Travelling to Wiltshire
There are a range of ways you can travel to Wiltshire. Ask the International Support Officer to forward details to you prior to your journey as it will depend on your point of arrival and whether you prefer to travel by train or coach.
If you have arranged for us to meet you at the airport, please ensure that we have your flight arrival time and flight number at least one week in advance. The International Support Officer will meet you at the exit of Arrivals. Look out for the hand-held sign "Wiltshire College" and your name. We will ensure that you and your luggage are taken by car or minibus to your accommodation.
At the Airport
Baggage reclaim
Collect your baggage from the baggage carousel with your flight number and place of departure displayed. If any item of luggage does not appear then contact an airline representative and complete a lost baggage form.
Airport information desk
Go to the airport information desk if you are unsure what to do next. The staff at these desks will be able to advise you on transport, changing money, etc.
Customs control
There are normally two exits through customs: Green Channel if you have nothing to declare and Red Channel if you do have something to declare. If you are unsure then check with a customs officer. Even if you pass through the green channel, the customs officer may ask you to open your luggage for checking.
If you arrive at one of the channel ports you will also have to pass through customs control. If you use the Channel Tunnel, customs control will be carried out either in France or on the train.
Travelling to Wiltshire College
If you requested someone to meet you at the airport you will be taken directly to the campus where you will be studying for your course.
However, if you are travelling alone there are various options to take depending on your preferences to travel. Please refer to the following links to assist you in making decision on how you would like to travel safely.
1. Travelling to Chippenham, Lackham, and Trowbridge campus
a. When you arrived Chippenham during daytime (either by train or coach), you can walk to college easily. The campus is opposite the train station and you can easily get across. The bus station is along high street and you can also walk to college. However, if you are arriving late it is best to take a taxi to go to your accommodation. You have to make arrangement when arriving at night.
b. Lackham campus is 4 miles away from the town centre and it is best to take a taxi.
c. Trowbridge campus is farther away approximately 15 miles from Chippenham. If travelling by train it is better to get off to Bath Spa (station away after Chippenham) and change train to get to Trowbridge. Again, it is better to take a taxi if you have luggage to get to college, although it is a short distance away (less than a mile) from town.
London Heathrow Airport is the most popular destination from international travel.
If you are arriving via Healthrow you can easily travel via:
- Rail Air - a non-stop coach service that links Reading station to Healthrow airport. Full details of the services they provide can be found on the following link: www.railair.com.
- National Express by coach, train, airport transfer and buses. Travelling can be easy by planning your way ahead. Full details of the services they offer are available on www.nationalexpress.com.
If you are arriving via Gatwick and Stansted airport there are lots of buses to central London. In fact, there is a National Express coach from Stansted to Bath Spa via London. Before buying your ticket, make sure you check the departure time from each destination in order to get the connection time right.
- Travelling by train is convenient as Chippenham Station is before Bath Spa station if you are coming from London. Travelling time from London is only 70 minutes.
- Travelling by coach is also convenient - it would take you one hour and a half from Central London station and Heathrow airport.
- If you are arriving via Bristol International Airport this is the nearest airport to Chippenham, Lackham and Trowbridge. An express coach service connects the airport to Bristol Temple Meads Rail Station. From this station it would take you less than 30 minutes to get to Chippenham station.
- The college is located opposite the train station. There are taxis waiting for passengers all the time except when it is late at night and early morning when you have to make arrangement to pick you up.
- Lackham is only 4 miles away from Chippenham station and the taxi will normally cost you from £5.50 - £7.00 depending on the traffic situation.
- Trowbridge is 15 miles away from Chippenham and you can travel on different ways:
- By taxi - fare will be between £25 - £35 depending on the traffic.
- By bus - fare will be from £5-£6 one way and will take you at least an hour to get there.
- By train from Bath Spa station (the next station from Chippenham)
The campus is only 10 minutes away from the station and within easy reach by either taxi or bus.
Airport information:
| Birmingham Airport | 97 miles - 2 hours by car | www.bhx.co.uk |
| Bristol Airport | 36 miles - 52 mins by car | www.bristolairport.co.uk |
| London Gatwick Airport | 74 miles - 1.18 hours by car | www.gatwick-airport-guide.co.uk www.gatwickairport.com |
| London Heathrow Airport | 86 miles - 1.5 hours by car | www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk www.heathrowairport.com |
| London Stansted Airport | 144 miles - 2.30 mins by car | www.stansted-airport-guide.co.uk www.stanstedairport.com |
2. Travelling to Salisbury campus
Upon your arrival to Salisbury city centre, it is best to take a taxi to get to college especially when you have luggage with you. It is only a short distance (less than 2 miles) from city centre to college.
If you are arriving via Heathrow airport there are regular coach services into Salisbury from London, Heathrow, Gatwick, Bath, Bristol and the Midlands. Alternatively, you can also travel by train.
Southampton and Bournemouth airports have easy access to buses, coach and train services.
There are two local bus operators that connect Southampton airport to the city centre.
Birmingham airport has a coach shuttle that will take you to the city centre every hour. From the city centre you can catch the bus or National Express coach.
Bristol and Exeter airports are also convenient and have access to train services. There are shuttle services to take you to the city centre where you can link the rest of your journey.
Birmingham airport is quite far but you can take the train to Bristol/Bath Spa station and change in Bath Spa to get to Salisbury.
If you are arriving via the Euro tunnel, there is a direct service to and from London Waterloo - you can either take the coach or train.
Airport information:
| Birmingham Airport | 135 miles - 2.30 mins by car | www.bhx.co.uk |
| Bournemouth International Airport | 24.5 miles - over half an hour by car | www.flybournemouth.com |
| Bristol International Airport | 65 miles - 1.30 mins by car | www.bristolairport.co.uk |
| Exeter International Airport | 89 miles - 1.30 mins by car | www.exeter-airport.co.uk |
| London Heathrow International Airport | 75 miles - one and a half hour by car | www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk |
| London Stansted | 133 miles - 2.15 mins by car | www.stansted-airport-guide.co.uk |
| Southampton International Airport | 24 miles - 30 mins by car | www.southamptonairport.com |
NOTE: Why not get a rail card to help you save every time you travel while in the UK. Please check the following link for complete details:
www.16-25railcard.co.uk
Arrival in Wiltshire
If we are not collecting you from the airport please inform us when you intend to arrive and confirm that you have arrived as soon as possible. Contact the International Support Officer if you experience any difficulties.
What to do on arrival at College
Go to the College Reception and ask for the Admissions Office. Members of the Customer Services team look forward to meeting you and will make you welcome.
- Wiltshire College Chippenham - 01249 46 46 44
- Wiltshire College Lackham - 01249 46 68 00
- Wiltshire College Trowbridge - 01225 76 62 41
- Wiltshire College Salisbury - 01722 34 43 44
If you are going to the Halls of Residence please see the following persons from each campus:
Lackham campus - Philip Duggleby, Senior Warden and Accommodation Manager
Direct Telephone number: 01249 46 68 76
Salisbury campus - Bill Moffat, Assistant Warden
Direct telephone number : 01722 34 43 98
If your accommodation is off-campus, make sure you make arrangement with your host to meet you upon your arrival in Wiltshire. Normally, this is arranged with you prior to your journey.
Did you know?
During the period 1943 to 1944 Lackham was the headquarters for the 10th Armoured Infantry Battalion of the 4th Armoured Division of the 3rd United States Army, commanded by Gen. George S Patton.
