IT'S NOW less than a month until people from all across Somerset will flock to Bridgwater in their tens of thousands for the historic Bridgwater Carnival.

As preparations begin ramping up, Bridgwater Carnival organisers have shared the best places to park for this year's event.

Ten official charity car parks will be open when the carnival gets underway on Saturday November 4.

There will also be two official charity park and ride services running from Dunball and North Petherton.

Where to park for Bridgwater Carnival 2023

The following car parks will be open for carnivalites this year, costing £10 for cars and £20 for mini-buses, with all proceeds going to an allocated charity or community group:

  • ASDA - East Quay, TA6 5AZ. Charity: SNAP. Open from 2pm.
  • Bridgwater Hospital - Bower Lane, TA6 4GU. Charity: Bridgwater Rotary Club. Open from 2pm.
  • Blake - Northgate, TA6 3EU. Community group: Wolves YFC. Open from 2pm.
  • Wickes - Wylds Road, TA6 4DH. Community group: Weston Operatic. Open from 2pm.
  • Morrisons - Broadway, TA6 3LN. Charity: Bridgwater Rotary Club. Open from 2pm.
  • B&M - Broadway, TA6 3LN. Charity: Bridgwater Rotary Club. Open from 2pm.
  • West Quay - Northgate, TA6 3EU. Community group: Wolves YFC. Open from 2pm.
  • Polden Bower School - Bower Lane, TA6 4GU. Community group: School PTA. Open from 2pm.
  • St Matthews Field - West Street, TA6 7HD. Charity: Westfield Church. Open from 10:30am.
  • Bridgwater and Taunton College - Bath Road, TA6 4PZ. Community group: Wilstock Hub. Open from 10:30am.

Those planning to travel by car are advised that roads in the town will begin to close at 2pm. 

For those hoping to arrive early to beat the traffic, entertainment will be available in the town centre from 10:30am onwards.

Park and ride information for Bridgwater Carnival 2023

According to organisers, the park and ride scheme for the carnival partners with Buses of Somerset.

It will cost £16 per car including the fare for all passengers. Mini-buses will be charged £25.

The two buses will be operational from 2pm onwards.

Both will be operational from 2pm until 6pm from the parking facility to the town, and then from 9pm until midnight from town to the site.

  • M5 Junction 23 - HPC Park & Ride, Bristol Road, Dunball, TA6 4TB. Charity: Bridgwater Operatic Society.
  • M5 Junction 24 - Livestock Market Site, Junction 24 Ltd, Market Way, North Petherton, TA6 6DF. Charity: Cancer Research UK.

The buses will run a regular service both ways until 11:30pm when the last bus leaves the pick up point. These sites will be signposted from the M5 junction and will all close at midnight.

A spokesperson for Bridgwater Carnival said: "Thanks to Buses of Somerset, our very popular Park and Ride schemes will be fully operational.

"Some said they had to wait for a bus to take you back to the car park, so this year we are putting on extra buses for the return trip which will hopefully alleviate this situation."

Full information on parking and buses can be found on the Bridgwater Carnival website.