9 replies to this topic

[trubarb]

We are going to Hylands on Sunday from Milton Keynes ( sat nav says about hour and half drive !! ) and havent bought parking tickets yet

1. can anyone suggest what time we should set off and hopefully aim to arrive there ?

2 we are going as a family and all 5 of us want to see diff acts - can u please advise how far stages are apart - eg walking distance with a grovelling 7 year old !!

3. are we able to bring all food etc into arena

sorry for asking the bleeding obvious !!

trubarb

[matbushey]

trubarb, on Aug 19 2009, 05:27 PM, said:

We are going to Hylands on Sunday from Milton Keynes ( sat nav says about hour and half drive !! ) and havent bought parking tickets yet

1. can anyone suggest what time we should set off and hopefully aim to arrive there ?

2 we are going as a family and all 5 of us want to see diff acts - can u please advise how far stages are apart - eg walking distance with a grovelling 7 year old !!

3. are we able to bring all food etc into arena

sorry for asking the bleeding obvious !!

trubarb

Hi, we are coming from watford, we left home last year at 11 as sat nav said 1 hour and arrived at 5pm!
This year we are leaving early. Distance between stages is 5 - 15 mins depending on crowds, unsure about food but you are not aloud to take in alcohol only soft drinks.  Hope this helps.

[boddies]

trubarb, on Aug 19 2009, 05:27 PM, said:

We are going to Hylands on Sunday from Milton Keynes ( sat nav says about hour and half drive !! ) and havent bought parking tickets yet

1. can anyone suggest what time we should set off and hopefully aim to arrive there ?

2 we are going as a family and all 5 of us want to see diff acts - can u please advise how far stages are apart - eg walking distance with a grovelling 7 year old !!

3. are we able to bring all food etc into arena

sorry for asking the bleeding obvious !!

trubarb

We've always taken food in (can't remember what it says on the tickets about food)
Don't take any glass bottles / containers.

[chilisara]

trubarb, on Aug 19 2009, 05:27 PM, said:

We are going to Hylands on Sunday from Milton Keynes ( sat nav says about hour and half drive !! ) and havent bought parking tickets yet

1. can anyone suggest what time we should set off and hopefully aim to arrive there ?

2 we are going as a family and all 5 of us want to see diff acts - can u please advise how far stages are apart - eg walking distance with a grovelling 7 year old !!

3. are we able to bring all food etc into arena

sorry for asking the bleeding obvious !!

trubarb

1) you have 1.5 hours normal time... depends when you leave - in my experience, there is always a queue unless you come super early to join the line....
2) the stages are a fair walk apart - dunno if anyone will agree with me, but last year I found it a hell of a stomp between acts whereas in the past you could see who you wish with in 5 mins.
3) yes - eat what you like!

[trubarb]

matbushey, on Aug 19 2009, 10:08 PM, said:

Hi, we are coming from watford, we left home last year at 11 as sat nav said 1 hour and arrived at 5pm!
This year we are leaving early. Distance between stages is 5 - 15 mins depending on crowds, unsure about food but you are not aloud to take in alcohol only soft drinks.  Hope this helps.

thanku - early leaving time it is then

[trubarb]

boddies, on Aug 19 2009, 10:24 PM, said:

We've always taken food in (can't remember what it says on the tickets about food)
Don't take any glass bottles / containers.

thanku that makes us relax more

[trubarb]

chilisara, on Aug 19 2009, 10:30 PM, said:

1) you have 1.5 hours normal time... depends when you leave - in my experience, there is always a queue unless you come super early to join the line....
2) the stages are a fair walk apart - dunno if anyone will agree with me, but last year I found it a hell of a stomp between acts whereas in the past you could see who you wish with in 5 mins.
3) yes - eat what you like!

thanks, early start it is then

[ryansb]

Leaving early would be best, and avoid the A12 if you possibly can! Traffic surrounding Chelmsford this weekend is always always pathetic. I'd allow about an hour and half from when you get into the town to when you get parked, and yes you can buy your parking ticket on the day. Don't bother trying to park anywhere other than at Hyland's cos the police do a mighty fine job of closing roads. Food, you can take in what you like, avoid sandwich boxes though to save weight and just in case they're being stupidly strict and disallowing solid things. The website says nothing over 1 litre bottles. The site is fairly compact, and the time it takes to get from stage to stage is mainly down to people being in the way. If you don't mind not being right next to the stage for the headliners, you can comfortably sit a bit further back with your kiddies and still hear the music fine. Food on site is extortionate! (as at all festivals nowadays), so take plenty; and there is a big Tesco a 20 minute walk away but it will be very busy all weekend, from Friday morning.
Have a good time, hope this has helped.

[trubarb]

ryansb, on Aug 20 2009, 12:27 AM, said:

Leaving early would be best, and avoid the A12 if you possibly can! Traffic surrounding Chelmsford this weekend is always always pathetic. I'd allow about an hour and half from when you get into the town to when you get parked, and yes you can buy your parking ticket on the day. Don't bother trying to park anywhere other than at Hyland's cos the police do a mighty fine job of closing roads. Food, you can take in what you like, avoid sandwich boxes though to save weight and just in case they're being stupidly strict and disallowing solid things. The website says nothing over 1 litre bottles. The site is fairly compact, and the time it takes to get from stage to stage is mainly down to people being in the way. If you don't mind not being right next to the stage for the headliners, you can comfortably sit a bit further back with your kiddies and still hear the music fine. Food on site is extortionate! (as at all festivals nowadays), so take plenty; and there is a big Tesco a 20 minute walk away but it will be very busy all weekend, from Friday morning.
Have a good time, hope this has helped.

thanku, all your info really helps. we have 3 very xcited kids now

[vthomas]

matbushey, on Aug 19 2009, 10:08 PM, said:

Hi, we are coming from watford, we left home last year at 11 as sat nav said 1 hour and arrived at 5pm!
This year we are leaving early. Distance between stages is 5 - 15 mins depending on crowds, unsure about food but you are not aloud to take in alcohol only soft drinks.  Hope this helps.

HI there, I've been doing V every year since it started.  Originally it was a fairly small (ish) festival that had two main stages and tents within no more than a 10 min walk of each other.  However, this is no longer the case and I certainly feel that last year was the turning point for V - they moved the second stage - in fact it feels like you just have 2 main stages now!  The channel 4 stage is now up there with the main stage but it's difficult to get right up close any more - simply so much bigger than it ever was!

The walk in has also changed - I always arrive on bus and last year it was the best part of half an hour to walk to the entrance from where you got dropped off!  Needless to say - I'm leaving my 7 year old at home.  I suggest you find a spot on the stage that you like most of the bands on and stay put.  It's a big old walk between stages now and you can't help but feel like a salmon swimming up stream (or maybe I just like to see the smaller bands!)  I always maage to smuggle a bit of booze in - well hidden in jumper sleeves etc.  To be honest, the security rush you through and if you go up with confidence and open your bag to where they CAN look they dont seem to ask to look elsewhere!  Hope you have a fantastic festival and your kids get hooked on the event.  Mine are coming to latitude next year but this weekend is just for me and hubby!  Have fun and leave early !