Citizen's handbook

Essential
Guide

Not long until we open the city gates of Boomtown for Chapter Three: Revolution ofImagination! Before you embark on the adventure it is time to immerse yourself in 2024’s essential guide!

Think of this as your Boomtown citizen’s handbook. It contains all of the vital information you need to know before you set off for the city.

1
Key Info

Location
Matterley Estate, Hampshire, SO21 1HW

Dates
Wednesday 7th - Sunday 11th, August 2024
Wednesday 7th August is an optional extra day (you must have a specific ticket which
includes this or purchase an extra add on)

Timings
City Gate Opening Times - Gates are not open 24 hours!!

Gate opening times
Wednesday 7th August: 14:00- 21:30
Thursday 8th August: 12:00 - 21:30
Friday/Saturday/Sunday: 10:00 - 21:30
NO RE-ENTRY AFTER: 21:30

Gate closing time
Monday the 11th August: 12:00 - No re-entry after 12:00!
Car Parks:
Open 10:00 - 21:00 daily (No entry into any car park after 21:00)

Re-entry
Although entry is not 24hrs, you can leave at any time and re-enter during gate
opening times. Your wristband will be scanned in and out on re-entry.
You cannot bring alcohol in when re-entering - First entry only!

Music
Wednesday: 13:00 - 23:00 (Forest Parties & Campsite Venues)
Thursday: 12:00 - 00:00 (Forest Parties, street venues and medium stages only)
Friday: 12:00 - 04:00
Saturday: 12:00 - 04:00
Sunday: 12:00 - 00:00

2
Sustainability

Two Bin System at the Recycling Points


There are over 60 large recycling points (fenced pens) in the campsites for you to use - they contain one section for recycling and one for general waste. Please respect the separation. The recycling is taken to a plant off site where it will be sorted.

Recycling and general waste bags can be found in dispensers on the barriers at the front of the large recycling points or at the 24hr Campsite Help Points.  Please drop off any broken camping equipment and surplus food at your nearest recycling point.

Eco Bonds

You can reclaim your £20 Eco Bond by bringing one full recycling bag (green) containing plastic bottles, plastic food containers, plastic cups, cans, glass, paper & cardboard and one full bag of general waste (clear bag) to your nearest Eco Bond.

The Eco Bond points are situated close to the Campsite Help Points are open the following hours:

Sunday: 12:00 - 18:00

Monday: 07:45 - 13:00

£20 will then be added onto your wristband.


Eco Warriorz

Keep an out for the Eco Warriorz who roam the campsites giving out bin bags and awarding medals and prizes to those who keep their campsites tidy!

3
Tickets and Entry requirements

Checklist before you get to the gate!
Printed or downloaded ticket ✔
Vehicle passes / travel tickets ✔
Valid ID ✔
Food & water provisions ✔
Weather dependent supplies - suncream/hat/waterproofs ✔
Cashless virtual account set up and credit added! ✔

Top tips for a smooth entry

  • Pack light! Your belongings may be searched on entry, so reduce your waiting time and only bring the essentials.
  • Prohibited items Check the list before you pack so you don’t unintentionally bring anything we may have to confiscated off you on arrival. There is no confiscations service this year, so if you bring something that is on the prohibited items list, you will be asked to put it back in your car or put it in the bin. We will not store it for you to reclaim after the show.
  • Be aware that anyone with trollies or large luggage will be subject to a higher level of search. There are limited lanes where this takes place so may slow down your arrival.
  • Width limit applies: The lanes at the gates are 900mm wide, any bags or trollies that do not fit the lanes will not be permitted entry and you’ll be asked to return them to your car.
  • There is no fast-track entrance! Gates open at 12 midday on Thursday, (or 2pm on Wednesday if you have a Wednesday ticket) arriving earlier does not guarantee  that you will get in any quicker!
  • Alcohol restrictions (see below for quantities): there are limits to how much and what alcohol you can bring into the festival. You can only bring in alcohol on your first time entry, NOT on reentry.

Names on Tickets
The name on the ticket must match the name on your ID. Names on tickets can be updated by logging into your https://account.kaboodle.co.uk/login. Please note a name fee of £20 per amendment applies.Once a name change is processed an new e-ticket will be issued via email. You must use this new ticket with the correct name to gain entry to the festival.If your name does not match the ID on your ticket for example because you are Recently Married, are using your Chosen Name or are awaiting on Deed Poll, please contact info@boomtownfair.co.uk and we can advise you further. We appreciate that you may have a level of concern about the process of having to present your ID and we want to assure you that our box office staff will have been trained on how to deal with names on tickets that do not match ID for valid reasons and will be there to support your entry into the festival.

ID Checks
This year, Boomtown will not be admitting under-18s. Our ID checking teams will be working at every gate and operating a Challenge 25 policy. If you have a ticket and are unable to prove you are aged 18 or over you will be refused entry to the festival. Ticket holders under the age of 18 will NOT be permitted into the event. Acceptable forms of ID include; photographic driving licence, proof of age card with PASS hologram or a passport. Photocopies will not be accepted.

CitizenCards
Every year, 100’s of valuable documents such as driving licences and passports end up in lost property. To avoid having to bring your valuable documents, head over to the CitizenCard website for more details on their widely accepted ID cards: https://www.citizencard.com/?m=BOOMTOWN. Use the code BOOMTOWN to get a £8 discount.

It takes a few weeks for your application to be processed so apply for your card ASAP.

Re-Entry
If you need to pop to your car for anything throughout the weekend, re-entry is allowed during the times that the gates are operational ( Friday - Sunday 10:00am - 9:30pm.)
Although you can go back to your car on Wednesday or Thursday, you’ll need to rejoin the back of the queue to be searched each time you come into the festival. Most people arrive on Wednesday or Thursday so the gates will be busy.
Plan ahead, and bring all the essentials with you on the first trip so you can leave extra trips until towards the end of the day or the next morning. Please note that there is no re-entry with alcohol.

Green Transport Citizen Tickets
If you have a Coach, Shuttle or Cycle green transport citizen ticket you must travel by that mode of transport in order for your ticket to be validated on arrival. If you don’t travel by your chosen method your ticket will not be validated on arrival and you won’t be able to enter the festival.

Personal Assistant / Carer Tickets
Pre-approval is required for requests to bring a personal assistant / carer with you due to your disability or long term health condition.

You can apply via the Access Application Form if you require one but have not requested one yet, by emailing the Access Team access@boomtownfair.co.uk as soon as possible. The PA tickets and access applications will close on 20th June 2024.

Further information regarding pa tickets

If you have been approved for a PA by the Access Team, the PA ticket will be attached to the Kaboodle account with which you purchased your festival ticket. Please ensure you have provided the Access Team with the full name of your approved PA. You can update the personal details on the PA ticket to ensure they match the person’s ID. To do this log in to your Kaboodle Account

Please contact access@boomtownfair.co.uk if you are expecting a PA ticket but cannot see it on your account.

We highly recommend that all access customers arrive to the Festival with their approved PA in order to support you with your arrival and help you with carrying your bags.

As the access customer you will receive an accessibility wristband alongside your festival wristband on arrival to the Festival. We recommend arriving via the Access Customer Entrance at West Gate or you can collect the access wristband when visiting The Access Team at The Meadow Disabled Campsite. Your PA will receive a PA lanyard for use across the Festival when supporting you.

4
Alcohol limits, Drugs Policy and Security Searches

Alcohol Limits
You are welcome to bring a personal amount of alcohol with you to the festival. Please note there are limits on the amount and types of alcohol permitted.

You may bring up to

  • 16 x 440ml cans of lager/cider/beer or,
  • 18 x 250ml cans of premix spirit drinks or,
  • 3-litre box of wine or,
  • 7 litres of cider/lager/beer in (sealed) plastic bottles or cans.

Big No-Nos

  • No spirits
  • No glass or open (unsealed) bottles
  • No alcohol permitted on RE-ENTRY

Illegal Drugs Policy

  • The possession, use or sale of illegal drugs is strictly prohibited at Boomtown, this includes Nitrous Oxide and all New Psychoactive Substances.
  • The law changed in 2023, criminalising the possession and use of Nitrous Oxide, and Boomtown will enforce this in line with all other illegal substances, and to support our sustainability policies.
  • Amnesty points will be located on the approach to the festival gates, at the medical, welfare and information point for any contraband or illegal items to be disposed of.
  • Be aware that search dogs will be in operation at the gates at all times.
  • Any person found in possession of illegal drugs past the amnesty points, and before reaching the entrance, will be refused entry and evicted from the festival site immediately.
  • Police will be operating alongside our security at the festival entry gates.
    Do not risk it. Do not bring drugs into the city.

Even with all these provisions in place to keep drugs out of the festival, it is unfortunately inevitable that some will manage to get in, and we have been working hard over the past few years to introduce further services within the festival to reduce the harmful impact of drug taking and keep people as safe as we can.

Additional prohibited items
Knives (including locking knives); sound systems; glass bottles (EXCLUDING make-up and perfume); fireworks; explosives; BBQs; smoke and gas canisters (weather dependent); air horns; flares; spray cans and marker pens; weapons or potential weapons; laser devices; unofficial drones and UAVs; sky lanterns; paraffin lamps, candles, generators, chemical toilets (except where fixed within live in vehicles), unofficial hi-visibility clothing/tabards, open bottles of any kind of liquid that can be consumed, e-scooters.

Please keep an eye on the website for any updates to this list, for example, previously we have had to ask you not to bring cooking stoves in prolonged periods of hot weather. We will be monitoring this closely ahead of the show, and will update you if anything changes.

Despite all the provisions we have in place to keep drugs out of the festival, we also recognise that some will manage to get in, and we have been working hard over the past few years to introduce further services within the festival to reduce the harmful impact of drug taking and keep people as safe as we can.

Harm Reduction provisions

The Loop - The Loop will not be operating a public drugs testing service, however, they will have their drugs education tent on site in Pepperpot Market to offer information and guidance on drugs to our festival goers for free.

TLC Welfare - our welfare team is here to offer support and welfare services for anyone who feels they may need it. Please pay them a visit if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by anything or just need a bit of TLC. They are based next to the medical centre in Pepperpot Market and by Hilltop Village.

