Accessibility

We are proud to be partnering once again with Nimbus Disability and the Access Card. All customers applying for accessible facilities at Download will need to have either a valid Nimbus Access Card or a free Download Digital Access Pass. If you haven’t got one of these, details of how to register with Nimbus are outlined in Paragraph 3 of this section.

1. Purchase your ticket to Download

Before applying for accessible facilities, please buy your Download ticket first.

Please do not purchase a ticket for your essential companion. Essential companion tickets will be dealt with as part of your application.

Once you have purchased your ticket, please return to this page to apply for use of the accessible facilities.

2. Already have a valid Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass?

This section applies if you hold a valid Nimbus Access Card or you already have a Download Digital Access Pass from 2024 (or from any of these festivals)

All you will need to do now is complete the Download Accessible Facilities application form. Please have your Access Card or Digital Access Pass I.D number with you, as you will need to input this on your application form.

3. Don’t have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access Pass?

If you don’t already have a Nimbus Access Card or Digital Access pass, you will need to apply for a free Download Digital Access Pass with Nimbus.

How to apply for a Download Digital Access Pass

First, you will need to register your proof of disability with Nimbus.

To register your proof of disability, you will be asked to provide some supporting documentation and information which will be assessed by Nimbus.

Once this has been successfully assessed, you will be issued your Download Digital Access Pass (or your Access Card, if you have upgraded).

Your Download Digital Access Pass will be valid for 3 years to use at Download (and at any of these festivals)

Apply for a free Download Digital Access Pass here.

Once you have received confirmation of your Download Digital Access Pass (or Access Card) from Nimbus, return to the Download Accessible Facilities Application Form to apply for use of the accessible facilities.

4. I have completed the Download Accessible Facilities application form – what do I do now?

The Download Accessibility Team will review your application and will contact you by email once it has been processed.

5. Temporary Impairments

Please note that our accessible facilities are unable to cater for people with temporary impairments. A temporary impairment is anything that affects an individual for less than 12 months such as broken bones, healing injuries or pregnancy.

An essential companion ticket is provided to those customers who would be unable to attend without the help and support of another person. If your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass indicates the essential companion requirement, we will automatically provide you with an essential companion ticket free of charge.

Please do not purchase a ticket for your essential companion. Essential companion tickets will be dealt with as part of your application.

Your essential companion must be aged 18 or over.

They must be willing and able to perform all your requirements and must provide assistance to you during the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency.

If your essential companion wishes to bring a child into the festival, then the child must be accompanied by another adult who has purchased a ticket.

If the customer approved for an essential companion on their Nimbus Card is a child of 12 years or under, they must also be accompanied by an adult that has purchased a ticket. The child cannot attend the festival with the essential companion alone.

If you need different people to assume the role of your essential companion throughout the festival, please indicate this on the Download Accessible Facilities Application form in the Additional Information section.

Accessible viewing areas

There are various accessible viewing areas available within the arena and District X.

Raised Viewing Platform – AT CAPACITY

The raised viewing platform is available for wheelchair users and those with restricted mobility. Access to the platform will be approved in accordance with the requirements indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

Only the approved customer and their essential companion will have access to the raised viewing platform. This allows us to accommodate as many customers, who require use of this facility, as possible.

All raised viewing platforms have ramped access, wheelchair-accessible toilets, charging points and drinking water.

Limited seating is also available at each platform.

Raised viewing platforms may get busy. Please note that these are operated on a first come first served basis.

Some raised viewing platforms are not covered so please dress appropriately for all weather conditions.

Ground viewing area

A dedicated ground viewing area is available to those who need a less crowded area and the option of sitting for short periods of time.

Access to the ground viewing area will be approved in accordance with the requirements indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

The ground viewing areas are situated in front of the raised viewing platforms and are separated from the main crowds by a barrier. These are primarily standing areas, although limited seating is available and is operated on a first come first served basis.

Customers may be accompanied in the ground level viewing area by a companion.

Accessible toilets

Wheelchair accessible and standard toilets for accessibility customers are located across the arena and District X. They are available to all accessibility customers.

Changing places

In the arena, there is a changing places unit featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink, and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available.  Please remember to bring your own.)

Accessible entrance lanes

There are dedicated entrance lanes for accessibility customers to access the arena.

Accessibility information hubs

There are information hubs in the arena and District X for accessibility customers, staffed by our dedicated team.

Sensory calm spaces

Sensory Calm Tents are located within the arena. The aim of these spaces is to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for any customers who need to use them.

Bars

Dedicated accessible lanes are available at each main bar. This section of the bar has a lowered counter and bypasses the main queuing system.

You can bring prescription medication to the festival but please ensure it is in the original packaging with the dispensary sticker intact.

If you need to bring in loose medication or medication that’s not in its original packaging, please also bring the prescription(s) with you.

Refrigerated medication storage is available in the accessible campsite, arena and District X.

Medical Marijuana

Medical marijuana prescribed for daily use may be brought into the event.

Please bring the medication in its prescribed form together with the original prescription supporting its use for the entire duration of your time at the event. You may be asked to present this, along with identification matching the name on the prescription, upon entry.

Food

All Download customers are permitted to bring a small amount of food for personal consumption into the arena.

Accessibility customers are permitted to bring additional food in excess of the usual amount into the arena.

