With the UK’s largest light festival less than a week away, visitors are being encouraged to plan their journey in advance.
Lumiere returns to Durham City from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 November. To mark the event’s 10th anniversary, visitors are promised the return of a number of festival favourites alongside new commissions.
Tens of thousands of people from across the region and beyond are expected to attend the four-day spectacular, which is commissioned by Durham County Council and supported by Arts Council England and a number of sponsors.
With estimates that this year could be the biggest Lumiere yet, visitors are advised to use the city’s park and ride service, which will offer an extended service during the festival.
Up to 6,000 parking spaces will be available across sites at the normal Belmont, Howlands and Sniperley sites and three additional facilities at New College Durham, Merryoaks and Annand House at Meadowfield.
Regular services will run from to and from each site into the city centre, with extra stops to allow people to explore the event from a variety of start and finish locations. Services will run until 11.30pm each night, while car parks will remain open round-the-clock. Return tickets are £2 per person or free for concessionary pass holders and under-16s who are accompanied by an adult.
Local bus operators will also be providing additional services.
As in previous years, anyone wishing to enter the market place or peninsula area of the city between 4.30pm and 7.30pm will require a ticket. A one-way system will also be in place in some areas around the market place and cathedral in order to help manage the flow of people in these more historic, confined parts of the city.
Access to the peninsula and some other areas of the city will also be limited in the run up to the festival due to a number of road and footpath closures.
For live travel updates during the festival period, follow @DurhamCouncil on Facebook or Twitter or use the hashtag #LumiereDurham.
This year, for the first time, the festival also has its own free app which can be downloaded in advance from the Apple Store or Google Play.
A full list of park and ride sites, road and footpath closures, changes to parking bays and other information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/lumiere.
