Fire in the Mountain

Aberystwyth is well connected by train and coach. The scenic Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury (with onward trains from Birmingham and Manchester) runs direct to Aberystwyth station - a relaxing way to arrive if you want to enjoy the countryside views. National Express coaches and regional bus services also serve Aberystwyth from major UK cities (for example, there are direct coach services from London and Birmingham). Aberystwyth's train and bus stations are centrally located in town, making it easy to walk, hail a taxi or catch the festival shuttle onward to your hotel or campsite.

By car, Aberystwyth sits at the edge of the Cambrian hills and can be reached via a network of A-roads. From England and the east you can use the A458 or A483 (via Shrewsbury or Welshpool) into Mid-Wales, while from south or west Wales you may take the A470 through Brecon and Rhayader then follow the A44/A487 towards the coast. These final roads are scenic but narrow and winding in places, so allow extra travel time. Also, note that parking in Aberystwyth is limited and can be costly: try to car-share if possible, and look out for town centre car parks or park-and-ride options if available.

The nearest airports are Cardiff and Birmingham. Cardiff Airport (CWL) is about 150 km from Aberystwyth, Birmingham (BHX) about 180 km, and Manchester (MAN) or Liverpool (LPL) roughly 200 km. From any of these airports you can continue by train or coach: for example, take a train to Shrewsbury (from Birmingham or Manchester) and then board the scenic Cambrian Line to Aberystwyth. National Express coaches also link Aberystwyth with major hub airports. Once you arrive in Aberystwyth, local buses and taxis will take you to your hotel or to any festival shuttle pick-up point.

Finally, plan your accommodation well in advance. Aberystwyth offers a range of lodging (hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels and holiday cottages) but rooms and campsites tend to book up quickly in summer. If you prefer not to camp, consider staying in town or nearby villages and traveling to the site each day. The festival itself offers on-site camping (tents, campervans and family areas) with the ticket, which is a great option if you want to stay on the farm. If you stay off-site, book early and look into alternatives like holiday lets or student dorms. Finally, check whether there is a festival shuttle from Aberystwyth (often from the train station) or reserve a local taxi for the short drive to the farm.