As Boardmasters Festival in Newquay 2024 approaches, thousands of festival lovers are looking forward to five days of partying and surfing on the Cornish coast. The festival will run from 7-11 August, and the presale signup is now open.
However, Boardmasters is an annual festival. Whether you’re visiting in 2024 or have your eyes set on future dates, it’s worth learning everything you can about this beach festival.
Here’s how to get to Boardmasters by train and everything you need to know about one of the UK’s favourite surfing events.
What is Boardmasters?
Boardmasters, Cornwall, is one of the UK’s most popular festivals thanks to its exciting live music, surfing, and beach fun. The festival welcomes people of all ages, but adults must accompany under-16s.
With Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormy headlining this year's Broadmasters, the festival will be one to remember. Past headliners included renowned artists like Lorde, Example, and Liam Gallagher. Notable bands have also played in the past, such as Florence and the Machine and Rudimental.
For those who can’t get enough of the festival life, afterparties follow each day’s impressive programme of music.
Boardmasters stages
Boardmasters showcases musicians and bands across various venues and stages:
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The main stage: This is the stage where the most iconic performances will be given by the biggest names at the festival
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Land of Saints: Expect high-energy performances by artists known for their powerful presence and independent style
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The Point: This is the beach stage where cutting-edge producers and DJs hold parties late into the night
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Unleashed: An indoor rave that’s the epicentre of high-energy summer anthems, clubland songs, and major arena acts
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The View: An intimate beachfront stage that serves as a launchpad for tomorrow's music stars
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Keg & Pasty: Pairing historical charm with contemporary entertainment, this is a 17th-century pub where guests can enjoy stand-up comedy and live music
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DB90: The stage of choice for late-night revellers with its energetic ambience that lasts until dawn
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Silent Disco: The UK’s largest silent disco, with tunes covering every genre to create a personal party lasting into the early hours
Boardmasters campsites
Boardmasters’ camping options include the:
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Boardmasters Boutique campsite: This luxury campsite comes with home comforts and perks like a pamper area and coffee car
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Pre-pitched campsite: This budget camping option allows you to bring a sleeping bag to pre-assembled tents to save you the hassle
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Reserved pitch: This campsite is for those who want to bring their own tent to the festival and want to reserve camping spots near their friends
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Campervan pitch: This area is for those who own a campervan and need a reserved spot to park
The first two options are ideal for festival-goers travelling by train as you’ll only need to pack the basics.
Boardmasters water sports and mindful activities
Boardmasters has partnered with several water sports providers. This means that when you’re not dancing, you can take to the ocean.
Choose between surfing, coasteering, high-speed boat tours, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, kayaking, and bodyboarding. Lessons and independent sessions are available to give you the skills you need to make the most of your time in the water.
These water sports take place at multiple beaches within walking distance of the festival. Some water sports also take place at Fistral Beach. One of the best British beaches, Fistral Beach is popular for its surfing scene. Boardmasters shuttle buses operate from 7: 30 am until 4:30 am every day.
If you’d prefer to stay dry, you can watch experienced surfers compete in the Boardmasters Open contest. This is England’s biggest surf competition, where surfers from across the world compete head-to-head.
On land, festival attendees can also visit Zennor Haven. Many people take part in mindful activities here, like yoga accompanied by acoustic music.
Where is Boardmasters Festival?
Boardmasters Festival takes place across two sites in Newquay:
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The festival site at Watergate Bay: Home to the main arena and campsites, you’ll need tickets to visit Watergate Bay. The address is Trebelsue Farm, Watergate Bay, TR8 4AN.
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The festival site at Fistral Beach: Home to the surf comp, beach bar, and shopping village, you won’t need tickets to visit Fistral Beach. The address is Headland Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1HY.
How to get to Boardmasters Festival
The easiest way to get to Boardmasters Festival is by train. Not only do Group Tickets make travelling by train affordable, but no one in your group has to drive. Everyone can enjoy the Cornish scenery with a drink or two on the way.
How to get to Boardmasters Festival by train
Make your journey smooth and easy by taking the train to Newquay station. Popular routes into Newquay include:
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Par: Get to Newquay in approximately an hour
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Plymouth: Get to Newquay in approximately two hours
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Exeter: Get to Newquay in approximately three and a half hours
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Bristol: Get to Newquay in approximately four hours
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Reading: Get to Newquay in approximately five hours
Avanti trains travel to Newquay from all over the UK, so longer train journeys are available too.
Boardmasters coaches also make travelling to the festival easy. Boardmasters has partnered with Big Green Coach to offer pickups across the UK.
How to get from Newquay Train Station to Boardmasters Festival
It’s easy to get from Newquay Train Station to Boardmasters. A Boardmasters shuttle bus service will run from the train station to the festival every 15 minutes.
The shuttle buses will depart from the train station and drop off passengers at the Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach sites.
The Boardmasters shuttle bus is the quickest way to reach the festival once in Newquay. It follows closed roads that aren’t open to the public, and car parking for the festival is limited.
Travel to Boardmasters with Avanti West Coast
Now that Boardmasters has set its 2024 dates, you can book Advance Train Tickets to save money on your fares. Sign up for Priority Ticket Alerts to find out when the cheapest tickets are available for your seaside stay.
Booking two advance tickets may be more cost-effective than booking one flexible return ticket. Use our Best Fare Finder to find the lowest prices for your route into Newquay.
You can also save on your tickets with a Railcard or a Family Ticket.
