Where is Bungay?
Bungay is on the Norfolk/Suffolk border on the River Waveney, 15 miles south of Norwich, 15 miles west of Lowestoft, 18 miles east of Diss and 38 miles north of Ipswich.
Can I get there by public transport?
By Bus
X41 operated by First Bus. Norwich-Bungay-Halesworth. Limited service on Sundays.
81 operated by Simonds. Diss-Harleston-Bungay-Beccles. Very limited Saturday service, no Sunday services.
580 operated by Border Bus. Bungay-Beccles-Gorleston-Great Yarmouth. Limited service on Saturdays (no evening buses) and no Sunday services.
By Train
Trains from Ipswich arrive at Beccles.
You would need to get a bus or taxi from Beccles to Bungay.
Trains from London are to Norwich via Ipswich and Diss.
Your best option is to go to Norwich and get a bus from there to Bungay.
By Car
There are three main public car parks in Bungay:
Wharton Street: 54 spaces
Priory Lane: 47 spaces
Scales Street: 44 spaces.
It is also possible to park at the Health Centre at St. John’s Road on Saturdays and Sundays.
There is limited on-street parking. The town centre allows short-stay (one hour) parking in designated spaces on Trinity Street, Broad Street and Earsham Street between 8am and 6pm, longer between these times
.
The best place to park when visiting our outdoor events at Falcon Meadow is the Maltings Pavilion sports ground car park in Pirnhow Street – just a ten minute walk away. There is no public parking at the Riverside Centre at Staithe Road.
There is also a small public car park at the Waveney Valley Golf Club at Outney Common which is just the other side of the A143 with a short walk over the bridge to the town centre.
All the car parks are pay and display between 8am and 6pm (free after that) or you can use the Ringo app https://myringgo.co.uk/ to pay – and to search for available spaces.
Taxis
D-Way Travel
01986 895375 / 07825 187488
Cycling
There are bike racks at Earsham Street, and near the bus stop in St. Mary’s Street.
Toilets
The public toilets are in Cross Street, near the Butter Cross in the centre of town, and in the car park at Priory Lane (near the Factory Shop).
There will be portaloos at Falcon Meadow for the Falcon Fair on Saturday 2nd August and Shuck Sunday on Sunday 3rd August. There is also a loo for RADAR keyholders at the Riverside Centre.
Can I bring my dog?
Unless you have an assistance dog, we would prefer if you left your pooches at home. They are definitely not allowed in any of our indoor venues and our outdoor events will be so busy that dogs could represent a hazard – no matter how well behaved your dog is. Black Shuck is enough of a handful for us!
Where can I stay?
For local BnB’s check out ‘stay’ on www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk, or www.airbnb.co.uk/bungay-united-kingdom/stays
For camping and caravanning: https://www.wardleyhillcampsite.com/ and https://www.outneymeadow.co.uk/
Where can I buy tickets?
Our ticketed events are sold through the events pages on this website and, for events at the Fisher Theatre, through www.fishertheatre.org.
Can I buy a ticket for the whole weekend?
As the Festival takes place across several venues it is not possible to issue weekend or family tickets. But we have a very full programme of events which are absolutely free.
Can I pay on the door?
We advise buying tickets in advance as many events sell out so there are no tickets available on the day. If there are tickets available, we would prefer cash payment.
Accessibility
Both the Fisher Theatre and St. Mary’s church have full wheelchair accessibility and also hearing loops.
Falcon Meadow is also fully accessible but the terrain is a little rough, so expect a bit of a bumpy ride if you are a wheelchair user and suitable footwear is advised. Wheelchair users are advised to access the Meadow via Ditchingham Dam.
Can I swim in the river?
Yes you can and on Sunday morning (3rd August) there is a guided wild swim. But be advised there are no changing facilities and any swimming is at your own risk. But the water quality of the River Waveney is good.
Where to eat?
Bungay is blessed with a range of excellent restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars. Festival favourites are Bigod’s Kitchen and The Street Bistro (best for breakfasts), Earsham Street Café, Ma Belle, (lunch, coffee & cake), Source Restaurant, the Fleece (proper meals), and on Broad Street we have the Mayfair (great cocktails) and the legendary Green Dragon which will have a special Festival beer.
For campers visit Earsham Street where you will find the best ingredients for your campfire cooking.
Streetfood at Falcon Meadow
On both Saturday and Sunday we’ll have Patron Norwich with their amazing paella pans, Society Alive with their unique Caribbean street food, hot dogs, waffles, the Boston Travelling Tea Party, Coffee With Personality, Jim’s Ices and a full stocked bar, including local ciders and beers. Om Sunday we’ll also have Bagel or Beigel (loaded bagels -bring your appetites) Chim Chim’s Thai street food, Veg Tubby for veggies and vegans and Flint Vineyard will be with us with wine and spritzers.
