Exile Music Festival

By car, the festival is accessed via local country roads just north of Matlock. The nearest major routes are the M1 motorway (exit near Derby or Nottingham) and the A6 road (which runs through Matlock toward Manchester/Chesterfield). From the M1, you can take the A6 north through Derby to Matlock, or use the A61 via Chesterfield to Baslow and then the A6. Once near Matlock or Darley Dale, follow festival signage to Off Oldfield Lane (the postcode DE4 2LN will get you in the area, but look for the festival signs from there). On-site parking is provided for campers and day visitors, usually in a field adjacent to the camping area. On arrival days, expect marshals guiding cars and potential slowdowns on the narrow lanes, so allow some extra travel time.

Public transport: The easiest train link is Matlock station (on the scenic Derwent Valley Line). Frequent trains run from Derby and Nottingham (around once an hour), so you could take a train to Matlock and then hop in a taxi or catch a local bus for the 20–30 minute ride to Darley Dale. Stagecoach buses (routes X54/X56 etc.) connect Matlock and Darley Dale with larger towns like Chesterfield, Derby, and Buxton, though services may be less frequent on weekends. If you plan to use rail or bus, check schedules in advance. For example, you might board a train at Derby or Sheffield and change to a Matlock train. Many visitors carpool or hire a taxi for the final leg, since late-night buses and trains are limited in this rural area.

Airports: For visitors from further afield, the closest airports are East Midlands (EMA, ~50 miles / 1 hour drive), Manchester (MAN, ~55 miles) and Birmingham (BHX, ~75 miles). All have car hire and connections to the rail network. From EMA you can train via Derby to Matlock; from Manchester or Birmingham, trains go via Stockport or Birmingham to Derby or Sheffield and then onward to Matlock. All drive routes use the M1/A6 corridors; for example, from EMA take the A50 to Derby then A6 north, or from Manchester use the A628/A57 toward Sheffield then the A623/A6 toward Matlock. If flying into London or other cities, catch a train to Derby, Sheffield or Chesterfield before transferring onto the Matlock line. Weekend schedules can vary, so plan your route carefully and check return timings ahead.

Where to stay: Darley Dale and Matlock have a variety of accommodations. Besides the festival’s camping field, you’ll find cosy B&Bs, inns and guesthouses nearby. Two popular local options are the Whitworth Hotel (in Darley Dale) and The Square & Compass pub (in Darley Bridge) – both are just a short drive from the site. Matlock (roughly 5–10 minutes away) has many more hotels, guesthouses and pubs with rooms. If those are full, check Bakewell or Chesterfield (20–30 minutes’ drive) for additional options. The Peak District is very popular on summer weekends, so book ahead. And if you stay offsite, factor in extra travel time on the day, since festival traffic and narrow country roads can add delays.