Questions often asked ...
Venue address - Stratford Racecourse, Luddington Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9SF
Adult Day Admission Tickets/Camping Passes - These can be booked online via Ticketsource - BOOK NOW is located at foot of page.
Children - Children under 16 yrs go free, so there is no need to book in children online in advance. Parents will simply be handed wristbands for their children upon arrival at the gate.
Showtime opening hours - Saturday 10:00-17:00, Sunday 10:00-16:00.
Parking - All parking is free ... although donations to the car park staff's charity fund-raising for Macmillan Cancer Support are always welcome! Every penny goes direct to the charity.
Pre-event camping – This is possible on 13:00 Thursday 13th June 2024 (£15 per camping unit cash at the gate - plastic not accepted), arrival up to 20:00. Thereafter due to Health & Safety reasons, an overnight holding area exists until the following morning at 09:00 when tickets can be scanned and processed. Throughout the event, staffed by security the gate is closed at 20:00 and Thurs, Fri and Sat nights. Whilst in the holding area campers can still benefit from all the facilities - toilets, showers, beer tent, catering, etc. In effect this means that campers will never be turned away. There is ample camping space at the venue, meaning the campsite will never be full. These times are also the same for traders.
Camping Pitches – Please be aware, these are located on basic grass, not manicured lawns of bowling/putting green standard. This is because in June the 'buttercup grass' is used for silage (winter feed) for animals. Longer grass soon folds down to become a green & yellow carpet which also prevents the ground becoming muddy. A combination of mowed grass, rain and vehicle movement/foot traffic quickly turns green areas into brown mud baths, whereas longer grass flattens out and stays green for the duration of the show! In June the grass should be fully mown, but please know that it may not be!
For those who book early, there are several camping areas within the 'middle of the racecourse'. When and if we announce that camping is sold out, then camping is still available within The Meadow. This area however is weather dependent, plus it has limited facilities (just temporary toilets - showers/Elsan disposal points/drinking water is a 5 min. walk), so if you're late when booking camping, always telephone first on 07305 011 515 to enquire about availability.
Camping times - Weekend Camping Passes are for up to 3 nights Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2024. Departure by 16:00 Monday 17th June 2024.
Single night camping – Regrettably, camping for a single night is not possible. This is due to some dishonest individuals in the past booking and paying for camping just one night (Friday), then staying over until Monday morning!
Camping facilities - There are several toilet/shower blocks housed within the grandstands complex and a central permanent brick building adjacent to the various campsites in the middle of the racecourse. There are 10 mains water taps for campers, plus a laundry in the "Quiet Area Touring Park" behind the clock tower.
Lastly there are two Elsan disposal points. The first is in the centre of the racecourse, to the rear of the Night Market (no vehicle access - on foot only), while it's possible to drive to the second disposal point, again to the rear of the clock tower.
TO PREVENT BLOCKING TOILETS AND CAUSING A MESS, DO NOT EMPTY YOUR CAMPER'S ELSAN TOILET CASSETTE INTO THE TEMPORARY TOILETS ... or brick-built toilets for that matter!
CAMPERS IGNORING THIS BASIC RULE WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHED AND BANNED FROM FUTURE EVENTS!
WHY SO HARSH? OTHERS HAVE TO USE THESE TOILETS, PLEASE RESPECT THEIR NEEDS.
Dogs – On short leads and under control at all times – safety is paramount. Plus of course, ‘clean up’ essential.
Electric supply (paid) – Electric hook-ups for up to 4 nights in the racecourse's "Quiet Area Touring Park" @ £30.00 (see below for electric supply in the Blue Badge Disabled Parking Area). These can be booked online via Ticketsource ticket agency. For some bizarre reason it's not possible to book camping an electric hook-up together! Therefore ... first book and pay for your Weekend Camping Pass, then book and pay for electric hook-up.
Electric supply (free) – It is possible to charge items such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters, leisure batteries, electronic devices, etc. in the Event Office FOC. Booking in advance not required.
Disabled facilities – The venue is ‘disabled friendly’ with excellent facilities, but please be aware that uneven ground is a possibility. All buildings are accessible with ramps, lifts, toilets and showers.
For day visitors there is a Blue Badge Disabled Parking Area, for campers there is a Blue Badge Disabled Camping Area with optional electric supply (see above for booking electric hook-ups). These can be booked online via Ticketsource - BOOK NOW is located foot of page.
Mobility scooter hire - Unfortunately we do not have any mobility scooter hire on site at this event. If you bring your own, these can be charged at the Event Office.
Entertainment - In addition to daytime attractions there is evening entertainment on Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights in the Beer Tent, plus Tom Dibb’s highly popular ‘chill out music venue “Campervan Live Lounge”. See WHAT’S ON
Carers of disabled persons – Complimentary entry is possible for carers. How does this work? The disabled person books and pays for standard Day Admission and/or Camping in the normal way - either online in advance via Ticketsource - BOOK NOW is located at foot of page - or pay cash at the gate upon arrival (plastic not accepted).
Then upon arrival at the gate, the Registered Carer must provide proof of their status. This can be written proof of Carer's Allowance or a local authority Carer's Emergency Card. No proof ... no complimentary pass!
Information upon arrival – Programmes and/or information sheets covering trade stands, seminar descriptions/timings and general information such as a Site Map will be available from 10:00 hrs Saturday 15th June 2024 either at the gate upon arrival, or from the Event Office - basically when the show opens to Day Visitors Saturday morning. We hope however to have them available a lot earlier!
Crèche facilities - Not available.
Medical/lost child procedure - Please advise a Marshal of any incidents. The First Aid Post is located in the grandstands complex - entering through white gates, the Sadler's Bar is to the left, then just beyond an archway to the left is the First Aid Post.
SHOWTIME 24h MEDICAL HOTLINE: 0800 112 3020
Photos/videos - No restrictions, but unless prior permission is sought from the organiser, no drones may be used during the show.
Security - The main gate is staffed 24h, commencing 13:00 hrs Friday 14th to 16:00 Sunday 16th June 2024. Here all access is rigorously controlled. A wristband system operates, therefore it is possible to come and go as you please 09:00 to 20:00 Friday to Sunday as the gate is guarded but unlocked. Thereafter phone 0800 112 3020 for access as the gate is locked overnight. In addition security patrols operate throughout the night.
Exiting the site for emergency reasons is possible by phoning 0800 112 3020, but otherwise expect delays as security checks will be carried out. To protect their property, exhibitors and campers expect and will receive a high degree of protection, hence the organisers will do their utmost to provide a safe, secure event. NOTE: Should security deem it necessary to call the police for a thorough vehicle check, they will do so!
If you want to go into Stratford-upon-Avon in the evening and are likely to return after 20:00 ... please do not drive, instead get a taxi for just £5.00 (approx.) Vehicle movement in the dark is dangerous, we endeavour to limit driving at night in all cases.