EL DORADO 2024 FAQs

Age Restrictions

El Dorado is an 18+ event that operates a Challenge 25 policy. You will be asked to provide evidence of your age with a valid photographic ID.

We accept: 

-A Passport (not photocopy)

-A UK Driving License

-A Proof of Age Card bearing a PASS hologram

There is strictly no entry to those under the age of 18, and the festival will not be able to offer refunds to those refused entry on the day.

Opening Times

Thursday 11th July - Sunday 14th July 2024.

Thursday 11th July

- Car Park Opens - 12pm
- Entry Gates Open - 12pm
- Campsite Opens - 12pm
- Main Arena Opens - 5pm
- Bars Open - 5pm
- Music Starts - 5pm
- Car Park Closes - 11pm
- Gates Close - 11pm
- Bars Close - midnight
- Music Ends - midnight
- Main Arena Closes - midnight

Friday 12th July

- Campsite Traders Open - 7am
- Car Park Opens - 9am
- Entry Gates Open - 10am
- Campsite Opens - 10am
- Main Arena Opens - 10am
- Bars Open - 11am
- Music Starts - 12pm
- Car Parking Closes - 11pm
- Gates Close - 11pm
- Bars Close - 3.30am
- Music Ends - 4am
- Main Arena Closes - 4am

Saturday 13th July

- Campsite Traders Open - 7am
- Car Park Opens - 9am
- Entry Gates Open - 10am
- Main Arena Opens - 10am
- Bars Open - 11am
- Music Starts - Midday
- Gates Close - 8pm
- Bars Close - 3.30am
- Music Ends - 4am
- Main Arena Closes - 4am

Sunday 14th July

- Campsite Traders Open - 7am
- Car Park Opens - 9am
- Entry Gates Open - 10am
- Main Arena Opens - 10am
- Bars Open - 11am
- Music Starts - Midday
- Gates Close - 8pm
- Bars Close - 2.30am
- Music Ends - 3am
- Main Arena Closes - 3am

Monday 15th July

- Campsite Traders Open - 7am
- Campsite Closes - midday

Tickets

The official ticketing partners of El Dorado Festival are:

  • Easol

  • Skiddle

  • Resident Advisor

  • Fatsoma

  • Fixr

  • Tickets For Good

  • Tixel

Please only purchase tickets from our official ticket partners listed above and beware of unauthorised ticket agents (including ebay, Gumtree, Ticket Swap etc.) to avoid disappointment. Fraudulent tickets will be cancelled on discovery and you will not be granted access to the festival.

Residents living within 8 miles of the El Dorado festival site are eligible for a discounted Weekend Camping Ticket. Please be aware these tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please apply using the form here

If you work for the NHS you may be eligible for a discounted ticket. These are available from our partners at Tickets For Good. Head to their website to apply here

Yes, we will be selling Saturday and Sunday Day Tickets for El Dorado Festival 2024.

Please note, Day Tickets do not include camping or access to the campsite.

Day Ticket holders can enjoy the full day and night of the festival with up to 18 hours of music and programing on each day:

Saturday: 10am - 4am

Sunday: 10am - 3am

The barcoded e-tickets for all purchases made via the official El Dorado website will be dispatched 7 days prior to the festival.

Getting to El Dorado Festival

El Dorado takes place at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 1RN and is easily located by car, train or coach. 

We've teamed up with Big Green Coach to provide return coaches from:

Bath

Birmingham

Bristol

Leeds

London 

Manchester

Reading

Click here to book your Coach Tickets now!

We advise you to travel to Great Malvern train station. We will be running shuttle buses from here direct to the festival. Please book in advance to avoid paying more on the day. The full shuttle running times will be announced later.

The closest train station to the festival is Ledbury train station. However, please note that there is no shuttle service from this station due to the limited capacity of the station. You will need to book a taxi. We strongly advise you book a taxi in advance as there are a limited number of local companies who operate in the area.

Click here to book your Shuttle Bus Tickets!

Yes, we will be selling Saturday and Sunday Day Tickets for El Dorado Festival 2024.

Please note, Day Tickets do not include camping or access to the campsite.

Day Ticket holders can enjoy the full day and night of the festival with up to 18 hours of music and programing on each day:

Saturday: 10am - 4am

Sunday: 10am - 3am

Parking

Yes you can. Advance parking passes will be made available online at a later date.

Please be aware parking passes purchased on the gates will be more expensive.

Car Parking passes will become available at a later date.

The car park opens at 11am on Thursday 11th July. Followed by 9am on Friday 12th July, Saturday 13th July and Sunday 14th July.

Camper vans and live-in vehicles are welcome at El Dorado. You will need to purchase a pass for your vehicle (max 4 occupants). Each occupant in the car, including the driver must also have a weekend camping ticket in order to enter the festival.

Please note that the pitch allocation is 7 x 7 metres. If your vehicle exceeds this size you will need to purchase 2 passes.  

Live In Vehicle passes will become available at a later date.

The car park is a short walk to the campsite. We will allow people to make one journey back to their car to collect their stuff upon arrival, they must be searched every time and alcohol will only be allowed the first time they go through.

