How to get to Highest Point Festival

Whew, hasn’t the time flown? Highest Point is only a few weeks away! Have you started to plan for it yet? What artists are you seeing? Do you know what you need to bring with you to the festival? But more importantly, have you figured out how you’re going to get there yet?

If you haven’t, don’t worry. There’s still time. And, as always, you can rely on us to help you figure it all out. We’ve figured out how to get to the festival site from Blackpool, Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, and more, so you don’t have to. Simply scroll the location you’re coming from and find info on how to drive there and info on public transport. You can thank us later.

Blackpool 

By car

Driving to Highest Point is easy and quick. First, you need to get yourself on the M55 sliproad (signs to Preston/M6/M61). At junction 32, use the left lanes to merge onto the M6. At junction 33, take the A6 exit to Lancaster (south) and follow the signs for Lancaster City Centre. Once there, all you have to do is follow the signs for either the Ashton Memorial or Butterfly House, as both are located in Williamson Park, the festival site.

By coach

It seems no coaches will be departing from Blackpool, but there are some departing from Preston around the date of the festival. But there aren’t many, so if you plan on taking the coach, secure your ticket ASAP. For more info, head to Check My Bus or Bus Bud's website.

By train

If you fancy travelling by rail, there are trains from Blackpool North to Lancaster Station. The journey usually takes about an hour. Once you arrive, take a taxi from the taxi rank outside the station. The drive should take around 10 minutes. Or you can walk, which should take roughly half an hour. 

By bus

If you opt to take the bus from Blackpool to Lancaster, head to Talbot Road, jump on the 42 and get off at Sulby Drive. Sulby Drive is about a twenty two minute walk from the festival site.

Liverpool 

By car

If you’re driving from Liverpool, first you need to get yourself on the M58 (signs for Skelmersdale/Preston/M6). From there, take the 2nd exit on the Orrell Interchange, which will put you on the M6 slip road to Preston. Then, at junction 33, take the A6 exit to Lancaster (south). Next, you need to follow the signs to Lancaster City Centre. Once in the city centre, follow signs for Ashton Memorial or Butterfly House. Either will take you to the festival.

By train

There are quite a few trains scheduled to go from Liverpool Lime Street to Lancaster, taking roughly between an hour or two hours, depending on the train and the number of changes. There are also trains from Liverpool Central with a similar journey time, but you'll still have to change at least once. If you want to get the train, it’s a good idea to book in advance to ensure you have a seat for the journey. 

Manchester 

By car

Start by getting on the M60. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for the M61/Preston, and merge onto the M61. The road naturally merges into the M6. Follow the M6 and drive up to junction 33, where you’ll take the A6 exit to Lancaster (south). From here, it’s simple. All you have to do is follow the signs to Lancaster City Centre. Once in the centre, follow signs to Ashton Memorial or Butterfly House. Both are located on the festival site. Easy! 

By coach

A fair few coaches are going to and from Lancaster from Manchester over the weekend. Coaches can be super cheap, have plenty of space to store your luggage, and are pretty gentle on the environment.

By train

If travelling by train, we recommend departing from Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road as there are direct trains and ones with just one change. You could also depart from Victoria, but you will have to change at least once, maybe twice. When you arrive at Lancaster Station, simply head to the taxi rank outside the station, book yourself a ride, or walk to the site.

Preston 

By car

Driving to the festival from Preston is nice, easy and pretty fast too. Get yourself on the M55 sliproad to Lancaster/Birmingham/M6. At junction 32, keep left and merge onto the M6 towards Lancaster/The Lks. The drive, drive, drive to junction 33 and take the A6 exit to Lancaster (south). All you have to do from here is follow signs pointing to Lancaster City Centre. Once in the centre, follow signs to Butterfly House or Ashton Memorial, as both are located on the festival site.

By coach 

One or two coaches are going to and from Lancaster each day of the festival. If you fancy travelling by coach, head to the Check My Bus or Bus Bud’s website for more.

By train

Travelling from Preston to Highest Point by train is an excellent idea. It’s quick, easy, and you can get a few drinks in without worrying about the car! And it’s better for the environment. Win win. From Preston (Lancs), trains are regular, and the journey's only 15-20 minutes with no changes. 

Other locations up north

By car 

If you’re driving to Highest Point from up north, such as Newcastle or Edinburgh, you need to get on the M6 sliproad to Penrith. If you're coming from Scotland, the A74 naturally merges onto the M6. Then, at junction 34, you need to exit onto Lune Valley Interchange/A683 towards Lancaster/Morecambe/Heysham. From here, simply follow the signs to Lancaster City Centre. Once you find yourself in the centre, follow signs to either Butterfly House or Ashton Memorial. Both are located in Williamson Park, where Highest Point is being held. 

If you’re coming from Leeds or Sheffield way, you need to get on the M60. Then, at junction 15, you’ll exit towards M61/M6 North/Preston/Wigan/Bolton. Keep left and continue on the M61. At junction 33, take the A6 exit to Lancaster (south). Follow signs to Lancaster City Centre. From the centre, follow signs to either Ashton Memorial or Butterfly House. And you’re there!

By coach

Coaches are a great choice if it’s an option. On the weekend of the fest, a few coaches are going back and forth between Lancaster and Sheffield and Glasgow. Leeds only has one coach each day late at night. This is fine if you have accommodation and plan on getting to Lancaster the day before the festival kicks off. But you might miss out on some precious sleep. 

Check the Check My Bus or Bus Bud website for more info or to plan your trip. 

By train

Trains are available from many cities, including Leeds, Sheffield, Middlesbrough, York, Edinburgh (Waverly), and Glasgow. If you’re travelling from far away, particularly Scotland, secure your tickets ASAP to ensure you have a seat for the journey. You don’t want to be stood or sat on the floor for 2 or more hours!

We hope this helped you get an idea of how you might be travelling to Highest Point. If you plan on using public transportation, bear in mind that services can experience delays. It’s better to arrive early than miss your favourite act! It’s also a good idea to book in advance, so you don’t end up sitting on the floor. Now, whack on your bucket hat, blast some tunes, and get ready for the weekend of music and mayhem ahead!

If you have any questions, head to the FAQ’s section of the Highest Point website.

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image: Highest Point Festival on Facebook

Tickets are no longer available for this event