Kendal Calling is a three to four day music and arts festival based in the Lake District, with a brilliant and inclusive community surrounding the show. Given the location, Kendal is often referred to as the most picturesque festival in the country however the topography of the ground can pose challenges with hills, long grass and sometimes mud – nevertheless we do all we can to make the Deer Park as accessible as possible. The below information on our facilities is provided in order to empower you to make the decision on whether you would like to attend Kendal Calling.
WHAT’S NEW
This year, we have teamed up with the Nimbus Access Card to simplify our application process. Their card easily translates your disability or impairment into easy to understand symbols, allowing us to allocate you access to the relevant facilities. Please see the ‘About The Access Card’ dropdown for more information. Below is a simple summary of the necessary symbols on your access card for each of our facilities at Kendal Calling:
ABOUT THE ACCESS CARD
The Access Card is a scheme from Nimbus and is designed to streamline the process of communicating your access needs, the Access Card translates your disability or impairment into easy-to-understand symbols. This section explains how you can use the card to convey your access requirements to venues and service providers, ensuring a more accessible and enjoyable experience wherever you go.
In addition to translating your needs into symbols, the Access Card serves as a recognised proof of your requirements, eliminating the need for repeated explanations at different venues. This recognition is crucial in building a more inclusive environment, as it encourages venues and service providers to be proactive in their accessibility efforts. The card not only supports your individual needs but also contributes to a broader movement towards better accessibility for all.
The Symbols
On the front of your Access Card, there are 9 spaces to display symbols used to highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need. Here’s a description of each one of the symbols:
Standing and queueing
- For people who find standing and or queuing a substantial barrier to accessing services.
- This may include people who physically cannot stand or queue for any significant amount of time, or people that have an issue with understanding the concept of queuing.
Level Access
- For people who require wheelchair accessible facilities or have to have level access as they are unable to make even a few steps.
- We do not add the standing and queuing symbol for wheelchair users as if a queue is accessible this should present no problems. If a queue is not accessible then this will be addressed by each venue as an adjustment related to the need for level access.
Distance
- If you have difficulty moving yourself more than short distances this is the symbol for you.
Urgent Toilet Needs
- All Access Card holders have access to accessible toilets.
Assistance Dogs
- Our Assistance Dog Symbol is awarded once we receive official documentation stating the dog has gone through training to be able to support you at events and venues/other unusual environments/circumstances.
- This is unlikely to include emotional support animals. If you require an emotional support animal, we recommend you take advantage of the support provided by an essential companion which may covered by our +1 symbol. We do not add the standing and queuing symbol for wheelchair users as if a queue is accessible this should present no problems. If a queue is not accessible then this will be addressed by each venue as an adjustment related to the need for level access.
Essential Companions
- This symbol is awarded to people for whom it would be significantly difficult to access services without support from another person.
- You must be able to show that the support you need is substantial, significant or frequent, and directly related to your needs as a disabled person, and that without extra support you would receive a lesser service.
- It will add an essential companion ticket to aid you.
- The support needed must exceed what could be reasonably expected of family/friends already accompanying you, and must be due to disability-related needs.
- For children, we do not question that your child may need a certain amount of support when out and about, but we are unlikely to award the +1 symbol where they would already be in direct supervision and guidance by a parent or other family member.
Visual Information
- For people who find accessing visual information a barrier.
- This may include people with visual impairments who require alternative formats or guidance.
Audible Information
- For people who have difficulty accessing or processing audible information.
- It may be relevant to deaf people or those with hearing impairments.
Miscellaneous
- This category is for everything thing else, and providers are encouraged to seek more information directly from you about how they might be able to support any needs not covered by the other symbols.
- For example, photo-sensitive epilepsy.
- If you have a miscellaneous symbol, our team will reach out to ask for further information and will enable access to any other facilities that may aid you.
HOW TO APPLY
We have teamed up with the Nimbus Disability to utilise their Access Cards for 2025. Designed to streamline the process of communicating your access requirements, the Access Card translates your disability or impairment into easy-to-understand symbols.
As part of the application process, you will send us your Access Card ID and we’ll use the symbols to ensure you have access to the relevant facilities. To see which symbol relates to each facility, please take a look at each facility’s drop down menu on this page. You can view a full definition of these symbols on the Access Card website.
