ALWAYS THE SUN 2017 FAQs

DATE AND LOCATION

Always the Sun takes place on Friday 8th, Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September 2017 on the beautiful Stoke Park, in the middle of Guildford.

Stoke Park Nightingale Road Guildford Surrey GU1 1ER

We are a five-minute walk from the Guildford London Road station and a 20-minute walk from the main Guildford station.

OPENING TIMES

On Friday 8th September the festival opens at 5pm, and closes at 11pm.

On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September the festival opens at 10.30am, and closes at 11pm each day.

GETTING HERE

Always the Sun is taking place on Stoke Park in the heart of Guildford. More information on customer parking to follow shortly.

BLUE BADGE PARKING

Please click on the link here to find out more information on blue badge parking available in Guildford here. https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/16810/Disabled-parking-

BUSES

The 100/101 Guildford Park & Ride service from the Friary Bus station leaves approximately every 12 minutes and arrives at the Spectrum Leisure Centre. Children Under 16yrs and disabled persons can travel for free using this service. Senior Citizens bus pass can travel for £1 day return on this service. Find out more about this service here. Check out the bus timetable here.

TRAINS

Trains to London Waterloo:

Monday – Thursday: Every 10 to 25 minutes. Last 2 trains 23:39 & 00:02 Friday & Saturday: Every 10 to 25 minutes. Last 2 trains 23:08 & 23:39 Sunday: Every 10 to 25 minutes. Last 2 trains 23:05 & 00:05

Trains to Portsmouth:

Monday – Thursday: Every 20 to 30 minutes. Last 2 trains 23:25 & 00:25 Friday & Saturday: Every 10 to 25 minutes. Last 2 trains 23:52 & 00:25 Sunday: Every 10 to 25 minutes. Last 3 trains 23:42, 00:12 & 01:26

For more information about accessibility on public transport, contact South West Trains by Telephone on 0800 52 82 100 ; Textphone on 0800 69 20 792 or via the online booking form here. *Please note these timings may be subject to change; please check with the relevant train line in advance of your journey.

We ask all our customers when entering and leaving the festival to respect local residents by keeping noise to a minimum.

Stoke Park is approximately 24mins walk away from Guildford main train station. From the station walk South towards Walnut Tree Close. Cross over the road and follow the road round onto the right onto Bridge Street/A322 and keep left.

Follow the road round to the left; cross over the road at the traffic lights towards St Saviour’s Church, and head right onto York Rd (Waitrose will be on your right hand side).

Cross the road at the junction onto Stoke Rd. After 141 ft turn right onto Kings Road (The Kings Head Pub is on the corner) and follow the road round until you get to Nightingale Rd. Walk up until you get to the entrance of Stoke Park – you’re now at the festival! Please see map below for more information:

TAXIS

The nearest taxi rank is situated at London Road Station. Listed below are a selection of local taxi services (all 24hr services):

GM Cars: 01483 566566 Fives and 6’s taxis: 01483 565656 Surrey Cars: 01483 449999

TICKETS

New to 2017, we are also offering family ticket bundles (based on two Grown—Up tickets, and two Young Persons tickets); and also group discount tickets (Buy 6 weekend tickets for the price of 5).

Online ticket sales will go offsale on Thursday 7th September 2017 at 10pm. You will not be able to purchase advance tickets after this date and time.

Grown-Ups and Young Persons tickets bought from the box office will be more expensive (0-10yrs Child tickets will remain free). On the gate (Tier 3) ticket prices will be released one month prior to the start of the festival on 8th August 2017.

BOX OFFICE OPENING TIMES:

Friday 8th September – 5pm-9pm Saturday 9th September – 10.30am-9.30pm Sunday 10th September – 10.30am-9pm

Timings are subject to change.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

• Grown-Ups (16+) • Young Person (11 – 15yrs) • Child (0 – 10yrs)

To purchase alcohol you must be 18 or over. We only accept valid passports and UK drivers or Provisional Licence as forms of ID.

All persons under the age of 18yrs old must be under the supervision of their parent or guardian at all times whilst onsite.

CAMPING & ACCOMMODATION

There is no camping or accommodation on site at Always The Sun. Keep an eye on this page for information on exclusive accommodation deals with local hotels.

