What is your arrival strategy ?

[gooner1990]

Anyone know what the traffic has been like in more recent years going down the A303 on the Weds morning?

 

Last year I did it at about 5am, so had a fairly clear run, but this year arrival tactic is different so it will be about 8.30am when I pick it up at Andover.

 

[aident93]

23 minutes ago, gooner1990 said:

Anyone know what the traffic has been like in more recent years going down the A303 on the Weds morning?

 

Last year I did it at about 5am, so had a fairly clear run, but this year arrival tactic is different so it will be about 8.30am when I pick it up at Andover.

 

My parents are staying in Andover on Tuesday and planning on leaving around 8:30am so Im also interested to hear about this...

 

However, I do remember reading on here or a Facebook group recently that it's generally OK, usual crawling at Stonehenge and then slow moving up the A37 after coming off at Podimore roundabout 

Edited June 13, 2025 by aident93

[gooner1990]

8 minutes ago, aident93 said:

My parents are staying in Andover on Tuesday and planning on leaving around 8:30am so Im also interested to hear about this...

 

However, I do remember reading on here or a Facebook group recently that it's generally OK, usual crawling at Stonehenge and then slow moving up the A37 after coming off at Podimore roundabout 

 

It crawls at Stonehenge whatever the time of year I think, I've gone past it plenty of other times for non-Glastonbury trips and it was the same then! 😄 

 

I'm meeting friends at Podimore services, then we plan to convoy to the site. 

[gooner1990]

On 13/06/2025 at 12:56, gooner1990 said:

Anyone know what the traffic has been like in more recent years going down the A303 on the Weds morning?

 

Last year I did it at about 5am, so had a fairly clear run, but this year arrival tactic is different so it will be about 8.30am when I pick it up at Andover.

 

 

anyone? 🙂

 

meeting my other mates at 10.30am at Podimore services for then aiming to get to the car parks around 11am-11.15am - hopefully be able to stroll straight in! 

[lefthandedopener]

Staying Tue night in Western Super Mare, too simplistic to assume i'll be coming in from A or D coming from the West? 

[Aragorn]

You'll be directed to orange or pink carparks nearest to gate D if coming from western super

Edited June 16, 2025 by Aragorn

[Crazyfool01]

1 minute ago, Aragorn said:

You'll be directed to orange or pink carparks nearest to gate D if coming from western super

which is either A or D .... you can chose unless the stewards decide to direct to one not the other 

[richarddep]

Staying in Castle Cary Tuesday and getting first shuttle from station up in the AM... Hoping this is simple enough despite not actually getting off a train..?

[s30foster]

Anyone know what it’s like getting OUT of the car park (gate B/C) on the Weds of arrivals? I’m heading there overnight on Tues to get in and my tent up early on the Weds. I then need to head back home (Bath) to collect my wife and kids and then come back in late eve on the Weds. 

[dukesb89]

5 hours ago, richarddep said:

Staying in Castle Cary Tuesday and getting first shuttle from station up in the AM... Hoping this is simple enough despite not actually getting off a train..?

Yes I've done this the last few years with no issue

[stuie]

6 hours ago, Crazyfool01 said:

which is either A or D .... you can chose unless the stewards decide to direct to one not the other 

 

I think that happens quite a lot though... when too many coaches arrive at once car people are directed to PGB. 

[phillyfaddle]

On 13/06/2025 at 12:56, gooner1990 said:

Anyone know what the traffic has been like in more recent years going down the A303 on the Weds morning?

 

Last year I did it at about 5am, so had a fairly clear run, but this year arrival tactic is different so it will be about 8.30am when I pick it up at Andover.

 

I live in Andover. Quite often head to Glastonbury town around 8:30-9 on Fridays. The A303 will be busy at 8:30 but it’s unlikely you’ll queue until you get to the Countess (Salisbury) roundabout at Amesbury. Past Stonehenge it will crawl, as usual. Then it should be ok from there. 
 

Don’t be tempted to divert into Salisbury to pick up A36, then rejoin A303 at Wylye to avoid Stonehenge. There’s loads of roadworks and Salisbury city centre traffic will be a nightmare around 9am.

[Metal Monkey]

12 minutes ago, phillyfaddle said:

 

Don’t be tempted to divert into Salisbury to pick up A36, then rejoin A303 at Wylye to avoid Stonehenge. There’s loads of roadworks and Salisbury city centre traffic will be a nightmare around 9am.

I need to drive through Salisbury at around 9am. This isn’t good news, it’s busy enough without roadworks. 

[Metal Monkey]

18 hours ago, gooner1990 said:

 

anyone? 🙂

 

meeting my other mates at 10.30am at Podimore services for then aiming to get to the car parks around 11am-11.15am - hopefully be able to stroll straight in! 

I join the A303 after the A36 at about 9:30-10. I don’t remember it ever having much traffic at this time. Most of the festival traffic is already in the car parks or queuing near site. 

[SPW]

On 13/06/2025 at 12:56, gooner1990 said:

Anyone know what the traffic has been like in more recent years going down the A303 on the Weds morning?