In order to apply for accessible facilities at Kendal Calling, you must have the below:
- A valid weekend ticket booking
- An Access Card
There are two options for the Access Card:
| Access Card Type | Cost | Includes |
| Access Card (Provided by Nimbus) | £15 (Valid for 3 years) | This is a physical card you can keep and provides universal proof of your access requirements. Can be used at over 2,500 venues across the UK. |
| Digital Access Pass (Provided by Nimbus) | Free (Valid for 3 years) | Can be used to apply for accessible facilities at Kendal Calling only. |
Please note, if you haven’t received a reply from Nimbus Access Card about your application, please check your spam folder!
Once you have your Access Card, or if you already have one, please fill out our short Access Request form using the button below. Here you will give us your Access Card ID and this will enable us to allocate you access to the relevant facilities without the need for a lengthy questionnaire. You will also be able to apply for accessible live-in vehicle pitches, accessible boutique accommodation and more.
Please note, if you haven’t received a reply from Nimbus Access Card about your application, please check your spam folder!
Below is a simple step by step guide on the application process:
Please note, if you haven’t received a reply from Nimbus Access Card about your application, please check your spam folder!
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL SITE
Kendal Calling takes place at Lowther Deer Park in the Lake District. The festival is split between the campsites and the arena.
Due to the topography of the Lakes, the site includes various hills ranging in incline throughout the festival site. We have invested in hard standing paths over the years throughout the campsites, including a hard standing path leading from the Campsite with Accessible Facilities to the Main Arena entrance.
The Campsite with Accessible Facilities is located a short 300m distance from the Access Arena Shortcut (see dropdown menu below) or 500m from the Main Arena Entrance. The Accessible Car Park for this campsite is located adjacent to the campsite. Wheelchair friendly floor protection provides a route from the edge of this field to the access reception tent, however it will be necessary to cross significant areas of grass covered terrain while moving between the car park and individual camping spots within the campsite.
A compacted gravel path leads from the Campsite with Accessible Facilities to the main Arena entrance, a distance of around 500 meters total. The road becomes steeper as it follows the Cumbrian terrain and rises up to the back of the Arena for the last 100 meters.
The main Arena entrance opens up onto the top of the Main Stage field. A right turn here would lead you to a hard standing path where you may navigate across grass to some of the other stages. A short walk would lead you to another hard standing path that leads through the center of the arena for Calling Out, The Soapbox, Tim Peaks Diner and Parklands.
On the north side of the arena is a forest called Lost Eden – there is a hard standing path running through this area however in the event of rain, this may be difficult to navigate due to mud.
For customers accessing the festival from the general car park through the main wristband exchange, the main Arena entrance is roughly 500m and does include navigating across some grassy terrain.
While we have done all we can to implement these hard standing paths, we are limited with what we can do while protecting the ancient deer park’s environment. The ground conditions and the natural terrain should be taken into consideration for those with mobility impairments.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer buggy services across the festival site.
ESSENTIAL COMPANION TICKETS
Essential Companion tickets will be made available to those of you with a +1 symbol on your Access Card free-of-charge. These tickets are designed to enable those who wouldn’t be able to attend the festival without the assistance of another festival goer. In order to obtain an Essential Companion ticket, all you need to do is apply through our application process above. From there, our team will assess your Access Card and send a link for you to book your Essential Companion ticket.
If you are eligible for an Essential Companion ticket, please do not purchase a weekend ticket or Thursday add on as these are not refundable. You will get sent a link to book this free-of-charge ticket upon the approval of your access application.
The Essential Companion must be willing and able to perform all requirements as needed by the accessibility customer including assistance during the unlikely event of an evacuation or other emergency. The Essential Companion should be able to assist with navigating the festival site, using the facilities, and carrying luggage in and out of the festival. Essential companion must be 16 or older.
Both you and your essential companion will need to arrive together on-site in order to collect your wristbands.
QUALIFYING SYMBOLS FOR ESSENTIAL COMPANION TICKETS
CAMPSITE WITH ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES
We have a dedicated Campsite with Accessible Facilities. Located a short distance from the arena, this campsite is equipped with additional facilities to aid festivalgoers with their day-to-day needs and has an adjacent car park to minimise distance between car and camping pitch.
This Campsite is home to the Mobiloo Changing Places unit, the wheelchair accessible shower, wheelchair charging and refrigerated medical storage. Access to these facilities requires the relevant symbols on your Access Card – these can be viewed under the dropdowns below.
The campsite also has several wheelchair accessible portaloo units, fresh water points and a waste disposal point. These do not need to be applied for.
If approved for the Campsite With Accessible Facilities, you will be allowed a total of four people to camp within your pitch. This includes yourself and your essential companion.
