Music festival should be for everyone, and having written about some of the bigger camping festivals and what they offer in terms of accessibility, we've pulled some of the most common things you'll find on-site.
Be it accessible toilets, viewing platforms or BSL interpretations, take a watch at our guide but as always, contact the accessibility team directly at your festival of choice.
Be it accessible toilets, viewing platforms or BSL interpretations, take a watch at our guide but as always, contact the accessibility team directly at your festival of choice.
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00:00UK music festivals are an incredible experience, but for many accessibility is the key to enjoying
00:07the music. I mean music should be for everybody, am I right? No, I'm not wrong. But if you're
00:13wondering what to expect at UK festivals regarding accessibility, then this video is probably for you.
00:20We're going to give you a quick overview of the most common features that you'll find across
00:25many festivals in the United Kingdom, but of course it comes with a caveat.
00:30You're going to have to apply for it yourself, and by doing so you might want to investigate
00:35the terms and conditions for each individual festival. And now I've covered my backside,
00:40let's take a look at some of the most common accessibility features
00:44that these UK festivals are offering throughout 2025.
00:48Now many festivals offer dedicated accessible campsites, and these often include level grounds,
00:55accessible toilets and showers, water points, and even charging facilities for medical equipment.
01:01Some festivals will also provide medication storage, and to ensure that everyone can see
01:07the performances that they've paid good money for, most festivals will provide viewing platforms at
01:12the main stages. Now these are designed for wheelchair users and people with mobility needs,
01:18however if you have a companion that you absolutely must have with you at the festival at all times,
01:25they too are entitled to enter the viewing platform, providing that it's not overcrowded.
01:32Accessible toilets are a standard feature as well, and some festivals even provide
01:36changing places facilities, which will offer more space and equipment, though some will not
01:42provide sling harnesses and bits like that. But again, that goes back to contacting the
01:49individual festival that you're going to attend, and what they can provide in terms of that
01:54accessibility. Now the big one, getting around. Now festivals, let's be honest, are large spaces,
02:01I mean look at the size of Worthy Farm. So getting around is important, and many festivals offer
02:06accessible routes, shuttle services, or buggy transport to help people move across the site.
02:13And again, they do want to make you aware that if the conditions are muddy and slippery,
02:20that might be a hazard, though there are going to be stewards around who are there to help out,
02:25should the unfortunate thing take place, and we have another mud pit at Glastonbury,
02:30or Download Festival, or any festival for that matter.
02:35So to use these facilities, many festivals require you to register in advance, and some
02:39festivals use schemes like the Nimbus Access Card to verify accessibility needs. So it's important
02:46to check the specific requirements of each festival you plan to attend, and beyond the basics,
02:52And beyond the basics, many festivals are also offering additional support,
02:58British Sign Language interpretation, sensory calm spaces for those who need a break from the
03:03crowds and the noise, and assistant dog provisions are becoming more and more common. So while this
03:09is a general overview, remember that each festival has its own specific accessibility policies,
03:16and operating accessibility. Always check their website or contact their access team for the most
03:22up-to-date information, and with the right planning, everyone can enjoy the UK festival experience
03:29as they should.