 

Last year I did it at about 5am, so had a fairly clear run, but this year arrival tactic is different so it will be about 8.30am when I pick it up at Andover.

 

Last year mid-morning was fine/clear for us (usual Stonehenge crawl but otherwise grand). 

[phillyfaddle]

35 minutes ago, Metal Monkey said:

I need to drive through Salisbury at around 9am. This isn’t good news, it’s busy enough without roadworks. 

It will keep moving but it’s slow. When I have to be in Salisbury around that time in the morning, I always allow an hour from Andover. It’s normally a 25-30 min journey. Which road will you enter the city from? The A36 coming up from Southampton is always hideous. Other roads are a bit better. 

[gooner1990]

1 hour ago, phillyfaddle said:

I live in Andover. Quite often head to Glastonbury town around 8:30-9 on Fridays. The A303 will be busy at 8:30 but it’s unlikely you’ll queue until you get to the Countess (Salisbury) roundabout at Amesbury. Past Stonehenge it will crawl, as usual. Then it should be ok from there. 
 

Don’t be tempted to divert into Salisbury to pick up A36, then rejoin A303 at Wylye to avoid Stonehenge. There’s loads of roadworks and Salisbury city centre traffic will be a nightmare around 9am.

 

Great thank you. 

 

I'm coming down the A34 from Oxford and will pick up the A303 at that junction (not sure of the name - its near the Sutton Scotney services) then carry on. 

 

Wasn't' sure if I would have to leave earlier than intended!.....meeting my mates 10.30am at Podimore services. 

[Metal Monkey]

49 minutes ago, phillyfaddle said:

It will keep moving but it’s slow. When I have to be in Salisbury around that time in the morning, I always allow an hour from Andover. It’s normally a 25-30 min journey. Which road will you enter the city from? The A36 coming up from Southampton is always hideous. Other roads are a bit better. 

Thanks. I’ll be on the A36 from Southampton. Maybe I should go up the M3 and avoid it entirely. I sometimes turn left at the college in Salisbury which is a bit quieter. 

[balti-pie]

1 hour ago, Metal Monkey said:

Thanks. I’ll be on the A36 from Southampton. Maybe I should go up the M3 and avoid it entirely. I sometimes turn left at the college in Salisbury which is a bit quieter. 

The route through Harnham on the A3094 might be the way, i was checking that out on the maps the other day - skips to the side of all the Salisbury traffic and picks up again on the a36 on the other side 

 

edit: ah, the traffic looks knackered by the tesco on the way to salisbury, before that turnoff above - bugger! 

Edited June 17, 2025 by balti-pie

[phillyfaddle]

2 hours ago, Metal Monkey said:

Thanks. I’ll be on the A36 from Southampton. Maybe I should go up the M3 and avoid it entirely. I sometimes turn left at the college in Salisbury which is a bit quieter. 

No, I’d stick to your original plan. There’s no easy alternative, just be prepared for a bit of a crawl through Saliabury city centre. There’s roadworks at the Winnall roundabout on the M3 anyway (A34 junction) and that tends to queue in the mornings, plus you’re going in the opposite direction.

[mrfunk]

Which day is the Village shut to traffic? I’m coming down the Saturday before around 8am, camping West side, but prefer coming over the Mendip hills, it’s also quicker.. Will I be able to cut through the village from Cannards Grave round about? Then on to Red Gate?

[phillyfaddle]

2 hours ago, gooner1990 said:

 

Great thank you. 

 

I'm coming down the A34 from Oxford and will pick up the A303 at that junction (not sure of the name - its near the Sutton Scotney services) then carry on. 

 

Wasn't' sure if I would have to leave earlier than intended!.....meeting my mates 10.30am at Podimore services. 

My office is in Oxfordshire so I know that route well. Yes, that’s right, the A303 junction is a few miles north of the services at Sutton Scotney (it will be signposted to Andover). You should be absolutely fine meeting your mates for 10:30 at Podimore if you’re iro Andover for 8:30ish. Probably get there easily by 10.

[gooner1990]

24 minutes ago, phillyfaddle said:

My office is in Oxfordshire so I know that route well. Yes, that’s right, the A303 junction is a few miles north of the services at Sutton Scotney (it will be signposted to Andover). You should be absolutely fine meeting your mates for 10:30 at Podimore if you’re iro Andover for 8:30ish. Probably get there easily by 10.

 

Great thanks.

 

Quick coffee and something to eat at Podimore if I have time then hopefully parked up in West for 11-11.15am. 🙂 

[balti-pie]

i'm weirdly attached to podimore services - stayed there a couple of times at the travelodge, and its always heralded great times ahead of course. always get excited when i see the signs to it. sad, but true 

[MTY]

Does anyone know how horrendous the big Tesco in Glastonbury city centre is on the Wednesday morning?
We are thinking of meeting friends there (driving from Birmingham and Lyme Regis respectively) at 8.30am , quick coffee and then convoying into the festival.
Any alternatives would be greatly appreciated, thanks!