How to Plan a Weekend at the Greenbelt Festival

Greenbelt is a Christian charity and the music festival itself is born from non-conformists within the church--though this has stopped the Sun newspaper calling it "the nice person's pop festival". Running since 1974 the idea of the festival is to give a contemporary voice to the Christian faith. With performers like Billy Bragg, it's perhaps more cutting edge than you would think.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Check out the Greenbelt Festival website (link below).
2. Sign up for Greenbelt e-news. Just click Keeping in Touch on the website and then Greenbelt dispatches.
3. Understand what the ticket prices include. Greenbelt tickets are inclusive of parking and camping. Remember that tickets are 15% cheaper if you book before July 31.
4. Book your tickets online. There are three types of family tickets at this festival, but for each one you have to have four family members including two adults. Day tickets can also be bought and if you are local there is a possibility of a 20% discount.
5. Decide what you want to see. The is plenty on at the festival including classical music, rock music, artwork, lierature and comedy. The impressive thing about Greenbelt is that they have a separate children's festival, the Mix for 11 to 14 year olds and the Humanic events for 14 to 18 year olds.
6. Plan how to get there. The festival takes place at the Cheltenham racecoure and as such has excellent parking facilities. If you are coming by car plan you route first at the AA website (link below). Otherwise Greenbelt also run Liftshare, a website where people can organise free car rides to the festival (link below).
7. Go by train or coach. The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa. National Express run a regular service to Cheltenham from London.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to stay in a tent, but need accomodation, there is information on the website about renting out University ensuite rooms.
• It is possible to volunteer for this event. You will get free food drink over the entire weekend. Apply online.
• For general enquiries, email [e-mail] or telephone [phone].