Sonisphere Festival

Sonisphere Festival is dedicated to the hardest of hard rockers.  Part of a European network of festivals, the event is held in the UK in early August.  Sonisphere boasts two outdoor stages and one under a big top.  Acts include artists such as  Metallica, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Limp Bizkit, Anthrax and Alice in Chains.

Tickets to Sonisphere are available online and from other reputable sources.  If you would like a ticket for the weekend and you plan to camp, be prepared to spend about £157.  If you are staying somewhere else, but still want to attend the festival, then tickets are £132.  If you choose to only attend one of the three days, Friday’s tickets are £40 while Saturday and Sunday each cost £65. 

Held in Knebworth Park, Sonisphere is easy to get to from London which is only about 25 minutes away and Birmingham which is only about two hours away.  If coming by air, Heathrow International Airport is only 30 miles away, Stranstead Airport is 25 miles and Gatwick is 75 miles away.  From the airports, trains are available to Stevenage.  From Stevenage, their s a free shuttle service that runs to the festival site and taxis are also available for approximately £5.  Trains also run from Stevenage to the London Kings Crossing Station as well as other cities such as Cambridge, York, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.  Due to the popularity of the festival, it is recommended that if you are coming by train, you buy tickets as early as possible.         

Other ways to get to Sonisphere include taking either a Big Green or National Express Coach which will drop you off at the front door and run from major towns and cities.  See these company’s websites for more information and schedules.  If you want to come by car, there is ample parking and there are two entrances located via junction 7 and 8 of the A1(M) motorway. 

If you want to experience everything the festival has to offer, then most of the festival goers camp throughout the weekend.  If you don’t, however, want a nonstop party there is a family camping area to get some respite from the activity going on elsewhere.  There is also camping available for those with disabilities and areas for those who want to bring their own campervans.  With the campervans, you may pitch a tent or awning with each vehicle.  If you do decide to camp, keep in mind that gas cookers are not allowed on site and neither are glass containers.  You are allowed to bring your own alcohol into the campsite, but not into the arena part of the grounds.  If you would like a regular hotel, there are some in the area including a Holiday Inn Express all of which provide transportation to and from the festival site.  If you do camp, be sure before leaving home to have with you your ticket, extra clothes including raingear, a camera to document your good time, toiletries, sturdy shoes, and plenty of money.  ATMs are located throughout the grounds, but they will charge a fee for their use.