Bearded Theory is hosted at Catton Park in Derbyshire, its central location in England makes it a less than 2 hour drive for 50% of the UK’s population! With many of you coming from many different directions to join us for the festivities, please thoroughly read through our directions and travel advice to determine your route.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR BEARDED THEORY 2024

An additional width restriction has been placed on the Chetwynd Bridge (A38 junction with the A513 for Rugeley/Tamworth/Alrewas). This junction and bridge remains our primary route for cars but prevents access for campervans and caravans.  This year there are also multiple scheduled roadworks taking place in the area which may delay your journey.

No campervans or caravans will be permitted to cross the Chetwynd Bridge, which will be enforced without exception. Prescribed routes for campervans and caravans have been declared and are detailed below. Please thoroughly read through these routes and choose the one that is most suitable for your starting location.

If you are travelling in any vehicle that is not a car or motorcycle, please follow the directional advice for campervans/caravans – you will be able to access the car parks without issue.

Standard cars and motorcycles should follow directions towards Catton Park (DE12 8LL) until you see our festival event road signage. From there, turn off your sat nav and follow the AA routing signs. Please do not follow your sat nav when approaching the festival site due to another very narrow bridge in Walton-upon-Trent.

All attendees: please plan your journey and be prepared for delays. The Police will be enforcing a no waiting area on all routes leading off the A38. Anyone waiting in these areas will be towed away and refused admittance to the festival.

The width restriction on Chetwynd Bridge (A38 junction with the A513 for Rugeley/Tamworth/Alrewas) means that crossing in live-in vehicles will not be possible nor permitted, this is with no exceptions and will be enforced throughout the days of Bearded Theory (22nd-27th May 2024).

With the additional roadworks considered, we have organised prescribed routes for those travelling in/with a live-in vehicle. These routes are provided below as waypoint postcodes that will get you to the outskirts of the event. From each of these points, event signage will direct you safely to the festival site (all caravans should follow ‘campervan’ signage as the same rules will apply).

Some sat navs will suggest multiple routes to a fixed postcode. Based on your starting location, please choose the most appropriate route which avoids both the Chetwynd Bridge (A38 junction with the A513 for Rugeley/Tamworth/Alrewas) and the Walton-on-Trent Bailey Bridge (Station Lane).

Please be aware that the waypoint postcodes are simply road locations where you can pick up and follow the event signage from. They are not safe areas to stop and meet up with others.

We know that many of you like to arrive in convoy in order to park up together. If you plan to meet with friends en-route prior to your arrival, you will need to do this well before you reach the waypoint postcode. You will not be able to pull over suitably to meet with friends after these points without causing yourselves and other attendees further delays.

Please do not follow your sat nav to any other postcodes or addresses associated with the area immediately around Catton Hall or the Hall itself. Please ensure that you are following the correct event signage (all caravans should follow ‘campervan’ signage as the same rules will apply) to make your arrival as smooth as possible.

Do not attempt to travel via the Chetwynd Bridge with any campervan/caravan under any circumstance.