FAQ
It’s the national celebration of sustainable living! A big FREE weekend of activities designed for all the family. Showing you how to save money, be environmentally savvy and live a rich and creative life. Leading and emerging artists, demonstrations, stalls, talks & workshops offering thrifty advice, tips and tricks as well as innovative tasty food and drink. Admission is FREE.
How do I get there? What buses can I get?
There are drop-off points directly outside John Whitehead Park on the Causeway, please be aware that these are also used for the park and ride service and could get busy at times. See map for details.
The main car park is a 5 minute walk from the site and has this what3words location: smug.luck.cabin
Directions from Billingham Train station to Festival of Thrift site by foot:
To get to the Festival site by foot bear left up the footpath out of the station onto the main road, Marsh House Avenue. Turn right on Marsh House Avenue until you get to the traffic lights. Cross the road and turn left onto the main road The Causeway, walk down the road for a few minutes until you reach John Whitehead Park main entrance. From here you can enter the park on one side or Billingham Town Square on the other. An easy, flat five-to-ten minute walk.
Bus stops
In Stockton:
Dunedin House Car Park, Columbia Drive, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BJ
In Billingham:
The Causeway, Billingham (outside John Whitehead Park), TS23 2DD
From Redcar
Trains run once-an-hour from Redcar Central to Billingham (change in Thornaby). £6.80 off-peak return, journey time approx. 40 minutes.
From Stockton
The best way to travel from Stockton is to get the Festival park & ride coach from Dunedin House car park to The Causeway in Billingham. See above for details. Trains run once-an-hour direct from Stockton to Billingham. £4.20 off-peak return, journey time approx. seven minutes.
From Hartlepool
Stagecoach bus 36 runs from Grand Hotel in Hartlepool to Billingham Town Centre (Asda), journey time approx. 30 minutes. Trains run once-an-hour direct from Hartlepool to Billingham, £4.20 off-peak return, journey time approx. 12 minutes.
From Middlesbrough
Stagecoach bus 34 runs from Middlesbrough Bus Station to Billingham Town Centre (Asda), journey time approx. 20 minutes. Trains run once-an-hour direct from Middlesbrough to Billingham, £4.30 off-peak return, journey time approx. 18 minutes.
From Darlington
Trains run once-an-hour from Darlington to Billingham (change in Thornaby), £6.80 off-peak return, journey time approx. 55 minutes.
From Yarm
Trains run once-an-hour from Yarm to Billingham (change in Thornaby), £4.40 off-peak return, journey time approx. 30 minutes.
From Sunderland
Trains run once-an-hour direct from Sunderland to Billingham. £9.60 off-peak return, journey time approx. 40 minutes.
From Newcastle
Trains run once-an-hour direct from Newcastle to Billingham, £12.90 off-peak return, journey time approx. one hour.
From the North West and Yorkshire
Trains run regularly from all major cities, with the Manchester train passing through Leeds or York en-route. Trains run approx. once-an-hour from Manchester Victoria (changing in Darlington or Thornaby), £72.40 off-peak return, journey time approx. two and a half hours.
From London
Trains run once an hour from London Kings Cross (changing in York, Northallerton or Thornaby depending on route), £99 off-peak return, journey time approx. three hours and twenty minutes.
Access Information
Please find below information on access at Festival of Thrift. We are committed to the event is as accessible as possible for everyone.
INFO POINT
The Info Point located in John Whitehead Park is a good point to connect with our friendly staff around any access needs and questions.
BSL INTERPRETED EVENTS
Saturday
John Whitehead Park
Rise Up at 11.30am
Like a Tree at 12.30pm
World Kiosk at 3.30-4.30pm
Town Centre
Community Catwalk at 2pm
Best In Show at 2.15pm
Sunday
John Whitehead Park
World Kiosk at 11.15am – 12.15pm
Like A Tree at 2.30pm
Rise Up at 3.30pm
Town Centre
IRL Vinted at 12.45pm
NON-VERBAL SHOWS:
Saturday
John Whitehead Park
BAMBOO at 1pm & 4pm.
Early Weaves at 12pm & 3pm.
Right To Play, all day.
Town Centre
Pan~// Catwalk at 12pm & 3pm.
