Travelling to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

With Europe’s largest annual ballooning event returning to Ashton Court on the edge of Bristol in a matter of weeks, organisers are offering travel advice to the hundreds of thousands of people who will attend the event.

From Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th August the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will feature dawn and dusk mass balloon ascents involving more than 100 balloons, as well as stunning aerial displays, a huge programme of children’s entertainment and the always popular nightglows.

With half a million visitors expected at Ashton Court over the four days of the Fiesta, people are being encouraged to plan their journeys in advance to have the most enjoyable experience.

Make the most of the fact the Fiesta starts early; there is nothing more magical than a mass ascent at dawn. There is more space on site early in the day and watching the balloons take off as the sun comes up is a brilliant way to start the day. Bring your own picnic, disposable BBQ or pick something up from the food stalls on site.

Book your car parking in advance and arrive early. If you’re going to drive to Ashton Court make sure to leave plenty of time and book your parking space in advance. Remember that ticket holders can only be guaranteed a space if they arrive before 5pm so allowing plenty of time is key.

Obey road signs rather than sat nav. A detailed plan has been put together to make sure everyone can get off and on site as smoothly as possible and that nearby major routes can still run smoothly. Temporary signs will be put out to help traffic flow so pay attention to them rather than any in-car technology.

There is plenty going on during the day. Make sure to enjoy the full experience by taking in all the daytime entertainment which has been tailored to make sure everyone can have a great day out.

There are many ways to reach the site with our travel partners, GWR the event is easily accessible via train and onward shuttle bus services by First Bus. First Bus have also introduced an earlier shuttle bus time for 2019 with the service starting at 4.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Festival Way links the centre and Bedminster with the main site for walkers and cyclists and there are plenty of cycle parking spaces for those wishing to arrive on two wheels.

By Train

The closest train station to the Fiesta is Bristol Temple Meads, served by our travel partner GWR. From the station visitors can pick up the Fiesta Shuttle Bus service operated by First Bus to get to the event site.

For further information on travelling to Bristol Temple Meads with GWR visit https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/stations-and-routes/trains-to-bristol

By Bicycle

Those wishing to cycle can take ‘Festival Way’ a traffic-free path connecting the city to Ashton Court Estate and beyond. Starting in Bristol, you can use the National Cycling Route 33 which takes you on a traffic free path from Queen Square out of the city via Cumberland Road. Crossing the River Avon you join Kennel Lodge Road as you enter Ashton Court.

There is bicycle parking available onsite by the Mansion House and by the fallow deer park.

On Foot

For those on foot, there are two main routes into the Fiesta site via Festival Way as detailed above for cyclists or via the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Please note the Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from 1800 to 0000 on Thursday 8th August and Saturday 10th August.

By Bus

A Balloon Shuttle bus service is operated by First Bus from Bristol Temple Meads Station and the City Centre (Metrobus Stop C2, Colston Avenue). This service is highly recommended to local residents. Tickets can be purchased on the bus and there is no need to pre book. Adult tickets cost £3 for a single or £5 return, with a special group ticket of £15 which allows up to five adults to travel together. Two new ticket features have been introduced for 2019 – up to two children (15 and under) can travel free with each fare paying adult and you can buy discounted tickets in advance of the day on the First Bus mTicket app.

For £2 First bus ticket holders can upgrade existing tickets i.e Bath and Bristol Outer Zone, West of England and West of England Plus/Day, Week, Month, Year tickets.

Buses run at least every 10 minutes from 10am each day. The last bus departs from the site at 11.30pm on Thursday 8th and Saturday 10th and at 9.30pm on Friday 9th and Sunday 11th August.

By Car

This year, all those wishing to drive to the event must book their car parking in advance and need to arrive on site no later than 5pm to guarantee their space. Spaces are getting booked very quickly so visitors are urged to get their tickets soon with prices starting from £12.50.

When arriving at and leaving the Fiesta site please follow road directions and do not use your Sat Nav.

Road Closures

The Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed to all pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from 1800 to 0000 on Thursday 8th August and Saturday 10th August.

A number of road closures will be put in place each evening over the Fiesta weekend, started at 7pm in different phases. A closure on the A369 (Clanage Road) will also be in force from midday on Saturday 10 August. These closures will be lifted as soon as possible to keep disruption to a minimum. Emergency vehicles will be allowed through as usual.

While closures are in place local residents can use their residents parking permits or temporary visitor permits to access their streets. These passes have been distributed to properties, if more are required residents can request more by e-mailing info@bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk 

Bower Ashton

Road Closures – Kennel Lodge Road, the southern end of Parklands Road, Bower Ashton, junction with Clanage Road and suspension of the one way, Parklands Road junction with Clanage Road to junction with Courtlands Road.

The end of Parklands Road will be closed to both Pedestrians and vehicles for the duration of the event.  This is to minimise disruption to your street and the area of Bower Ashton.

The one-way system will be suspended to allow residents of the lower end of Parklands to access their homes.  Road closures will be in place from 6.00am Thursday 8th August until 11.30pm Sunday 11th August.  Residents in the area can still gain access to their property by entering Parklands Road from Courtlands Road.  The junction of Courtlands Road and Kennel Lodge Road will have barriers to restrict the entrance and a sign stating no access to the Fiesta, Residents Only.

Access to and from Bower Ashton will be limited between 9.30pm and 11.00pm on Thursday 8th and Saturday 10th August 2018.

Leigh Woods

Parking restrictions will once again be placed as in previous years.  Residents wishing to gain access to their properties during the road closure periods are asked to enter Leigh Woods from the Beggar Bush traffic lights, access will not be permitted from the Bower Ashton roundabout. 

Longwood Lane/Clevedon Road

From 7pm to midnight on each day of the Fiesta closures and a one-way system will be in place on Clevedon Road. During closure hours people should use the Beggar Bush Lane entrance to Longwood Lane to access the area.

Long Ashton

The Fiesta will once again place no waiting restrictions along Long Ashton Road so that two-way traffic can flow through the village during the event.

To assist residents who do not have access to off street parking, specific Residents Parking Zones will be created at appropriate points along Long Ashton Road.  The Residents Parking Zones will be clearly sign posted.

In addition residents living on Parsonage Road and Glebe Road will also be able to apply for a Residents Parking Pass to enable them to park within the Resident Parking Zones.

Residents must apply for a permit to park within these areas by completing an online form accessible via the ‘Information for Residents’ page at www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk 

Long Ashton residents should also note that access to Bristol between 9.00pm and 11.00pm will not be possible via the B3128 and past The Ashton public house.  Instead residents should use Yanley Lane, Wild Country Lane or join the A370 at the Flax Bourton/Barrow Gurney junction.  This closure and diversion will be kept to an absolute minimum and emergency vehicles will be granted access.

To book car parking tickets please visit http://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk or to find out more about this year’s event follow @BristolBalloon on Instagram and Twitter, or https://www.facebook.com/bristolinternationalballoonfiesta.