Radio 1 Big Weekend releases walking route map

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend organizers released an official walking route map on Friday as Sunderland prepared for heavy foot traffic around Herrington Country Park. The map was published ahead of the three-day festival, which runs from May 22 to May 24 in the northeast England city. Sunderland City Council and the BBC have urged ticket holders to plan their journeys in advance as large crowds arrive on foot, by shuttle bus and by public transport. Local coverage said the route guidance was intended to help fans move safely and reduce congestion around the site. ### Where is the walking map meant to take people? Herrington Country Park is the venue for the 2026 edition of Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and the walking map is designed to guide pedestrians to and from the festival site. Sunderland City Council said practical travel information had been issued before the event, including designated walking routes, road closures, parking restrictions and public transport changes. MySunderland says the event is being organized in partnership by the BBC and Sunderland City Council. (uk.news.yahoo.com) The Sunderland Echo reported that the published map shows designated walking routes to Herrington Country Park. The same report said pedestrians should not attempt to cross the A19 via the A183 roundabout because of event road closures. ### How big is the event this weekend? BBC News said about 100,000 people are expected to travel to Herrington Country Park over the three-day event. (sunderland.gov.uk) The lineup includes artists such as Olivia Dean, Zara Larsson and Kehlani, according to the BBC’s event guide, while other local listings said more than 100 artists were due to perform across the weekend. Efestivals, citing festival details for 2026, also said more than 100,000 music fans were expected across the weekend in Sunderland. (sunderlandecho.com) That scale has driven the travel planning around walking routes, shuttle services and managed road access. ### What other travel advice have organizers issued? Sunderland City Council said on May 7 that it had been publishing practical traffic and travel information for festivalgoers, residents and businesses before the event. (bbc.co.uk) That guidance included shuttle buses, public transport changes, parking restrictions and road closures tied to the festival weekend. Yahoo News UK, in a separate local travel report, said those plans had already been announced earlier this month. (efestivals.co.uk) The official Big Weekend travel guide says it provides routes, transport booking information, parking, coaches, trains and shuttle services for the Sunderland event. Google Play’s listing for the official Radio 1 Big Weekend 2026 app says the app also includes festival maps, set times, tickets and event updates. ### Why are officials emphasizing walking now? Yahoo News UK reported on Friday that thousands of music fans heading to Sunderland this weekend were being urged to plan ahead as the official walking map was released. (sunderland.gov.uk) The Northern Echo reported the same day that organizers had issued the map as thousands were expected to attend. Neither outlet framed the move as a policy change; both presented it as part of the final travel push before crowds arrived. (bigweekendtravel.com) Sunderland Magazine reported earlier this month that the city was reminding festivalgoers to start planning ahead with updated traffic and travel information. The publication said the festival would run from Friday, May 22, to Sunday, May 24. ### Where should attendees check next? The official travel guide, Sunderland City Council’s travel advice page and the MySunderland FAQ are the main sources for route maps and transport updates for the weekend. (uk.news.yahoo.com) The festival runs through Sunday, May 24, at Herrington Country Park, and the official app says it carries live event information, maps and ticket access for attendees. (bigweekendtravel.com) (sunderlandmagazine.com)