Getting from gate C to A

[Lander1989]

Hi all was looking for a bit of advice

 

I was only able to get coach tickets this year (luckily from Bristol) but I stay in a campervan so have booked into love fields next to gate C.

 

Our plan was to arrive on Wednesday at love fields, leave the van and go back to Bristol, stay the night in a hotel before getting the coach on Thursday morning which sounded easy.

 

However no taxi I’ve spoken to can get down the blue route to collect us from love fields and the only way to get across sore to the taxi rank at gate A seems to be through the site which we can’t get to without tickets.

 

Any advise on how I can solve this conundrum? 

[Johnnyseven]

There are narrow country roads you can walk along  if you dare.

[sedra]

It’s not meant to be easy since you have coach tickets and therefore not meant to be taking a vehicle. Your only option is to walk  back out to the A37 the route you came in and up through Pilton and out the other side if you can. weds is going to be incredibly busy with traffic and you would need to pre book a taxi or get the bus.  You might be better off leaving your camper van in Wells or Shepton, getting a bus back to Bristol and then the coach in on Thursday. You could then get the shuttle bus to Wells or Shepton  as soon as you arrive at Gate A as you will then have your ticket in hand.? 

[CaledonianGonzo]

Trying to think of a solution to this that doesnt involve navigating the very narrow country roads and I dunno if I've got one.

 

If you could get your Lovefields parking pass to the same driver that will collect you that would solve it - but if you're not local to Bristol and just using a big cab company they"ll just send the first available driver.

 

Is there another point closer to gate C you could get a taxi to meet you at?

[kerplunk]

Yeah I think you'd need to walk up Cockmill Lane to Pylle Road and into Pilton and then to Gate A. 

 

 

[kerplunk]

11 minutes ago, sedra said:

It’s not meant to be easy since you have coach tickets and therefore not meant to be taking a vehicle. Your only option is to walk  back out to the A37 the route you came in and up through Pilton and out the other side if you can. weds is going to be incredibly busy with traffic and you would need to pre book a taxi or get the bus.  You might be better off leaving your camper van in Wells or Shepton, getting a bus back to Bristol and then the coach in on Thursday. You could then get the shuttle bus to Wells or Shepton  as soon as you arrive at Gate A as you will then have your ticket in hand.? 

 

Wouldn't need to go back out to the A37 I think. Just walk up Cockmill Lane to Pylle Road?

[Lander1989]

Thanks all, a few options to look at if we can’t get a taxi. I’ve managed to get a spare blue pass from love fields that can be emailed to a cabbie, just need to find one who is free now! 

[tombertb]

Can you not park nearer to Gate A, find transport back from Gate A to Bristol on weds and then when you return via coach on thurs, collect the van and move it?

[Twistandshoutben]

I’d walk to Shepton Mallet if I were you. I’ve done it before now on booze runs to Tesco when I’ve arrived on public transport but been too skint to pay bar prices. Took about 1-1.5 hours - (out of gate B, turn left walk up Nest Lane, cross the A361 onto the B3136 which isn’t usually busy). I’ve occasionally managed to hitch with a trader into town as well. Taxis much easier to come by from Shelton Mallet. I’ve also taken a folding bike to cycle from my van to Castle Cary to go and pick up my daughter (long story) but that was dicey with the lorries on the A371/a37 so definitely wouldn’t walk on that road.

Edited June 12, 2025 by Twistandshoutben

[bucko]

sleep in the van in bristol wednesday night, explain to the coach driver what you are doing and he might give you your ticket.

If he doesn’t stay on the coach and get a taxi back from the drop off at gate A. 

the coach driver could be returning to bristol and give you a lift back also. 

[gooner1990]

Leave your van locally in Shepton or Wells on the Weds, then on the Thurs go and collect it once you've arrived on site via the coach then drive into Lovefields?

[giantkatestacks]

So you cant take a car down with your van in convoy with your new spare pass (partner, mate, whoever) then just drive back to Bristol on the Weds? I always get so confused with these queries but I get why they happen. 

[timbrass]

Another option....

 

1) Do you know someone on the same Bristol bus on Thursday? (or find someone charitable on eFests who is!)

2) Do you know someone (also charitable) who does have a ticket and is onsite Thursday afternoon (when the bus arrives)

 

If so.....

a) Send a video message (showing your face) to the person on the bus saying they have permission to pick up your ticket on the bus (otherwise it will go to the portacabin at Gate A)

b) Get the person who does have a ticket to meet the person off the bus and collect from Gate A and deliver to you outside Gate C.

[MilkyJoe]

The most sensible option here as suggested above is to take your van to Castle Cary or somewhere nearby on the Monday or Tuesday then back to Bristol for your coach. As soon as the coach arrives at Gate A, jump on the shuttle, pick your van up and bring it in.

[gooner1990]

2 minutes ago, MilkyJoe said:

The most sensible option here as suggested above is to take your van to Castle Cary or somewhere nearby on the Monday or Tuesday then back to Bristol for your coach. As soon as the coach arrives at Gate A, jump on the shuttle, pick your van up and bring it in.

 

Quick search on 'You Park' shows up a handful of spaces in Castle Cary that would be suitable.

 

Take campervan to said space, jump on a train from CC back to BTM, stay in hotel, get coach to site (and collect ticket), shuttle bus from PGA to Castle Cary, collect van, drive in.

 

Done.

[buddiepaul]

I did this a few years ago, but was staying in Tangerine.  Checked in to the campsite on the Wednesday and then walked around the site and down the verge of the main road until we got to Gate A.  That was not a great walk, but got it done.

Then we got a shuttle bus to Castle Cary station and then waited an age to get a train to Bristol.  It was funny seeing everyone else arriving as we were going to Bristol.  

I stayed in the Travelodge opposite the coach stop, and was on the 07:30 coach on Thursday, so an hour to get back to Gate A and pretty much straight in.

Once you get back to the festival site on the coach, it is all worth it.