Your Questions Answered

Q What time does the festival start and when does the car park open?

A Access to the festival site will be at 1pm. The car park will open approximately an hour before.

Q What time will the first acts come on?

A The first Main Stage acts are scheduled to come on at 2pm. There will be a 15 minute change over period between acts. The Acorn Stage performances begin just after the gates open, with further acts between the Main Stage sets.

Q What are the facilities for disabled festival-goers?

A Disabled parking and toilet facilities are provided. We designate the area of the car park nearest to the concert site for disabled people. Priority will be given to blue badge holders, although this area can also be used by people who are temporarily disabled, pregnant, elderly or frail. Please follow the signs and inform the car parking stewards when you enter the car park. The festival is completely open-air, and held on grass, except for a tarmac roadway leading down the side of the arena. We regularly have wheelchair-using visitors who find no trouble getting around on site.

Q What time does the festival finish?

A The festival finishes at approximately 10pm

Q What time are the performances?

A See our Festival Timings page for details of the day’s schedule.

Q Can I bring a gazebo?

A Yes you can bring a gazebo. However gazebos can only be set-up at the back of the auditorium and there is limited space. Space is allocated on a first come first served basis at the discretion of the stewards.

Q Is there a good meeting point onsite?

A The two main meeting points where you can also access concert information are the Ticket Tent at the very entrance to the concert site or the Programmes Tent. Both are at the back of the arena and are well signed.

Q Can I come by taxi?

A You are very welcome to arrive and depart by taxi and there are clearly marked drop off and pick up points for taxis onsite. The car parking stewards will direct taxis to these demarcated areas.

Q Where is the best position to see everything on site?

A All members of the audience will be able to see the stage from any position on site, and there will also be a big screen displaying a closer view of the performers on stage. Although you will be able to hear the concert clearly within the audience arena, for the best sound please stay inside the area marked by white flags.

Q Can I bring food and drink, and are there any refreshments provided on site?

A Yes, feel free to bring food and drink (including alcohol) and make a picnic area for yourselves onsite where you can make a base for your group. People eat their picnic at any time throughout the afternoon and evening. There will be also be a delicious selection of fresh hot and cold festival food outlets, a real ale bar, teas and coffees and a fully licensed bar.

Q Can I bring my own BBQ or camping stove?

A No, unfortunately due to fire and safety regulations we do not allow naked flames onsite.

Q Are the house and grounds open to visitors during the day?

A Entrance to the house and gardens is not included in the festival ticket price. For information on the house and grounds opening times please visit the Hatfield House website.

Q Are Dogs allowed on site?

A No dogs except guide dogs are allowed on site.

Q. Can I go back and forth to the car park throughout the day?

A. Yes. You will be given a pass when you leave the auditorium to enable you to get back in.

Q. What would you recommend bringing, and are there any prohibited items?

A. We recommend bringing appropriate clothing for the weather, and warm clothes even in good weather, as it often drops cold after dark. The festival area and car parks are well lit, but it can be useful to bring a torch to help pack up your things and find your car. You are welcome to bring alcohol, glasses, cutlery etc., but the following are not permitted on site: flame torches, sky lanterns, bbqs, stoves, any naked flames, dogs, sound recording equipment.

Q And finally, which one is THE Oak?!

A At Hatfield, there are some hugely imposing oak, hornbeam and beech pollards to be found. The Estate takes great pride in this natural heritage and has a policy of encouraging natural regeneration from these trees and creating new pollards for future generations to appreciate. The field on which Folk by the Oak is held is known as The Queen Elizabeth Oak Field, and holds particular historical significance. It is said that it was here in 1558, while sitting under an oak tree, that Elizabeth I learned that she had become Queen following the death of her half-sister, Mary. The original ancient tree is gone, but a new one is planted in its place, located at the top corner of the festival site.