Disabled Festival Goers

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is located on a working farm in the Purbeck Hills. The area is hilly and not all of the site is easy to move around for those with limited mobility. We have to be honest – it’s not the most accessible site. We have tried our best, and will continue to try our best, to make it as accessible as we can. It’s certainly a lot easier than our old site!

We have a designated parking and camping area for our disabled customers. The area is as flat as it can be in the Purbeck Hills, has wheelchair accessible toilets and is the closest possible camping and parking spot to the main festival arena. This area is specifically reserved for customers with limited mobility. It’s right near two of our main stages, so it’s not the quietest place to be if you need peace and quiet.

There is solid access from the camping area to the main festival arena. Half of our site is on a hard and solid surface, which enables easy access to:

  • 2 of the 3 main stages (in hard-standing and under-cover barns)
  • The festival information point
  • 1 of the 2 festival bars (in a hard-standing and under-cover barn)
  • A charging point for equipment
  • The festival gallery
  • Food traders

The other half of the site is a little bit more difficult to access as it is up a slope and on grass. This is where you can access the festival market area, many more traders and caterers, activities, crafting workshops, our 3rd main stage and our smaller stages for poetry slams and music jams. The slope can be considered quite steep and can get a little muddy during the festival, making it harder to move on.

However, for our disabled customers, we do offer an alternative route (and shortcut). This shortcut exits the festival arena, passes over a gravelled road and then re-enters the festival arena via another slope. This shortcut takes you directly to the 3rd main stage which is on grass and isn’t under-cover. This allows easier access between the 3 main stages. All disabled customers can request an access pass which will allow them to pass through this shortcut. You can do this through the link below.

To request a free carer ticket, an access pass, and/or a space in the Disabled Camping area please click here. The link will direct you to a form where you’re able to let us know your details and requirements, your potential carers details and request a parking/camping space in the designated area as well as request an access pass for the festival arena.

You may have noticed we have a strict no dogs policy. However, we can permit the entry of Assistance Dogs. Please do notify us in advance if you plan to bring an assistance dog (you can do so by filling in the form above).

We would like to respond to the needs of disabled customers and we welcome feedback, opinion and guidance. If you have any questions, queries or feedback, please email: molly@purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk

WARNING: It is possible that exposure to loud music may cause damage to hearing, special effects may be used at this event including strobe lighting, lasers, pyrotechnics, and fireworks. If you’re concerned about special effects during certain sets, please do get in touch with Molly: molly@purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk