Visitors Guide
The Spalding Flower Parade has once again become one of the most important events in Spalding's calendar and attracts visitors from every corner of the United Kingdom
Useful information to make your visit safe and enjoyable
Arriving by bus
Buses arrive in Spalding from most locations and terminate in the bus station which is just a two minute walk from the parade route. There may be bus diversions in place during the parade as some major roads will be closed for several hours so please check with the bus company
Coach companies on day trips from anywhere in the UK
All coaches MUST be pre-booked and now fully booked
Arriving by train
Spalding train station is just a few minutes walk from the parade route and the arena. Regular trains run from Lincoln and Peterborough
Arriving by car
If you arrive in Spalding before 9am, there will be no problems as roads will all still be open. Once the roads are closed for the parade, it will be difficult to get into the town centre. There will be several large car parks outside the road block area and these will be clearly signposted beforehand. We have a park and ride service in operation from Enterprise Way (signposted GREEN triangle).
No parking at the castle arena or swimming pool
Dropping off for the parade or arena, use the car park on Westlode Street (B1172), behind the bowling alley.
Park and ride #1 Enterprise Way - Royal Mail Cart
Spalding Auction and Roythornes Solicitors - Enterprise Way, Spalding PE11 3YR
Open 8am - 2pm with park & ride service. Shuttle every 10 minutes by SmartCabs (fees apply)
Approx. 140 spaces - Free parking - Return bus stop - Royal mail Cart PH
There will be toilets here
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Park and ride #2 New rugby club - Bus station
If coming from Peterborough/Crowland/Deepings direction. Use this car park. Entry from the A16 and catch the bus, every 15 minutes. drops at the bus station, just 100 feet from the parade route
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Parking #3 - Spalding High School
An ideal location without having to go into the town. Come in from Stonegate/Clay lake area and park for £5 all day (proceeds to school). From the car park it's a few minutes to the parade on Halmergate
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Parking #4 - Spalding Grammar School
Town centre location. 10 minutes walk to the centre/the arena and parade route.
Park all day (fees apply payable to the school)
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Spalding Grammar School
The school are providing all day parking on the Rugby field (fees apply)
8am - 8pm
Entrance to car park What3Words: ridge.book.agreed (see here)
5 Minute walk to town centre and the parade
Additional town centre car parking
Victoria Street
Located close to the town centre and accessible from The Crescent and Winsover Road, all day (not affected by road closures)
Entrance to car park What3Words: ///brand.starts.nurses (see here)
Approx. 201 spaces - Pay and Display
South Holland District Council Office
Accessible from all directions (not affected by road closures)
Entrance to car park What3Words: ///quarrel.successes.nods (see here)
Approx. 188 spaces - Free on Saturday
Vine Street
Accessible from Double Street and Broad Street (access restricted during the parade)
Entrance to car park What3Words: ///cracks.costs.folds (see here)
Approx. 67 spaces - Pay and display
The Vista
Accessible from Little London end of town
Approx. 68 spaces - Pay and display
West Lode Street
Not accessible during the parade
Approx. 161 spaces - Pay and display
Holland Road
Restricted access during parade
Approx. 50 spaces - Pay and display
For out of town visitors these are the recommended car parks
Springfields Outlet Shopping & Festival Gardens
Pay and display and within 5 minutes walk to parade route
Entrance to car park What3Words: strain.prefect.third (see here)
660 spaces - £2 all day
Parking for those with mobility issues
We have set aside a car park at the arena (Swimming pool car park)
This has a very limited number of spaces and these MUST BE pre-booked NOW FULLY BOOKED
Available on first come - first served
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All vehicle MUST be in place by 9.15am
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Blue badge holders only with badge holder present in the vehicle
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No exit until after the parade returns
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Wheelchair priority viewing area available
Where to stay
Fancy staying overnight? Spalding has a selection of hotels and B&B at reasonable prices. Places tend to fill very quickly on Flower Parade weekend so early booking is advised
Wigwam Holidays Crowtree, Wragg Marsh
En-suite glamping cabins, some with hot tubs, set in stunning Lincolnshire countryside.