We have an amount of accessible boutique tents available within the Campsite with Accessible Facilities as well as a number of Live-in Vehicle (7m x 5m) pitches available within this campsite. These can be applied for within the access request form. If approved for an Accessible Live-in Vehicle pitch, anyone in your party (maximum of 4 people including access guest and essential companion) will need to camp/stay within the allotted 7m x 5m pitch. This is so we have more space to provide more Accessible Live-in Vehicle pitches
Nearby to the Campsite with Accessible Facilities is the Village Green with food, drink and other amenities. This is accessible via a hard standing path.
Please note: we do not provide power for CPAP machines. As a greenfield festival site, all power is temporary and so we can’t guarantee a constant supply of electricity.
QUALIFYING SYMBOLS FOR CAMPSITE WITH ACCESSIBLE FACILITIES
ACCESSIBLE PARKING
We have two accessible car parks on-site:
- Accessible Campsite Parking – this car park is located adjacent to the Campsite with Accessible Facilities.
- Accessible General Parking – this is located at the top of general parking and is closest to the main wristband exchange. Mere minutes from the campsite and 5-10 minutes from the Quiet Campsite.
Please note, you will only be allocated Accessible Campsite Parking if you are camping within the Campsite with Accessible Facilities, this space is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you aren’t staying in the Campsite with Accessible Facilities, but still have the qualifying symbols, we will allocate you Accessible General Parking.
Parking passes cost £24.50. If allocated parking, our team will send you a link and a code to book the relevant parking pass.
One accessible parking space is granted per access customer.
If you are approved for the Campsite with Accessible Facilities and have other people staying with you, they must park in the General Car Park before joining you. This is to ensure we can provide as many spaces to those with limited mobility as possible.
QUALIFYING SYMBOLS FOR ACCESSIBLE CAMPSITE PARKING
QUALIFYING SYMBOLS FOR ACCESSIBLE GENERAL PARKING
ALTERNATIVE CAMPING OPTIONS
If you don’t require the Campsite with Accessible Facilities, you are able to camp in any of our other campsites, or indeed off-site if you wish. Please see here for a run down on the various other options available.
We understand festivals can be overwhelming for our neurodivergent guests and so we have a Quiet Campsite available adjacent to the Campsite with Accessible Facilities to enable closer proximity to the arena. The Quiet Campsite is roughly 650m from the general wristband exchange, we anticipate this will be a 5-10 minute walk. We do also have the sensory calm space within the arena itself should you need to take some time to relax and recalibrate without heading back to the campsite.
Please note: Deer Lodge and Great Plains are both located on the south side of the festival site and the walk to the arena does include an incline which some may find difficult.
MOBILOO CHANGING PLACES TOILET
The Mobiloo Changing Places toilet is a fully accessible toilet unit with a hoist and a changing bed that enables disabled people to enjoy and participate in the festival with dignity and independence. This facility is located within the Campsite with Accessible Facilities and features:
✔ Changing Bed: Height adjustable, waterproof, and suitable for use with a shower or as a shallow bath.
✔ Toilet: Accessible with grab rails and a ceiling track hoist, the toilet uses a low-flow single flush for sustainability.
✔ Hoist: Electronically controlled ceiling track hoist to transfer users onto the changing bed or toilet.
✔ Attendant: Our friendly, professional attendants supervise the unit, keeping them clean and hygienic throughout.
✔ Independent Access: RADAR Key access allows independent use anytime, ensuring privacy and convenience for all users.
For more information on the Mobiloo, please see their website here.
QUALIFYING SYMBOLS FOR MOBILOO CHANGING PLACES TOILET
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS
We have accessible portaloos located at each toilet block in the arena as well as several within the Campsite With Accessible Facilities.
ACCESSIBLE TOILETS are available to all ACCESS CARD HOLDERS and do not need to be applied for.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SHOWER
We have a wheelchair accessible shower located within the Campsite with Accessible Facilities.
REQUIRED SYMBOLS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE SHOWER
We have other shower facilities located nearby within the Village Green, known as Soap Opera. A pass for these needs to be purchased from our website. There is a shower with a handrail located within the Soap Opera and if you have an essential companion, they will be able to accompany you free-of-charge.
ACCESSIBLE RAISED VIEWING PLATFORMS
We have a wheelchair accessible viewing platform available at the Main Stage, Chai Wallahs and Woodlands to aid those who struggle to stand for long periods of time or use a wheelchair. Access to this platform is allocated on a first come, first served basis – subject to capacity. The viewing platform is solely for the use of access customers and their essential companions, unfortunately we can’t accommodate larger parties – this is to ensure we can give access to those who need it.
The Main Stage viewing platform is located roughly 40m from the Access Arena Shortcut, and roughly 340m from the Campsite with Accessible Facilities.
