Download Festival has an Access Car Park located close to the Access Check-in and Campsite.

If you require use of this car park you will need to apply for Access Parking by  submitting an Access Requirements Form.

Please note:

• Blue Badge Holders must register with the Access Team to get a Access Parking Pass.
• Access parking is free of charge, but only when applied for in advance.
• Parking in the accessible car park is limited, so friends and family arriving in separate vehicles will not be able to use this car park. Instead we recommend they use one of our other car parks by purchasing a Parking Pass.

DROP OFF PASS

If you are being dropped off at – or picked up from – Download, you can apply for a Drop Off Pass through our Access Requirements Form. This will allow entry to the Disabled Access Car Park and Access Campsite.

The Accessible campsite is available to customers who require accessible facilities. By locating these facilities in one campsite we can ensure that they are serviced, cleaned and maintained regularly. You can apply to camp here by completing an application form. Our campsite has a limited capacity due to the location.

Our Access campsite is located as close as possible to the Arena and is staffed 24 hours, our Access team are based here. Customers can drive into our campsite to unload.

ACCESS CAMPSITE FACILITIES

• Wheelchair accessible showers and toilets
• A Changing Places Unit featuring a changing bed, a toilet, sink and a hoist. Please be aware that access customers must bring their own sling. This unit is not for sleeping.
• Standard toilets and showers
• Drinking water points and accessible sink
• Waste-disposal point
• Electrical points for charging wheelchairs or mobility scooters
• Fridge for secure medication storage
• Campsite hub and information – Access team are based here

PARTY SIZE

As well as you and your PA we will allow two friends to camp with you so a total of 4 including you. You must register the number of your group during the application process so that they are issued with the appropriate wristbands to access the Disabled Access Campsite.

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING PLATFORMS

We have an Accessible Viewing Platform at all stages in the Arena.

We have an Accessible Viewing platform at the Doghouse in the Village.

All Platforms have ramp access, Wheelchair accessible toilets, seating (limited) and Charging points.

Our Accessible viewing platforms have a limited capacity and are strictly for the access customers plus 1 companion.

Access to the platforms and toilets is controlled via a wristband system. You can apply for access to these by completing an application form.

We operate a first come first serve basis, we try to ensure that our platforms have sufficient space for everyone who requires access, but as demand varies by artist, at times there may be a wait.

Our Platforms are managed by our Arena Manager, each platform has a team of stewards and security, who ensure they are running smoothly.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

Wheelchair accessible and standard toilets will be located at each of the viewing platforms. You can apply for the use of this facility in your Access Requirements form.

We have moved the Disabled Access Campervan field to a new location that will be separate from the Disabled Access Campsite, the location will be shared here soon.

However, we feel that the new space is better than the area that we used last year. It is all grass and is flatter, so in general the access is better. The routes to both the arena and the village are on tarmac or concrete roads.

The space is larger than the area that we used in 2019 so we can accommodate more campervans and caravans.

Customers camping in this new area will still be able to visit the Disabled Access Campsite at all times throughout the festival.

Facilities In the Disabled Access Campervan field

• 9m x 7m  pitch for each campervan/caravan (everything must fit into this space)
• Accessible Showers
• Accessible Toilets
• Changing Places Unit
• Wheelchair charging tent
• 24-hour Campsite Manager, security and stewards
• Customer Check in and Information point –  so you can collect all of your wristbands and our team can help you with any questions or queries you may have
• Refrigerated storage for medication
• Sink and Waterpoint
• Campervan waste tank

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no charging point lockers available in this campsite.

POWER HOOK UPS ARE NOT INCLUDED

If you would like to attend in a campervan then please request this on your Application form, the link will be sent to you once your Applications has been approved.

If you require further assistance or information that cannot be found on the website, please contact a member of the Access Team via:

• Email: [email protected]
• Post: Access Team, Festival Republic, 2nd Floor, 19-25 Argyll Street, Soho, London, W1F 7TS
• Phone: 0207 009 3490 (in operation from January 2021)
• Fax: 08700949100 (for attention of Access Team)

Office opening times are: 10am – 6pm, Monday to Friday. An answer machine will be available outside of these hours. Please remember to leave your phone number or email address.

BSL INTERPRETING SERVICES

A British Sign Language interpretation service will be available, we have a team of interpreters at the Festival who are based in our Deaf zone information tent, to gain access to this Service please complete an Access Requirements Form. Schedules will be added to the Access Guide.

HEARING LOOPS

There will be a hearing loop installed at the Disabled Access Check-In.

Please ensure to complete an Access Requirements form.

If you are attending Download 2021 and require Access Facilities and/or a PA Ticket please read the below information on How to Apply.

