Information
WHAT IS THE RIVER COTTAGE FESTIVAL?
The River Cottage Festival is a two-day event at River Cottage HQ. The chance for you to fully immerse yourself in the River Cottage experience. There’ll be food, music, talks, masterclasses and a host of children’s activities.
(If you buy a weekend camping ticket then you also get a Friday night party as a bonus)
Keep checking the website for the latest line-up announcements.
HOW MUCH IS IT?
Click here to see the ticket options and prices listed, it also contains a bit more about what you can expect.
WHAT TIMES DOES THE FESTIVAL OPEN AND CLOSE ?
Wristband exchange will open at 10am each day. The festival closes at 11pm.
Campers can arrive from 4.00pm on Friday. All guests are requested to leave the site by 11am on Monday.
Once parked, ticket holders can go straight to wristband exchange.
Bars will open until 11pm each night (Friday - Sunday)
Hot food will be available until 10pm (Friday - Sunday)
Breakfast will be available from 7.30am (Sat - Monday)
IS HUGH COMING?
Yes Hugh will be joining in the fun. He’ll be available for book signing and more activities to be announced.
WHEN AND WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL?
Saturday 24th August and Sunday 25th August 2019 at River Cottage HQ, Trinity Hill Road, Axminster, EX13 8TB. Please don't rely on SatNav due to our rural location. Please note the new FREE CAR PARK field is opposite the Festival site and will be clearly signposted.
Campers are allowed on site from Friday-Monday and can park in the ONSITE CAR PARK.
WHAT TIME CAN I ARRIVE TO SET UP MY CAMP?
The gates are open for campers from Friday 23rd August at 4pm. Last entry to the site is 11pm.
HOW DO I GET THERE?
By Car: Please see GETTING HERE
By Rail: The closest railway station is Axminster which is 4.5 miles from River Cottage HQ. From London Waterloo it is 2¾ hours to Axminster with regular trains also running to and from Exeter.
Parking for Day Ticket holders: We have secured a new parking field that is opposite the Festival site. Follow signs to FREE CAR PARK, your festival entrance ticket includes parking here.
Parking for Weekend (camping) ticket holders: you are able to park in the ONSITE CAR PARK (up the hill from the camping field). Please print out your car parking ticket that you received when you purchased your Weekend tickets and put it in your car window.
Taxis: Please see here. If you are booking a taxi for the end of the day, the music will be finished by 11pm, after which time Day Ticket holders will need to leave the site. Please allow at least 15 minutes to get back up the hill.
IS THERE OVERNIGHT CAMPING?
Yes, there are full weekend camping tickets plus ‘glamping’ with our Luxury Festival Ticket. Please do not bring gazebos or extra large tents to save room. We are not able to permit naked flames in the campsite this includes camping stoves and candles.
IS THERE SPACE FOR CAMPERVANS?
New for 2019 we have secured a space for campervans and caravans. The location is across the road from the Festival site, just a 10-15 minute walk away from the main festival activities and camp site.
To book a space for your campervan or caravan you need to purchase WEEKEND TICKETS for all over 16's and a CAMPERVAN TICKET for your van.
There will be 24 hour security, toilets and an Elsan tank but NO electric hook-up or showers.
Campervan ticket holders can use the showers which are located in the campsite for tents (on the Festival site), this is a 10 - 15 minute walk from the campervan parking field.
When you purchase your CAMPERVAN TICKET you will receive a unique ticket that you need to print out and stick in the window of your campervan.
The price for a campervan/caravan ticket is £30, this is per van (not per adult) and is in addition to your WEEKEND entrance ticket.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO CAMP?
If you do not fancy camping, day-only tickets are available. There are plenty of lovely hotels, B&Bs and other accommodation options nearby, but book early to avoid disappointment. Click HERE to see the list.
IS THE FESTIVAL SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?
Absolutely! The River Cottage Festival is a family event, there will be activities for children throughout the weekend. Plus all under 16s come for free!
CAN I BRING FOOD & DRINK?
Please do not bring your own alcohol onto the site.
Campers are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy at their tents. There will be boiling water available 24 hours a day in the campsite for making hot drinks and baby milk - please bring your own cups and T-bags etc. Unfortunately due to fire safety we are not able to permit naked flames in the campsite this includes camping stoves and candles.
Please bring a reusable cup or bottle with you to minimise the environmental impact. All disposables at the Festival are compostable but refilling is even better. Water points will be marked on the free programme site map you receive on arrival.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Because River Cottage is a working farm, sadly we are not able to have dogs at the festival to protect our livestock. Guide Dogs are an exception.
CAN I LEAVE THE FESTIVAL AND COME BACK LATER?
Yes re-entry is allowed.
IS THE SITE ACCESSIBLE?
River Cottage HQ is a farm located at the bottom of a valley. Visitors will have a short walk down the hill from the top car park to the festival site on uneven terrain. Click here for more information about accessibility. Disabled parking is free, please contact us on 01297 630302 to register your place - a blue badge is required.
WIILL THERE BE FOOD FOR VEGETARIANS/VEGANS?
Of course!
WILL THERE BE GLUTEN FREE AND OTHER ALLERGEN FREE FOOD?
There will be at least one gluten free offering for all of your meals. However if you are here for the whole weekend it may be a good idea to bring some food with you. We cannot guarantee that there will be no contamination at all.
ARE THERE CASHPOINTS ON-SITE?
No, this is a small festival with a laid-back, back to basics feel. Cashback will be available but not 24 hours a day so please remember to bring cash with you.
WILL THERE BE SHOWER FACILITIES IN THE CAMPSITE?
Yes, there is a shower area in the camping field.
CAN I RETURN OR EXCHANGE MY TICKET?
If you contact us more than one week before the event then you can exchange your ticket to any other River Cottage event for a £25 admin charge. You can change the name of the attendees without a charge.
CAN I LEAVE TICKETS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO COLLECT ON ARRIVAL?
As we are using e-tickets you can forward them to all members of your group to print or show on their phones, so you will not need to leave tickets.
SECURITY & SAFETY
• Lost property will be held at the Information point which will be located in the Barn.
• All our water points are suitable for drinking. The water in the toilets is not drinking water.
• Don’t leave valuables unattended in your tent.
THINGS YOU CAN’T DO
• Smoke inside any of the festival tents. This is the law.
• Drugs – Definitely not!
• Bring alcohol on site.
• Unfortunately due to fire safety we are not able to permit naked flames in the campsite this includes camping stoves, candles, open fires and barbecues.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please see our festival terms and conditions here
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