Medical - There will be a 24 hour medical centre onsite. The main medical centre is at Pepperpot Market near Hidden Woods, with a secondary medical point between Old Town and 404 in the arena which will be open between 11am and 2am daily. The main medical centre in Pepperpot Market runs a fully stocked pharmacy, so we can help with a huge amount of ailments and afflictions, but there will also be a pharmacy available near the entrance of Botanica; If you or a friend find yourselves in urgent need of medical assistance, and cannot make your own way to these medical centres, please find your nearest security, steward or Boomtown representative immediately and they will get one of our mobile teams to you as soon as possible.

Safer Spaces - Sexual harassment, assault and domestic violence support will be offered by Safer Spaces, who have a chill out and glam tent in Pepperpot Market, and outreach posts in the Campsite Help Points. The team will be on hand to talk about harassment, sexual health and consent, as well as supporting with any sexual assault reports. Safer Spaces works to prevent violence against women and girls, but are gender informed and gender inclusive.

Additional Welfare support - there will be stalls across the Campsite Villages offering  support and talking services run by charity partners including: The Samaritans, Blink Mental Health, and Cocaine Anonymous. If you are just looking for someone to talk to about how you are feeling, or would like information about ongoing help, these teams are here to listen.

5
Car park passes

Car Parking
Phase 1 Car Park tickets must be purchased by 19th June and are available for purchase for £40 + bf. Phase 2 tickets will be available to purchase until 4th August and these are available for £50 + bf, after which they will be available to purchase on arrival for £60.

If purchasing when arriving this will be by card payment only.  

Car Parking tickets will be logged on an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system. Please ensure you update your number plate details on the booking form link included on your car parking pass ticket by Sunday 4th August.

If you are planning to travel to the festival by car and you haven’t purchased your car park pass yet you can purchase Phase 2 car parking passes for £50 + booking fee until 4th August. To request a Meadow Accessible Car park pass, please visit the Access Page of our website: https://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/info/accessibility

After this date car parking passes will no longer be available to purchase in advance and will be £60 at the gate - card payment only. (If you arrive without registering your registration and without proof of having bought a car parking pass you will need to purchase a new one at the gate - so keep your registration updated and print or download a copy of your car parking ticket.

Accessible Parking for Deaf and Disabled People

There are priority accessible parking areas for Blue Badge holders at all car parks, located as close to the entry gate as possible. You do not need to request these in advance, just arrive with your blue badge displayed and speak to a steward when you arrive to be directed to this area. Please be aware that there will be moderate walking distances between these car parks and entry gates. The Access Team are unable to support carrying items or baggage from your parked car to the entry gates.
If you struggle with walking long distances, we would advise requesting to park in the dedicated Meadow Disabled car park at West Gate. If you require assistance with your bags, we recommend applying for a Personal Assistant ticket so that someone can attend the festival to support you.

Please contact the Access Team on access@boomtownfair.co.uk if you have a disability and require closer parking.

The Access Team can swap any purchased general car park passes to the Meadow Disabled Car Park pass once you have completed the Access Application Form and been approved by a member of the Access Team.

6
Arrival

Coach
National Express operates our coach service which travels right to the city gates from over 50 locations around the UK directly. Coaches arrive on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday and all depart for home on Monday.

Any type of ticket holder can purchase a coach pass from our ticket page here.

Once you have booked via Kaboodle you will receive an e-ticket at least 7 days prior to the date of travel from National Express which includes all your travel information – simply print this out and present it to the driver. Make sure you keep it in a safe place for use on your Monday return journey!

For any enquiries about your coach please contact National Express directly on 0371 781 8181. They will be able to assist with any changes to your ticket. 

Approved Personal Assistant tickets for disabled customers travelling by coach will automatically be added to the associated access customers coach journey booking. Please contact the Access Team if you and your approved Personal Assistant are travelling to the Festival separately. If you have any other access queries regarding your coach travel, please contact 03717 81 81 81 (lines open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week), or email us using the assisted travel form.

Train & Shuttle
We offer a shuttle bus service (wheelchair accessible), from the train station straight to the festival. 

Return shuttle bus tickets can be purchased in advance on our Ticket Page for £17 +bf. Alternatively returns can be purchased on arrival at Winchester Train Station for £22, please have a card ready to pay for your ticket.  

On exiting the platform, please head straight ahead if you hold a public ticket. Follow the directions of the stewards to the back of the queue. A return ticket costs £22, please have a card ready to pay for your ticket.

Please note: Card Payments only, cash will NOT be accepted.

If you have purchased a ticket to the festival which includes shuttle travel then please show this ticket to the boarding staff. They will scan it and give you your shuttle tickets - keep them safe as they can only be issued once for each barcode. 

From Winchester Train Station to Boomtown West Gate:
Very Frequently Wednesday 11:00 - 20:30
Very frequently Thursday 10:00 - 20:30:00
Every 30 Minutes Friday 09:00 - 18:30
Every 30 Minutes    Saturday 09:00 - 18:30
Every 30 Minutes Sunday 09:00 - 20:30

From Boomtown to Winchester Train station:
All above shuttles will run on a loop. 
Sunday shuttles will run until 20:30
Monday return shuttles
6:30 - 16:00 

Cycling / Walking
If you are cycling to the site, please follow the Red patch on the directional signage. This will take you to East Gate. Route 23 on The National Cycle Network runs close to site, for more information see http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-23

An area within East Gate will be fenced for cycle parking. It is close to the gate, so will be monitored, but is not a secure facility. We would request that you park your bike at the gate before entering the festival site.

Walking to Boomtown is not recommended as the main roads accessing the festival are not suitable for pedestrians. If walking - please head towards Winchester train station where you will be able to take the shuttle to the festival.

Lift Share
LiftShare
are linking people up who are looking for lifts/ offering lifts, making new friends and cutting down on carbon emissions.

LiftShare links drivers up with potential passengers and vice versa so head over here to find a lift or a driver, slash congestion and leave no car space wasted!

Remember - We'd recommend car sharing to limit your impact on the planet!

Drop Off / Taxi
Please follow the Pick-up and Drop Off signage to the site. This will take you to just outside the West Gate.

No other gates or routes should be used for dropping off, as it’s likely you’ll end up in a car park queue and your lift will have to pay for car parking. 

DO NOT get dropped off on the road outside the site. Not only is it dangerous for you, it causes delays on the roads and seriously risks our licence to hold the event, if you do this you are jeopardising the future of the festival.

Private Hire Coach
If you and your friends are booking your own coach (18+ seats) please note that you MUST book a slot in advance. This costs £80 +bf per vehicle (this covers both drop off and collection on Monday). Make your booking here and have the details of your coach company and travel plans to hand. For the Public Transport Hub (Coach Station) please follow the Blue patches on the directional signage – you will also see a coach symbol.

On entry to the gate, you will turn hard left to go down the hill – there is hardstanding within the gate allowing you to do this, so there is no need to swing wide if you are coming up the hill.

Head down the hill to the Coach Park, the nearest end is dedicated to Private Hire Coaches.

Upon arrival, please do not allow your passengers to disembark until you have been greeted by one of the Boomtown team.

This person will arrange your collection time slot and ensure that you have a pass to regain entry on Monday – without it, the coach will not be allowed access to site on Monday 12th August.

Main Car Park
As you get close (within 3 miles) of the festival, switch off your sat nav and follow the Public Parking Symbol on the directional signage (a white ‘P’ on a blue background)

These will direct you into the car parks by the best routes for the traffic conditions.

Please ensure that you have entered your vehicle  registration onto your car park pass booking on Kaboodle before 4th August. This will enable us to direct you correctly and will help speed access into the car parks.

When leaving please follow the road signage, do not use your sat nav. Most people leave the festival between 10:00 and 12:00 on Monday, so if you wish to beat any queues, it’s best to set off earlier.

Please follow the road signage

Other Car Parks
You will have a specific car pass if you are required to be in any of the other car parks 

  • Meadow Disabled Car Park can be found by following the Blue patches on the directional signage which will take you to Meadow Disabled Car Park.  Please ensure your car parking pass or Print at Home routing pass is affixed to your windscreen if you have received one. Follow directions of the traffic team to be directed to your parking area.You’ll then have a walk of up to 250 metres to West Gate Access Customer entrance to collect your wristbands and enter the festival. A reminder that the Access Team are unable to help with carrying bags or items from your car to the West Gate Access Customer entrance. If you require additional support with carrying your bags for this distance, please apply for a PA ticket so someone can help you with your arrival to the Festival.
  • Camp Skylark Car Park should follow the White (W) patches on the directional signage. Make sure your print at home routing pass is clearly displayed so you can be directed to the right car park. You’ll then walk to South Gate to collect your wristbands and enter the festival. 
  • Camp Orchid Car Park should follow the White (W) patches on the directional signage.  Make sure your print at home routing passcar pass is clearly displayed so you can be directed to the right car park.You’ll then walk to South Gate to collect your wristbands and enter the festival. 
  • Tangerine Fields customers should use the main public car parks as these will take you to the nearest entry gate to Tangerine Fields. Follow the Public Parking symbol (white P on a Blue Background) on the directional signage. You’ll then walk to East Gate to collect your wristbands and enter the festival. 

Please ensure that you affix your car park sticker(if you have received one) or print at home routing pass before you leave home, and that your vehicle registration  has been entered onto your booking on Kaboodle by Sunday the 4th to assist us in directing you correctly and to help speed up entry.

More details around car park directions will be released with your parking pass in July.

Motorcycle Parking
Please follow red route for motorcycle parking - you don't need a pass.
When you leave the festival, please follow the directions of the traffic marshalls - you may be forced to turn a specific way which does not match your sat nav instructions – this is to take you away from the queues from the main car parks and help make your departure quicker. Please follow exit route signage which will take you to the M3, A34 and London and don’t u-turn. Don’t follow sat nav instructions until you stop seeing our directional signage - some roads are closed on Monday to help improve traffic flow so following sat nav instructions may send you in circles!

Most people leave between 10:00 and 12:00, so if you wish to beat any queues, please leave before this.

Campervans (not including The Meadow Disabled Campsite)

  • All Campervans (except those for The Meadow Disabled Campsite) should access the site via White route which is on the A272.
  • Please follow the White (W) patches on the directional signage.
  • Please print out your Campervan Routing Pass (it will be sent to your email or can also be found in your Kaboodle Account after tickets have been sent out. Make sure the pass is clearly displayed in your windscreen well before you reach the festival site so that our traffic marshals can direct you to the right place.
  • On entrance to the gate, all campervans need to turn right
  • You can expect thorough searching at the gates, and may be pulled aside for police and security dog searches.
  • You will need to exchange your routing pass for your Campervan Sticker and have all your ID and festival tickets available for scanning so that wristbands can be issued.
  • Once inside the campervan area, please be conscious of the spacing of your vehicles as the fire lanes MUST be kept clear at all times. We ask that you follow the guidance of the staff parking you up, and park your campervan lengthwise along the left hand edge of your pitch and closest to the avenue – this will keep spacing between vehicles to a maximum.

The Meadow Disabled Campervans
Meadow Campervans is located off the A272 on the west side of the site, access is granted via Gate H, and this can be found when following the Blue Route (indicated by Blue Patches (B) on event signage). Please follow instructions on your routing pass and display this to gain entry. Once in the gate you will take an immediate right and staff will guide you to the campsite.

When you leave the festival, you will be forced to turn left onto the A272 – this is to take you away from the queues from the main car parks. Please follow exit route signage which will take you to the M3, A34 and London.

Most people leave between 10:00 and 12:00 on Monday, so if you wish to beat any queues, please leave before this.

7
Arriving on Wednesday
  • Every person arriving on Wednesday needs to have purchased Wednesday entry in one of the following ways:some text
    • A Citizenship Entry plus Wednesday Upgrade’ ticket
    • A Green Transport Citizen Ticket and public transport travel which arrives on Wednesday
    • A Citizenship Entry’ ticket with separate Wednesday Upgrade  
  • If you are an access customer that has one of the above, your PA ticket will automatically have the same entry access as you to allow them entry on the same day as you
  • Gates to the festival will open at 14:00 on Wednesday 7th August. Some coaches will arrive before this.
  • All car parks open from 12:00
8
Heading Home

The festival site closes at midday on Monday. Please make sure you have cleaned up your camp and taken all your belongings with you before making your way to the exits before midday.

When you leave the Boomtown site, you may be sent in a direction that you are unfamiliar with and goes against the instructions on your Sat Nav. This is PLANNED, to take you away from the worst of the congestion. There are multiple exit points around the site - ignoring the route signage could put you into a queue outside one of the other gates.

Please do not follow your Sat Nav or your phone until you are well away from the site, follow the signage. Once you around 10 miles from the site, you can use your Sat Nav to ensure you get home safely.

The M3/A34 Junction is extremely slow, so access is managed by our team. You may be directed to use the M3 Southbound to then return northbound. It is quicker to drive 20 miles out of your way, than to try to access the J9 roundabout as we are not allowed to provide any priority to cars there due to the proximity of major highways.

Directional signage will be in place to take you in the direction of the M3 (N&S), the A34 and towards London. Although not the most direct route, these will be quicker than following your Sat Nav.

Please respect our neighbours and local communities and refrain from cutting down local roads and through small villages. There are multiple road closures in the area to protect our neighbours which you may come up against.

Queues around the site start at around 10:00 am so if you don’t like sitting in a queue, then please plan to leave before that time.

Plan your journey well in advance. Ensure that your driver is well rested and in a legal state to drive… DO NOT drive if you think you might be under the influence of alcohol or any other substance. Breathalyser kits will be available to purchase from the Information points so you can make sure. 

9
Camping

Campsite Villages
Our general campsites surround 2 main campsite villages, with smaller hubs in peripheral campsites. These will be community hubs throughout the weekend and will host workshops, talks, music and healers as well as food and drink and information points!

To help guide your decision on where to camp take a look at our Campsite Village Webpage

Public Camping
Public camping is included in every ticket. There are public camping spaces across the whole site, keep an eye out for the map where they’ll be marked. 

General public camping is for tents only. The camping areas are spread across the site. 

Please also be aware of the access lanes in the campsites. Stewards will be roaming in the campsites to assist you and answer queries, but also to ensure that the access lanes are not camped in, so that we can get emergency and service vehicles in and out of the campsites when we need to. If you are asked to move your tent because it is in one of these access routes, please help the stewards out. They should be able to help you find an alternative spot.

We are not able to allow any campfires within any of the camping or campervan fields, either on or off the ground. 

Quiet Camping
Quiet camping is located in Hilltop Village camping. This is not a pre-booked area, it will be available to anyone who elects to camp there on a first come first served basis. There will be stewards and security in the area, and they will be ensuring the camping area’s “quiet” ethos is respected by the campers. Anyone camping in the area will be expected to respect their neighbours and not be noisy.  

Alternatively - if you wish to camp somewhere comparatively quiet to the most popular public campsites we’d recommend Valley Village towards the north of our site.

Pre-pitched Camping
If you feel that you cannot handle the trek back to the bus or car on Monday with all of your camping stuff, then PLEASE book a pre-pitched tent. There are many options to choose from and a variety of prices to suit all budgets (probably cheaper to do this than buy a pop up and throw it away, and it costs the planet even less).

Check out the options on offer from Tangerine Fields and Camplight 

Campervans
The Campervan Field is located on the south side of the site.
Campervans, converted live-in vans, caravans and trailer tents are all welcome (sorry but cars are not deemed as live-in vehicles and cannot be used to stay in). No tents are allowed in the campervan field, although you can put up your awning, as long as everything fits within your pitch.

Pitch sizes are a maximum of 7m x 5m; if you need more space you can purchase two pitches. Compost toilets are provided in the Campervan Fields, please note there are no facilities for accepting chemical waste or electrical hook ups. 

Smaller refillable gas bottles are permitted where professionally installed in caravans or live in vehicles and a Gas Safety Certificate can be produced, so long as there is adequate space available in the campervan field between you and your neighbours (please leave 2-4m gaps).  If you do not have a certificate we reserve the right to confiscate your gas bottles, so if in doubt please leave gas bottles at home. Typically ‘smaller’ bottles would be 4kg – 7kg Butane (blue bottles), small orange propane cylinders are also permitted (up to 6kg). Small travel camping gas stoves (handheld disposable cylinder type) are usually permitted, however we reserve the right to also ban these, and BBQs, if site ground conditions deem it to be necessary so as not to pose a safety or fire risk. 

The Meadow Disabled Campsite
The Meadow is our accessible camping area for Deaf and disabled citizens, staffed with a dedicated Access team who provide practical advice and support for those wishing to attend who have accessibility requirements. The facilities include; 

  • Accessible toilets 
  • Wide access showers, available only for approved access citizens and their PA’s.
  • Mobiloo unit including hoist facilities 
  • Meadow Access Hub with charging facilities for wheelchairs and accessibility aids 
  • Overnight electrical charge, on approval only, for essential medical devices 
  • Dedicated team of Access Managers and volunteers on site 24/7
  • Access shuttle service running on a loop around the Festival site, available only for approved access citizens and their PA’s.

If you are planning to camp with us in The Meadow Disabled Campsite we recommend arriving through the West Gate entrance, making use of the Access Customer entrance lane to enter the Festival. The distance between the inside of the West Gate Festival Entry point and the campsite is approximately 400 metres. An access shuttle service will be available from inside the West Gate entry gate to the Meadow campsite, however we expect long wait times during busy peak arrival periods.

The Meadow campsite can accommodate tents, campervans, caravans, live-in vehicles or trailer tents. Please kindly note that live-in vehicles and tents will be in separate designated areas of the campsite. We are unable to accommodate tents in the campervan area due to Health & Safety.

To stay in the Meadow Disabled Campsite, please contact access@boomtownfair.co.uk, you will need to apply via the Access Application Form which closes on 20th June 2024. 

For more information about the facilities available at the Meadow Disabled Campsite, please see the accessibility section on our website

10
Main Facilities & Added Extras

Throughout the main arena you will have access to our main facilities, these include:
Gender Neutral Toilets
Accessible toilets for disabled people
Period Positive Toilets (Female only toilets hosted by WaterAid)
Water
Cashless top up
Medical
Welfare
Information Point
Lockers
Phone Charging

Aside from our main facilities, we have extra comforts and luxuries available. Please find out below how you can access these. Treat Yourself!

Merch
A fantastic array of Boomtown ‘Revolution of the Imagination’ merchandise will be available for purchase at our merch stall, located next to the info tent in the main arena. Our new merch range will be launching mid-June and will be available for Pre-Order for collection on site here.

Lockers
Keep your devices charged and your valuables safe with Mobile Locker UK. Each locker, small or large, comes with one plug socket and two USB ports to satisfy all of your charging needs, just remember to pack your cables.

  • This year lockers are provided by Mobile Lockers and are self service. You can buy these in advance here.
  • They are located in the Main Arena and Hilltop Camping . 
  • If you rent a locker on site, you have to pay with a credit/debit card, not your cashless wristband because the lockers self service payment system is not yet compatible with the RFID wristbands. 
  • There is limited availability so we recommend you buy these in advance to avoid disappointment.
  • If you purchase in advance your locker ticket will be emailed to you directly by the supplier 1 week before the festival, they will not be sent out with your festival entry ticket. The locker ticket will contain a QR code that will allow you to access your locker. 

Phone Charging

  • Available to purchase in advance here or on site. If you have purchased in advance please bring your E-Ticket on your phone or printed out to one of the phone charging points to be redeemed. 
  • You will be asked to show ID that matches the name on your pass.
  • Either pick up your power pack or drop your phone in at any of the five Charge Candy Stations, leave it with the friendly staff, collect your reclaim ticket and pick up your fully charged phone later on.
  • Locations: A site map will be released nearer the time showing all locations.
  • Please check opening times at the Charge Candy station when you drop your phone off (each location has different opening times).

Lost & Found
Lost and Found property is managed at the Main Info Point:

Main City Info Point: Open from 10:00 till 02:00 daily. Please go to  one of the Welfare Areas or Campsite Help Points outside of these times. 

After the festival please email lostandfound@boomtownfair.co.uk to complete a lost property form.  

https://notlostenquiry.com/tlc-welfare/ 

Post event we will keep all items of value for 14 days, after which we will recycle, destroy or donate to charity any unclaimed items. For example, clothes may be used by the welfare team or given to local charity shop. All bank cards will be destroyed and any official ID such as Driving Licences or Passports will be returned to the DVLA or Passport office.

We would love to reunite you with anything you have lost before you leave the festival, but in case you need to ask us about lost items after the show, fill in the enquiry form. This will be received by TLC welfare who will check and try and match any items and post them back to you. There is a charge for posting items back out and you will be sent a link for payment which will be made online for this via the NotLost platform. Cost depends on size of the item and type of delivery chosen.

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Camp Skylark

Named after the iconic bird of the South Downs, Camp Skylark aims to take our audience back to the freedom of childhood camping trips and connection with nature, and the outstanding beauty of the South Downs National Park.

A catalogue of accommodation fit for kings and queens with cocktails, yoga sessions, pamper rooms, hot showers and flushing loos! There are still limited Camp Skylark accommodation options available so head to the website to find out more. 

For all Camp Skylark residents here’s your step-by-step guide to how it all works:

Arrival 

  • Please follow the arrival information above, for general arrival details. 
  • The Camp Skylark team will send you arrival information directly about a week prior to the show. 
  • Once you have been issued your festival wristband you will be directed to the Camp Skylark Box Office where you will receive your Camp Skylark resident wristband. 
  • If you are arriving by car, you should purchase a Camp Skylark parking pass which is the closest parking to this campsite.
  • If you are arriving by public transport, there will be a shuttle service taking people from the public transport hub to South gate.
  • Once you have been issued your festival wristband you will be directed to the Camp Skylark Box Office where you will receive your Camp Skylark resident wristband. 
  • When you enter Camp Skylark you will be welcomed by our fabulous reception team who will check you in and direct you to your respective accommodation. 
  • For access citizens staying in Camp Skylark, please be aware the distance from the Camp Skylark car park to the Skylark Box office is approximately 1500 metres. If you struggle with walking long distances, we recommend arriving via the West Gate Access Customer entrance where the access shuttle service can transport you up to the Skylark Box office. Please be aware wait times may be expected during busy peak periods. 

Box Office Opening times
Wednesday: as soon as public gates open - 23:00
Thursday: as soon as public gates open - 23:00
Friday - Saturday: 10:00 - 23:00
Sunday 11th: 10:00 - 21:30 (box office closes at 19:00 for first time entry)

Reception Opening times
Our reception is open 24 hours, from Weds Open - Monday 11am

Check out (Camp Skylark)

  • You must vacate Camp Skylark by 11am on Monday. 
  • Please note all festival attendees must be off the festival site by 12:00 on Monday 12th August.
  • Damage (includes damage from cigarette ends), theft and breakage may result in a penalty charge or, in the case of serious misuse of equipment, you agree to pay, in full, all replacement or repair costs as set by us or the supplier. 
  • Camp Skylark doesn’t put up with litter bugs. You must look after your area and keep it tidy, using the recycling bags and bins provided.

Opening and closing times (Camp Skylark)
Once you have a wristband, Camp Skylark Residents is open 24/7. This is a wristbanded area and security will be checking wristbands at the Camp Skylark Residents entrance.

Location
A Festival Site map will be released closer to the festival.

Facilities

  • Beauty Salon
  • Pamper Station 
  • Bar
  • Cafe
  • Yoga Workshops 
  • Communal Fire Pit
  • Luxury Loos 
  • Posh Shower
  • Access to Cooper Cog, a VIP draught bar with DJ, chill out space and flushing toilets in the heart of the city (near the beacon). 
  • N.B.* There are additional charges for food, drink, and salon.
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Camp Orchid

Arrival

  • The Camp Orchid team will send you arrival information directly about a week prior to the show
  • After arriving at the main gate and receiving your festival entry wristband, you will then head to Camp Orchid reception tent to check in and get your Camp Orchid wristband. 
  • If you are arriving by car, you should purchase a Camp Orchid parking pass which is the closest parking to this campsite.
  • If you are arriving by public transport, there will be a shuttle service taking people from the public transport hub to South Gate gate.
  • For access citizens staying in Camp Orchid, please be aware the distance from the Camp Orchid car park to the Skylark Box office is approximately 2000 metres. If you struggle with walking long distances, we recommend arriving via the West Gate Access Customer entrance where the access shuttle service can transport you up to the Skylark Box office. Please be aware wait times may be expected during busy peak periods. 

Box Office Opening times

  • Wednesday 7th August: as soon as public gates open - 21:30
  • Thursday 8th August: as soon as public gates open - 21:30 
  • Friday 9th, Saturday 10th, Sunday 11th: 10:00 - 21:30
  • Sunday 11th: 10:00 - 21:30 (box office closes at 19:00 for first time entry)

Reception Opening times
24 hour 

Check out (Camp Orchid)

  • You must vacate Camp Orchid by 11am on Monday. 
  • Note, Camp Orchid doesn’t put up with litter bugs. Before leaving, please make use of the recycling bags and bins provided.

Opening and closing times (Camp Orchid)
Once you have a wristband, Camp Orchid is open 24/7. This is a wristbanded area and security will be checking wristbands at the Camp Orchid Residents entrance.

Location
South East of the main festival arena. A detailed site map will be released nearer the time of the festival.

Facilities

  • Hot showers
  • Flushing loos
  • Pamper Station 
  • Food Traders 
  • Bar 
  • Fire Pit
  • Seating
  • Access to Cooper Cog, a VIP draught bar with DJ, chill out space and flushing toilets in the heart of the city (near the beacon).
  • N.B.* There are additional charges for food and drink.

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Accessibility for Deaf and Disabled people

Accessibility Pack
If you have completed the Access Application Form and been approved by a member of the Access Team, you will receive an additional information pack regarding the access facilities available to you. 

Arriving at the festival
We recommend all access customers and their PA’s arrive via the West Gate Access Customer entrance. There will be an Access Customer Wristband exchange booth in which a member of the Access Team will be there to greet you. We will provide you with your access pack, any approved wristband or passes along with offering further information on the festival site. 

Facilities
Accessible facilities at the festival include:

  • Meadow Disabled Campsite - staffed accessibility campsite with wide access showers & wide access toilets
  • Wide access toilets across the Festival site, locked via RADAR key system. 
  • Viewing platforms - pre approval is required for use of the Viewing Platforms due to limited capacity
  • Wheelchair, accessibility aid and medical device charging
  • Refrigerated medicine storage
  • BSL interpretation and support provided by Deaf Events
  • Mobiloo accessible toilet and changing place facility with hoist located in The Meadow Disabled campsite

For more information on our facilities please see the accessibility section of our website

To arrange to use any of these facilities or to apply for a Personal Assistant ticket, please contact access@boomtownfair.co.uk who will send you the Access Application Form to complete. The deadline for this form is 20th June 2024. 

Accessible Car Parking for disabled people
There are priority accessible parking areas for Blue Badge holders at all car parks, located as close to the entry gate as possible. You do not need to request these in advance, just arrive with your blue badge displayed and speak to a steward when you arrive to be directed to this area. Please be aware that there will be moderate walking distances between these car parks and entry gates. The Access Team are unable to support carrying items or baggage from your parked car to the entry gates. 

If you struggle with walking long distances, we would advise requesting to park in the dedicated Meadow Disabled car park at West Gate. If you require assistance with your bags, we recommend applying for a Personal Assistant ticket so that someone can attend the festival to support you. 

Please contact the Access Team on access@boomtownfair.co.uk if you have a disability and require closer parking. 

The Access Team are able to swap any purchased general car park passes to the Meadow Disabled Car Park pass once you have completed the Access Application Form and been approved by a member of the Access Team. 

The Meadow Disabled car park is a priority parking area for Deaf and disabled customers anyone camping in The Meadow accessibility campsite. To park here you will need to arrange a Meadow Parking pass in advance by contacting access@boomtownfair.co.uk.

Accessible Shuttle Service inside the Festival site for disabled customers

As in previous years, there will be a wheelchair accessible transport service operating on a loop around the internal Festival site from inside the festival gates to various appointed accessible bus stops. Look out for the Accessible Bus Stop sign whilst on site. Further details of the stops will be included in your Access Pack that you will receive before your arrival. 

There will be 2 dedicated Access Customer buses running on the service. 

Please be aware that due to the nature of our site, many of the driving routes are also used by pedestrians. For this reason, the length of time it can take for the accessible bus route to run a full service and reach an accessible bus stop can vary. We are unable to provide a bus timetable for this reason. Wait times at bus stops could be up to 1.5 hours depending on the internal traffic. 

There will also be a wheelchair accessible transport service between West gate entry point once inside the festival to The Meadow Disabled campsite. There will be expected wait times for this service at peak times. 

Please kindly note this service is only for approved access customers and PA’s who have the relevant wristband or lanyard. If you do not have this, you will not be able to make use of the service. 

Public Transport or Drop Off
If you are arriving via coach, train & shuttle bus or drop off you will arrive at the festival's public transport hub. Make your way to the West Gate Access Customer entrance gate and look for the Meadow welcome tent where the accessibility team will greet you and help you enter the festival.

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Cashfree

Boomtown is a cash free event. This means everything you pay for at the festival will be done using RFID technology that’s in your wristband.

This cash free technology, provided by Weezevent, works entirely within a closed loop system eliminating the need for WiFi and banks to make payments. You will use your wristband at all of our pay points across the festival whenever you purchase a drink, food, merchandise or even to make a charity donation. It’s free to activate your account, to top up with credit or to receive a refund of any leftover money afterwards. The system is entirely free of charge!

Follow this link to learn everything you need to know about Boomtown going Cash Free, including how to create your account, how to top up during the festival and how to request a refund.

Cashfree Setup

Setting Up Your Account
To create your account before the festival you will need the 12 digit code that is on your ticket. By creating an account you will then be able to use this to top up before you get to the festival and also through your smartphone over the weekend. If you don’t have a smartphone you can pair your wristband barcode and cashfree wallet by heading over to our website. 

You can set up your account now here

If you don’t have time before the festival to create an account, you can do so once on site using the 6 digit code on the back of your RFID wristband.

You do not need to set up an account to use this system, you can also simply receive your wristband and top up at our Top Up Bank when you are on site by card.

Refunds
After the festival is over, you must request a refund of your leftover money. No refunds will be made automatically. You can expect your refund to be  in your account 7-10 days after your request.

Due to banking systems we are technically unable to refund any amount that is less than £0.50. These credits will be donated to our local charity partners.