Festival season is still in full swing and next up on the Bristol calendar comes Valley Fest. Situated in the stunning Chew Valley, just nine miles from Bristol, this foodie festival boasts a lineup of some of the biggest names in music, workshops, poetry, comedy, family fun and, well, a lot of delicious grub to feast on.
Taking place from Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7, 'the best-tasting music festival in the south west' brings in some of Bristol's best-known culinary talent and, while the setting may be more intimate than your Glastonburys and the like, it's definitely just as stunning. What's more, this year it boasts a 'Dolly Parton dress-up theme - so you just know it's going to get interesting.
Founder Luke Hasell set up the festival in 2014 in memory of his parents and it not only puts on an event that everyone can enjoy, but also celebrates organic food, regenerative farming and the natural world - all the while raising a bit of money for charity here and there and combining a love of music and art. It's definitely a bucket list festival for Bristolians, so here's everything you need to know if you're planning on attending this year...
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Lineup
This year's Valley Fest music lineup includes massive names, rising stars and more - meaning there's something for family members both young and old to enjoy.
Some of the big names on the lineup include Travis, Clean Bandit, a DJ set by Faithless, Kosheen, Roni Size ft Dynamite MC, The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club, Judge Jules Live, Redlight, Dread MC and Sports Team. Plus festival favourites down in our neck of the woods, including Doreen Doreen, Mr Meaker, Fatboy Jim, Fleetmac Wood, The Beatles Dub Club and plenty more.
Can I still buy tickets?
Yes, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Sunday tickets are available to purchase from the Valley Fest website here. Tier 2 adult weekend with camping tickets cost £170, Tier 3 'on the gate' adult weekend with camping tickets cost £185 and Sunday adult day tickets will set you back £60 each.
An 8% booking fee will also be added and, if you're driving, you'll need to buy a car parking pass (£15) along with your ticket too. There are also options for bell tents, feasts and wellbeing extras, like classes and treatments for you to book.
Travel information
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Festival address: Denny Lane, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8SZ
A link to a map can be found here. Or, if you're venturing by bike, there are two possible Cycle Network routes you can take - these can be found on Ordnance Survey maps or by clicking here.
If you're travelling by bus, you should know that public transport to the farm is limited. If you do wish to take the bus from central Bristol, take the 672 from stop CP on Rupert Street. Change at Blagdon, Seymour Arms.
Then take the 672 towards Broadmead and get off at Chew Magna Post Office. It’s then a 15 minute walk to the farm. For return journey details and further information, click here.
If you're travelling by car, follow these directions:
Taking the A37 From Bristol towards Wells. At Chelwood roundabout turn right onto A368 towards Bishop Sutton. Before you reach Bishop Sutton turn right onto Bonhill Road, heading towards Chew Valley Lake. Follow Bonhill Road around the bend then take the next left onto Walley Lane.
Then turn right onto the private Waterworks Road as directed for the main entrance and car park. The route will be signposted from the A37. Denny Lane will be closed to all public traffic.
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Taking the A38 From Bristol. Take the A38 towards Bristol airport. Turn onto the B3130 towards Winford and Chew Magna.
At Winford roundabout turn right onto Pagans Hill heading towards Chew Stoke. Then turn left onto the private Waterworks Road as directed for the main entrance and car park.
The route will be signposted from the Winford roundabout. Denny Lane will be closed to all public traffic.
What will the weather be like?
According to the Met Office, Thursday looks set to be cloudy, with some sunshine at around 7pm, temperatures around 20C and no more than a 10% chance of rain throughout the day. Friday is forecast to see sunshine all day, with temperatures at around 21C and less than a 5% chance of rain.
Saturday is set to be sunny, with perhaps a little cloud, 21C highs and less than a 5% chance of rain. While Sunday is set to get even hotter - at 23C around 4pm (again less than a 5% chance of rain all day).
What shall I bring?
Here's a list of things you might want to bring with you to Valley Fest:
- Entry ticket (if you have an e ticket, you can show this on your phone or you can print out your email confirmation)
- Money and bank card – please note, the event will be cashless again this year. Organisers recommend you set up your cashless account before you get to the festival.
- Clothing and footwear for appropriate weather – check the forecast before you come
- Mobile phone and battery charger
- Sun cream and sun hat. There will be plenty of covered areas and shade from the sun.
- Tent, sleeping bags, earplugs, mats, rugs and torch.
- Refillable water bottle – free drinking water will be available on site, but no single-use plastic water bottles will.
