Autscape 2026

Autscape 2026: Autism and neurodiversity in society

Bookings close on Tuesday 30th June, so please book soon to avoid disappointment!

Every fee includes a £50 non-refundable deposit to cover our costs.

Autscape is a conference with a difference. Rather than talking to a primarily non-autistic audience about autism, this conference is specifically by and for autistic people. Some of it isn't even about autism at all! Non-autistic people are also welcome, but the environment and content of the event are centred around autistic people’s needs, interests and sensitivities.

Autscape lasts three days in which there are workshops, leisure activities, social opportunities, and more, all specifically oriented to the needs and preferences of autistic people. You can also book an extra day at the end when there is no programme but opportunities for informal socialising, although we may have to share the venue with other groups on this extra day (we will have exclusive use of the venue for the main three days).

We have a lovely venue in Hertfordshire, UK, with large grounds and a wide variety of bedroom types and sizes.

To find out more about the programme, venue, ethos, and a typical Autscape programme, see our website: https://www.autscape.org

Online programme: Following the success of our dedicated online event last February, the organisers have decided not to have an online component to the 17th-20th August in-person event this year, as we've been struggling too much to combine the two. Instead, we'll do another dedicated online event, probably in February next year. Further information will be available in due course.

Day tickets: Initially registration will open for residential bookings only. Later, we will release a limited number of bookings for non-residential day places. A further announcement will be made when day tickets are released for sale.

Payment
We can take payment by UK bank transfer, International bank transfer, and online payments via PayPal if you are unable to do a bank transfer. We would prefer participants to pay by bank transfer to reduce the fees we have to pay for using PayPal. Bank details will be shown when you complete checkout. We are also able to offer payment in two instalments to help spread the cost.

Room requirements and preferences: To help us allocate the most suitable room(s) for you, you may specify any preferences/requirements that you have for your room. Examples of these may include bath vs. shower, nearer to the main conference rooms, level access, a previous room number or area/corridor you have been in before (subject to availability), and for families/groups in more than one room who will be in each one. Room preferences will be met where possible but are not guaranteed. A room requirement is something that if we are unable to provide you will be unable to attend Autscape. If we are unable to meet your requirement(s) then we will contact you to ask if you wish to cancel your booking.

Disabled rooms: The venue does have a limited number of rooms with a dedicated accessible shower room. Please contact the registrar if you have accessibility needs so we can find the right type of room for you (especially if you prefer a bath over a shower).

Zero requirements rooms: For those who have absolutely no room requirements or preferences at all, and do not mind where they are allocated, we will be offering a small discount for people who are happy to be allocated a room that may be close to high footfall areas, near stairs/doors/lifts, and/or have a limited/poor view from the window. These 'zero requirements' rooms may be of interest to those who spend very little time in their room, don't need their room adjacent to friends/family, are able bodied, and are not easily disturbed by external noise. Please consider carefully before taking this option as any request to change a zero requirements room will require payment of the cost difference and will be subject to availability.

Multiple room occupancy discount: We will also be offering a small discount for adults who choose to share a room with 1 or more persons of their choice - for example a friend, partner, or their children (unfortunately we are unable to offer a roommate matching service). You can either book all occupants together in one booking or make individual bookings and state the name(s) of the other occupants in the booking (all occupants need to advise they are sharing). Rooms with a double bed, twin beds, and a small number of family rooms with 3 beds are available.

Children: Children aged under 16 at the time they attend Autscape must share a room with a parent/carer. Please contact the registrar if you have any queries about this. There is a crèche available for children aged 2 - 17 run by a registered childcare firm who we have used for many years.

Transport/Car parking: The nearest rail station is Broxbourne, which is served by regular trains to/from London Liverpool Street. You can either take a taxi from the station taxi rank to the venue, or if walking it is about 1.5 miles/35 mins. Unfortunately Autscape are unable to offer any pre-arranged transport this year,  but we will have an Autscape volunteer at Broxbourne station to assist people with accessing taxi shares. For those coming by car, there is plenty of free parking at the venue, including a limited number of electric vehicle charging points.

An important note on names at Autscape: As part of the booking process you will be asked for your firstname and surname. The name you provide here will be visible to the Autscape registration team for the purposes of processing your booking, and to the venue management in line with standard UK fire regulations. Later in the booking process you will be asked to provide a preferred name/nickname to be used on your name badge and this can be any name of your choosing.