A 10 step-by-step guide to getting the best out of your festival visit
1. Get there
Blackfriars is right in the centre of Gloucester and is readily accessible by public transport, both by bus and train. It is just off Southgate Street with pedestrian access from Commercial Road – see ‘How to find us’ for a map.
2. Get a Ticket
Tickets are priced at £6 to include admission, a souvenir glass and a festival programme. On the door tickets are normally sold with a package of £10 of drink tokens to make it easier for you to get your beer and cider without having to queue again immediately. Unused tokens are refundable or you can donate to the nominated charity. Further tokens are available to purchase at the CAMRA stand in the main hall. CAMRA members are entitled to a free pint on production of a valid CAMRA membership card. Note: under 18′s must be accompanied by an adult to gain entry and will be asked to leave the site by 4:00pm each day.
3. Get a Glass
You will need an official festival glass to get served. A 1 pint festival glass is included in the entrance price, these are non-returnable/refundable. Glasses are available in pints and halves subject to stock.
4. Get a Programme
You don’t have to buy a programme, one is included in your admission price. It is your guide to the festival and contains the beer and cider lists, tasting notes and other useful festival info so you can find your way around and get details about the entertainment etc.
5. Get a Drink
The beer and cider bars are available in 1/3, 1/2 and 1 pint quantities, you can only use beer tokens to buy the beers, ciders and wines.
6. Get something to eat
Hot food is available in the Courtyard and the Cafe is your destination if you wish to try some of our gorgeous cheeses, wines and prosecco. All food sales are cash sales only.
7. Listen to some Entertainment
Various entertainment will be available throughout the festival – see the festival guide for the schedule. Quiet rooms are also available, for those people who prefer to drink and chat, between the main hall and the Café.
8. CAMRA
Find out what CAMRA do at the CAMRA membership stand, including our “better down the pub” campaign. Hop over to your local CAMRA in Gloucester branch here for more info
Enjoyed this festival, then why not get tickets for the Cotswold Beer Festival, available to buy at the CAMRA membership stand on production of a valid CAMRA membership card.
9. Time to leave ?
Refunds are available for unspent beer tokens and can be redeemed at the Token desk / CAMRA stand in the Main Hall. We encourage festival visitors to donate amounts under £1 to our chosen charity, but larger amounts are also welcome – this year our chosen charity is The James Hopkins Trust.
Small carrier bags will be available at the ticket entrance for you to take your festival glass home with you, festival glasses are non-returnable.
10. On the way home
Please don’t drink and drive – there is plenty of public transport and taxis available in Gloucester.
Please take care going home, we hope to see you at a CAMRA beer festival again soon.