REQUIRED SYMBOLS FOR ACCESSIBLE RAISED VIEWING PLATFORMS
GROUND LEVEL VIEWING AREA
We have a ground level viewing area at the Main Stage. This area is designed as an overflow for our viewing platform and to allow more space to festivalgoers who may find dense crowds overwhelming. The ground level viewing area is solely for the use of access customers and their essential companions, unfortunately we can’t accommodate larger parties – this is to ensure we can give access to those who need it.
The Main Stage viewing area is located roughly 40m from the Access Arena Shortcut, and roughly 340m from the Campsite with Accessible Facilities.
REQUIRED SYMBOLS FOR ACCESSIBLE viewing area
ACCESS ARENA SHORTCUT
Located down the left hand side of the Main Stage field, we have an Access Arena Shortcut. This is designed to avoid the incline towards the Arena Entrance and provide easier access to the Main Stage viewing platform and area. This will open and close dynamically throughout the day/evening depending on crowd density. This is to ensure crowd safety around the gate for both yourselves and other Kendal Callers. The Main Arena entrance remains open at all times and the terrain is a mix of trackmat and hard standing.
REQUIRED SYMBOLS FOR ACCess arena shortcut
MEdicine & refrigerated medical storage
If you need to bring any prescription medicine into the festival or the arena, please also have a prescription or doctor’s note in your name which details the medication required.
We have refrigerated medical storage available within the Campsite with Accessible Facilities. If you require refrigerated medicine storage, you can inform us as part of your access application or you can email us on access@kendalcalling.com.
ASSISTANCE DOGS
We welcome assistance dogs onto the site. There will be an area provided for toileting and drinking.
We ask all dog owners to keep their dog on a lead at all times, and also to pick up after themselves.
Assistance dogs are legally allowed to assist under the Equality Act. The Equality and Human Rights Commission states an expectation that Assistance Dogs will:
- Be highly trained
- Not wander freely around the premises
- Sit or lie quietly on the floor next to its owner
- Be trained to go to the toilet on command and so are unlikely to foul in a public place
- Most are instantly recognisable by the harness or identifying dog jacket that wear they wear
(https://www.assistancedogs.org.uk/the-law/)
REQUIRED SYMBOLS FOR ASSISTANCE DOGs
LOWERED BAR COUNTERS
At many of the bars across site – we have lowered bar counters for wheelchair users. If a bar does not have a lowered bar counter, when appropriate, a member of staff will be able to come around from the bar to take your order and assist you.
Lowered bar counters are available to all and do not need to be applied for.
SENSORY CALM SPACE
The scale of Kendal Calling alongside the lights, sound and large crowds may prove overwhelming at times, especially for those with mental health, emotional or sensory issues. To ensure, Kendal Calling is an inclusive and welcoming environment, we have a dedicated quiet space available on-site for those who require it, offering a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the main arena. The space itself has low lighting, earplugs and weighted blankets allowing festival goers to take a moment to recalibrate.
The sensory calm space is available to all and does not need to be applied for.
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.
FAQS
Is there anyone who can help with personal care in the Campsite with Accessible Facilities?
Unfortunately not. There is a team located at the reception to help with information about the festival and the facilities however any personal care should be undertaken by your essential companion.
Is the ground difficult to navigate?
We believe it is important to be upfront and open before the festival so you can make an informed decision on attending. While we do all we can with trackway and our year-on-year work installing hard standing paths around the festival site, due to the topography of the Lake District and the potential of bad weather – at times, the festival site may be difficult to navigate.
Why have you switched to the Access Card?
We have moved to the Access Card as it enables us to easily understand your requirements and allocate the correct facilities based on the symbols on the card as opposed to each person filling out a lengthy questionnaire.
Our new access request form is a simple 6 to 12 question form whereas our old system had 28 different data points. We believe this new system makes it easier for you, and for our team to provide you with the correct facilities to aid your festival experience.
Can I apply for more than one access customer within an application?
No, you must fill out one application per access customer.
Do I have to pay for an access card?
No. The access card offers an option to apply for a Kendal Calling Digital Access Pass that is free of charge and lasts for the next three years. There is a paid option (£15) but this is for a physical access card and can be used at 2,500 venues and events across the country, including Kendal Calling.
I haven’t received a response from Nimbus Access Card?
Please check your spam/junk folder. Nimbus Access Card are usually quick to process your application however occasionally your reply can end up in spam.
Please note that our accessible facilities are only available to festival goers with permanent disabilities. Broken bones, recent injuries, recent operations, elderly and pregnant women do not qualify.
