Boardmasters 2019: How can I get to Newquay?

Over 9,000 extra train seats are being provided for this year’s Boardmasters Festival but customers are being warned that they must reserve a seat to be able to travel.

With the ever-popular Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach festival attracting more and more visitors each year, train operator Great Western Railway will operate a specific train reservation only system ensuring everyone who wants to travel is able to book a service of their choice.

The train company is providing 14 additional Intercity Express Train services or 9,100 extra seats, and a 27% increase on 2018, to support travel to and from the festival, but is also warning customers that surfboards can not be carried on long distance trains; and those with excessive luggage, and trolleys, will not be allowed to board.

GWR West Cornwall Station Manager Lee Goodson explains:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming a record number of people to Newquay Station over the Boardmasters Festival. Due to demand, a seat must be reserved when you buy your train ticket allowing those travelling to board easily and safely.

“We would also like to remind those travelling by train that we cannot carry surfboards, trolleys, and excessive amounts of luggage; and the festival has issued guidance on the quantity of alcohol that you can bring into the site.” 

What do I need to pack?

With these restrictions in place GWR is advising customers to think carefully about what they need.

To avoid disappointment when arriving at stations and at the festival those travelling should:

• Reserve a seat with your ticket at GWR.com or through the GWR app
• Allow extra time because trains to and from Newquay will be busy
• A queueing system will be in place at stations to help people board their reserved train
• Remember your Railcard
• Charge you phone if you have an electronic ticket

What should I leave at home?

• Surfboards cannot be taken on long distance trains and local hire is recommended
• Trolleys (wheeled cases are allowed but four-wheel trolleys and sack trucks will not be)
• Boardmasters Festival allows limited alcohol and no glass to be brought on to site – don’t get caught out

Specific train reservations will be required on all services to Newquay on Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, and Friday 9 August and between Newquay and London on Monday 12 August.

As well as additional rail services on the Newquay branch line, extra buses will support the rail services from intermediate stops.

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives, we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.