Access to fire pits, Zebedee’s Pavilion, private parking and beautiful grounds.
Dog friendly, families welcome.
Peaceful and rural, just over five miles from Spalding, an ideal place to stay for the Spalding Flower Parade event
Cley Hall Hotel
A beautiful hotel just five minutes walk from the parade route and alongside our beautiful river. This Georgian house makes for a wonderful stay
Website here
More hotels and bed & breakfast here
The parade
The parade will leave the Castle Sports Ground at 11am and make it's way through the town on a route of 2.9 miles, eventually returning to the sports ground (PE11 2AJ). You can watch the parade from anywhere along the route. The busiest areas are the Market Place and the junction of Love Lane, High Bridge and Church Street. The best places for families are Halmergate and Queens Road. (see the route here)
Health and safety
Please do not cross the road in the middle of the parade and use marked crossing points where available. Please keep small children away from the curbside and keep pets on leads
There will be several first aid points both along the parade route and in the arena. These will be clearly signposted. For your safety there will be roaming security units
Drones
Please do not fly drones during the parade or over Spalding. We have a Lancaster and Spitfire flyover arranged but please take loads of photos and videos and share them afterwards
It is illegal to fly drones over large gatherings of people
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the arena but must be kept on leads. There will be a pet station where you will find a supply of fresh drinking water. It will be clearly signposted. If your dog is not confident in crowded places, please fit a muzzle. There will be many small children
The arena
Those taking part in the parade or vendors can arrive from 7am on the Saturday. Public access will be from 10am. Entry is free of charge but you will be welcome to make a donation to the Flower Parade fund
Live entertainment will start at 10.30am and finish at 7pm. We have a great line up of local acts for your enjoyment including bands and singers
When the parade returns (around 1pm), the floats will be on display for you to see, all free of charge. There will also be a huge classic car show along with vintage vehicles and much more
Food and drink will be available along with a licenced bar
9pm - Illuminated display of all the floats - finish 11pm
Sunday 12th May
11am - 5pm come and see the floats on display. Entry is by donation
Information point
You will find Admin HQ just inside the entrance to the arena. This is the place you can get information, report problems and security concerns. Alternatively, just stop one of our marshals
Lost or confused? Please make your way to the Admin HQ
Limited access
The sports arena is mainly level ground so ideal for wheelchair access. We will provide toilet facilities for those with limited access. If you have any special requirements, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we will endeavour to help. There will be disabled parking clearly signposted close to the arena
Comforts
There are toilets in Sheep Market and near the bus station but we will provide toilets on the arena, including facilities for disabled visitors
Toilets on the parade route will be Queens Road, Fulney Road junction and Bridge Street/Church Street
Environmental statement
Our generators will be using biofuel
We request that you take all your rubbish home with you or use the bins provided
Our target is to use 90% recycled materials for our float and trailer building
The majority of floats will be dismantled and used again in future parades
Fresh tulips we use will be composted after the event, silks will be used in future events
For your safety and security
As well as our marshals, we have employed the services of a security company and you can expect:
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Trained and registered security officers on the parade route and in the arena
Our terms of entry include:
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Zero drugs policy with the right to refuse entry or remove offenders
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No alcohol to be brought onto the arena site unless purchased on site
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No alcohol in open containers to be taken from the arena (area is no drinking zone)
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Challenge25 in operation at the bar
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Anyone causing disturbance will be removed from the site
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Lost or found children/vulnerable persons to be reported to Event Control
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Suspicious items and/or persons to be reported to any marshal or Event Control
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Our entry staff retain the right to undertake visual searches of persons and/or belongings
Event Control will include a CCTV system with coverage of the whole arena. CCTV footage will be retained for 30 days after the event for the sole purpose of crowd monitoring and crime detection