Joining Instructions
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Please read – there’s lots of useful information!
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We're so pleased that you're joining us for Hartlepool Folk Festival!
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You may be aware that we had some challenging news at the beginning of September: the auditorium of the Borough Hall, our mainstage venue, was closed with immediate effect by Hartlepool Borough Council on Health & Safety grounds. This has had a knock-on effect for certain aspects of the festival. We have worked as quickly as we can to re-configure things to make it work as well as possible for you, but we apologise that this has meant getting this information out to you later than we’d have liked.
Mainstage performances will now take place at the Town Hall Theatre. The address is Raby Rd, Hartlepool TS24 8AH. We have laid on extra shuttles at busy times to make travelling between the Headland and the Town Hall Theatre as fast and easy as possible.
Please note that due to circumstances beyond our control associated with the venue change, the Bold as Brass concert will not go ahead this year. We’re sorry for any disappointment.
From Friday, have a look at the weekend timetable at https://www.hartlepoolfolkfest.co.uk/whatsonwhen where you can start to plan your weekend.
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Below you'll find more useful information about wristbands, tickets, camping and venues.
BOX OFFICE OPENS AT 9am ON FRIDAY, 6 October.
Box Office is located in the foyer of the Borough Hall, Middlegate, Hartlepool TS24 0JD. Exchange your ticket receipt for wristbands or event tickets here. If you have purchased advance tickets for individual mainstage events, you do not have to visit Box Office to exchange your receipt for an event ticket. Simply present your receipt on paper, or on your phone screen, at the venue.
Event Admissions Policy
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Doors open approximately 30 minutes before events start. Day and weekend tickets grant, but do not guarantee, admission to any specific festival event. The exception is mainstage events at the Town Hall Theatre, where all ticketholders can be accommodated.
For events where individual tickets have been pre-sold, event ticket-holders will be asked to queue separately, and when doors open (up to 30 minutes before the show) they will be admitted to the venue at the same time as Day and Weekend ticket-holders. This is to ensure that everyone holding an advance event ticket may be accommodated. If you have an event ticket, we cannot hold seats for you after the show start time; please allow yourself plenty of time to arrive and be at the venue at least 15 minutes before the start time (though we recommend half an hour)
Individual events: Please check venues and individual event start times against the Festival Programme on the Website, and against any programme change notifications at Box Office. Occasionally changes do occur in the programming process, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
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Campsite
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Our campsite is at Central Field, Ropery Rd, Hartlepool TS24 0BE. If you’ve booked a caravan or camping spot, you will receive a wristband which allows access to the campsite along with your festival wristband. Staff will take note of your vehicle reg and contact details. The campsite is open from 2pm on Thursday until midday on Monday. Thursday arrivals: Campsite stewards will have a list of booked campers to allow you access, but the Box Office will not be open until 9:30 Friday, which is when you will be able to collect your wristbands.
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On site there are portaloos (including a disabled loo), a clean non-potable water point, bottled water for abluting etc and a sanitation point for the disposal of waste. Showers are available at the Headland Sports Centre from 9am – 3pm daily for £1.50. The festival shuttle drops off a few minutes’ walk from the Sports Centre, which adjoins the Borough Hall at the back.
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Please note: Please use a torch/your phone when moving about the site in the dark. The field is pretty level and is not used for agriculture, but all fields have the odd lump and bump.
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Please follow the instructions of the caravan site managers to your pitch. These have been laid out in accordance with the directions of our fire safety consultant and allocated distance between vehicles must be observed. If you have mobility requirements and would prefer hardstanding to grass, there is limited space at the top of the site available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Fire Points will be signposted. Please practice good caravanning fire safety. The campsite team will give instructions in case of emergency. If you hear a shout of ‘FIRE’ or an airhorn, please make your way to the assembly point at the nearest campsite exit.
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There is overnight security in the campsite area, but please practice sensible security measures in your vehicle or tent.
Parking and Getting Around
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There is substantial free street parking on the Headland, but less near the Town Hall. If possible we suggest using the free festival shuttle to get around.
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The Festival is operating a free shuttle service to take visitors to and from the site, and to the Town Hall Theatre.
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The bus will pick up from the front of the Premier Inn, the front of the Travelodge, The Town Hall (across the road from the Grand Hotel), the campsite, and stop immediately outside the Borough Hall. The full journey time is approximately 15 minutes.
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Times for the shuttle will be published in the festival programme.
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If you wish to go back and forth outside of the shuttle times, the Stagecoach Number 7 bus operates regularly (every 10 – 15 minutes) throughout the day until 11pm, stopping outside the Grand Hotel, outside ADSA near the Travelodge, outside the campsite on Westview Rd (Throston Engine House stop), and directly outside the Borough Hall. The timetable is available here: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/routes/north-east/7/middlegate-the-headland-owton-manor/XMBO007.O
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Accessibility
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We have still not been able to source a fully wheelchair-accessible shuttle coach with the capacity we require; however, the Stagecoach No7 bus is fully accessible and travels the same route as the shuttle. If you are a disabled visitor who has needs that are not served by these arrangements, please let us know your requirements in advance so that we can do our best to make alternative arrangements for you.
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All venues are accessible.
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If you are disabled and require a free companion’s ticket, please let us know in advance and it will be waiting at Box Office.
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Food and Drink
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There will be numerous hot food options located outdoors, as well as a coffee stand, from midday on Friday.
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In the Constable’s Bar and the Town Hall Theatre, Three Brothers Brewery will provide beer.
The Headland has some great pubs. The Fisherman’s Arms is brilliant for real ales and a warm welcome. It is a festival venue, and is holding a beer festival over the weekend. The Pot House is also a festival venue. This year we welcome the Globe as a festival venue. You are welcome to start sessions if there isn’t one timetabled.
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That should be all the info you need prior to arrival, but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you have a fantastic festival.
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The Festival Team