Access Info
Access Info
Accessibility and Personal Assistant Tickets
Personal Assistant Tickets
Please see below for further information and how to apply.
Parking
Accessible parking is provided, and is positioned as close to the entrance as practical constraints allow. Use of this facility does not need to be booked in advance. Please ensure that your Blue Badge is displayed clearly in your windscreen and follow the signs for disabled parking on the day.
If you do not have a Blue Badge but you need to use the accessible car park because you or a party member in your vehicle has a temporary impairment or is pregnant, frail etc, then it is possible to arrange an accessible parking permit. This has limited availability and must be organised in advance by emailing us at info@folkbytheoak.com or by calling us on 01432 355 416.
Taxis
Disabled patrons arriving by Taxi: The drop-off point is a short walk from the festival entrance via a hilly grass footpath. Free transport is provided from the drop-off point to the festival entrance for those who would find this impractical. On arrival at the drop-off point, please alert the nearby traffic marshal that you require the shuttle vehicle and then wait next to the ‘Concert Shuttle’ sign.
Arriving by Taxi or getting dropped off / picked up
All vehicles dropping off or picking up should follow taxi signage to the designated taxi drop-off / pick-up route. All taxi journeys must be booked in advance, allowing around 15 minutes for you to return to the taxi pick-up point at the end. (Festival is due to finish at approx. 10.30pm).
We advise you to keep a record of the driver’s phone number with you. The following instructions should be followed by anyone who is dropping off or picking up (not just registered taxis.)
Taxi Instructions:
Drop-off instructions
Taxis will be directed by yellow event signage to enter the site via the dedicated taxi route which will be signposted down Old Hertford Road next to the Red Lion Pub in Hatfield (postcode AL9 5BD)
Pick-up instructions
Pick-up route is the same as drop-off.
Toilets
Large wheelchair accessible toilets are sited within the auditorium and are easy to reach. These are temporary ‘portaloo’ style plastic units.
Access
Folk by the Oak is held in an open air grass arena. There is a tarmac road leading from the accessible parking area down the side of the auditorium giving easy access for wheelchairs down the length of the arena (see image above). The festival will go ahead in wet conditions and we ask all festival-goers to come prepared for the unpredictable British weather! The arena is flat, and is a very well kept area of the estate. While we do our best to ensure the accessible car parking, entrance and toilets are easy to access, the ground conditions will inevitably vary according to the weather during and prior to the event. Stewards are positioned throughout the auditorium and will assist where they can if necessary. We have been running events at this venue since 2001 and have never experienced issues with wheelchair access. If you have any issues or queries during the event please see staff at the Info Point on site.
Sadly we’re unable to provide a wheelchair hire facility for the event, but as an alternative you may find something suitable via The Red Cross wheelchair hire – click here to find out more
Viewing
Festival-goers are invited to bring seating with them and for the most part are seated. The auditorium has a gentle natural slope and visibility of the stage is good. There will also be a large screen next to the stage which will be showing close-ups of what is happening on stage.
Accessible Viewing Platform
An Accessible Viewing Platform is provided for use by wheelchair users plus one essential companion.
This can be found to the left of the Main Stage audience, in front of the real ale bar.
The Accessible Viewing Platform is intended for those who need to be seated to enjoy the performances and whose view of the stage is obstructed within the audience; space is limited so please only use it if you really need to.
Space will be available on a first come first served basis.
The platform will be stewarded to ensure safe and fair use.
Smoking and vaping is not permitted on the viewing platform.
The nearest wheelchair accessible toilet is approximately 100m away via a tarmac path.
Medical services and on-site welfare
There will be qualified paramedics and emergency vehicles present throughout the event and also whilst festival-goers are arriving and leaving. On arrival please familiarise yourself with their position on site.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are permitted at the festival, but please be aware that there will be a firework display at the end of the night that may be disturbing to them. They are the only dogs that are permitted, so please make sure that they are easily identifiable. Please bring your own waste disposal bags.
Pyrotechnics
Please note that there is a fireworks display to close the festival. Those who are sensitive to loud bangs may find this challenging. A detailed schedule of when pyrotechnics will occur is available in advance by contacting us, or at the Info Point on site at the event.
Queuing / crowds
With several thousand people in attendance there will inevitably be periods when you are part of a queue. If you feel that someone in your party would be sensitive to this sort of situation please call us to discuss this and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We are careful to limit capacity in order that the festival arena is comfortable and not overcrowded. Please view our galleries to get a feel for how the crowd is seated and distributed on site and whether this would be suitable for all members of your party.
Personal Assistant Tickets
The allocation of a complimentary Personal Assistant Ticket is intended to support a disabled customer who would otherwise be unable to attend the festival. The PA should be capable of providing all the assistance required to meet the disabled customer’s access needs.
We politely request that all customers who have indicated the need for a PA Ticket provide a photo or scan of some supporting documentation. You may obscure or cross out any personal details such as reference numbers, payment amounts, or medical information but please ensure that your name and the date are visible.
We typically approve PA Tickets for customers who can provide evidence that they are:
– In receipt of Personal Independence Payment (standard or enhanced rate)
– In receipt of Attendance Allowance
– In receipt of Disability Living Allowance (middle or higher rate for care and/or mobility)
– A holder of a CredAbility Access Card with +1
– In receipt of Armed Forces Independence Payment
– Registered blind or partially sighted, or deaf with severe or total hearing loss
However, eligibility is considered on an individual basis. Please note that a Blue Badge is not accepted as supporting evidence.
The details provided will be kept secure and treated confidentially, and will be used only for the purposes of processing your application. Documentation will be deleted following the event.
Repeat Bookers
If you have previously booked a PA Ticket with us then you will not be required to apply again. Please contact us with your details so that we can access your booking record.
How to Book
– Have your supporting documentation ready as a digital file (file types accepted are PNG, JPEG, PDF + photos from phone gallery. The max file size is 5MB)
– Add your chosen tickets to the cart. To request a PA Ticket, you will need to also add at least one Adult or Child ticket.
– Click Checkout.
– On the next page you will be invited to upload your documentation.
– Complete your purchase and receive your other tickets instantly by email (the PA Ticket will be pending review).
– Your PA Ticket request will be reviewed by a member of the Folk by the Oak team and approved or denied within 2 working days.
– Once approved, your PA Ticket will be sent to you by email.