FAQs

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FAQs

What's the best Campsite?
Is there anything for the children to do?
What about the teenagers?
Are pets allowed?
Are the facilities disability friendly?
Chairs is it worth bringing them?
What are the toilets like?
Can I really turn up and play?

What's the best Campsite?

Well, it depends what you're looking for. If you're a family that is looking for a bit of space, or even just a bit of quiet, once the music's over, then Coldham's Common is the better site. There are a number of special events that are organised for the site, many of them focused at children. There's a swimming pool in easy walking distance and there's nothing like a swim and a shower to shake off the cobwebs. The music is also more controlled. Coldhams has it's own venue for evening entertainment that is far enough away from the tents not to disturb if you've reached the stage where you've had enough. You can get refreshments on site or at the large supermarket just down the road and a free bus service takes you to and from the festival site. It's also got the advantage that you can park right next to your tent.
If you want to be right in the middle of it then Cherry Hinton is the campsite for you. There's no car park so there is the stategic and physical effort of getting your gear to  where you're going to set up, but once you've got that sussed you are right next door to the action. Fortunately you can buy most of any extras you need on site as there's no real shopping near by, except for a minimarket. Once the official music is over there's often a lot of ad-hoc combinations form around the site. These don't tend to be as long or as loud as they used to be. Cherry Hinton is in a residential area, the camping has a more relaxed layout. There are showers available at the near by school, but they are charged.

Is there anything for the children to do?

Yes, watch great acts in number of venues over the course of a weekend. Seriously though, Cambridge Folk Festival appreciates that it can be difficult with bored children for whome the delights of the music can wear a little thin. There are special events organised at Coldhams as well as activities and a creche at Cherry Hinton, first come first served. As well as the specially organised events, that includes workshops aimed at children and the children's concert on the Sunday afternoon, there is a permanent playground on site that also includes a paddling pool.

What about the Teenagers?

Yes, watch great acts in number of venues over the course of a weekend. Oh hang on a minute we've done that one. There is quite a lot. There's the Hub, which is really a venue targeted at that age group. It's got workshops and a band project and is a place just to chill. There's the cybercafe if they really can't be away from their online communities for the course of the festival.

Are pets allowed?

The simple answer is no. Unless it's a guide dog or certified hearing dog for the deaf, then there's a no pets rule at Cherry Hinton. Our strong recommendation, get a friend to look after it back at home.

Are the facilities disabled friendly?

As much as you can make a field disabilty friendly yes. There are firm footpaths to make it easier to get around the site. All of the stages have disbled viewing areas. Most on raised platforms. Disabled toilets are sensibly sited and stewards on hand to help. Facilities are available for recharging batteries. Cambridge makes great efforts to cater for all of it's guests and responds well to suggestions. If you do think of something that might help, please let the organisers know. I don't think I've been to another festival that provides the same depth of support for the disabled.

Chairs is it worth bringing them?

Chairs have been the cause of much debate in recent years. Chairs are no longer allowed in the venues for safety reasons. You can still have a chair out in the field but do try and respect the fact that the person behind you might quite like to see the band. It's appreciated that not everyone is able to sit on the ground for long periods, but if you do bring a chair please think about those around you.

What About The Toilets?

As festivals go, the Cambridge toilets rank amongst the best. They are regularly cleaned during the course of the festival, loo role replenished etc. If it's wet they can get a bit muddy. If some idiot decides it's going to be fun to block a loo, then just let one of the stewards know and it will be sorted.

Can I really turn up and play?

Yes! The Club Tent works on just this principle. You and/or your band can sign up at one of the booking sessions for a slot later in the day. The session's are unpaid, but if you are a member of the PRS and fill out your paperwork then you can claim your royalty. Normally you get about enough time to do three songs. It's like a musical commando raid and the size of the audience varies, but if you put work in the crowd normally responds.