Camping

Yes. Camping is a major part of the El Dorado experience and included within the ticket price for all weekend ticket holders. As well as the usual amenities, the campsites have camping convenience stores, a selection of breakfast food traders as well as access to showers.

You can also upgrade your camping experience by booking one of our boutique camping packages. Boutique packages go on sale at a later date and we expect boutique packages to sell out in advance.

Yes, if you are a local resident or staying in accommodation offsite during the festival weekend, you will be able to leave the festival and return the next day with a ‘non-camping’ wristband.

You can collect your ‘non-camping’ wristband from all of the entrance gates at the festival site as you enter or before you leave the site for the first time.

You will not be able to re-enter without this wristband and once you have left the site, you will only be able re-enter the festival site on the following day.

All festival goers will be searched every time they enter the site. Please note that your personal alcohol allowance will only be permitted upon your first entry into the campsite.

Entry into the campsite opens at 12pm on Thursday 6th July. Followed by 10am on Friday 7th July, Saturday 8th July and Sunday 9th July. The campsite closes at midday on Monday 10th July. 

The car park is a short walk to the campsite. We will allow people to make one journey back to their car to collect their stuff upon arrival, they must be searched every time and alcohol will only be allowed the first time they go through.

No, camping is included within the price of the weekend ticket. Boutique camping is available at an additional cost.

There is no restriction on tent size at El Dorado, bring something that's big enough for your group, waterproof and comfortable. We do ask that you are considerate to other campers and don't bring anything that's excessively large or any Gazebo's.

Camper vans and live-in vehicles are welcome at El Dorado. Festival goers will need to purchase a pass for your vehicle in advance. These will go on sale at a later date.

For safety reasons, generators of any size are not permitted.

For safety reasons, camping stoves of any type or description are not allowed.

For safety reasons, El Dorado does not permit unregulated campfires or barbecues in the campsite. There are lots of delicious food stalls on site to ensure you’re well fed across the weekend. Any festival goer found starting a fire will be asked to leave the festival immediately.

Yes, you can upgrade your camping experience with a wide selection of boutique tents and facilities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. See our 2024 range here.

Yes, there are showers in the campsite available for festival goers to use across the weekend. Please bring your own towel, shampoo and shower gel.

To conserve water, these are available only at certain times of the day and will be advertised at the shower block and the campsite hub.

Yes, there will be a general store and a number of food traders in the campsite for all your camping needs.

Yes. Phone charging stations will be available in the main campsite at El Dorado. Facilities to charge your phone within your tent are also available with certain boutique camping packages.

No. Gazebos are not permitted at El Dorado.

Eastnor Castle Deer Park is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest that El Dorado would like to keep that way. We ask that all festival goers help us minimise waste and participate in our recycling initiatives across the weekend ensuring rubbish is disposed of in the ample bins provided and the land is looked after during your stay. Make sure you ask for some bin bags from our campsite hub or campsite roaming team to keep your area clean

Food & Drink

El Dorado is a cashless festival site. All purchases made for drinks, food and other trader items will need to be made via contactless or chip and pin.

Please note, that unlike in previous years (2022 and previous) we will NOT be using contactless RFID wristbands. So there is no need to purchase a food and drink voucher in advance or to top up your wristband over the weekend.

As a small, independent festival, El Dorado takes pride in the food and drink offerings available on site, providing some of the finest street food, bars and drink vendors to keep you well fed and looked after during your stay with us. From craft beers and cocktails to ice cream and smoothies, there’s something for everyone at this summer’s event. 

There are several standpipes that contain free, clean drinking water in the campsites and main arena. Please bring a container that you can refill during the weekend. Water will also be available to purchase at the catering units and bars throughout the site. Please familiarise yourself with these points and ensure you stay hydrated across the weekend.

As El Dorado is a small, independent event, bar sales are essential to keep the festival alive, thus we must stipulate a limit on alcohol brought into the campsite. We have a wide selection of beer, cider, wine and cocktails available across the main arena for you to enjoy during the weekend. Please see below on what you can and can’t bring and thank you for your understanding.

Per person, you can bring the following into the campsite:

  • EITHER 8 x cans of beer or lager or cider

  • OR 8 premixed spirit cans (max 250ml)

  • OR 1 bottle of wine decanted into a plastic bottle

Please note:

  • Strictly no spirits or hard liquor are permitted.

  • Searches will be undertaken upon entry to ensure this is complied with.

  • Any alcohol above this allocation will be confiscated.

  • This alcohol may only be consumed within the campsite.

  • Sealed bottles of water and soft drinks are allowed, but will be checked on entry to the site. There will be no limit on soft drinks.

  • No pass-outs or readmission will be permitted for the duration of the festival.

  • A wide selection of beer, wine and cocktails will be available in the main arena across the weekend.

No. You are not allowed to bring your own alcohol or food into the main arena at the festival, this is to only be consumed within the campsite. Bins will be provided at the gates to dispose of any items before entering the main arena. 

Yes. There will be vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available on site, but if you have any additional food requirements we do recommend you come prepared.

