FAQ's

We have worked on the layout for 2026, making use of the space but also still ensuring the festival retains its magic.  The new site plan can be found here

The arena will be open from 10am both Saturday and Sunday. The on-site box office/wristband exchange will also be open each morning at 10am.

For 2026, we have tweaked entry system - and on arrival all customers must access the site through the box office, this is to ensure a smooth, secure entrance for campers and day visitors alike. (see site map)

The arena will close at 11pm both Saturday and Sunday

All campers will have to be off-site by 1pm Monday following the festival.

We like to make sure that no one misses out. If you have any questions, please get in touch: 

cffaccessibility@cambridge.gov.uk

Our accessibility page is located here

Only assistance dogs will be allowed at the event – please note this includes all campsites.

There will be no cashpoints on site. 

After hearing your feedback, we’ve reviewed our policy and this year we’ll be allowing festivalgoers to bring food & soft drinks into the festival arena for personal consumption. We simply ask that it’s kept modest – boxes or hampers within reason please. We will not be doing a measurement check.  We will allow sealed soft drinks (no glass) and would love for you to keep single use plastic to a minimum.  Empty, refillable bottles will also be allowed and due to the current weather conditions, we have installed more water points around the festival site. No BYO (Bring Your Own) alcohol will be permitted into the main arena.

We also hope that the public will continue to support our amazing independent food and drink traders. They’re a much-loved part of the festival and play a huge role in creating the atmosphere and experience that makes Cambridge Folk Festival so special.

No glass in the main arena, with the exception of Cambridge Folk Festival commemorative tankard.

More information can be found in the Terms and Conditions

No, there is no onsite shop for basic food supplies at the festival, but we do have food and drink on offer from our many different caterers and bars in the main arena. There is a 24hr Budgens located in the Petrol station opposite the site. Also, you can find a Co-op store on the corner of Cherry Hinton Road and Perne Road, plus a Tesco store nearby in Fulbourn. 

If you are bringing a chair, do not put up a chair to reserve space or leave chairs up when unoccupied. Do not place in circles, around blankets or to hinder access. Please don't leave chairs up if you aren't using them or put them around blankets. 

Stewards will ask you to move or remove chairs and blankets if we are running out of space, please respect those requests

If you leave any unattended items, they will be removed.  Chairs pictured or other items which may cause an obstruction, are not allowed within marquees. 

You can download the Arena Restrictions info HERE 

Yes – we are working with Charged Up who will be renting power banks. These will be available from both bars, plus camping HQ.

Yes – card payments are preferred however the bars, merchandise, and most catering units will be accepting cash

By participating in the reusable cup scheme, you are helping to reduce waste at Cambridge Folk Festival.  

How it works 

1. Pay a ONE-OFF charge of £1 (half’s) or £2 (pints) for your cup
2. Enjoy the festival.  Dirty cups can be exchanged for clean cups at the bars if needed
3. At the end of the festival, keep the cup or hand the cup back to the dedicated collection points so that cups can be washed and reused at the next event, keeping the circular economy moving. 

Proceeds from your cup levy helps to directly support the Folk Festivals important environmental initiatives.

Transport emissions from festival customers make up the largest part of our carbon footprint! You can all really help by considering your own impact and planning for a green sustainable journey. 

Anyone attending the festival arriving from Cambridge Rail Station and going to the festival site can catch one of the regular buses to Cherry Hinton Hall (The Cambridge Folk Festival site). Journeys cost from £2 and you can buy a ticket directly from the bus driver. Buses run every 10 minutes and Citi buses are all wheelchair accessible.

Cherry Hinton Hall is a 35–45-minute walk from the train station.

Yes! Bike Parking will be available at Netherhall School. 

Yes, parking is available at Netherhall Secondary School £20 for a full weekend and £10 per day AND MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE. The car park will be open from 10am on Friday for camping customers and then open from 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.

You can purchase parking tickets here

Cherry Hinton campsite is the only campsite this year and is on the same site as the Festival arena and stages. Cherry Hinton Hall campsite is a beautiful park complete with a duck pond, gardens, lovely trees, and a small country house. The campsite surrounds the main arena and has a wonderful atmosphere. 

There are no showers on the Cherry Hinton site, this year showers are available at the Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground Pavilion on the High Street, CB1 9HZ. Opening times are: 

Friday 16:00 – 18:00

Saturday 08:00 – 11:00

Sunday 08:00 – 11:00. 

Showers cost £3.50, cash only.

There are a very small number of caravan pitches for the Cherry Hinton Hall Campsite, which are available on first come, first served basis from Cambridge City Box Office. 

There is no power supply to the campsites.

The campsite will be open to customers from 1pm. If you have booked a trailer tent pitch, please arrive at 12:30 and those that have booked a caravan, your arrival time is between 2-6pm.

The campsite is a beautiful park complete with a duck pond, gardens, lovely trees, and a small country house. The campsite surrounds the main arena and has a wonderful atmosphere. The campsite will be secure and not accessible by the public.

There will be some workshops in the campsite on the Friday afternoon along with a coffee van and catering option.

Yes.  This year we are partnering with The Sherpas to bring an even better arrival experience to Cambridge Folk Festival.

Take the hassle out of camping with:

• Electric E-Carts to transport your luggage
• Friendly Sherpas to help carry your equipment
• Or combine both services for the ultimate hassle-free arrival

You can also pre-book a wide range of camping equipment, including tents, air mattresses, bedding, kettles and more, so you can travel lighter and arrive ready to relax.

Whether you're bringing the whole family's camping setup or simply want to avoid multiple trips between the car park and your tent, The Sherpas are ready to help.

Find out more and pre-book your arrival assistance today by visiting:

www.sherpashire.co.uk