Visitor Info
Key info:
- Entry to the 2011 Bristol International Kite Festival is free, but there will be a car parking charge (price £7).
- Free disabled parking is available to badge holders - the disabled car park is approx 100m from the arena, over a flat surface.
- The Festival takes place from 11.00am - 5.00pm each day.
- Have a look at the 2011 line-up and programme (Please note the programme is subject to change due to wind and weather!).
For those with mobility difficulties and their companions, Bristol Community Transport is providing a free shuttle service which will link the festival site with local bus stops near Clifton Lodge. Further information is available.
How to get to the Festival
The Festival takes place on 'the Plateau' of the Ashton Court Estate. Click here for a Googlemap to Begger Bush Lane - the Festival site entrance is off Begger Bush Lane (follow the AA signs). The Clifton Suspension Bridge is fully open all weekend.
Walking - From the Clifton Lodge entrance of Ashton Court, walk up through the golf course towards the top of the hill (with Bristol behind you). You should be able to see the kites!
Driving - Access for all vehicles to the festival site is via Beggarbush Lane, Longwood Lane. All other gates/roads through the Estate will be closed.
Avoiding City Centre: Take the M5 South, and exit at junction 19 (Gordano Services). From the motorway, join the A369 towards Bristol. Stay on the A369 for approximately 4 miles. After passing through the village of Abbots Leigh you will come to a set of traffic lights. Turn right at these lights on the B3129. This road runs alongside the site and you will then pick up AA/RAC signs for the Festival.
From City Centre: Follow signs for A370 Weston Super Mare, you will then pick up AA/RAC signs from South Bristol to bring you to the site.
Public transport - Bus numbers 358/359 from Bristol Bus Station stop at the Clifton Lodge entrance. Or take the 8 or 8A from Temple Meads/City Centre to Clifton Village and walk across the Suspension Bridge to the Clifton Lodge entrance.
Accessible transport - Bristol Community Transport (BCT) will, for the fourth year running, be providing accessible transport. The free service will link with local bus services to enable anyone who experiences mobility difficulties and their companions to access the site by minibus. The BCT minibuses will collect passengers from the 358 and 359 bus stop nearest to Clifton Lodge quarter past and quarter to the hour between 11am and 5pm on the Saturday. The minibus service will then collect passengers from the festival at 20 past and 10 to the hour, before alighting at the bus stop. On the Sunday will be collecting passengers between 11am and 5pm again on the Sunday linking in with the 359 service. It will be collecting passengers at 35 minutes past the hour and collecting from the festival at 5 minutes past the hour. At peak times there may be some movement in the timetable allowing for traffic etc. The pick up points will be clearly marked with signage. Timetable information is available at www.bristolcommunitytransport.org.uk
Where to stay
We do not have any on-site accommodation, but Bristol is full of lovely hotels and fantastic B&Bs. Please visit the Visit Bristol website for information about places to stay in and around the city.
Site information
Here's the site map for the 2011 Festival. There is a downloadable version available.
Dogs
Dogs are allowed on site, but must be kept on a lead, as some may find the large kites a bit frightening! Please do not allow them to enter the flying arenas, and remember to clean up after them!
Flying on site
You're welcome to try out your new kites anywhere in the public flying areas. But please help everyone to stay safe by following these simple rules:
- Share the space! Find an open area and avoid flying close to people.
- Keep an eye out for people (and animals) walking on site, as kite lines can be difficult to see!
- Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Never fly in a thunderstorm or near overhead power lines!