- Reusable coffee cups as Valley Fest has banned single-use ones (mugs will be on sale)
- You can bring a small sturdy camping stove. In hot weather, the grass is EXTREMELY dry and highly flammable so please don’t bring stoves that can easily topple over or have large flames. Any stoves that are deemed to be too dangerous will be confiscated to ensure the safety of everyone.
- If you purchased a locals tickets, remember to bring proof of address.
- Any medication you might require
- The Sunday dress up theme is inspired by Dolly Parton, so cowboy hats, buxom blondes and sparkles are the order of the day. Register at the Info Point before Sunday at 1pm to enter the fancy dress competition - (remember there will be prizes)
- A musical instrument for the open mic session if you feel moved to take part! You’ll need to register at the Hear Here tent by 5pm on Saturday.
- Hand sanitiser
- Generosity (part of the reason Luke set up the festival was to raise money for charity).
If you have children, some extra things may come in handy such as:
- A good three-wheeler buggy. Trollies can actually be quite hard to drag around, especially as the site is a little hilly and a bit bumpy.
- Biodegradable wet wipes
- Ear defenders
- Snacks and food if you wish to cook (there's plenty of great food available on site but a supply of favourite snacks is always useful). It’s a good idea to freeze food rather than pack ice blocks if you are bringing a cool bag as less to carry and a meal to eat once defrosted.
- Clothes – the great British weather can throw anything at you so whilst trying to pack light, it’s worth considering leaving a spare set of clothes for everyone in your car and if you don’t need them at least you’ll have something clean to drive home in. Wellies and rain gear are also worth packing and leaving in the car if you arrive and it’s sunny.
What shall I leave at home?
The following items may not be brought into the site through the campsite gates. There will be no receipts issued for any confiscated items, so don’t bring it if you wouldn’t want to lose it:
- Do not bring drugs to the festival.
- Air horns
- Alcohol in the possession of under 18yr olds
- You can not bring alcohol in the main festival fields and arena. You can bring an amount ‘suitable for personal use’ into the campsites. By way of a guide 8 cans of beer (or cider) and half of a litre of spirits per person in your group would be acceptable. Please do remember no glass is permitted onsite, glass found during entry searches will be confiscated and not returned.
- Any items which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon
- Hot air (Chinese) lanterns
- Excessive amounts of alcohol
- Excessive amounts of cigarettes
- Excessive amounts of food
- Portable BBQ’s of any kind
- Fireworks
- Flares
- Glass bottles, jars, containers – this is a working organic farm and lots of children will be running around barefoot.
- Illegal substances
- Legal highs of all types
- Megaphones
- Portable laser equipment and pen lasers
- Sound systems
- Drones
- Unauthorised professional film or video equipment
- Unofficial tabards and reflective jackets
- No animals are allowed onsite, with the exception of registered guide dogs and helper dogs
You may be body searched at the entrances and upon exit from the festival site. This is in line with crime reduction strategies with Avon and Somerset Police.
Persons suspected of carrying items that may be used in an offensive or dangerous manner, or carrying out illegal activities onsite may be searched.
What else is on?
The Alchemist's Playground
According to the Valley Fest website, this is a brand new area at Valley Fest - a place where everyone can play. "It’s a box-fresh collaboration between Arcadia and The Woodland Tribe.
"By day, kids will build their own stage from reclaimed materials. The baton passes at nightfall as the Afterburner stage fires up and it’s playtime for the adults.
"Arcadia, the performance-art collective, are known for their 50ft fire breathing spider. The Woodland Tribe are masters of constructive play. They give children and families hammers, saws and a huge quantity of wood to build the playgrounds of their dreams.
"Ever changing, full of possibility and intentionally unorthodox – they’re a good combo and we’re excited to bring them into the Valley Fest fold."
Workshops, talks and tours
Valley Fest says: "Pop by View Point to hear some mind-expanding insights from one of our inspiring speakers or turn up for a wild and crafty session in the beautiful Community Farm venues (Roundhouse and Yurt). This is your space to absorb, contribute, question, investigate and experiment.
"Our talks and workshops interweave themes of nature, wellbeing and creativity, with plenty of excuses to embrace the rejuvenating powers of being creative and exploring nature."
Workshops include seasonal fruit cupcakes, Improv theatre, creating characters and stories with Wassail, pickling, lantern making and more. There's also, comedy, poetry, massages, yoga classes and plenty more wellbeing activities - plus stuff for kids and teens to do - throughout the whole weekend.
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