FAQs

General information & frequently asked questions

Location

Catton Park is a glorious 250-acre private Estate, which has been owned by the same family for over 600 years.

Located in the heart of the National Forest, Catton is located between Derby and Lichfield on the West Midlands, Staffordshire and South Derbyshire border. Interestingly Catton Park is a 2-hour drive away for 50% of the UK`s population.

 

Our home:

Catton Park
Walton upon Trent
Derbyshire
DE12 8LN

DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR SAT NAV. FOLLOW THE AA ROUTING SIGNS DUE TO A VERY NARROW BRIDGE IN WALTON UPON TRENT.

Follow the postcode DE12 8LN until you see the festival road signs, then follow these.  The festival signs will avoid Walton Upon Trent which will be closed to festival traffic.

 

Food & Drink

You can bring your own alcohol into the festival’s campsite and arena in moderation (don’t take the proverbial, please do your bit by supporting our bars). Glass containers and bottles are not permitted on site.

Please be aware that anyone who appears to be under the age of 25 will be asked for valid identification if seen consuming or bringing alcohol into the festival. Bearded Theory only accepts Passports, UK Driving License and Age cards as valid identification.

We have 6 amazing bars offering award winning ales and sensible prices.

Bearded Theory carefully hand selects a great range of food concessions catering for all food tastes, with plenty of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

All our food vendors have been selected to provide good quality organic foods at sensible prices.

 

Camping

Upon arrival head towards the wristband exchange and get yourself wristbanded, then take the route to the festival campsites where our friendly stewards will point you in the right direction to your desired campsite.

Bearded Theory has 8 campsite areas:

• Walton Wood (Social festival camping): perfect for campers & festival goers looking to make friends and have fun ’til late!
• Catton (General festival camping): your regular festival camping experience.
• Gibbs (General festival camping): just like Catton!
• Family (Families & Quiet campers): quiet after 9pm, our campsite with kids loos and baby changing, perfect for families and early morning risers!
• Trent (Campervans & Caravans only): for all you live-in vehicle folk.
• Oaklands (Campervan & Caravans only): more space for the wheels!
• Accessible (Accessible camping): our dedicated accessible camping area, see more information below.
• Glamping (Tipi & Yurt): pre-booked glamping options for those looking for a few more home comforts in the fields!

Please have respect for people in the Family Campsite and keep noise down after 9pm – this will be enforced, and persistent sinners will be asked to move.

Access to social, general & family camping areas are included within the weekend ticket price.

For access to the Campervan & Caravan fields you must have purchased your vehicle pass in advance of the festival.

Glamping packages must be booked in advance, more information can be found here.

If camping, please only bring what you need for the amount of people you’re accommodating. Smaller tents = more room for everybody so please be considerate of your fellow campers. We reserve the right to ask large structures to be removed.

 

Nearby Accommodation

For those not keen on camping on site, we have compiled the below list of nearby hotels and B&Bs.

Hotels

Catton Park has an abundance of hotels and bed & breakfast accommodation located nearby. If you are planning on staying off site please ensure you have read the entry and re-entry times. Be aware that in previous years the majority of local accommodation gets booked up very quickly.

• Travelodge, A38 Northbound, Barton-under-Needwood DE13 8EG, www.travelodge.co.uk, Tel: 0871 984 6069 (3 miles away)
• Wychnor Park Country Club, Barton-under-Needwood, DE13 8BU, Tel: 01283 791391, (4 miles away)
• Travelodge, A38 Southbound, Barton-under-Needwood DE13 8EG, www.travelodge.co.uk, Tel: 0871 984 6069 (5 miles away)
• Riverside Hotel, Riverside, Riverside Drive, Branston, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 3EP, Tel: 01283 511234 (6 miles away)
• The Ladybridge, Bonehill Rd, Tamworth, www.premierinn.com, Tel: 08715 278000 (8 miles away)
• Dovecliffe Hall, Dovecliffe Rd, Stretton, DE13 0DJ, www.dovecliffhallhotel.co.uk , Tel: 01283 531818 (10 miles away)
• Mercure Hotel, Newton Park Burton upon Trent, www.mercureburton.co.uk, Tel: 08448 159018 (14 miles away)

Bed & Breakfasts

• Manor Farm, Coton-in-the-Elms, DE12 8EP, www.manorfarmbb.co.uk, Tel: 01283 760340 (2 miles away)
• Harlaston Post Office, Main Road, Harlaston, B79 9JU
• Keppel Gate Bed and Breakfast, 300 Burton Road, Overseal, DE12 6JN, www.keppelgate.org.uk, Tel: 01283 769803
• www.harlastonpostoffice.co.uk , Tel: 01827 383324, (4 miles away)
• Wisteria Lodge, Harlaston, B79 9JX, www.wisterialodgeuk.co.uk, Tel: 01827 383007 (4 miles away)
• Peel Farm, Fisherwick Road, Whittington, WS14 9LJ, Tel: 01543 433461 (6 miles away)
• East Lodge, Byrkley Drive, Rangemore, DE13 9RN, www.eastlodgeburton.co.uk, Tel: 01283 712412 (7 miles away)
• St Johns House, St John Street, Lichfield, www.stjohnshouse.co.uk, Tel: 01543 252080 (7 miles away)

 

Entry Information 

Entry to the festival is by advance ticket purchase only, you can get your ticket via: www.alttickets.com/bearded-theory-tickets

Please see the ticket information section on this website for full details of ticket types. Please do not buy tickets for inflated prices on internet auction sites and be careful when purchasing tickets from sellers on internet forums.

Children up to and including the age of 7 (at the time of the festival) can attend free of charge but you must still obtain a ticket for them and please remember they must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

Please ensure you read the terms and conditions before attending the festival and remember that by buying a ticket you are in agreement with the conditions set out.

Gates open for Bearded Theory 2024 at 09:00 on each day of the festival for standard weekend ticket holders.

 

Ticket Terms & Conditions

To see our ticket terms and conditions please click here

 

Parking, Live in Vehicle Field & Access Camping

To ensure we get you parked and ready for a weekend of fun as fast and as smooth as possible this year car park and live in vehicle tickets will be available as e-Tickets.  The e-ticket will be scanned on entry, you will be directed by stewards to the next available parking place.

Car Park Tickets can be purchased in advance at a cheaper rate, on the day they will be available cash only.

Our car park is a 3-5-minute walk away from the closest campsite. Please note that any vehicles arriving earlier than 9am on Thursday and 9am on Friday will be asked to wait in a holding area until the official gate opening time.

Please make sure you follow the AA Road Signs and instructions from the stewards when you get closer to the festival site.

 

Drop Off Point

We do have a pickup and drop off point – please follow the applicable AA signs.

 

Car Sharing

Car Sharing is a great way to meet new people and you can also save money by sharing the cost of diesel and parking. So if you have a spare seat and fancy offering it to another festival goer then head over to www.gocarshare.com

 

Taxi & Black Cab Contacts

Lichfield

Lichfield City Radio Cars: 01543 255440 / 254999 / 252444
Alrewas Cars: 01283 790391 / 07775 725205 / 07970 52985

Burton on Trent

Station Taxis: 01283 532000 / 01283 532007
Dells Taxis: 01283 564012

Tamworth

3 B’s: 01827 63636

 

Arriving by train

The closest train stations to Bearded Theory are at Lichfield and Burton-upon-Trent. The festival does not operate a shuttlebus, so the best way to travel from the station to our site will be via taxi – please see information above on local taxi firms and our pick-up/drop-off points.

 

Children

We have a great Children’s Village, with various free to use activities. Please visit the Children’s Area section of this website for further details.

Bearded Theory has been recognised for its award-winning Festival School, providing education without walls to pre-enrolled children attending the festival. You can find out more here.

Please make sure children are not left unattended and that you look after your little ones’ hearing. White wristbands are available for you to write your phone number on.

 

Dogs

We regrettably are not allowed any dogs or cats to be onsite at the festival. A nice kennel is only down the road in Catton village. Please contact Mansditch Kennels on 01827 383463.

Assistance dogs are allowed on site and we have an area for toileting.

 

Accessibility

Please visit our access page here for full details on the services we provide.

 

Local Shops

The festival has set out to cater for all your requirements however we do recommend coming prepared.

Local shops to Catton Hall are:

• Co-Op, Main St, Rosliston, Swadlincote DE12 8JW
• Co-Op, Main Street, Alrewas, DE13 7AE
• Morrisons, Wellington Rd, Burton, West Midlands DE14 2AR

Traffic movement at the festival is restricted so please buy all your food and beverages prior to the festival taking place.

 

Proof of Age

The festival will operate a challenge 25 scheme to stop underage drinking at the festival. The festival will accept three forms of identification with regards to identifying an attendee’s age. This will be a valid UK Passport, Driving Licence or a PASS Identification Card.

 

BBQs & Fires

No open fires are allowed at Bearded Theory, including campfires, firepits & braziers.

No disposable BBQs are allowed at Bearded Theory.

Off the ground BBQs and camping gas stoves are only to be used outside and in a safe area, please be aware of your surroundings and people nearby.

BBQ Safety – the dangers of Carbon Monoxide

There have been a number of tragic deaths nationally from carbon monoxide poisoning linked to the use of barbecues within tents, camping structures and caravans.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless poisonous gas produced by incomplete burning of carbon based fuels, including gas, oil, wood and coal. Levels of the gas can build up very quickly to levels that can make someone unwell or result in a fatality.

Approximately 4,000 people attending Accident and Emergency each year are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning. When CO enters the body, it prevents the blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues and organs. It can cause symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting. CO can kill quickly, in minutes, without warning and even low levels of the poison can cause lasting damage to health.

Campers have lost their lives after taking lit barbecues into tents or caravans for warmth.

A lit or smouldering barbecue should never be taken into a tent, tent awning, camping pod, caravan or campervan. Similarly, portable gas stoves are not designed to be used inside such structures. They should be kept clean, in good working order and should only be used outside in a suitably ventilated area.

It is tempting to move cooking equipment inside when the weather is poor, but this can quickly lead to a potentially deadly build-up of poisonous gas. Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to carbon monoxide fumes should seek medical advice immediately.

Where can I find advice?

For further information see Gas Safe web page on BBQ safety.

 

Crime

Tent theft is becoming common at festivals and we advise you to visit the Crimestoppers website prior to attending the festival raise your awareness of crime and help you to minimise risk to yourself.

All security will have photo ID to ensure you know who you are dealing with.

If you are a victim of crime, please find the nearest steward to assist you and visit security.

 

Off-site Parking & Vehicle Movement

Any naughty vehicles parked on the roads surrounding the festival site will be towed away at your expense. Vehicle movement might be restricted depending on the weather, please be patient.

 

Cash & Card

Bearded Theory accepts both cash and card, there will be cashback facilities available on site. All traders, merch stands and bars will accept card payments.

Don’t become a victim and avoid bringing excessive cash levels with you and withdraw money on a daily basis.

 

Showers

We are proud to offer free to use shower blocks to all customers, there are shower blocks located around the site.

 

Toilets

We receive massive amounts of praise for our toilets every year, but we will continue to make these facilities better. We expect all our toilets to be clean and tidy at all hours of the day and we have a team working 24/7 to ensure these standards are met.

 

Corner Shop

Bearded Theory has a corner shop that sells cigarettes, food, newspapers, fruit, crisps, soft drinks and plenty more bits and bobs.