WELFARE

Whilst September is usually a super lovely warm and sunny month, the reality is that in the UK the weather can turn, so please bring clothes for all weather. Sensible shoes, waterproof jacked, sun hats and sun cream! Everything you need to enjoy the UK summer time! – well not EVERYTHING, we’ll provide the music, entertainment and wonderful food and drink.

Please make sure you look after yourself, drink lots of water. Free safe drinking water is available from points around the arena.

Please protect your ears! Wear ear protection if you are near any of the live music stages speakers.

Festivals are all about meeting new people, but if you meet someone new it’s best to invite them to join your friends first, rather than seeing them alone. Look out for your fellow festival goers and inform a steward or a member of security if you notice that someone is unwell or may require assistance.

The medical tent is on-site and available for anyone who requires medical attention during the festival. The medics at Always the Sun are experienced, qualified and fully equipped to deal with situations.

Also please be aware that there are no cash machines onsite. The bar will be able to take card payments as will the box office for tickets at the main entrance.

ACCESSIBILITY

We want everyone to enjoy Always the Sun, so we have put a lot of effort into ensuring that we can achieve a high level of access for those with additional needs.

We operate a buddy system regarding ticketing, in which personal assistants and or carers receive a complimentary ticket to the festival. Please email access@alwaysthesun.co.uk or call the office phone on 01483 440022 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) to find out more information on how to book these.

SITE DESCRIPTION

The festival site is on Guildford’s Stoke Park. The main entrance is flat, and there is a gentle slop down towards the Park stage. All stages and tents are accessible by wheelchair access with no steps.

There will be accessible toilets available onsite. The main block of toilets have three steps up to the cubicles; with railings on either end.

In wet weather conditions, we will have trackway down on the ground to make an easy pathway through the site for wheelchair users and those with mobility issues.

There are seating areas with wooden benches around the site; low bench seating within the All The World’s A Stage area. As the site is quite small, there are no viewing platforms for the music stages.

ARRIVAL GUIDE

Upon arrival to the festival you will be greeted by a member of staff who answer any questions you may have or accommodate any requests you have. The box office is situated to the left hand side of the main entrance to the site, and manned by staff who will be able to organise with your access accreditation and tickets.
There will be seating next to the box office, if you are not able to stand for periods of time queuing.

TOILETS

We have an accessible toilet onsite, as part of the main block of toilets to the right hand side of the main entrance into the festival.

CUSTOMERS WITH MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Customers that need to bring food, drink and/or medication, please state to the staff at the box office or security staff and they will assist you if necessary. Contact our access@alwaysthesun.co.uk for any concerns you may have. In an emergency, please feel free to approach any member of staff who will assist you as necessary. The medical tent is situated to the front left hand side of the main entrance to the festival site.

ACCESS TO PERFORMANCE

We currently do not offer an auditory enhancement or assistance such as British Sign Language at this present time.

ASSISTANCE DOGS

We welcome assistance dogs onto the festival site.

STROBE LIGHTING

Some performances may use strobe lighting or hazer (smoke machine). If this is an issue, let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate you, or let a member of staff know on arrival.

Or if you prefer a printed version or large format of this information, please contact access@alwaysthesun.co.uk to receive a copy.

For any more information mentioned in the above, please get in touch with us on access@alwaysthesun.co.uk, or our office on 01483 440022 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).

FOOD & DRINK

The festival will operate as a licensed premises; there will be a large variety of locally sourced beers, ales, ciders, spirits and wines for our customers over 18yrs of age to enjoy.

Please keep in mind that this means that festival attendees will not be able to bring their own alcohol into the site. There will also be a variety of soft drink options and hot drinks available.

There will be a large amount of delicious food stalls around the site, bringing with them a mouth-watering variety of yummy foods, again in keeping with our aim to source most of our produce from the local area.

FORBIDDEN ITEMS & FESTIVAL RULES

Please be sensible when attending the festival and do not bring the following: • Pets (except guide dogs) • Glass • Alcohol purchased externally • Drones • Stereo systems • Illegal substances • Portable laser equipment and pens • Unauthorised professional film or video equipment • Audio recorders • Air Horns • Fireworks, flares or Chinese Lanterns • Any item which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon • Gas canisters • Nitrous Oxcide • Any form of aerosol over 250ml As you enter the festival our friendly security team will be searching bags, so please do not bring in alcohol, drugs or any of the above items. We want everyone to have a good time, so please obey the rules.

Please see our Terms and Conditions for more information about our Entrance Policy.