New Forest Folk Festival 2026

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

Yes tips for us newbies please,

Everything is easy! No need to rush to get a camping spot or a good place in the arena. Bar is great , plenty of toilets , first aid staff are the best, as I have found out. Decent late shop nearby , but dont go back the way you drive in, go through the woods, its about a quarter of the distance. Buy a programme ,they're excellent and you will need the code inside for the early bird offer. It also contains a card with all the timings and details of next years line up on the other side.

The Go Outdoors chairs are no longer 2 for £15. They are now £10 each , buy the second half price. PEDANT ALERT!

Thank you for this.

[Andy]

When is the New Forest Folk Festival?
The festival runs from the first Wednesday to Sunday in July every year. The 2026 dates are 1st – 5th July.

Where & When Should I Arrive?

When you arrive, please come to Gate 1 (Postcode for your SatNav is S051 6EF).  
Gate 2 is for artists & traders only.

If you have a weekend ticket. please arrive AFTER 13:30 on Wednesday. The camping fields are not open until 12 Noon. If you arrive earlier, you will be asked to queue in a field until the camping areas open. It can be a very boring wait, as we ask that you remain with your vehicle at all times. Nevertheless, people do arrive early, queue in the field and delay entry of those arriving "on time". Arriving after 13:30 gives the queue a chance to reduce, thus reducing your wait.

If you have a day ticket, on the day your ticket is valid, park in the day car park, to which you will be directed.

Food & Drink

The Arena and Bar will open at 18:00 on Wednesday for our traditional meet and greet including Morris Dancers, a sing-around and barbecue finishing at 23:30.  The breakfast bar by the arena entrance is open daily from Thursday to Monday between 08:00 - 11:00. The bar is open from 11:00 to 23:30 Thursday to Saturday.

Dogs

Well behaved dogs are welcome, but all dogs must be kept on a lead at all times and the owner(s) must be aware of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and adhere to it at all times. Please can we also ask that you use doggy bags to clean up after your dog. There are plenty of bins around the site.

Bringing alcohol

Alcohol for personal consumption may be brought onto the campsite but not into the Arena due to licensing regulations.

The police conditions on our licensing application includes “the supply of alcohol for consumption both on and off the premises”. This condition allows alcohol bought within the license area (arena) to be taken outside the arena but within the parameters of the farm such as the woodland fringe and camping areas.

To be clear we can allow alcohol to be taken out of the arena (licensed area) but security will stop alcohol leaving the site (farm). We will continue to stop alcohol from being brought into the licensed area (arena) from anywhere on the farm such as the woodland fringe and the campsites. If you leave the arena with alcohol, please drink up before you re-enter the arena as it will be taken from you.

There is a Challenge 25 policy operating at the bar so if you’re lucky enough to look under 25 please bring your passport, photo card driving licence or ‘PASS’ ID with you.

It should be noted that some very strong cider is sold at the bar. Beware!


Bringing glass into the arena

Glass is not allowed in the arena but we do provide reusable New Forest Folk Festival branded non-glass "glasses" at a £1 each. This is a non-refundable charge but the containers can be used multiple times.


Supplies

If you want to pick up some supplies, the Londis store at Landford Service Station SP5 2BB on the A36 at the end of Sherfield English Road (the lane from the A36 to Gate 1) has quite a good choice of some basic amenities and is easily walkable. They supply a limited selection of CampingGaz bottles too. It opens 06:30-22:00 daily.

There is also a Nisa Local on Salisbury Road in West Wellow SO51 6BU 2 miles down the A36. It opens 06:00-22:00 daily. When leaving the Nisa car park, turn left and use the roundabout immediately to head back toward the festival as turning right can be a time-consuming nightmare.

Medical Information

In the event of a medical emergency, always contact the First Aiders onsite who will assist and co-ordinate with Emergency Services if required.

The nearest Chemist is the pharmacyDIRECT Wellow Practice, Lower Common Rd, West Wellow, SO51 6BT. 01590 682225  It is open 09:00-17:30 Mon-Fri and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, closed on Sundays. It’s a 1.7 mile, 3 minute, drive from the festival.

On Saturday afternoons and Sundays, Boots Pharmacy at 1 The Hundred, Romsey SO51 8GB is open 10:00 to 15:00. (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30, Sat 08:30-17:00) 01794 513143

If you have queries once you arrive, please ask any Steward or go to the Cabin at the entrance to the Festival field.

[Andy]

The official full Q&A can be found here.