The campsite food stalls will be open from 07:00 AM, with the main arena stalls opening for breakfast from 10:00 AM. There will be a wide range of teas, coffees, smoothies and delicious food to start your day the right way in El Dorado!

Get Involved

There will be two fancy dress themes are El Dorado 2024.

Saturday: To be Announced!

Sunday: GOLD (as is El Dorado tradition!)

More details will come later

Application forms will open later in the year.

Sign up to our newsletter and be notified as soon as these are announced.

El Dorado is partnered with The Collab agency, to enquire about all 2024 opportunities please email partnerships@the-collab.co.uk

Accessibility

El Dorado is held at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Ledbury, Herefordshire. The land is woodland, farmland, lakes and some uneven ground.

There is a tarmac road running up to the main arena. The main arena has a number of small hills inside its perimeter. There is a gravel road that runs around the edge of the accessible campsite.

Please note: The weather conditions can dramatically affect the ground conditions, so wherever possible please try to consider what preparations you may need to make and any equipment you may need to bring along.

The following access facilities need to be pre-booked using the access requirement form. Please email support@eldoradofestival.com to receive this. This form and the required evidence must be sent to us once you have purchased a ticket.

We provide a 2:1 ticket scheme for individuals who would be unable to attend our events without bringing a personal assistant. Once you have bought a full price ticket, please fill in the access requirement form and provide us with a form of evidence as listed on the form to receive your personal assistant ticket.

  • On arrival, there will be an access information point where you can collect further information on access within the festival site. It is also here that additional pre-agreed wristbands can be collected.

  • The accessible campsite will be cordoned off from general camping. There will be a number of accessible toilets and showers. Please assist us with planning by letting us know if you intend to use this service when completing the access requirement form.

  • Near to the accessible campsite there are general amenities (bar, concessions, information point and welfare).

  • Accessible showers and toilets

  • Fresh water points

  • Waste disposal point

  • Please note: this campsite is available to customers who are unable to camp in the standard campsites or who need access to specialist facilities.

We have a limited number of accessible live-in vehicle pitches available on a first come first served basis. After you have submitted the access requirement form (if approved) you will be sent a link to purchase one of these.

An accessible car park is located within the accessible campsite perimeter. Customers are allowed to park their cars near their tent in a designated car park, but not directly next to their tent.

Accessible Toilets

  • There will be a number of accessible toilets located on the festival site within the campsite and main arena.

Strobe Lighting

  • There will be general warning signs around the main arena if strobe lighting will be used. Due to the nature of the artists it is likely that strobe lighting will be used throughout the performances. There will not be a warning immediately before a period of strobe lighting.

Medical Services

  • There will be a First Aid tent located and visible within the main arena. There will also be medics and first aiders on patrol around the event. You will be able to store medication with the medical team if refrigeration is needed. Please let us know in advance if you will be wishing to store medication here. If you require more information, please get in touch.

British Sign Language

  • We currently do not have this onsite, if this is something you would be interested in please do get in touch and let us know.

Arrival Guide

  • On arrival to site, please head to the gate as described in the information pack, these are broken down into coloured gates. The information pack provided in advance, usually via email, will explain which gate to head to, where to collect your wristband and the location of the access campsite.

  • Don’t forget your festival tickets, these will be scanned on arrival and swapped for festival wristbands.

  • For any further information on accessibility at El Dorado, please contact support@eldoradofestival.com

You can view the Accessible arrival guide here and if you haven’t received the pre-arrival info pack, give us an email at support@eldoradofestival.com

We are committed to making El Dorado accessible to all customers, and we want to ensure that our event is as inclusive as possible for everyone attending. To ensure your experience with us is enjoyable, we have identified a few protocols to ensure we understand the needs of our customers. 

As part of our planning for our event, we will provide accessible facilities, including a designated car park, campsite, showers, toilets, customer service liaison, power and refrigeration where needed, and accessible routes around the site. More detailed information about these facilities will be available by March. Customers with accessibility needs who have purchased an event ticket may also apply for a free carer ticket. 

Please read and complete this form to apply.

Restricted Items

  • Animals

  • Drones

  • Gazebos

  • Glass

  • Large stereo systems

  • Illegal substances

  • Legal highs

  • Portable laser equipment and pens

  • Unauthorised film or video equipment

  • Audio recorders

  • Air horns

  • Paint, spray cans or grafiti pens

  • Megaphones

  • Fireworks, flares and Chinese or sky lanterns

  • Any item which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon

  • Gas Canisters

    • Live-in vehicles – propane or butane cylinders over 7kg. No more than 1 cylinder per vehicle

  • Nitrous Oxide

  • Petrol Burners

  • Any form of aerosol over 250ml

  • Unauthorised items for trading, including any goods using unauthorised event logos

  • Excessive amounts of food, cigarettes and alcohol. The following is permitted to be consumed within the campsite:

    • EITHER 8 cans of beer or lager or cider OR 1 bottle of wine (decanted into a plastic bottle) per person. Strictly no spirits of hard liquor are allowed

    • Please note searches will be undertaken upon entry to ensure this is complied with.

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