Festival Location

The Festival takes place at two sites just a few minutes’ walk from each other across The Causeway: Billingham Town Centre and John Whitehead Park, TS23 2DD.  

Walking & Cycling

If you can walk or cycle to Billingham, please do. It can be easier, quicker, and better for you and the planet! 

Festival Bike Storage

Sustrans with Tees Vallery Combined Authority are providing Festival bike storage racks at the main entrance to John Whitehead Park. Sustrans also have a stall at the Festival offering bike checks, maintenance and much more!  

Public Transport

If you’re unable to walk or cycle to the Festival then the next best way to travel is by public transport. The area is well connected with buses and trains, and detailed information is listed below. This year we have an exciting new partnership with Stagecoach who are increasing their services on Sunday 21 September on routes 36, 52 and 34 to help you get to the Festival! 

So if you live in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Norton, Billingham, High Grange, Low Grange, Greatham or Hartlepool your regular services will have more frequency during the Festival of Thrift!  

Even better the bus stop is directly outside the main festival entrance outside John Whitehead Park on the Causeway. 

Festival Car Park 

If you are driving, please park in the main Festival public car park (opposite John Whitehead Park on the Finchdale Avenue side) to avoid congestion in surrounding residential areas. Tickets cost £4 per car per day and can be pre-booked to ensure your place. This cost includes carbon offsetting.  

The car park entrance and exit are via The Causeway next to the Learning and Skills Service. There will be signage from the A19 roundabout directing you to the car park. Any vehicles arriving via Marsh House Avenue will be directed via The Causeway.    

Remember to be considerate to those living locally by not parking on residents’ driveways or obstructing roads. Parking enforcement will be in operation throughout the weekend.  

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.  

EV Charging Points 

If you are travelling by electric car, the nearest EV charging point is at Tesco Superstore, Leeholme Road, Billingham, TS23 3TA.   

Public Transport – Trains and Buses 

From Billingham Train Station:

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.   

From Stockton: 

Stagecoach bus services 36 and 52 run from Stockton to Billingham. There are drop-off points directly outside John Whitehead Park on the Causeway. 

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 Hartlepool  

Stagecoach bus 36 runs from Grand Hotel in Hartlepool to Billingham TownCentre (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.