Folk by the Oak

Folk by the Oak 2026

Folk by the Oak 2026 takes place at Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire, celebrating folk music and community in a beautiful outdoor setting on Great North Road.

Music

Enjoy a diverse lineup of folk, roots, and acoustic performances featuring both celebrated artists and emerging talents. The open-air main stage hosts lively dance tunes and ballads, while the Acorn Stage offers intimate acoustic sets without overlapping times.

Family Activities

Folk by the Oak is family-friendly with craft stalls, artisan markets, and interactive workshops where visitors can try traditional instruments or join folk dances. A dedicated Family Area provides kid-friendly activities for children to enjoy while parents relax nearby.

Food & Drink

The festival welcomes picnic baskets and also offers a variety of food stalls selling hot meals, snacks, local ales, ciders, wines, and cocktails, perfect for enjoying under the oak trees.

Community

Known for its warm, inclusive atmosphere, Folk by the Oak fosters a sense of togetherness and supports the Willow Foundation charity, creating a welcoming space where music lovers connect and celebrate.

Hatfield’s main railway station (Hatfield Station, postcode AL9 5AB) is only a short walk from the festival site. Great Northern and Thameslink services run frequently from London (King’s Cross, Moorgate and St Pancras) and nearby towns to Hatfield, with journey times of roughly 20–30 minutes from central London. From Hatfield station you can follow festival signs to the Hatfield Park entrance (via the Station Lodge). Local buses and taxis connect Hatfield to surrounding areas, but many visitors find the train to be the most convenient way to reach the event.

If you’re driving, Hatfield is easily accessed via the A1(M) motorway. The Great North Road (A1000) runs through the town and leads directly to the estate; the festival organizer usually posts yellow directional signs on the day. Set your GPS to 'Hatfield Park, AL9 5NQ' for the best directions. There is ample free parking at Hatfield Park for festival-goers (including disabled parking), but traffic can build up on busy summer weekends, so allow extra time.

For those flying in, the closest airport is London Luton (about 20 miles away). Luton is reachable by train or car, taking roughly 30 minutes via the M1 and A1(M). London Stansted Airport is another option (about 50 miles northeast), accessible by highway or a train journey via Cambridge. Heathrow and Gatwick airports are farther (typically 1.5–2 hours by car to Hatfield), requiring longer travel or a connection through London. Coach services run to the capital, where travelers can transfer to a train on the Thameslink or Great Northern lines to reach Hatfield.

Since Folk by the Oak is a one-day event with no on-site camping, many visitors choose to stay overnight nearby. Hatfield offers a range of hotels, B&Bs and inns, and nearby St Albans (8 miles south) and Welwyn Garden City (about 6 miles east) have additional accommodations. Popular chains and charming guesthouses are available. As summer weekends can be busy across Hertfordshire, it’s wise to book lodging early. Staying a night or two in the area lets you enjoy the local sights and turn the festival visit into a pleasant countryside getaway.