Exile Music Festival
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26 June - 28 June 2026
Nestled in the picturesque Derbyshire countryside, Exile Music Festival is a friendly three-day summer celebration of live music and community. Each year, this intimate festival brings together around 500 music lovers to enjoy a lineup of local and regional bands in a beautiful wooded valley near Darley Dale (just north of Matlock). The event is held on private farmland, giving it a cosy, home-grown vibe rather than a commercial one. With genres ranging from folk and acoustic to indie and alternative rock, Exile truly has something for everyone. Whether you're dancing by the stage or relaxing on the grass, the atmosphere is warm, welcoming and deliberately laid-back — perfect for anyone wanting a fun and positive festival experience in nature.
Exile prides itself on being family-friendly and community-oriented, run entirely by local volunteers on a non-profit basis. Attendees can expect around fifteen to twenty acts across the weekend, featuring the best of regional talent. Kids are more than welcome, and often children below a certain age get in free, so parents can bring the whole family. Many visitors say the relaxed environment is especially great for kids – they quickly form their own little tribe of friends on the campsite while the grown-ups enjoy the music. This means moms and dads get to chill out and soak in the tunes, confident that their children are safe and having fun.
Hungry or thirsty? The festival site has you covered. A well-stocked real ale and cider bar pours a variety of local brews, creating a popular gathering spot each evening. Tasty festival food is easy to find too: an on-site café and food trucks serve hot meals, snacks and comforting treats all day (think hearty farmer’s breakfasts and savory pies). Dozens of artisan stalls add a bustling village fair feel – browse crafts, vinyl records and local produce between sets. As night falls, attendees often gather around the communal fire pit under the stars. This creates a magical, late-night vibe as friends old and new swap stories over a drink. It’s this friendly mix of music, food and campfire camaraderie that has become a hallmark of the Exile experience.
All weekend long, camping is included with your ticket, making the festival a true outdoors experience. On arrival, you’ll find a gently sloping field ringed by trees — perfect for tents or a small campervan. The sounds of the festival carry into the campsite, so you’re never far from the fun. If camping isn’t for you, Darley Dale and nearby Matlock have plenty of places to stay: cosy B&Bs, quaint inns and even a few boutique hotels are just a short drive away. Two local favourites often mentioned are the Whitworth Hotel and the Square & Compass pub — both within easy reach by road. Matlock (about 5–10 minutes away) has even more hotels and rooms if those fill up. Whether you choose to camp under the stars or rest in a comfy bed, Exile provides basic amenities (toilets, water points and parking) so you can focus on enjoying the music and the Derbyshire view. Taken together, it all adds up to an unforgettable weekend under the Derbyshire sky.
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.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Bath Hotel | 0.3 ml | £75.00 | Book | |
| High Tor Hotel | 0.7 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| Greyhound Inn | 0.8 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| Alison House | 0.9 ml | £58.50 | Book | |
| Stables at Riber Hall | 1.0 ml | £95.00 | Book | |
| Castle Green B&B | 1.2 ml | £85.00 | Book | |
| White Hart Inn | 4.3 ml | £89.00 | Book | |
| Crich Lane Farm | 4.6 ml | £45.00 | Book | |
| The View at the White Horse Woolley Moor | 4.9 ml | £175.00 | Book | |
| Dannah Farm Country House | 5.1 ml | £95.00 | Book | |
| Grouse & Claret by Marstons Inns | 5.4 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| Santos Higham Farm Hotel | 5.9 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| Devonshire Arms at Beeley | 6.1 ml | £129.00 | Book | |
| Peak Edge Hotel at The Red Lion | 6.1 ml | £85.00 | Book | |
| Batemans Mill Hotel | 6.3 ml | £75.00 | Book |
Off Oldfield Lane, Darley Dale, DE42LN
