FAQ's
Got a question about the festival? Use our handy FAQ's guide below and see if we may already have given the answer.
If you've not found what you are looking for use the contact us section of the website.
Please note that the team will be away from the office the week of the festival with very little access to emails.
What is the location for the festival?
The festival will take place at Kirkley Hall Campus in Ponteland, the postcode for your satnav is NE20 0AQ. Please follow the signs for Kirkley Hall/Kirkley Hall Zoological Gardens, then follow the signs for festival visitor parking. Please drive slowly once on site. Parking is in a field. Dogs MUST be kept on the lead - this will be a high traffic area. No dogs to be left in cars in the visitor car park. Please do not walk on the road. Follow the fence along the field.
WHERE DO WE PARK FOR THE FESTIVAL?
The festival is in a new field and parking is in a new area. The entrance for all parking is accessed via the main entrance. Please follow all signage on the day and be kind to our hard working parking staff.
What time does the festival open and close?
The car park is open from 8.30am – and general parking is free! The show gates will open at 9.00am. Forward prepaid parking and disabled parking must be prebooked via our tickets page. The festival will finish at the close of the main ring. This is likely to be around 4.30pm. Last admittance is 3.30pm.
Do you have to pay for parking on show day?
There are hundreds of car parking spaces available. general parking is free and can be booked alongside your tickets. On entry you will be directed by our car park attendants - please follow their guidance to the next available parking space. Please drive carefully- there will be children and dogs in the car parking field. With field parking make sure you wear appropriate shoes for walking. There is extremely limited disabled parking nearer to the festival. This must be prebooked and you will be required to show your badge on arrival. Forward prepaid parking is available via our ticket website when choosing your festival tickets.
How much do tickets cost?
Early Bird tickets prices are £10.00 per person for a single day or £16.50 for a weekend ticket. Children 5-15 years are £3.50 early bird. Tickets on the day are £15pp and £5 for 5-15years. Weekend tickets will not be available on the gate. Tickets are for entry into the Festival only. Activities within the festival may incur an additional charge. For full options please visit our ticket page.
Can I change my tickets?
Ticket support can be found via clicking read more.
Is camping available?
There is no camping available. You may find sites nearby in Morpeth, Ponteland, etc
Can I bring my dog?
Of course- This event is very much for dogs! Please make sure you pick up after your dog and use the bins provided. We recommend travelling with a dish and water for your dog. Please ensure your dog is kept under close control and on a lead throughout the festival - we strongly advise against using extendable leads as some activities may not allow them - and they are dangerous in crowded areas. This is still a working farm in places with some livestock. Activity areas are fenced for safety but may not be suitable if your dog is an escape artist. Please consider whether your dog will enjoy themselves, not every dog likes big busy places; this includes ensuring your dog is fit enough to walk around the festival.
my dog is in season
Please note that dogs in seasons are not permitted anywhere on festival grounds.
Is there disabled parking?
Blue badge holders will be able to park in the field nearest the festival within a short walking distance of the festival field. Please note that this parking is still in a field. Please have your blue badge ready in your car when entering the car park to be directed. Disabled parking must be prebooked. Please note that disabled parking is limited. The festival is now in one field so it allows our team to open up closer car parking. However disabled parking must be pre booked alongside your festival tickets as space is limited.
Is the site accessible for disabled visitors?
While every care is taken to accommodate people with disabilities, visitors must be aware that the festival is held on agricultural land used for rural activities which is uneven, has slopes and can be slippery when wet. Toilet facilities are provided for disabled visitors throughout the site and these are sited on the most level ground available. For people of limited mobility the rough terrain can become slippery and uneven, the show field is very spread out and a lot of walking is required. We welcome every visitor equally regardless of their physical, sensory or mental capacity. We are, however, honest about our rural location and the limitations that this can impose. The festival is now being held on one field, so this will reduce some of the walking, but there are areas of incline.
what footwear should i have?
The terrain of the show ground can be quite uneven in places so we would recommend wearing suitable footwear as if going for a walk in the country. Even if it isn't raining, we would recommend trainers, wellies or sturdy boots. You will be walking on grass for the duration of the day so please leave your stilettos at home!
do i need a dog to visit?
Every year we welcome lots of visitors who come without a dog. Sometimes your dog may not feel comfortable in a busy crowded environment so is happier at home or sometimes you might not even have a dog. The festival is a great place to speak to people about dogs, watch trained dogs during the displays, plus not all of our exhibitors are dog related.
Can I get tickets on the gate and can i pay by card?
Yes, you can buy tickets on the gate. Please note that gate tickets are more expensive than early bird tickets. You can buy early bird tickets online. Weekend tickets are not available on the gate. We recommend getting your tickets before the day. Card facilities will be limited at the main gate. If you need to pay by card on the gate please notify a member of staff when you arrive. Some traders may only accept cash, so please bear that in mind when coming along. We are working with a wifi company so hope that signal will be stable.
is the zoo open?
The zoo will be closed and not accessible for the duration of the festival.
where is the trader information?
Traders will recieve a full information pack before the festival weekend. If you haven't got your trade stand number and pack before the end of August, please check your junk or contact us ASAP.
what happens if the weather is bad?
Bring a coat and a smile – but no seriously the show must go on. We have plenty of things to keep you entertained and with covered areas you can take a moment to keep dry.
what can i enter on the day?
What can’t you enter is probably a better question… There are plenty of activities with everything from dog shows to flyball, fastest recall and temptation alley. New activities include Parkour, Scentventure, Small Paws area and Rally-O. Activities will incur a small charge so make sure you take some change. Some activities may have limited tickets. Please note that not all activities may be suitable for all dogs. Please follow the instructions of the club or trainer when taking part.
where can i find timetables?
Timetables will be available before the weekend of the festival. Our show programme can also be downloaded before the day. We recommend signing up to our newsletter so as not to miss any updates. A limited number of show programmes will be available on the day, priced at £2.
are there toilets?
The festival site will have several portaloo toilet blocks. There will also be disabled toilets on site.
Health and Safety
Our team of festival staff are vigilant to look out for any security or health and safety concerns. If you notice anything suspicious, have had an accident or have any concerns regarding health and safety, please report this to a Festival Steward, volunteer or come and see us at the stewards marquee. Please report any accidents to the stewards ’s marquee on the show field, Festival staff can show you how to get there.
First Aid
On site we will have first aiders and medical teams based next to the Stewards marquee.
Lost Children
Please write your mobile number on your child's wristbands once you have entered the show
If your child gets lost please inform any member of festival staff who will contact the main festival stewards
Layla is a street rescue from Romania, and can be quite anxious! The festival last year was her first big event and we weren’t sure how she’d handle it. But the atmosphere was amazing and there was enough space to chill when she needed it. And plenty for us humans to enjoy too! Really looking forward to coming back this year.
Charis Croft