Extra trains for this year’s Boardmasters but you must reserve a seat, says Great Western Railway
More than 13,000 extra seats are being provided for this year’s Boardmasters, but travellers are being warned that they must reserve a place and are reminded surfboards cannot be carried on long-distance trains.
With the Watergate Bay festival site due to open from Wednesday 9 August, Great Western Railway will operate a reservation-only system, ensuring everyone who wants to travel is able to book on a train of their choice.
To provide these services, GWR will make changes to the usual timetable in Devon and Cornwall and warns regular customers to check their journey before they travel at gwr.com/check to avoid being caught out.
From Wednesday to Friday, GWR will provide extra trains between London Paddington and Newquay and between Plymouth/Par and Newquay, and for return journeys on Monday 14 August. Trains will, however, be busy and a queueing system will be in place at Newquay to manage the safe return of festival goers.
GWR West Cornwall Station Manager Sharon Holloway explains:
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming people to Newquay Station for Boardmasters. To try to keep everyone as safe as possible, a place must be reserved when you buy your train tickets.
“We would also like to remind those travelling by train that we cannot carry surfboards; trolleys; and excessive amounts of luggage. Queuing systems may also be in operation at busier stations on route to help you board safely – especially so at Newquay for return journeys on Monday.”
What do I need to pack?
With these restrictions in place, GWR asks 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 your 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)
Specific train reservations will be required on all services to Newquay on Wednesday 9, Thursday 10, and Friday 11 August, and from Newquay on Monday 14 August.
As well as additional rail services on the Newquay branch line, extra buses will support the rail service for intermediate stops.
Contact Information
Notes to editors
Notes to editors
First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR has been awarded a National Rail Contract to continue operating the Great Western network, which shall run up to 21 June 2025, with the potential for a further three years at the Secretary of State’s discretion. Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us