24 - 27 May 2024
24 - 27
May
2024
May
2024
Menu
Close
Line-Up
Timetable
Information
Get Involved
Gallery
On this page you'll find useful information about coming to Chippenham Folk Festival
On Arrival
Please note that the location of the box office has changed and can now be found at the entrance to Island Park. Please come to the box office when you arrive to receive your festival wristband in exchange for your ticket bar code.Public Transport
Wherever possible, we encourage people to make use of public transport to get the festival. Chippenham is serviced by the Great Western Railway with trains at least twice hourly from London and Bristol. Chippenham station is very close to the festival and town centre. We are also a National Express stop with coaches coming from various locations, as well as having an extensive local bus service.By Road
Approaching by car Chippenham can be found at Junction 17 of the M4. Following signs for the town centre will bring you into the centre where you will pick up festival signage for the campsites. Entrance to Westmead Camp is via west mead Lane - SN15 3HZ.Entrance to Monkton Park is via Saddlers Meads - SN15 3PE
Parking
As a festival based within a town, we do not have specific day visitor parking but there are various public car parks you can make use of. A list provided by Wiltshire Council can be found here. Parking is plentiful around Chippenham Train Station. For those camping, there are designated parking areas at each campsite. For safety reasons however, we do ask that your vehicle is not moved over the weekend.Directions
On the website you will also find a full interactive map of the town and venues that will provide you with directions to venues around town. Map.Campsites and alternative places to stay
We have two camp sites available, both within just a couple of minutes’ walk to town so close to the action. When you book your camping ticket, we will ask you which camp site you prefer to stay in. Monkton Park camp site is predominantly for caravans and campervans, Westmead Playing Fields is primarily for campers bringing tents.Camping
Our two Campsites open at 10am Friday 26th and close at midday Tuesday 30th.Please do not arrive earlier as access will not be available.
Monkton Park camp site is predominantly for caravans and campervans. Toilet and shower facilities are available at the Olympiad Sports Centre adjacent to the park. Entrance to Monkton Park is via Saddlers Meads - SN15 3PE.
Westmead Playing Fields is primarily for campers bringing tents. Toilets and showers are available. Entrance to Westmead Camp is via westmead Lane - SN15 3HZ.
With the opening of the Arc Climbing centre in Westmead Playing Fields and the introduction of the ‘Tiny Forest’ in Monkton Park, available camping space has been reduced in both sites this year. Our stewards have been working hard to redesign the campsite layouts to best accommodate everyone. Please follow their instructions on arrival and bear in mind that you may not be able to camp in your usual spot or take up as much space as you may have done before.
Westmead campsite benefits from the Climbing Academy 'The Arc'. Alongside bouldering, indoor and outdoor climbing, the centre has a café which festival goers can make use of. Show your ticket for a breakfast meal deal.
The Festival Campsites are for ticket holders only. Local public campsites are available nearby. Many visitors opt to stay in local hotels and Bed and Breakfasts nearby.
Toilets
Toilets are available in Monkton Park and Westmead camp sites and at Island Park. You are encouraged to use the Emery Gate toilets during the day. For those attending events Toilets are also available within our venues including the Neeld/Town Hall and Constitutional Club.There are five public toilets in town. Free toilets can be found in John Coles Park and London Road Cemetery. Timber Street, Bath Road and Monkton Park require a 20p coin to gain access.
Showers
Showers are provided at our two camp sites. At Monkton Park these are located within the Olympiad Sports Centre, for Westmead Playing Fields, these are located by the entrance to the camp site.Drinking Water
Drinking water is provided at the bars and both camp sites and from the refill station on Island Park. Licenced venues also provide water free of charge. Please remember to bring your own refillable water bottle or buy one from our merchandise stall to reduce waste.Food and Drink
The festival has a great selection of food and drink traders which can be found in Island Park. Delicious breakfasts, lunches and snacks are available throughout the day along with great coffee and sweet treats. Chippenham Town also has lots to offer in terms of pubs, restaurants, cafes, and takeaways.Bars
This year we are delighted to introduce you to our festival bar located in Island Park. We also have the bar in the Olympiad serving the ceilidh.The bars will be run and supervised by Moongazing Hare an experienced festival provider. Expect a good selection of real ales, lager, cider, and wines alongside a selection of soft drinks.
Medical Tent
First Aid cover is provided throughout the programmed hours of the festival with a tent in Island Park where treatment can be sought for minor issues. If you need any assistance or spot someone else who may need help, make contact at the information point or with any of the festival team.
Lost Children
Should you become separated from your child during the festival, please contact a member of the festival team as soon as possible. We encourage you to collect a free paper wrist band from the Family and Community events Gazebo to write your emergency contact detail on the reverse and secure it to your child. This will help us reach you if you do become separated.Cash Points
There are several cash machines located on the High Street.Lost and Found
If you lose anything over the weekend, head to the box office where we will do our best to reunite with your belongings.Program
Over the festival weekend there will be a myriad of events across lots of venues in and around Chippenham. Festivities begin from 6pm on Friday. See this website for details that can be filtered by genre, venue or time or purchase a souvenir program from the box office.Traders and Craft Tent
With food, craft, artisan goods, clothing, and instrument stalls there is a treasure trove to browse both in the Craft tent found on Island Park and installs around the park and over the foot bridge towards Olympiad.Family and Community Public events
The festival has a lively Family and Community programme with public venues across Island Park encouraging all the family to get involved in creative, traditional arts during the festival. No Ticket is needed for our Island Park venues. Please consider putting in a pound (or tap to donate digitally) with any of or collectors.The Under 5’s Dome
A safe space for our smallest festival goers. With a programme of artists offering sensory play, song and movement workshops for both pre-walkers and toddlers, as well as soft play (when artist led sessions not running) there's something for all.The Magic Lantern
Our regular storytellers, Gary and Ian are joined by Jo and her spectacular Magic Lantern. This is a beautiful trailer housing a shadow puppet theatre. Come hear and see a shadow puppet play, create your own puppets and perform your own shadow puppet play. Don't forget to come back at sundown for a special shadow puppet performance at Dusk.The Community Stage
A stage with a range of performances from family acts including storytellers, comedy, and song as well as national and local artists including dancers, community choirs, bands, and singer-songwriters.The Make and Do Tent
A family Marquee, space that is home to a programme of craft workshops from scrap modelling, knitting and traditional Corndolly making as well as Ukelele workshops and Circus sessions!Accessability
Chippenham Folk Festival is open to all, and we wish to make the event as welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. Set in the heart of Chippenham town with a mix of built and tented venues, we have accessibility support available to make sure everything can be accessed by all. If you need to bring extra support for the festival, you can apply for a free Personal Assistant (PA) ticket for your carer. We will ask to see documentation to confirm your eligibility. We accept copies of one of the following documents:
- Front page of entitlement letter for standard or enhanced rate PIP
- Front page of DLA letter (no specific rate required)
- Front page of Attendance Allowance letter (no specific rate required)
- Evidence that registered severely sight impaired (blind)
- Recognised Assistance Dog ID card CredAbility Access Card (with +1)
- War Disablement Pension letter