On Sunday 9th July the GLLUG group will take a trip into the Cambridgeshire countryside to Bletchley Park.
[UPDATE: Of course Bletchley Park is in Buckinghamshire and not Cambridgeshire.. a whole 2 counties astray but as the author may never live it down it isn't worth updating the sentence above]
NOTE: This page is going to be updated. Please come back for more information
Bletchley Park was the centre of the Allied cryptanalysis and code breaking efforts during the Second World War. The most notable achievement was the breaking of the
German Enigma cipher which is said to have brought the war to an end 2 years early.
It was home to a number of famous mathamaticians and cryptanalysts including
Alan Turing - the father of modern computer science.
The GLLUG trip is going to take in the
Computer museum from its origins with the Colossus, invented during the Second World War to break Lorenz codes through the mainframes of the 1960's, mini computers, homebuilt micros to the PC's of today. There is also a host of wartime exhibits including vehicles, machinery and a Churchill exhibition to take in.
On 9th July there is also a
Vintage car and motorbike exhibition in the park.
The plan at the moment is for GLLUG members to make their own way to Bletchley Park, visit the attractions and then convene for a picnic in the afternoon. July 9th is also the World Cup Final day so it is predicted those who care may slope off to a local pub, or race back to London for the 7pm kickoff.
Keep an eye on this site for more details - Travel information and maps etc will be posted here.
Costs will be your travel from home to Bletchley Park (more information to be posted here), your food which can be brought from home or there is a cafe in the Park and the entry fee.
If we can arrange a group of more than 20 then the cost will be £8 per person. If you would like to attend please email
Simon Morris with your name. Wifes, Husbands, Partners and children are more than welcome (Simon is taking his family along....)
You can discuss this event on the
GLLUG Social mailing list
Where to eat in Bletchley Park
You are allowed (and for this trip) encouraged to bring a picnic and eat in the park. We will be trying to gather people together for a picnic towards the end of the afternoon. You can also eat in "The Zestaurant".. the cafe in Block B
Where to park
If you wish to park in the Bletchley Park car park the cost is £5. If you park at the Bletchley railway station it is free on the weekend and a very short walk. The park is next to the station.
Where to meet
As you enter the park there is a "Big Tree" (as described by Henrik Morsing). The plan is to meet under this tree for a picnic at 1230.
How to get to Bletchley Park
Trains depart from Euston station and arrive at Bletchley Station which is right next to the park.
Euston (dep.) | Bletchley (arr.)
--------------+-----------------
09:09 | 10:09
09:39 | 10:32
10:09 | 11:09
10:39 | 11:32
11:09 | 12:09
11:39 | 12:32
... and some return times as:
Bletchley (dep.) | Euston (arr.)
-----------------+--------------
15:42 | 16:50
16:12 | 17:14
16:42 | 17:50
17:12 | 18:14
17:42 | 18:50
18:12 | 19:14
18:42 | 19:50
19:12 | 20:14
You could meet up with some GLLUG members at Euston station - join the Social mailing to list to arrange this.
More information about travelling by train....
If going by train, it's worth noting that a cheap day return from Euston to
Bletchley is £16.40 but there is also a cheap day return to Milton Keynes
Central (which is the stop beyond Bletchley), valid on the same Silverlink
trains, for £12.50 (and these allow a break of journey for the outward and
return portions -- i.e. at Bletchley).
Additionally, Silverlink seem to issue GroupSave tickets that would permit 3
or 4 adults to travel together for the price of 2.
