FAQs

What sort of festival is Stainsby?

Stainsby is a live music festival featuring mainly folk and world music. There is no recorded music. The festival is held under canvas in a series of large marquees on a rural greenfield site with views out to the National Trust's Hardwick Hall. The festival tries to be green and sustainable and the site returns to pasture after the festival. Oh... and we try and have fun.

Who runs it and why?

Started in the 1960s, the festival is run entirely by unpaid volunteers. It's a registered charity and a not for profit organisation. All proceeds go back into music. Why? I guess we must like it that way!  (We're just ageing Hippies at heart, poor dears!)

Where's the camping?

Camping is on site. There are toilets and a fresh water supply to all parts of the site. Cars are not allowed onto the camping area owing to limited space but we try to run a land rover service for those wanting assistance to and from the car park.

Fancy a Wheelborrow?

There are also plenty of wheelbarrows for you to borrow to hump stuff up and down the site. Please bring our wheelborrows back afterwards.

How much does it cost?

Camping is free for weekend ticket holders

Can I bring my Caravan to the Festival?

Unfortunately our site is very small and crowded and we don't have room for them. Sorry!

...but see our accommodation page for a superb caravan site next to Silverhill Country Park and only 4 miles from the fun.

Is there anywhere else to stay?

There are local hotels, B&Bs and self catering within easy reach. The choice is yours!

See our links on the accommodation page.

Are there any shops and things in Stainsby?

There are no facilities in Stainsby village apart from a rather attractive Victorian post-box emptied every weekday at 4 o'clock by a nice man from Royal Mail. This means the nearest shops are two miles away.   Newspapers are on sale each day at the Information Office along with fresh milk and...err...that's it.      So bring your own supplies or visit our various catering establishments. See "Is there anywhere to eat?" below.

Is there anywhere to park?

There is a large car park next to the site. There's a £1 carbon tax charge for using it but you can come and go as often as you like during the weekend if you display your sticker. The car park charge contributes towards the cost of running the free festival bus service. So even if you come in your car you're helping others go green! How's that for small scale offsetting? Hang on to your car park ticket though for a prize draw. First prize two weekend tickets for 2011. Winning ticket numbers on the news page after each festival.

How do I get there, if I haven't got a car?

We use the carbon tax charge to fund The Stainsby Flyer, a free festival bus service from Chesterfield Station to the site. Timetable is published on the How To Find Us page a month before each festival.

The nearest railway stations are Chesterfield (East Midland Trains) and Mansfield (Robin Hood Line).

The nearest bus service is the Pronto service (Bright pink!!) from Chesterfield to Nottingham via Mansfield. Get off at Heath and walk the last mile and a half.

A taxi from Chesterfield or Mansfield costs about ten quid.

Is there a bar?

Too right there is! The Hat Block is a real ale bar, featuring a special Stainsby Festival brew as well as at least 20 other real ales, all sourced locally! - thanks to sponsorship by the Leadmill Brewery, a leading Derbyshire microbrewery. There'll also be the usual lagers, wines, spirits and soft drinks for those who can't stand the stuff. The Hat Block is open throughout the festival until midnight Friday and Saturday and until 6pm on Sunday.

Is there anywhere to eat?

There are several catering concessions serving a variety of hot food throughout the day and evening featuring everything from burgers to Mediterranean dishes including vegetarian options.

What about Children?

There are lots of events for children throughout the weekend.

How much will this cost me?

Children under 12 are free at our discretion but only accompanied by a responsible adult. Children 12 to 18 are at a special reduced youth ticket price of £15 per session or £20 for the weekend.

Can I bring my dog?

Unlike many festivals, dogs are welcome at Stainsby but you've got to follow three simple rules:

They must be on a lead at all times

They are not allowed in the main concert venues

You have to scoop the poop

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets are on sale now. You can download the booking form from the sidebar and send with your cheque to the address on the form or buy them for cheque or cash on the gate.

Can I use a credit or debit card?

Sure thing - via our partners wegottickets. Click on the link and use the shopping cart. There is a booking fee for this service.

Note: We can't accept credit or debit cards on the gate.

Performers looking for Gigs

The volume of emails asking for gigs is far too large for us to respond to, so if you have sent one, don't expect an answer, there aren't enough hours in the day. We'll only reply if there's the chance of a gig.

A HEARTFELT PLEA ABOUT GAZEBOS

Camping space is very limited at Stainsby and everyone has to be very nice to each other, since you can't turn round without sticking your bum through someone else's guy ropes. So please - NO GAZEBOS - there's shed loads of space to stretch out in the festival arena. Leave the camping area free for tents, 'cos we need all the space we can get. And we're not in the business of being the Gazebo Police, we want to enjoy ourselves too. So just don't bring 'em, eh? Thanks.