Radio 1 Big Weekend

By car, Sunderland is straightforward to reach via major roads. If you are coming from the south or north, you can use the A1(M)/A19 corridor toward Durham and follow signs to the A690 or A183 toward Chester Road. The festival entrance at Herrington Country Park will be clearly signposted. Keep in mind that on big event weekends, traffic can be heavy – planning ahead and allowing extra travel time is wise. The festival typically provides official parking near the site, but it can fill up fast. If possible, consider car-sharing or park-and-ride services to ease congestion when you arrive.

For public transport, Sunderland offers excellent rail and bus connections. Sunderland Interchange (Park Lane) station is the main hub, with regular Northern Rail trains from Newcastle, Durham, Middlesbrough and beyond. It is also on the Tyne & Wear Metro network (you can travel all the way from Newcastle Airport to Sunderland via Metro). From the station or city centre, Stagecoach and Go North East buses run routes toward Chester Road and Herrington Park. On festival days, extra shuttle buses may be arranged from key points in the city. Taxis and ride-shares (Uber, Bolt etc.) are also plentiful at the station if you prefer a direct trip to the park.

If you’re flying in, the closest airports are Newcastle International (about 15 miles north) and Teesside International to the south (around 30 miles). From Newcastle Airport (NCL), you can grab the Metro or a train into Sunderland and then switch to a local bus or taxi for the final short ride to Herrington Park. Teesside (TS1) offers a more limited range of flights but has car rentals and coach links; from there, you’d likely drive or take a regional bus into Sunderland. Larger airports like Manchester or London also have direct train or coach services to Newcastle/Darlington, with onward connections to Sunderland. Planning your arrival route and checking schedules in advance will help ensure you reach the festival smoothly.

Sunderland city centre has a variety of accommodation options within easy reach of the event – from modern hotels to quaint B&Bs. Book as early as possible, since places fill up fast when a big event comes to town. Nearby cities can be good alternatives: Newcastle and Durham are roughly an hour away by train or road and offer many hotels (as well as nightlife and sightseeing) if you’re staying overnight. If camping is your style, check out local campsites or caravan parks in County Durham – just note that Big Weekend itself does not include on-site camping. Finally, stay updated on local travel news: roadworks around the A19/A690 junction are common, so checking conditions can save delays. And since May weather can be changeable, pack a lightweight raincoat and comfortable shoes. Plan ahead for your journey and stay, and you’ll be free to enjoy the music without any stress.