In Things to do

Summer is here and so is festival season!

From Glastonbury, which took place last month, to Reading and Leeds in August, festivals are dominating calendars throughout the next few months, so here are our top tips for enjoying a festival when you have additional accessibility needs.

Missing out on festivals this year, then make sure to book for next year and use these tips to have an amazing festival season in 2024!

1 – Check the facilities and speak to the organisers before you go

This is an important one, some festivals have great wheelchair access, disability viewing platforms and even disabled friendly campsites. To ensure you have a great time while there, make sure to check that there are facilities that suit your needs.  The charity Attitude is Everything gives awards to festivals and similar events for their accessibility, so look out for these on their websites.

These popular festivals have some great accessibility information: 

Glastonbury

  • Free PA or companion tickets
  • BSL interpreters at some stages
  • Hearing loops at some stages
  • Accessible campsite with a Changing Places unit, wheelchair accessible toilets and showers, accessible sinks, medication storage and other facilities. There are also options to bring your own campervan or caravan should you need any additional facilities.
  • Viewing platforms
  • Accessible toilets
  • Wheelchair hire
  • Quiet spaces, including a Sensory Calm Tent complete with ear defenders and weighted blankets
  • Welfare Centres around the site
  • Dedicated blue badge parking
  • Wheelchair accessible shuttle bus
  • Dedicated access map

Reading/Leeds

  • Dedicated team
  • Access map and guide
  • Free PA/ Companion tickets
  • Dedicated blue badge parking
  • A drop off pass for disabled visitors
  • Accessible campsite with a Changing Places unit, accessible sinks, electric points and options for campervans.
  • Accessible viewing platforms
  • Accessible toilets
  • BSL interpreting for some performances
  • Hearing loops at platforms

Download Festival

  • Dedicated Disabled Access Team who are present in campsites and the main performance area throughout the festival
  • Free PA/Companion tickets
  • Accessible viewing platforms
  • Accessible toilets
  • Dedicated access lanes for visitors to move around the site
  • Accessible camping options with a Changing Places unit, wheelchair accessible washing facilities, medication fridges, access team hub and electrical charging points
  • BSL interpreted performances
  • Hearing Loops
  • Dedicated disabled access car park
  • Drop off pass
  • Disabled access guide

BST Hyde Park

  • Viewing platform
  • Free PA pass
  • Reserved spots
  • Accessible toilets
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Dedicated accessible entrance
  • Access manager
  • BSL interpreted performances
  • Accessible toilets
  • Changing Places Unit
  • Charging points for power chairs
  • Lowered counters at bars and stalls
  • Hearing induction loops
  • Quiet space
  • Assistance dogs welcome

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend

  • Free PA/Companion tickets
  • Accessible viewing platforms
  • Dedicated accessibility manager
  • Chairs can be brought into the site
  • Accessible toilets
  • Changing Places facility
  • Dedicated disabled entrance
  • Dedicated disabled lanes to avoid queueing at food stalls and bars
  • BSL interpreted performances
  • Hearing Loops
  • Disabled access car park
  • Drop off pass
  • Shuttle Bus
  • Disabled Access Guide available
  • Quiet Space
  • Assistance Dogs are welcome
  • Navilens code app compliant

Camp Bestival

  • Free PA/Companion tickets
  • Accessible car park
  • Assistance dogs are welcome
  • Sensory Chill Out Tent with dedicated staff
  • Viewing platforms
  • Accessible toilets including a Mobiloo
  • BSL interpreted performances

Isle of Wight Festival

  • Free PA/Companion tickets
  • Accessible carpark
  • Accessible campsite, including accessible showers, accessible toilets, a mobiloo unit, accessible sink, wheelchair charging points
  • Viewing platforms

Wireless Festival

  • Free PA/Companion tickets
  • Disabled access scheme
  • Viewing platforms
  • Accessible toilet facilities
  • Charging points
  • Seating at platforms
  • Disabled access entrance
  • Dedicated access lanes
  • BSL interpreted performances
  • Hearing Loops
  • Disabled access guide

Broadmasters

  • Accessible toilets across the site
  • Accessible showers
  • Accessible information points
  • Assistance dogs welcome
  • Accessible parking
  • Viewing platforms
  • Fast track lanes into arena and campsite
  • Accessible campsite with dedicated entrance, wheelchair accessible washing facilities, and charging facilities
  • Free PA/Companion tickets

2 – What to take with you

Some festivals offer wheelchairs to hire and others will have changing rooms with hoists etc but there is still some things you should make sure to pack.

If you are a user of mobility aids, maybe see if you can bring an all-terrain version or adapted version as festival sites will have uneven ground.

Here are some other things you should make sure to bring with you

  • Your ticket or booking reference if you need to pick up wristbands or tickets on arrival
  • Toilet roll
  • A torch
  • Reusable water bottles
  • Chargers and spare batteries
  • A bag to carry around the essentials
  • Sun cream
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Body wash
  • Clothing for a variety of weathers
  • Waterproof clothing, including leg covers
  • Your medication

3 – Be prepared

One of the best things about festivals is that they can be unpredictable, the weather can change very quickly, secret sets can be announced and you can never tell what other festival goers will be doing, so it’s best to be prepared for all eventualities.

Being prepared for mud is a big thing, if you use a wheelchair or a walking stick for instance, make sure they can cope with the weather and bring wipes to wipe them down to stop it drying and clogging your wheels.

Festivals tend not to release the full line up until a few weeks before the event, so before you leave, make a list of who/what you want to see, the timings and where they are performing so you can give yourself plenty of time and not miss out on anything. You will often be given a map on arrival and many festivals offer a disability guide or map that can be downloaded from their website which will also have useful information. Make sure to keep them with you to help you navigate around.

4 – Have fun!

The most important thing is to have fun!

There are always staff on hand to help if you need it and plenty to keep you amused, so enjoy it!

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