Over 9,000 extra train seats are being provided for this year’s Boardmasters Festival but passengers are being warned that they must reserve a seat to be able to travel.

With the ever-popular Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach festival attracting more and more visitors each year, train operator Great Western Railway will operate a specific train reservation-only system.

The train company is providing 14 additional Intercity Express Train services or 9,100 extra seats, and a 27% increase on 2018, to support travel to and from the festival.

Specific train reservations will be required on all services to Newquay on Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, and Friday 9 August and between Newquay and London on Monday 12 August.

As well as additional rail services on the Newquay branch line, extra buses will support the rail services from intermediate stops.

What do I need to pack?

With these restrictions in place GWR is advising customers to think carefully about what they need.

To avoid disappointment when arriving at stations and at the festival those travelling should:

• Reserve a seat with your ticket at GWR.com or through the GWR app
• Allow extra time because trains to and from Newquay will be busy
• A queueing system will be in place at stations to help people board their reserved train
• Remember your Railcard
• Charge you phone if you have an electronic ticket

What should I leave at home?

• Surfboards cannot be taken on long distance trains and local hire is recommended
• Trolleys (wheeled cases are allowed but four-wheel trolleys and sack trucks will not be)
• Boardmasters Festival allows limited alcohol and no glass to be brought on to site – don’t get caught out

What did the officials say?

GWR West Cornwall Station Manager Lee Goodson explains:

“We’re really looking forward to welcoming a record number of people to Newquay Station over the Boardmasters Festival. Due to demand, a seat must be reserved when you buy your train ticket allowing those travelling to board easily and safely.

“We would also like to remind those travelling by train that we cannot carry surfboards, trolleys, and excessive amounts of luggage; and the festival has issued guidance on the quantity of alcohol that you can bring into the site.”

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