The Big Retreat Festival

The Big Retreat Wales

Lawrenny

Pembrokeshire 

SA68 0PW

What3words : become.juices.listen

 

By Car

The closest postcode is SA68 0PW.  This will get you to the village of Lawrenny and from there you will see signs directing you to the appropriate car park.

From the east: Follow the M4 until the end and then take the A48 towards Carmarthen.  At Carmarthen follow the A40 to the Saint Clears roundabout, and then take the A477 towards Pembroke Dock.  Stay on the A477 until you get to the traffic lights at Broadmoor. Turn right at the lights onto the B4586. After about half a mile turn left signposted to Cresselly. Keep on this road and you will arrive at a T-junction / staggered crossroads. Turn left and then almost immediately right (signposted to Cresswell Quay and Lawrenny). Follow this lane down the hill and at the bottom take a right turn signed to Lawrenny. Stay on this road until you get to a crossroads with a left turn to Lawrenny. Drive down Broad Lane and you will see a WELCOME sign before you arrive into the village  -  follow the track around behind the back of the village and you will be directed straight to the car park.

On the A477 coming from Pembroke/Pembroke Dock:  At the Carew roundabout take the exit for 'Carew & Haverfordwest’. Go over the millpond bridge and up the road & turn left at the 'Whitehill / Lawrenny’ sign. Go through Cresswell Quay, over a small stone bridge and uphill until you reach the crossroads where you turn left signposted to Lawrenny. Drive down Broad Lane and you will see a WELCOME sign before you arrive into the village  - follow the track around behind the back of the village and you will be directed straight to the car park.

From the west: From the A40 take the A4075 turn off at the Canaston Bridge roundabout.  After passing Oakwood, take the first turning right, signposted Lawrenny. Follow the road and just after a sharp left hand bend, take the left fork at the cottages, signposted Lawrenny. At the T-junction turn right then at the crossroads go straight over signed to Lawrenny. Drive down Broad Lane and you will see a WELCOME sign before you arrive into the village. Follow the track around behind the back of the village and you will be directed straight to the car park 

 

Drive Times (approximately)

From Swansea - 1h 20m 

From Bristol - 2h 30m

From Birmingham - 4h

From London - 4h 30m 

 

By Train

If you don't fancy driving, come by train. The nearest stations are Narberth and Kilgetty. You can pick up a taxi to take you to Lawrenny which is about a 15 minute drive. Please do book your taxi in advance as the train station is very small and there are not usually taxis waiting. 

 

TP & Narberth Taxis - 01834 860297

Narberth Cabs - 07799 005067

Noddy's Taxi - 07377 912075

 

By Bus

National Express buses stop at Kilgetty which is 7 miles away. Taxis do not wait at the bus stop so please make sure that you book a taxi in advance.

 

Jeff Cabs - 07785 291446

Roadrunner Taxis - 01834 450236

T & S Taxis - 07549 070623

 

PARKING AT THE FESTIVAL

Please make sure you purchase a Parking Ticket.

Please follow the parking guidance and advice of our Stewards for Weekend Parking, Day Parking and Campervan Parking. 

 

CHECK-IN

Arriving by Car:

Once parked up, follow the directions from the stewards to the check-in area.  There will be trolleys available to take your things to the campsite. No cars are allowed in the camping area. It's just a short walk but our experience is that sometimes the kitchen sink seems to make it into a camping trek! 

Have your tickets, email reference or booking number ready to show to our check-in team. You will be asked to read and sign a copy of our Terms and Conditions and given a wristband. 

Once you have checked-in you can head on to the Campsite. Please follow the signs to the relevant camping area (Family / General / Quiet / Campervans / Belle Hotel).

 

Arriving in a Campervan, Caravan or Motorhome:

Follow the directions of the Steward. Have your tickets, email reference or booking number ready to show to our check-in team. You will be asked to read and sign a copy of our Terms and Conditions and given a wristband.  You may then drive on to the Festival Site and onto the Campervan zone.  

 

Reception Opening Times:

Friday 10.00am - 10.30pm

Saturday 09.00am - 8.30pm

Sunday 09.00am - 8.30pm

Monday 09.00am - 4.00pm 

 

If you arrive outside of these hours, we have 24hr Security who will be able to assist.  

You will not be able to take your car to the campsite to unpack. 

You will be asked to sign our Terms & Conditions at Reception and agreeing to these is a condition to entry.  If you would like a full copy of our T&Cs please get in touch. 

Please do not bring your dog* or other pet with you - you will be turned away and, in this instance, no refunds are available. *Guide and Assistance Dogs excluded. 

No, we are really sorry but we are set on an organic farm and we cannot allow dogs. Although some dogs enjoy a festival atmosphere not all do, and some festival-goers prefer a dog-free few days.

If you want your dog to remain close by The Big Retreat Festival have really lovely boarding kennels right in the village. To book contact Broadlane Kennels, Lawrenny SA68 0PS or call 01646 651049.

No cats, parrots, lizards, hamsters or other pets either - much as we love them, this event is not for them.

We are family-friendly. Under 5s can come for free and 6 -15 year olds have their own concession ticket. Under 14s will not have access to some of the fitness & wellness classes but there will be kids yoga, theatre, circus skills and other activities for our younger guests, as well as classes you all might like such as bushcraft and spoon carving. 

Strictly over 18s only in the gin and prosecco sessions, and at the bars.  ID may be asked for so please ensure you bring some with you if you look on the young side!

We may ask to see ID to verify ages of under 12s. 

