Getting to the West car parks if arriving from the East (e.g. London)

[scmusic]

Hiya

As we are unable to come down before Thursday morning (stupid work), we want to aim for the West car parks if at all possible so that we are closer to our likely camping destinations on the West side (Pylon etc) that will still have space at that point. No desire to repeat previous experiences of schlepping everything all the way across from East gates if it can be avoided.

My thinking was to come from London the usual route (M3 > A303) but to divert off north and take the A36 to Frome, then A361 to Shepton Mallet and hope to get onto the little B3136 road down through Pilton to the West gates. This is as opposed to the "default" London route of A303 > A37 > east car parks.

Has anyone got previous experience or advice on this score? I know it's somewhat down to luck and which way the wind is blowing but I would like to give ourselves every advantage.

Thanks in advance

Luke

[glasto-worker]

some claim they have been able to use the B3136 and ' turn right at the bottom ' but the times I have used it that was not a option for many - I was allowed though as I was displaying a crew sticker but I know the cars behind me were blocked from turning Right.

now what happens at other times I cant say all I know its been like that for at least ten years.

when ticket holders say they did make the turn right they don't make it clear what time/day that was so they could be doing it in the dead of night.

As you enter the B3136 there is a huge sign up that says no access to the west car park.

[scmusic]

Hrm I thought that might be the case, thanks for the warning.

Any other bright ideas? I know we have made it into the West car parks from London before but for all I know (not the driver at the time) it might have been through dumb luck.

[Peroni]

We come from west Sussex and always end up in west (touch wood)... Generally involves me getting lost on route and ending up on that route.

[fur_q]

IMO the best way for london to the west car parks is M4 then M5 to junction 23, A39 to Glastonbury town, then A361

[ThomThomDrum]

You could try not display your car park sticker and claim you have to go to Glastonbury town. If asked if going to the festival you could lie or if obvious say yes but later as you have to pick up a friend in Glastonbury. If they let you past then stick your sticker up once near the entrance to the West car parks on the A361

[ThomThomDrum]

Or you could take a right out of Pilton before you hit the A361 up higher Westholme rd and then cut back to the a361 down chessel lane or Slough lane but restrictions maybe in place. Again don't display your sticker till the last moment

[glasto-worker]

Hrm I thought that might be the case, thanks for the warning.

Any other bright ideas? I know we have made it into the West car parks from London before but for all I know (not the driver at the time) it might have been through dumb luck.

[IamChappu]

The way we always used to do it was A303 -> A372 (same roundabout as A37) -> B3151 to Street ->A39 -> A361 to the festival. Is slightly longer but this way you approach from the side of the West car parks. Always used to do the trick for us!

[scmusic]

The way we always used to do it was A303 -> A372 (same roundabout as A37) -> B3151 to Street ->A39 -> A361 to the festival. Is slightly longer but this way you approach from the side of the West car parks. Always used to do the trick for us!

[scmusic]

OK, so the M4 > M5 > A39 route from my pickups in London is 177mi, 3hrs 36min according to Google (obviously would need more time with queues and traffic near Pilton)

Whereas the IamChappu route ducking off the roundabout to go up the A372 > B3151 via Street would be 147mi, 3hrs 16 min.

Whereas the "default" recommended London route (A303 > A37) comes out as 143mi and bang on 3hrs.

I think it's worth the extra 15 mins if the IamChappu route is open, to save the huge walk across the site.

Anyone else had success with his route? Looks like a winner.

[ThomThomDrum]

That route should work. Its far away enough from the site not to be affected by diversions/closures and the roads are also major enough to not warrant them.

[ltfckimbo]

Seriously considering doing this as we always camp in Oxlyers. Anyone know which side is more likely to experience queues getting in/out of the car parks? Only been by car once and we had no bother getting out of East car parks mid-morning on Monday, although that was after 2010’s scorching weather.

[ThomThomDrum]

Seriously considering doing this as we always camp in Oxlyers. Anyone know which side is more likely to experience queues getting in/out of the car parks? Only been by car once and we had no bother getting out of East car parks mid-morning on Monday, although that was after 2010’s scorching weather.

[Peroni]

In the last few years they have been a lot better managing the traffic leaving site from my experience and it is due to the free flow systems they have on the roads around the site from what I can tell. Someone else may be able to tell you otherwise, but I have had no issues leaving on the Monday the past few years

[garokev]

Me either, we Subsribe to the always turn the way the traffic is not queuing... And rely on Sat Nav to see us right...

Edited May 22, 2013 by garokev

[brendan84]

The way we always used to do it was A303 -> A372 (same roundabout as A37) -> B3151 to Street ->A39 -> A361 to the festival. Is slightly longer but this way you approach from the side of the West car parks. Always used to do the trick for us!

[brendan84]

The way we always used to do it was A303 -> A372 (same roundabout as A37) -> B3151 to Street ->A39 -> A361 to the festival. Is slightly longer but this way you approach from the side of the West car parks. Always used to do the trick for us!

[cerv]

Can confirm this route is absolutely fine too. Been doing it for years and is well worth it if you're camping west side

Thanks IamChappu.

I did wonder about this route - whether it would be allowed. Would prefer a route that has a high likelihood of success without depending on luck / blagging etc.

I'll do a bit of Google routing research later into the comparative drive times of M4 > M5 route versus this one.

Thanks for all feedback thus far everyone!

[cerv]

In my experience queuing times in/out are a complete lottery dependent on a lot factors out of your control. I've experienced queues on both sides and equally sailed out both sides before as well.

Seriously considering doing this as we always camp in Oxlyers. Anyone know which side is more likely to experience queues getting in/out of the car parks? Only been by car once and we had no bother getting out of East car parks mid-morning on Monday, although that was after 2010’s scorching weather.

[Pip742]

We are staying in the Premier Inn in Frome on the Tuesday night and planning on getting up early to get to the site Wednesday morning. Will we be directed to the West car parks from there? Only ever driven once before and coming from East Anglia we were directed to the Blue, East car parks which was a long trek to a camping spot.

[al_coholic]

If coming from Frome you will normally be pushed towards the East Car Parks. To get to the West you would really need to head to Shepton Mallet, then onto Wells and then to Glastonbury Town and back to the West side. This will take longer.

[Pip742]

Thanks for your response. How much longer would you estimate it would take and is it worth it?

Edited May 23, 2013 by Pip742

[scmusic]

This has inspired me to ask my chums if we can drive up on the Wednesday night and maybe stay somewhere like Yeovil just so we can get an early start in the morning and be set up with plenty of Thursday to spare...

[Weatherley]

Hi,

I'm thinking of doing the same this year as when I went last time I ended up parking one of the East car parks and ended up trekking right to the Darble Campsite.

Did any try the suggested route:

"A303 -> A372 (same roundabout as A37) -> B3151 to Street ->A39 -> A361 to the festival. Is slightly longer but this way you approach from the side of the West car parks. Always used to do the trick for us!"

last year?

Thanks