Camping at Dorsetfest

With the opportunity to spend the weekend in a valley of outstanding natural beauty and beautiful dark skies, we’re not surprised that camping is so popular at Dorsetfest, so we thought we’d share a bit more information to help you plan your weekend.

The Dorsetfest campsite filling up

Pitching Up:

You are welcome to arrive from 12 midday on Friday 27 June, and you will need to be on site by 6pm as we close the access road after this. If you can only join us for Saturday, then access is open between 8am and 11am. The access road is closed after the cut off time so that the area is safe for all our festival goers, children and dogs (on leads please).

We understand that things don’t always go to plan, so if you arrive outside these hours, we will do our best to get you on site, but you may need to leave your vehicle in the top carpark and then access the campsite later.

You will need to show your booking form to enter the site and then you will be directed to our friendly and enthusiastic camping team via the access road that goes behind the main stage. The access road is itself is fairly steep with a a couple of reasonably tight bends, so please drive slowly and with care for the festivalgoers and volunteers who may be crossing. The camping team will then show you to your pitch and help you settle in.

A view down the access road once you've passed the entry security on arrival at Dorsetfest

Please note that while we are proud of our reputation as a family friendly festival, all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult on a ratio of 1:3 and this will be checked on entry. If you are lucky enough to be over 18, but look younger, please ensure that you have suitable ID. You’ll need it to be served at the bar too.

As your safety is our priority, to reduce the risk of fire, you will need to leave your car in the camping car park, adjacent to the camp site. To make it easier, you are welcome to drive to your site to unload and load up.

Camping vehicles, Caravan, roof tents will be allocated a separate area. One small tent, if part of the same group, may be pitched close by but please be aware of the fire risk.

All campers will be directed to their allocated area by the friendly safety team

On the subject of fire, we cannot allow BBQ’s, fires or flares. Gas BBQ’s and stoves are fine but please make sure you keep them at least 3 meters away from tents.

If you are a larger group, we would recommend you arrive together and as early as possible so that you have the best chance of securing a site large enough to accommodate your group.

You are welcome to bring your own food and alcohol onto your camping pitch, however personal alcohol or glass will not be allowed in the festival field and we will be checking.

You can easily move between the campsite and all the activities at Dorsetfest

The campsite is located alongside the festival field, so it’s just a short stroll to the activities, at most 5-10 minutes depending where you camp so it’s easy to come and go as you please.

As your safety is our main concern, we will have a 24-hour security team on site throughout the festival, covering all the areas including the campsite. If you have any concerns simply contact the information tent during the day, or any member of the security team or volunteer and you concerns will be addressed.

Site Facilities:

We have a team of enthusiastic camp hosts who will be available to offer you any further information. The team are based at the safety point and are on call overnight for any emergencies

There are toilet facilities throughout the site and Dorsetfest regulars tell us that we have “the cleanest toilets of any festival” thanks to our crew making regular checks and cleaning the loos throughout the event.

Dorsetfest are said to have "the cleanest toilets of any festival" thanks to an amazing team of volunteers

Drinking water for campers is available and then you have a selection of delicious food stalls available in the Fodder Field, and a choice of great craft beers, ciders, gins, Pimms, wine and soft drinks on sale at The Revel Inn Bar.

As there is limited phone signal, we will also have internet that is provided by Wessex Internet who specialise in connecting the rural community across the Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Somerset countryside to fast and reliable broadband. Please note that this is strongest around the festival field and may not cover the whole camping area.

Saturday morning:

It’s a deliberately gentle start to the day on Saturday. You’re welcome to prepare your own breakfast at your pitch, but if you fancy a treat then there will be fresh coffee along with bacon butties available in the Fodder Field.

Pete warming up the Dorsetfest BBQ...

There are also plans for activities that include Yoga in the ‘Holistic Zone’, along with a dog show and Pilates in front of the stage before the music starts at midday.

Start your Saturday day with Yoga at the 'Holistic Zone'

Alternatively you can enjoy a lie in or explore the surrounding countryside, with access to footpaths and stunning views from Rawlsbury Camp, a bronze age hillfort on Bulbarrow Hill just a 15 minute walk away. If you want to sort out a map to see all the footpaths in the area then we would recommend OS Explorer 117.

Leaving On Sunday Morning:

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end, but to soften the blow, we plan to have fresh coffee and bacon butties available on both Saturday and Sunday mornings to kick start your day.

As the camping is over a wide area, we would also ask you to clear your campsite area and take any rubbish with you as we all hate the thought that any of the farm animals or local wildlife being injured by rubbish left behind and missed by the clear up team.

If you are leaving on Saturday then we ask you to leave the site by 11am after which the access road closes and if you have to leave after that, then you may be charged for the Saturday night camping if the team can't get you out safely. As other campers will be arriving that morning along the same access road, members of the safety team will be coordinating this, so please obey any instructions on the day.

If you are leaving on Sunday morning, you can have a short lie in as we ask that you leave the site by midday. Please note that while there will be no campers arriving, members of the clean up crew may need access and where this is needed, the safety team will coordinate this.

Whichever day you are leaving, please be aware that the exit road is fairly steep and while almost all vehicles make it without a problem, we have the rare experience of older vehicles struggling to get up the hill. If you are concerned about your vehicle, just speak to one of the team of volunteers before you make the attempt. We can then ensure that we’re in place to help.

Alternatives To Camping:

If you want to stay over but don’t relish the thought of camping, then we’d recommend looking to book a room at The Fox in Ansty. This is a 5-10 minute drive with a nominated driver, or a 25-30 minute walk along the country lanes.

Any Further Questions:

We hope this article has given you a useful overview, but if you have any specific questions, or if you have particular needs for accessing the festival, please feel free to email us at dorsetfest@gmail.com or follow and contact us through @dorsetfest on Facebook and Instagram and we’ll do our best to get back to you asap, but please bear in mind we are volunteers so there may be a slight delay.