Please contact us via hello@thebigretreatwales.co.uk  or via our "Contact Us" page 

Refunds are only considered if the Event is (i) cancelled in full and not rescheduled (if the Event is partially cancelled your refund will be a proportionate partial refund) or (ii) materially altered which is a change (other than a rescheduling) which, in Our opinion, makes the Event materially different to the Event that ticket purchasers, taken generally, could reasonably expect. The following are not deemed to be ‘material alterations’: changes to the Event line-up; adverse weather conditions; changes to individual bands or presenters ; curtailment of the Event where the majority of the Event is performed; and delays to starting a performance or the Event.

Refunds must be requested no later than 3 months after the event

A booking fee of 10% is included in the ticket price, this cannot be refunded 

Personal arrangements relating to the festival including, but not limited to travel, subsistence and accommodation are at your own risk and We shall not be liable for any losses incurred from personal arrangements or wasted expenditure beyond the ticket refund.

If you cannot make the event you do on have the option to sell your tickets on Tixel for the price you originally paid.

It is recommended your seek insurance for your purchase in case of non-attendance. 

The Big Retreat Festival will have 24hr security patrols looking after us on the Festival sites, entrances & exits. Please wear your wristbands and show them when asked. It is still your responsibility to look after yourself, your possessions & those in your charge. Any lost property (including children) should be handed over at Reception, where they can be reclaimed on proof of ownership. We are a small festival - our ambition is that we will feel like family at the end of the Festival (in a good way!).

The Big Retreat Festival 23rd - 26th MAY 2025

Due to health and safety regulations we want to be clear about live-in vehicles allowed on site.

A live-in vehicle is one that is specifically adapted for sleeping, such as a motorhome, camper van or caravan; strictly no cars are allowed onto the campsite unless they are towing a caravan or trailer tent. The car will then have to be parked in the general car park.

Larger pitches are available. You may have space on your pitch for an awning next to your vehicle, but no tents are allowed next to live in vehicles. 

On arrival, all live-in vehicles will be allocated to the next available pitch by our team; unfortunately we can't pre-allocate or reserve spaces so please arrive together if you want to be with friends.  

This area is used as farmland for the rest of the year so please be aware there are limited power hook-ups and these must have been booked in advance; however, the area is lit with garland lights, taps for drinking water, showers, toilets and toilet-emptying facilities.

Please be aware that the land is uneven grass and it is the owner’s responsibility to decide whether the vehicle is suitable for the terrain in varying weather conditions.

Only vehicles with fitted sleeping, cooking and or washing facilities may use these fields

Trailer tents must be purpose-built, manufacturer-made trailer tent. You will need to purchase a caravan/motorhome pass

Caravans and motorhomes are allowed on the campsite in limited numbers - if you haven't bought a Campervan Pass you will not be allowed in

VW Campervans and similar . You must have bought a campervan pass to park on the site. Failure to do so will lead to you not being allowed on the campsite due to space restrictions

Fireworks, generators, glass containers, drones, potential weapons, portable laser equipment including laser pens or any illegal or offensive items or substances are not permitted in these fields and will be confiscated. No animals (except guide dogs) are permitted anywhere at the Festival.

We provide an accessible camping area very close to the main festival site. The area is grassy but firm and close by to a hard-standing roadway (which continues onto the main site and back down to reception). We will send out car passes to anyone who has booked accessible camping 2 weeks prior to the festival.

This camping area will open at 9am (one hour before the standard opening time, so you can set up and relax for the festival).

You will be able to pitch your tent to the left of your car. This area will also have an accessible toilet and water point close by.

Both the festival entrance and First Aid are manned 24 hours a day, so there will always be someone close by if you need assistance.

Entry to The Big Retreat Festival including over 300 activities and experiences.

No access to the campsite and campsite facilities.

 

Activities and Experiences:

Fitness classes and workshops Yoga classes in the Shakti and Shiva Tents

90% arts and craft activities 

Music and Comedy

Gong Baths

Forest bathing taster sessions

Spoon Caving

Foraging

Nature Walks

Triathlon Club (apart from one to one sessions)

Nutritional Workshops 

Workshops and talks in the Talk Tent, Darwin's Den, Roaring Fire Pit and the Mind Space.

Activities finish on Monday at 5pm.

• Camping
• Car Park Pass
• Campervan Pass
• Explore Pembrokeshire
• Hot tubs and Ice Baths
• Massage and Treatments
• Fire Walking 
• Acro Yoga
• Paddle Boarding Lessons
• Jewellery Workshops
• 2 hour Forest Bathing Experience with Gong Bath
• Cacao Ceremony and ecstatic dance 
• A small selection of arts and craft where more expensive items are used such as silver 

The Big Retreat team are working hard to make the festival as accessible as possible. If you have any suggestions or have any questions about accessibility at the festival, please don’t hesitate to email hello@thebigretreatwales.co.uk 

We have accessible parking on the main site along a hardstanding road. To reserve an accessible parking space, please contact amber@thebigretreatwales.co.uk

You must display your blue badge in your car upon arrival and throughout. 

We operate a free personal assistant ticket. You are automatically eligible for this scheme if you can supply one of the following:

 

• Front page of DLA / PIP (no specific rate required)
• Front page of Attendance Allowance letter (no specific rate required)
• Evidence that you are registered severely sight impaired (blind)
• Recognised Assistance Dog ID card

If you would like to book a free personal assistant ticket, please book the rest of your tickets as normal on the website and email hello@thebigretreatwales.co.uk and we will send you a form to fill in