4185 (A417) exit, signposted for Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) and Wantage. Turn left onto the A4185 and then turn left at the roundabout approximately half a mile from the exit into Fermi Avenue.
Go straight across the 2 mini roundabouts and continue down Fermi Avenue until you see the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory main gate on the left.
Please pull into the car park on the left and report to reception who will give you a pass and direct you to where you need to go.
Driving from the A34 (southbound)
Take the A4130 (A417) exit signposted Milton, Chilton, Didcot and Wantage.
At the roundabout take the fourth exit signposted A4130 Wantage, Steventon, Drayton and Harwell.
Follow this road up the hill for one and a half miles, going straight ahead at the traffic lights. Continue straight on to the Rowstock Roundabout and take the second exit onto the A4185.
Pass the UKAEA (United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority) Harwell Laboratory on your right after approximately 2 miles, then turn right at the next roundabout, taking the exit signposted Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Medical Research Council (MRC).
Go straight across the 2 mini roundabouts and continue down Fermi Avenue until you see the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory main gate on the left.
Please pull into the car park on the left and report to reception who will give you a pass and direct you to where you need to go.
By train, taxi or bus
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is approximately 6 miles south-west of Didcot Parkway train station, less than 60 minutes journey from London Paddington.
Train information
Taxi
There is a large taxi rank outside the station. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes by taxi from the station to RAL.
Bus
A regular bus service runs to the campus: Thames Travel's X32 or 96 bus service runs between Oxford, Didcot Parkway, RAL (ask for the Harwell IBC Bus Station, Fermi Avenue) and Wantage. The service runs Mondays to Fridays (except Bank Holidays). Timetable information (link opens in a new window)
Newbury Buses 6 and 9 services run between Newbury, Harwell Campus (ask for Harwell IBC Bus Station, Fermi Avenue) and Didcot Parkway. The service runs Monday to Saturdays (except Bank Holidays).
By air
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is about one hours drive from Heathrow Airport and approximately 2 hours drive from Gatwick Airport.
Heathrow
A frequent coach service, Reading-Heathrow Railair, takes passengers to Reading Station to connect with trains to Didcot Parkway. The service picks up from all four terminals and the journey time to Reading is approximately 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Heathrow Airport (link opens in a new window)
Driving from Heathrow Airport
Take the M4 motorway towards Slough, Reading and the West. Continue as far as junction 13 and then head North for about 8 miles on the A34 towards Oxford and follow the A34 (northbound) directions given above.
Gatwick
A direct train service operates between Gatwick Airport and Reading Station to connect with services to Didcot Parkway. The journey takes about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Driving from Gatwick Airport
Take the M23 to London and Guildford. At junction 7/8 join the M25 to Heathrow and Watford. At junction 15 take the M4 towards Slough, Reading and the West and continue to junction 13. Head North for about 8 miles on the A34 towards Oxford and follow the A34 (northbound) directions given above.
Further details on airport connection services (for Gatwick and Heathrow) are available from National Rail Enquiries on +44(0)8457 48 49 50.
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