End of the Road Festival

End of the Road Festival 2026

From 3rd to 6th September 2026, the End of the Road Festival returns to Larmer Tree Gardens near Blandford Forum, Wiltshire. Set in historic Victorian pleasure gardens on the Dorset/Wiltshire border, this four-day event offers a unique live music experience surrounded by ancient trees, temples, and scenic lawns.

Music

The festival features a diverse lineup blending indie, folk, reggae, blues, and electronica across multiple stages. From gentle folk melodies to driving rock and electronic beats, there is something for every music lover to discover.

Entertainment

Beyond music, attendees can enjoy outdoor cinema screenings, yoga and crafts workshops, and comedy shows beneath the trees, adding variety to the festival experience.

Food & Drink

Spread across the grounds, street food vendors and local craft beer bars serve gourmet burgers, regional ales, veggie curries, crepes, and more.

Family Activities

The festival offers a dedicated family camping area and daytime kids’ activities, making it suitable for all ages.

Atmosphere

End of the Road is known for its friendly, laid-back community vibe. As night falls, lantern-lit paths, campfire singalongs, and late-night DJ sets create a magical atmosphere deep in the Dorset/Wiltshire countryside.

Public transport is a convenient way to reach the festival area. The closest major train station is Salisbury (on the main line from London and the South), and shuttle coaches run directly from Salisbury Station to the festival site. From Salisbury you can also connect by local buses or taxis for the 9-mile trip west to Larmer Tree Gardens. The nearest train station in Dorset is Gillingham, which is about a 20-minute taxi ride from Tollard Royal. Blandford Forum itself is served by regional bus routes (for example, the Beeline 24 from Salisbury) that can bring you within a few miles of the event. If you’re flying, Bournemouth Airport (about 30 minutes south) is the closest, with Southampton and Bristol airports also reachable within an hour’s drive. Visitors often fly into these airports and then travel by rail or hire a car to continue to Salisbury or Blandford.

If you’re driving, Blandford Forum is easy to reach via the A350 and A354 roads. The festival site is roughly 104 miles west of London (about 2.5 hours’ drive) and 23 miles north of Bournemouth (around 40 minutes). It’s also only about an hour’s drive from Bristol in light traffic. For navigation, enter the Larmer Tree Gardens postcode SP5 5PY into your GPS and then look for the brown tourist signs with a white flower which point the way to the festival entrance. Remember to book a parking permit in advance, as onsite parking is limited during the festival.

From London or the Midlands, the easiest approach is via the M3/A303 to Salisbury and then west on the A354. From the south coast (Bournemouth/Southampton), you can drive up the A350 and meet the A354 near Tollard Royal. The countryside roads are generally straightforward, but traffic can be slow near the festival gates, so leave extra time on arrival day. If you prefer not to drive in, rentals and ride-sharing are good options.

For accommodations, Blandford Forum and the surrounding villages offer plenty of options. Blandford itself has several hotels, inns and B&Bs. Quaint nearby villages like Tollard Royal and Sutton Waldron have charming country cottages and farm stays – for example, the historic King John’s House at Larmer Tree can be rented for larger groups. Many festival-goers also choose on-site camping (general, family or quiet zones) for the full experience. If you’d rather sleep in a bed, book early: nearby towns such as Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and Salisbury have additional guesthouses and hotels, but rooms fill quickly around festival weekend.