This summer x.trax is proud to lend its support to a brand new international Festival taking place in Kendal. Bringing the very best in outdoor performance from the UK and across Europe the inaugural MintFest is an essential opportunity for anyone involved in street arts to see new work and network with others in the sector.

MintFest's location could not be better. Nestling on the edge of the Lake District National Park, Kendal is a beautiful and fascinating market town; only an hour and half away by train or by car from Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. The three day event will be packed with activity and performance that takes full advantage of the all the venues and outdoor locations that this bustling town provides. This is a must see for promoters, programmers and street arts professionals.

By Rail - Cumbria has an excellent rail network so Kendal can be easily reached from most parts of the country.

From Scotland, the North West, the Midlands, and Southern England, Virgin Trains via the West Coast Main Line call at Oxenholme for Kendal. At Oxenholme connections can be made to the Windermere Branch line which stops at Kendal train station, a short walk from the town centre. There is also a taxi stand and a bus stop serving the town centre.

From the North East, ARRIVA Trains Northern via the Tyne Valley Line calls at Carlisle. At Carlisle connections can be made to the West Coast Main line.

From Yorkshire and beyond, Transpennine Express trains call at Oxenholme for Kendal.

From Greater Manchester & North Wales, First North Western trains call at Oxenholme for Kendal.

Useful Information

For rail timetable, fare information, special offers and much more contact 'National Rail Enquiries' - 08457 48 49 50, or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

For overseas visitors a 'BritRail Pass' offers unrivalled value for money, total flexibility, and the chance to see the length and breadth of Britain by rail (only available to non-UK residents and can only be purchased before you leave your home country).

The following are Kendal based taxi companies:

• Blue Star 01539 723670
• Gateway 01539 725935
• Castle 01539 726233
• Atlas 01539 729991
• Ace 01539 733430
• A to B Taxis 01539 733666
• ABC Taxis 01539 724117
• Crown Taxis 01539 732181
• Airport Services 01539 724658 / 734234
• G.L.S. Taxis 01539 730785
• Steel Taxis 01539 724217

By Coach - The M6 Motorway provides quick access to Kendal by coach, and National Express runs most scheduled coach services in Britain with many of them running direct from London. National Express Rapide services from London (Victoria) to Kendal and the Lake District take approximately 6.5 hours. If you're 25 or under, a student, or 50 and over, you can save up to 30% on ticket purchases with a National Express "Coach Card", or there is the "Family 2plus2 Coach Card" which allows up to 2 children to travel free. A variety of other express bus and coach services can also get you to Cumbria.

Closer to Kendal, there are other coach and bus services available. For further information contact Traveline on 0870 608 2 608.

By Air - Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool, Blackpool and Newcastle all have direct domestic and international scheduled flights, and offer easy access to the area. Manchester Airport has its own rail station, operating 24 hours a day, every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day, from where there are services to Oxenholme and Kendal stations.

Glasgow Airport is just two miles from Paisley's Gilmour Street rail station, which can be reached by taxi or by regular bus services. From Paisley Gilmour Street station there are frequent direct rail services to Glasgow Central station. From Glasgow Central station there are regular direct services to Oxenholme for Kendal.

Newcastle Airport is served by the fast-transit Metro system connecting the Airport directly with Newcastle Central rail station, from where there are regular services to Carlisle. From Carlisle connections can be made to the West Coast Mainline.

Blackpool Airport is very well located with the passenger terminal just 5 minutes walk from Squires Gate Railway Station. Services connect with the national rail network via Preston and there are regular direct services to Oxenholme for Kendal. National Express Coach Services connect with Preston and operate services to and from the Lake District throughout the year.

By Road - Using motorways from Manchester it takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Cumbria, whilst the average journey time from London and the southeast is around 5 hours. The A69 and A66 provide road links to the North East. Kendal is just 10 minutes from junction 36 on the M6 if traveling from the south and 20 minutes from junction 39 if coming from the north.

Planning your route here are many ways to get here, so to plan your journey we recommend using the RAC Journey Planner. www.rac.co.uk/web/routeplanner

As centre for tourism Kendal and its surrounding villages offer a wide range of affordable accommodation all of which allow easy access to its town centre and the festival sites. Please find below a few recommendations however many more can be found at www.cumbria-the-lake-district.co.uk or at www.lakelandgateway.info