North Petherton Carnival 2025: Road closures, car parking and route information

Carnival season is in full swing, and on the circuit on Saturday night, it's North Petherton's turn to host the incredible carts. North Petherton Carnival is the fourth of the seven illuminated carnivals of the Somerset County Guy Fawkes Carnival Association circuit annually held in the month of November. Huge crowds have already turned out for Bridgwater and Burnham-on-Sea's processions,[1][2]

The North Petherton incarnation rolls into town on Saturday night (November 8) with entries from all over Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Wiltshire taking part.

Here is everything you need to know about this year's carnival.

What exactly is the North Petherton Carnival?

The North Petherton Carnival is an annual event full of brightly lit carts, colourful performers and talented acts. Dating from as early as 1951, spectators can expect at least dozens of illuminated carts - each up to 30 metres long - packed with lights and dancers performing as well as musical acts. The carts involved include popular children's books and films, historical moments, places.The carnival's organisers encourage people to donate to support the event's multiple charities.

When will it start?

According to the official website, this year's main procession starting at 7pm and will end roughly around 10:30pm.

What route do the carts take?

Thankfully the carnival website has a helpful map outlining the route.

The start of procession will start at 7pm at North Petherton Rugby Club before entering the A38 and following Taunton Road, Fore Street, Bridgwater Road and finishes at Market Car Park.

Where can I park?

Due to the clearway, there will be NO PARKING en route this year.

The North Petherton Carnival Committee have organised a park and ride service from the Taunton Gateway Park and Ride car park, which will take you to North Petherton at Huntworth Roundabout. There will be a short walk before you reach the carnival route. You can enjoy the carnival and then catch the bus back to your car at the end of the night.

First Bus Company are providing the buses, and there is a 2M height restriction on the car park. It's just GBP15 per car, and all money raised from this will go back into keeping carnival alive! There is limited car parking options in North Petherton with Huntworth Roundabout & Junction 24 of the M5 motorway your best bet.

Car Parking - Various sites including North Petherton Ruby Club (A38 near to the start) and the Sedgemoor Auction / Market Centre off the A38 Bridgwater Road and Moto Services (Huntworth side, north side by finish). There is no specific parking for the less able, please use the available car parks, which have links to the procession route. Motorhome parking is available in the vehicle parks such as Market Car Park, there is limited motorhome parking available to the North Petherton Bowling Club, North Petherton Rugby Club and Moto Services, who should be contacted direct for further information.

Be careful if you use any other areas for parking as many of the hotel or business car parks have ANPR controlled parking and are rigorously enforced by the operators if a non authorised vehicle is parked in their car park. Please do not park on the route, motorway or slip roads or between the line up area and the start of the route. Clearway restrictions will be applying on many roads in the parish to facilitate the procession.

What roads will be closed?

The A38 has a contraflow put in place on the Friday evening from about 20:00 onwards between Thurloxton Fruit Farm and the Shearston turning (usually a dual carriageway), for the overnight storage of the participant's magnificent mounted creations.

There will be Clearway no stopping / parking orders in force for the route and some local roads in North Petherton, which will be enforced by Somerset Council contractors. Please park with considerations for the residents and legally, ideally in one of the Carnival Car Parks. The main road closures on the A38 are put in place at 1700 hours on the Saturday evening and will remain in place until it is safe to re open the route, probably by 2300 most will have been lifted, but please be patient if the route you wish to use is still closed, it's for the safety of all concerned, including you.

Following the issues at our Carnival in 2022, there will be LIMITED ACCESS beyond the Huntworth Roundabout for parking at the Sedgemoor Auction / Market Centre ONLY once the roundabout is closed. Alternative parking at Moto Services, Huntworth are signed. So the A38 between Walford Cross and Huntworth Roundabout is closed at 1700 to enable the procession formation to progress safely through the Town.

So ensure that if you wish to park at the Rugby Club you are there in plenty of time before the A38 is closed. The main dispersal area on the A38 between the Huntworth roundabout and the Showground roundabout closes at about 20:00 on the Saturday evening and is often the last stretch of road to re-open usually between 2300 and midnight. The walking entry dispersal area is on Wilstock Way up to the Widgeon Road junction and this will close at 1700 on the Saturday evening to become a sterile area.

ROAD CLOSURES from 5.00 pm Due to the volume of traffic on the procession route last year temporary traffic restriction orders to effect road closures and clearway parking restrictions will allow the closure of the A38 road to non-emergency vehicles, from Walford Cross to the Huntworth roundabout from 5.00 pm. This will affect all junctions between the two points and will also include the access into/from Wilstock/Stockmoor, via Wilstock Way/Charolais Drive.

An additional closure of the A38 from the Huntworth roundabout to the Showground roundabout from 7.30 pm on Saturday 8th November until approximately 01.00 am on Sunday 9th November (or until required by the Police) to allow the carts to disperse safely. "Road Closed" MEANS "ROAD CLOSED" Due to events elsewhere involving hostile or accidental vehicle movements which caused injury barriers will be in place to close the roads.

This is to help ensure the safety of those participating, marshalling and watching the carnival. This will mean access to/from the A38 will be restricted during these times whilst the Carnival preparations, and the procession takes place and then disperses afterwards. Clearway Restrictions

Once again Clearway restrictions will be in place and enforced on the whole carnival route for the whole day and additionally on Stockmoor Drive, Charolais Drive and Wilstock Way. This means there is no stopping / loading / parking on the road, or in laybys, or on verges of the procession route, which will be enforced. If you live on the procession route please ensure your vehicle is moved away ahead of the clearway coming into force.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and sincerely hope that everyone understands the reasons for this notification and can accommodate us to help ensure the continuance of the tradition of North Petherton's Guy Fawkes Carnival.

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References

1. ^ Bridgwater (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Burnham-on-Sea's processions, (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
3. ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
4. ^ click this link and select 'Join Community'. (chat.whatsapp.com)
5. ^ Somerset Live (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
6. ^ Privacy Notice. (www.reachplc.com)
7. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp community. (chat.whatsapp.com)