Life Is Short. Buy That Dress.at 1.30pm & 3.45pm.
Sunday
John Whitehead Park
BAMBOO at 1pm & 4pm.
Early Weaves at 12pm & 3pm.
Right To Play all day.
Town Centre
Pan~// Catwalk (Town Centre) at 12pm & 2.45pm.
Life Is Short. Buy That Dress. at 1.30pm & 3.30pm
AUDIO DESCRIBED SHOW
Saturday
John Whitehead Park
World Kiosk, all day.
LIFE BOAT, all day.
Hydropunk, all day.
Sunday
John Whitehead Park
World Kiosk, all day.
LIFE BOAT, all day.
Hydropunk, all day.
ACCESSIBLE VIEWING AT SHOWS
Performance areas include an area reserved for accessible viewing, a space for mobility aids (including wheelchairs) and seats.
BLUE BADGE PARKING
Designated Festival blue badge parking is located within Billingham Town Centre Car Park, behind The Forum and in front of B&M. There will be signage on site to direct drivers, access is via Moreland Avenue.
CHANGING PLACES TOILET
There is a Changing Places Toilet at Tesco Billingham Superstore, Leeholme Rd, TS23 3TA.
Saturday, open all day from 6:00 & Sunday 10.00-16.00
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
Accessible toilets can be found in the town centre library, public toilets just along from Boyes department stall, Costa Coffee, Café in the Park & accessible portaloo unit in John Whitehead Park.
BABY CHANGE FACILITIES
Baby change facilities are in the Billingham Library & the Café in the Park in John Whitehead Park.
EAR DEFENDERS
You can borrow Ear Defenders at the Info Point in John Whitehead Park.
CALM SPACE
There are some activities that offer a quieter space or activity:
John Whitehead Park:
World Kiosk, all day.
LIFE BOAT, all day.
The Hide, 12.30pm, 2.30pm, 4.30pm
Town Centre:
Makers Nook at Billingham Library
The festival activity will mainly occupy the John Whitehead Park area bordering Finchale Avenue. If you are looking for a calmer space, the side of the park bordering Melrose Avenue should be quieter.
Is it accessible? Where are the BSL signers?
There is accessible parking on site for blue badge holders, there is no charge and it will be signposted.
The site is very accessible for buggies, pushchairs and wheelchairs although some of the activities are on grass. Most pathways will be wide enough for access. Please note the site does get busy! For specific access needs please contact a member of the FOT team and we can arrange assistance.
Work to the lift at Billingham train station means that unfortunately it is out of order during the Festival weekend. Northern Railway will provide alternative transport, at no extra charge, to or from the nearest or most convenient station to enable the customer to continue/complete their journey.
Please contact the Passenger Assist Team in advance, to discuss your needs in order to arrange appropriate assistance via any of the following methods:
Phone: 0800 138 5560 (Freephone, including from mobiles)
Text Relay: 18001 0800 138 5560
Email: assistance@northernrailway.co.uk
Online: Assisted Travel (site.com)
App: Passenger Assistance by Transreport (available in app stores)
BSL signers will accompany some performances. Please see the schedule below:
Saturday
John Whitehead Park
Rise Up at 11.30am
Like a Tree at 12.30pm
World Kiosk at 3.30-4.30pm
Town Centre
Community Catwalk at 2pm
Best In Show at 2.15pm
Sunday
John Whitehead Park
World Kiosk at 11.15am – 12.15pm
Like A Tree at 2.30pm
Rise Up at 3.30pm
Town Centre
IRL Vinted at 12.45pm
Can I bring dogs?
Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome. Please ensure they are on a lead and be aware that the site can get very busy.
How do I find out what’s on?
The programme will be displayed across the site and there will be an online downloadable programme.
Alternatively check out our Whats On page here
Are there vegetarian, vegan, gluten & diary free food options?
We will have a large number of food stalls that cater for a broad range of dietary requirements, please check the food & drink page for specific details.
Can I bring a picnic?
Yes! There is some seating around the site, please feel free to bring your own picnic blanket or camping chairs to make yourselves a base.
Is there a cash point?
There are cash points in and around Billingham town centre. Most traders will take card payments but we do recommend bringing some cash too, just in case there are any issues with the wifi when the site gets busy.