Shepton Mallet Carnival 2012: Route, parking and information

Excitement and anticipation is building for Shepton Mallet Carnival which is set to be as spectacular as ever this year.

This year the carnival committee has spent over £10,000 on the carnival and have taken great care in planning the route.

Safety changes have been made for 2012, and the number of collecting floats have been reduced this year in an effort to reduce the number of throwing coins which they say can be very dangerous.

To compensate for this, volunteers will be making their way through the crowds with collection buckets.

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Carnival chairman, Don Clifford, said: "This year's carnival is going to be spectacular and a memorable event – so be prepared to be astounded and amazed."

The big event starts this evening at 7.30pm but roads will start closing from 6pm onwards. The last road to close will be Charlton Cross Roads/ Whitstone Road at around 7.30pm.

The Shepton Mallet carnival route

This year, the procession will start at the Park Medical Practice on Cannards Grave Road, travelling around the Tesco roundabout to Market Road. At the Anglo roundabout the procession will continue onto Commercial Road, through Paul Street, continuing along Charlton Road. Finally the procession will turn right onto Whitstone Road, finishing at Number 40.

Spectators should be aware that they will not be permitted to stand along the designated rest area on Paul Street (from the Nat West Bank to the church), this year, as the road has been deemed too narrow.

You can print out a carnival route map here.

Parking in Shepton Mallet

Tesco car-park: The superstore at Townsend Retail Park has donated its car-park to carnival goers. From 4.30pm tonight (Wednesday 14 November) the two hour parking limit at Tesco will be waived. However all cars must be removed by 10.30pm

Old Market Road car-park: This car-park will have disabled parking available and is very close to the route. Early parking is advised.

The Great Ostry car-park: This town centre car-park will also be open to the public and is again very close to the route. Early parking is advised.

Crown Trading Estate (BA4 5QQ): This car-park is not central but should only involve a fifteen minute walk to the carnival route.

Mendip Avenue (BA4 4PE): More commonly known as Dobbies Garden Centre. Again, this is not a central car-park, but it is large and not a long walk to the carnival route. The car-park will remain open until 11pm.

To get yourself prepared for the 2012 Shepton Mallet Carnival, why not check out some of our picture galleries of the 2011 procession: float pictures, more float pictures and carnival performers.