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!
Disabled Camping Area / Disabled Parking Area
We have a designated Disabled Camping Area and Disabled Parking area for our disabled customers. The areas are as flat as it can be in the Purbeck Hills – there are wheelchair accessible toilets nearby, and a disabled shower too.
These areas are specifically reserved for customers with limited mobility, and are right near 2 of our main stages. The Disabled Camping Area is closest possible camping spot to the main festival arena, so it’s not the quietest place for camping if you need peace and quiet.
Accessing the Festival Site
From the Disabled Camping Area and Disabled Parking Area (and Box Office) there is solid access to the main festival arena. Half of the festival site is on a hard and solid surface – this 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 the walk from the Big Barn & Long Barn (2 of our 3 main stages) to the Fire Stage (our 3rd main stage) can be a bit too far for some Festival Goers.
It takes around 3 minutes to walk the slope up to the Market Area, and probably an additional 4 minutes to walk around to the Fire Stage (this is for the “average” speed, without any breaks).
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 (Fire Stage) which is on grass and isn’t under-cover. This allows easier access between the 3 main stages – there’s still a slope, but it’s shorter and probably cuts your journey in half (at least!). 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.
Requesting your Carer Ticket, Access Pass, and / or space in the Disabled Camping Area
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 areas (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 linked form).
Get in touch
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
