Requests to visit the ICO

This information is mainly aimed at potential visitors from abroad. Please note that we are not able to accommodate all requests to visit the ICO.

Do you need to visit?

You may not need to visit the ICO to find out more about our work and the laws we regulate. Please view the following to see if you think this provides you with enough information, before requesting a visit.

Presentations and handouts

We have developed a range of materials if you want a general overview of the ICO and its data protection or freedom of information work. Please view the following:

• Who we are and what we do: an introduction to the ICO
  This presentation is for those with a general interest in the work of the ICO.
• An overview of the Data Protection Act 1998 
  This presentation is for those with an interest in our regulation of the Data Protection Act.
• An overview of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the FOI Regulatory Framework 
  This presentation is for those with an interest in our regulation of the Freedom of Information Act.

Website resources

• About the ICO
• For organisations
• Français – basic information in French
• Español – basic information in Spanish

Telephone or video conference

If you would like to contact us for information or arrange a telephone / video conference:

From abroad: please email us, or call us on +44 1625 545745 and ask for the international team.

From the UK: please refer to our contact page.

Arranging a visit

If you think you need to visit the ICO, you should always make an appointment before visiting. Please contact us giving the following information (email the international team for visitors from abroad, or contact us via our contact page for UK organisations):

• The number of people visiting (we have a limited number of meeting rooms, particularly for large groups).
• If you would be bringing an interpreter (we are not able to provide interpreters).
• Suggested dates and times (please provide more than one option if possible). We generally require at least three weeks notice. Meetings should be scheduled between 10am and 4pm. Please read the information below on travelling times to ensure that you could fit the visit into your schedule.
• A description of the topics you would like to discuss, including any specific questions you have.

Location and travel

The ICO head office is in Wilmslow, Cheshire. We are near to Manchester airport and approximately 200 miles (300km) north of London.

From London

Trains from London to Wilmslow depart from Euston station. The journey takes around two hours. By car, the journey from London to Wilmslow takes around four hours.

From Manchester airport

Wilmslow is close to Manchester airport. It takes about 10 minutes by train or taxi from the airport.

From Manchester city centre

Wilmslow is 13 miles (21km) south of the city centre. Trains to Wilmslow from Manchester Piccadilly take 15-30 minutes.

Map showing Wilmslow train station and our office:

View larger map

Please note that there is no parking for visitors at Wycliffe House, but there is a public car park across the road from the office (Spring Street car park).

If you are interested in visiting our regional offices in Belfast, Cardiff and Edinburgh, please find their details on our contact page.