Walk to Wolverton Folk & Blues festival ! - Carisbrooke to Shorwell

This is a linear walk of approx 6 miles through lovely countryside, ending up at the annual Wolverton Folk & Blues Festival at Wolverton Manor.  Obviously you can just do the walk without attending the festival (though it's a fun event, and not expensive, so it might be worth checking it out ). Or for that matter you could skip the walk and just go to the festival ! Either. Both. Whatever suits. 

Be aware our walk timings are such that you would miss the start of the Festival. Its hours are 11.30am - 8.00pm, and we would probably be arriving at around 1.30pm ish. But that would still allow for up to 6+ hours of musical fun. 

Our walk starts at the public carpark on Carisbrooke High Street (free toilets). This is served by No 12 and No 7 buses.  The carpark is a pay one (£6.60), so if you're driving you may prefer to find free  onstreet parking in the neighbourhood. Or consider parking at the endpoint in Shorwell and catching the No 12 bus back to start your walk . The start time of 10.15 is designed to tie in with the 10.05 No 12  bus from Shorwell which arrives back at Carisbrooke High Street at that time .

No lunchstop as such on this walk, simply because it's probably nicest to eat your picnic, should you bring one, at the festival at the end of the walk whilst listening to the music, and there are also food /outlets/ loos there. Or find a picnic spot elsewhere in the village if you're not attending. (Alternatively the Crown Inn is a nice pub for food) 

Please note there is a public toilet at the start, but otherwise there are no facilities on this walk. 

If you've not parked at the walk end in Shorwell, then return No 12 buses run from Shorwell Crown Inn at 15.05; 17.25; 19.27; and 22.10 depending whether you plan to be at the festival and/or visit the pub. 

TRAVEL: 

I'll do my best to assist as regards time estimates, checking timetables, and suggestions re possible travel logistics. However with this as with all walks, these can’t be guaranteed. Your travel arrangements are your responsibility so you need to satisfy yourself regarding your own individual needs and circumstances.    

By car: 

Either: 
(a) Park at the start of the walk at Carisbrooke High Street car park (pay), or find free onstreet parking in the vicinity, and get the No 12 bus back from Shorwell at the end of the walk / day (a rather limited service -   15.05; 17.25; 19.27; or  22.10 from the Crown Inn, Shorwell stop)


Or (b) Park at the end of the walk at Shorwell (onstreet - or see if the Wolverton festival carpark / field is yet open, though possibly not yet at that time ? ) and get the bus back to the startpoint. This is obviously the more flexible option given the limited bus service. You would need to catch the No 12 bus from the Crown Inn at Shorwell at 10.05, which gets to the Carisbrooke High Street stop at 10.15 ready to start the walk (or a couple of mins later should you need to avail yourself of the carpark's toilet facilities...)

By bus: 

Carisbrooke High Street stop is served by No 7 and No 12 buses . (Or the No 6 route is near ish at the Cedar Hill stop). 

Car share: 

In the interests of the air, parking, and non-drivers, if anyone is able to offer, or needs, a car-share then please post on WhatsApp group (to join group please message Serena 07564-811690).