Really? The UK's centre of population [0] is apparently Appleby Parva in Leicestershire [1], which is less than 25 miles from Coventry [2].

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_of_population [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appleby_Parva [2] https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Appleby+Parva&daddr...

Hmm, well it's only a 3 hour train journey, perhaps there will be some advance fares available.

Birmingham has good links. Not a beach in sight.

Most people go to conference on their employers dime, and the travel cost for most companies is just going to be a rounding error.

Sorry Coventry isn't suitable. For reference where would be central/convenient for you?

Disclosure: I'm a PyCon UK organizer.

Bit more South, near London, perhaps? Brighton also has an utterly thriving new-media scene.

Brighton? That doesn't seem like an easier location for people generally across the UK.