Avalon is Calling, Will You Answer?

BY TRAIN — RECOMMENDED

Gatwick Airport → Reading → Castle Cary → Sparkford Hall

1. Follow the signs inside Gatwick for the railway station.
2. Take a Great Western Railway service from Gatwick Airport to Reading.
3. At Reading, change to a westbound GWR train to Castle Cary.
4. Pre-booked taxi from Castle Cary to Sparkford Hall.

Allow roughly 2¾–3½ hours by rail, depending on connections.

BY CAR

Enter Sparkford Hall, Sparkford, Somerset BA22 7LD into your sat-nav. Roughly 120+ miles, about 2½–3 hours depending on traffic.

BY COACH

Possible, but less direct than the train and may require several connections. With luggage, the train via Reading or a private transfer is easier.

BY TRAIN — RECOMMENDED

Heathrow → Reading → Castle Cary → Sparkford Hall

1. Take the RailAir coach from Heathrow to Reading railway station.
2. From Reading, take a Great Western Railway service to Castle Cary.
3. Pre-booked taxi to Sparkford Hall.

ALTERNATIVE VIA LONDON PADDINGTON

Heathrow → London Paddington → Castle Cary

Useful if you are spending time in London before the retreat.

BY CAR

Approximately 105–110 miles; usually two hours or more depending on traffic.

BY COACH

Coach options exist but usually involve onward connections. RailAir plus the train via Reading is simpler.

BY CAR OR PRIVATE TRANSFER — EASIEST

Bristol is the closest major airport. A rental car, taxi or private transfer is the simplest choice: roughly 45 minutes to an hour.

BY BUS AND TRAIN

Bristol Airport → Bristol Temple Meads → Castle Cary → Sparkford Hall

1. Take the A1 Bristol Airport Flyer to Bristol Temple Meads railway station.
2. Take a train toward Castle Cary; some services require a change.
3. Pre-booked taxi from Castle Cary to Sparkford Hall.

BY BUS ONLY

Possible but inconvenient, with several connections. With luggage, private transfer or rail is recommended.

BY TRAIN — EASIEST

London Paddington → Castle Cary → Sparkford Hall

Great Western Railway runs direct services from Paddington to Castle Cary. Some journeys take about 1½–2 hours.

BY COACH

London Hammersmith → Wincanton → Sparkford Hall

Berrys Coaches runs its Superfast service between London Hammersmith and Wincanton. From Wincanton, arrange a taxi for the final leg. Berrys Coaches: +44 (0)1823 331 356.

BY CAR

Head west from London toward Somerset and the A303. Sparkford sits just off the A303.