(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family).

Drink

All Download customers are permitted to bring a sealed, unopened 500ml bottle of water or soft drink into the arena.

Accessibility customers are permitted to bring one sealed, unopened bottle up to 1.5l of water or soft drink into the arena.

(This increased allowance applies to accessibility customers only and not to essential companions or friends and family).

For security reasons, we ordinarily only permit customers to bring a small bag (A4 size) into the arena.

Accessibility customers are entitled to bring a bigger bag into the arena. (One bag only per accessibility customer).

Facilities

If you require accessible camping you will need to select this option when completing your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.

Our accessible campsite is located next to the arena and has its own dedicated entrance. It is a secure, safe space where the accessibility team and stewards will be based throughout the festival to assist you. The following facilities are available within this campsite:

• A dedicated accessibility information hub
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex toilets
• Wheelchair accessible and standard unisex showers.
• Accessible routes
• Changing places unit featuring an adult changing bed, toilet, sink and hoist. (Please note that hoist slings will not be available. Please remember to bring your own.)
• Charging facilities for wheelchairs and medical equipment.
• Accessible sink and drinking water points.
• Kettle and hot water.
• Secure cold fridge to store medication.
• Essential electric power supply (if requested and approved)
• Food traders
• Merchandise stand
• Lockers to rent

Arrival

On arrival, customers staying in the accessible campsite will be allowed to drive onto the accessible campsite to unload their car. (Please be aware that for health and safety reasons, this will not be possible once the campsite reaches a certain capacity).

We provide an internal bus and buggy transport service to the accessible campsite.

The accessibility team will also be available to help you carry your luggage from the car park to the campsite.

Pitch size, group size and gazebos

We aim to accommodate as many customers as possible in the accessible campsite. To assist us with this, please be aware of the following:

• You will be allocated a pitch based on the information provided in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. Please be respectful of your neighbours and only bring tents appropriate for the size of your party.
• You will be permitted to camp with a maximum of three other people (this includes your essential companion).
• You may be asked to move or remove your gazebo if it is taking up too much space. We ask that you consider fellow campers when pitching your gazebo.

Accessible campervans

If you want to bring a campervan, please select this option in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. Once your application has been approved, the accessibility team will send you a link to purchase an accessible campervan ticket (subject to availability).

• Campervan spaces are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis.
• Campervan tickets are supplementary to your festival ticket.
• You will be given a pitch measuring approximately 6m x 7m.
• Only one campervan ticket is required per pitch.

There will be accessible toilets located within all general campsites, including the Mini Moshers campsite.

Please be aware that the quiet campsite is located at the furthest distance from District X and the arena, to minimise the noise transfer.

The general campsites are located further from District X and the arena than the accessible campsite. More information on each general campsite will be made available closer to the festival.

There will be an internal shuttle bus and buggy service available to help customers with accessibility requirements move around the festival site.

We do not handle the hire of mobility scooters directly. Please make your own arrangements with your chosen provider.

BSL Interpreting services

A British Sign Language performance interpreting service will be provided on request and at no extra charge, providing reasonable notice is given in advance of the festival.

Please make sure you request this service on the Download Accessible Facilities Application form.

Customers who have requested this service will be contacted by the interpreting team for an understanding of which performances they would like covered; this is not guaranteed and subject to change.

Hearing loops

Hearing loops will be installed at all box offices and information hubs.

Assistance dogs will be approved in accordance with the requirement indicated on your Nimbus Access Card or Download Digital Access Pass.

A spending area will be available for assistance dogs.

Car parks

The accessible car parks are located in close proximity to the accessible campsite and the arena:

• Accessible parking is free but must be requested on your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.
• Blue badge holders do not automatically qualify for accessible parking. This must be requested on your Download Accessible Facilities Application form.
• Accessible parking is limited to 1 parking pass per accessible customer.
• By way of clarification, friends and family arriving in separate vehicles will not be able to park in the accessible car park and will need to park in the general car parks.

Drop off passes

If you are being dropped off at and picked up from Download, please let us know in your Download Accessible Facilities Application form. We will then send you a pass so you can be dropped off and picked up in the accessible car park. This will be sent closer to the festival date.

Accessibility guide

Customers who have applied and been processed for accessible facilities will be sent an Accessibility Guide prior to the event.

Ground conditions / weather

Download Festival takes place in the hallowed ground of Donington Park.

The site has the benefit of existing hard standing and temporary trackway routes, in certain areas.

However, please be aware that the festival primarily takes place on grass fields with some sloping areas that are steep in sections.

It is also important to be aware that, during wet weather, the site is likely to become muddy and become more difficult to navigate.

Effect lighting

Smoke machines, strobe lights, lasers, fireworks, and other effects may be in use at this event. Anyone affected by these should bear this in mind.

Medical and welfare

Medical and welfare facilities are available throughout the festival.

Doctors, paramedics, first aiders, and fully equipped ambulances are based at the medical centre.

Security and stewards

In the unlikely event of an emergency or site evacuation, Security and Stewards are deployed throughout the festival. They will assist in moving everybody to a place of safety.

They are also briefed to offer information, help and support.

If you are unwell or require assistance, please approach a member of the Security and Stewarding Team who are clearly identifiable by their numbered tabards/shirts.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email the accessibility team at accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk