How big is the festival and what can I expect?

How big is the festival and what can I expect?

Cotswold Farm Park is thrilled to host Summer Sunset, a country music festival that brings the charm of the American South to the heart of the Cotswolds. This micro-festival, intimate and full of character, welcomes no more than 2000 guests, making it a perfectly sized event for those who love to dance, connect, and enjoy a laid-back family festival atmosphere.

At Summer Sunset, you can expect an authentic country experience, with live cover bands playing all your favourite country hits. The festival is a haven for those who appreciate the finer details: think space to dance under the open sky, friendly festival-goers decked out in their best country attire, and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the theme.

The festival grounds are filled with fun activities, including a coconut shy, country-themed photo ops, and a BBQ that would make any cowboy proud. Our saloon bar offers a range of drinks to keep the good times rolling, with no sponsors or corporate gimmicks to detract from the experience—just a warm, welcoming community of like-minded people coming together to enjoy the music and festivities.

Summer Sunset is still in its early years, making this a special time to be part of something that’s growing and evolving. Run by the Cotswold Farm Park team, we aim to create a fun atmosphere, where this festival is all about creating unforgettable memories and spreading joy. So dust off your cowboy boots, grab your hat, and join us for a weekend filled with country spirit, glitter, and plenty of smiles!

What age group is Summer Sunset targeted at?

The Summer Sunset is a festival for all ages! It’s family friendly and great for kids too – we want to inspire the little nippers to be social, creative and celebrate life – why should just the adults have the fun? Plus, children under 12 go free!

How many stages/areas are there at Summer Sunset?

1. The main stage and arena – catch the big cover bands and the country dancers here
2. Chill by the Firepit Stage – a pop up stage featuring our favourite local acoustic artist and entertainers
3. Western Games – Have a go at our Coconut Shy and other traditional activities
4. Selfie stations – capture your fancy dress efforts at a number of selfie stations ready for some memorable snaps!

What time does the music and entertainment start and stop?

Friday

Arena open 4pm – 9:30pm

Saturday

Arena open 12pm – 9:30pm

Sunday

Arena open 11am - 4:30pm. Live acts finish at 3:30pm

Can I stay at Cotswold Farm Park?

Yes, you can! Whether you're a camper, glamper or looking for a Luxury Lodge, we've got a range of accommodation options on our ranch to choose from which all include unlimited weekend entry to the festival. Don't be a slowpoke though, availability is limited!

If I am staying on-site at Cotswold Farm Park, are festival tickets included?

Yes, they are included for all guests with booked and paid for accommodation places. If you wish to invite any guests along, they will need to purchase their own festival tickets.

Can I go back to my car for more stuff after I have entered?

Yes, apart from alcohol. Your wristband will be checked on re-entry to the site.

Can I drive off-site during the festival?

Yes. Please be mindful of local residents when leaving the site and also bear in mind that you may not be able to park in the same spot when you return.

What's on each day?

Our timetable is available to view on our website. There will be plenty of signage on the day too to keep you from missing out. 

Will strobe lighting be used at the festival?

No, we will not be using strobe lighting at the festival. This decision is made to ensure the event is accessible and enjoyable for everyone, including those who are neurodivergent or have medical sensitivities that can be triggered by strobe effects. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all our guests feel comfortable and safe.

Will there be electricity on-site?

The festival arena site has electricity to power the stages, lights, food vendors etc, but there will be no provision for plugging in your mobile phones or other electric devices. We will accept contactless payment and encourage lots of photos and videos – so please make sure you bring sufficient battery packs to keep your phone topped up. Our accommodation options all benefit from electricity other than basic grass pitches.

I have a disability. How accessible is the festival site?

The festival site is comprised of a grass field with a stoney gravel path going through the middle. The site is generally sloped and mostly accessible over grass. This may be challenging to access if the weather is particularly wet, however the hard path will enable access to the key features as well as allowing visibility of the main stage. An accessible toilet is located onsite. We offer a free ticket scheme for registered carers and personal assistants.

We want to give a Summer Sunset welcome to our deaf and disabled customers. If you have any queries or requests relating to accessibility, please do contact us in advance to ensure we can make any necessary arrangements. We will aim to respond within 5 working days.

E-mail: hello@cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Can I bring a buggy?

Yes.

Are there baby changing facilities?

Yes, there will be a space available for this in the toilet area.

What’s your environmental policy?

We’re committed to running an ethical, sustainable event that minimises any negative impact on the environment. This includes the following:

• The electricity for the event is powered with support from our 100kw on-site solar panel installation. On a sunny day, this provides up to 100% of our electricity needs. If it is cloudy or during the evenings, the supply reverts to the grid.
• The backup generators are powered by biodiesel.
• All catering packaging is recyclable.
• Reusable plastic bar cups will be available to purchase. Save space in the recycling bins and keep a memento of the event!

Can I pay for food & drinks with my bank card?

Yes – this is a cashless event. Card or contactless payments will be accepted for food and drink purchases.

All activities and games can be paid for using our token ‘Buffalo Bucks’ system. These will be made available to purchase in advance in bundles, and available to purchase on site.

Will my festival ticket be mailed out in advance?

You will require an e-ticket which is sent through our ticket system straight after you make payment online. This will need to be shown on entry to the festival. Save the trees and display these on a mobile device instead of printing the ticket!

Can I get a refund for my ticket if I can’t make it?

All tickets (and other rewards and products) are non-refundable.

Can I buy a day ticket?

Yes! Both individual day and weekend tickets are available.

Do tickets include entry to Cotswold Farm Park

No, the event is outside of Cotswold Farm Park. If you wish to visit both, you will need to purchase tickets for Cotswold Farm Park separately. At the festival, by the time you have had something to eat and drink, enjoyed the interactive activities, watched our musicians and got interactive with the shows, we don’t feel you will have sufficient time to enjoy both to the fullest. The Farm Park is open most of the year, so if you do wish to do both, perhaps save the Farm Park for another date.

All guests of our Holidays site have access to the Farm Park as part of their stay.

BUY FARM PARK TICKETS HERE

Where is the festival held?

Summer Sunset is held at Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL54 5FL. Parking is available on site, however we would strongly encourage lift sharing where possible.

How do I get to and from the festival?

We are not on a public transport route. Please use our postcode GL54 5FL or 'Cotswold Farm Park' in your Sat Nav or on your map app.

What’s the nearest train station to the festival?

The nearest train station is Kingham which runs on the Worcester to London Paddington line, 20 minutes away by car. We recommend booking taxis or private hire drivers well in advance as there is no taxi rank at the station.

What shall I bring to the festival?

A very good question! Luckily, we’ve got lots of suggestions about this:

• FANCY DRESS
• WATER BOTTLE - reusable, to fill up from the water point on site.
• SUN CREAM
• RAIN MAC and WARM JUMPER - it can get cold at night!
• WELLIES - just in case.
• DEBIT CARDS or a contactless phone
• CAMPING CHAIR - an area of the festival field will be available for camping chairs, allowing visibility of the stage (there will be a standing area in front) and the amazing Cotswold views.

Do I need to bring wellies?

We suggest yes, or some waterproof cowboy boots! If it rains and you do not have your wellies (or good quality, waterproof boots), you may get soggy feet. If you do have your wonderful wellies, your toes will be toasty, your legs will be dancing, your heart will be light and your face will have a beaming smile as you strut-your-stuff at the main stage.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, this event is dog friendly. Please be mindful of guests who may not be as dog-keen as yourself, and ensure that your pet is kept on a short lead and you have plenty of poo bags. Please be mindful also of your dog’s festival experience as they may not be too keen on being close to the stage or the campfire.

What Should I Wear?

Get ready to embrace the spirit of the country and wear whatever makes you feel your best! Whether that means donning your favourite cowboy boots, a classic pair of denim jeans, or a head-to-toe outfit that’s bursting with country flair, anything goes at Summer Sunset. Think western hats, flannel shirts, and anything that makes you feel like you’ve stepped straight out of Dutton Ranch.

If you’re feeling adventurous, why not add some sparkle or bright colours that you wouldn't usually wear? We love seeing festival-goers in fun, attention-grabbing outfits that add to the festive atmosphere. Don’t forget, there will be an interactive line dancing session each day, so let your imagination run wild! Whether you want to be a rootin' tootin' cowboy, a sequinned cowgirl, or a saloon bar damsel, this is your chance to shine.

We also encourage up-cycling your wardrobe - bring out those fancy dress items you’ve been saving for a special occasion and give them a new twist with a country theme. The more creative, the better!

This is a family festival so we discourage the use of any toy or imitation guns in your costumes. Save some space in your holster for your phone instead - you will need it for plenty of pictures!