Shuttle Bus from Castle Cary

pukkaone, on 19 June 2010 - 07:53 PM, said:

Probably a stupid question - but do you think if I was gonna have a long wait, it would be better to attempt to walk to the site?

I see you're very eager!

Patience man, patience!

No, I wouldn't advise walking- it's quite a hefty hike to do laden with your rucksack and tent (though I must admit I have pondered this in the past, also being very impatient myself!) Once you're on the bus, keep watch out the window and you'll see the foolishness of the proposal by the time you arrive on site!

It's very difficult to predict how busy things will be this year as they are allowing cars in the car parks on the Tuesday night for the first time. Hopefully this will reduce the traffic on the roads on the Wednesday morning, reducing shuttle bus waiting and journey times. However with the football being on early afternoon a lot of people think there will be a rush of folk going down the wednesday morning so they can set up tents in time for the match.

I've been getting the shuttle bus from castle cary since 2003, and most years it's been quick and fine (usually about 30 minutes wait) some years there hasn't even been any queing up. Last year was hopefully a one off- it took about 2 hours of waiting due to the roads all being congested. Like I said, hopefully the Tuesday car park opening idea will put a stop to that.

In answer to your original question- I'm not sure how long you'll have to wait for a shuttle bus if you arrive at 7.30am. Usually they have buses awaiting each train arrival, however as the gates for the festival don't actually open to let people in until... erm 8.30am this year I think, they might not pick you up until nearer that time (I could be wrong though, I've never arrived that early- but even if they do pick you up straight away you'll still have to queue at the festival gate until opening time)

I think you may be looking at a wait of 30 mins to an hour- if there are no problems with the roads. Bus journey time is just under 30 mins if the roads are clear, so hopefully you'll be on site pretty soon after opening time (unless there is a repeat of the traffic hell of last year, but even then the waits weren't too bad that early in the morning)

KaleidoscopeEyes- Buses should be fine on Thursday, as I think most people will have arrived on the wednesday, as they seemed to last year. that should mean that the roads are less busy and there's fewer folk to cram onto the shuttle buses- hopefully it should be a quick and straightforward jaunt! Though I'd recommend you try to get there on the Wednesday if you can, just so you get an extra day to explore.

I hope everything goes well!