2020 Customers

If you applied and your application was approved, we will carry your application over to 2021. We will contact you by email in January 2021 and let you know what the process is.

As usual applications will go live in early 2021, so while you will not need to worry about completing the form again, shortly before we will resend you a new confirmation email with the new date on it to get you ahead and all sorted for next year. We will also do this by asking you to verify your order number to make sure our customers still have valid tickets, but further info will be sent out early 2021.

2021 & New Customers

Access Applications will go live in early 2021 if you would like to be notified when we go live and to keep up to date with all other Access information please sign up to the Mailing List below.

Attitude is Everything is a charity set up to improve deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, as well as supporting the music industry to make live music events more accessible.

Working in partnership with them for over 15 years, Attitude is Everything begun as a pilot project in 2000, and are now a fully independent charity and part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio of organisations.

Volunteers from Attitude is Everything can be found running the Information Tent in the Access Campsite.

GROUND CONDITIONS / WEATHER

Download Festival is an outdoor event. It is important to be aware that during inclement weather some parts of the site may be difficult to navigate around.

The ground at Download is a mixture of grass, gravel and hard standing pathways. The Access Campsite is situated on grass, with hard standing pathways. The Main Arena and Village are both entirely on grass.

Our Access Viewing Platforms are uncovered so please dress appropriately, and for all weather conditions.

MEDICATION

If you need to bring medication with you, we recommend bringing a copy of your doctor’s letter or prescription. Please keep medication in its original boxes. There will also be a fridge available if you require cold storage for your medication.

MEDICAL AND WELFARE

Medical and Welfare Facilities are available 24 hours and can be located in the Arena and Campsites. Doctors, paramedics, first aiders and fully equipped ambulances are based at all our medical facilities, along with contacts for local pharmacies and emergency dentists.

SECURITY AND STEWARDS

Security and Stewards are on hand in the Arena and in the Campsites.

They have been briefed to offer information, help and support. If you are unwell or require assistance, please approach a member of the Security and Stewarding Team.

TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENTS

Please note that our Accessible Facilities cannot cater for people with temporary impairments such as broken bones, healing injuries or pregnant women.

If you have a temporary impairment, please be aware that there will be a lot of walking at Download.

Chairs are allowed into the Festival.

Flicker, laser, strobe and other lighting effects will also likely be used during the performances.

Please make sure to plan your journey before heading to Download. Specific travel information for Access customers will be included in the Access Guide, available prior to the event.

If you plan on travelling by public transport, please refer to the Travel Section on this website for more information.

A free shuttle service will be provided from the Transport Hub to the Access Check-In

Adults

If a customer is unable to attend the festival without the support from a PA then we will provide an additional PA ticket at no extra cost. Customers wishing to apply for a PA Ticket should buy their own ticket but not one for their PA. Your PA ticket must be applied for using our Access Application Form.

Child

For all children under the age of 12 requiring a personal Assistant (PA) please contact us so we can advise.

Terms & Conditions

PA Tickets can only be approved by the Access Team.

Do not buy a ticket for your PA as this will not be refunded.

To be approved for a PA Ticket you must apply using our Access Requirements Form.

PA tickets are provided on the expectation that your PA is willing and able to assist you throughout your visit and would be available and able to help you in the event of an evacuation.

Please see our Terms and Conditions for a detailed list of documentation we accept when approving PA tickets.

When applying for Access, unless you are on the Festival Republic database, it is mandatory to provide one of the following forms of supporting documentation with your completed form as evidence of your requirements and to grant a complimentary PA ticket. We accept the following forms of documentation:

·         DLA – Care and / or mobility.

·         PIP – (Personal independence payment)

·         Medical Professionals letter – reviewed case by case

·         Armed forces Independent payment

·         War Disablement Pension

·         D/deaf or blind registration

·         The Nimbus Access Card

·         Blue badge –  Permitted for Parking only requests

If you don’t have any of the listed forms above, please contact us so we can advise.

Submit your documentation with your application form. All documentation is kept strictly confidential and securely destroyed after processing. If you wish to join Festival Republic’s access database, then please indicate so on your application.

The database means that for 3 years, you do not need to submit further supporting evidence with any application as you will be pre-approved for all our festivals. Please note once approved we only hold your name and email details and we never share your information with any third parties.

If you unable to include your documentation please state in ‘Additional Notes’ that it has been forwarded either by fax, email or post.

Download’s campsite area is so much more than the place you can get some kip. As well as numerous campsite areas, you’ll gain access to The Village which is full of food and drink stalls, essential services, and the kind of entertainment you just won’t find anywhere else. The campsite is open 24 hours a day.

There will be toilets, showers and water available to you dotted around the campsite areas, just look at your map or nearby signs to guide you.