Off The Tracks Summer Festival
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4 September - 06 September 2026 Melbourne Rd, near Castle Donington, DE742RN
Off The Tracks Summer Festival is a special, independent music festival returning 4–6 September 2026 to the scenic Donington Park Farmhouse on Melbourne Road, near Castle Donington in the Derbyshire countryside. This family-friendly event invites visitors of all ages to escape the everyday and enjoy three days of live music, crafts, and relaxation. With over 35 years of history, Off The Tracks is known for its warm community spirit and non-corporate vibe – newcomers quickly feel like old friends here. You’ll arrive to find colourful tents and smiling faces everywhere, as families and friends catch up on blankets and kids play freely on the grass. Indeed, a sense of laid-back camaraderie is at the heart of this festival.
Music lovers will find multiple stages scattered around converted barns and open fields. There’s a main canvas marquee, cosy stone barns, the big Stackyard stage under the stars, and plenty of smaller corners for acoustic sets or jam sessions. The lineup is always eclectic: past years have mixed folk, blues, jazz, world, indie and reggae acts alongside brass bands and electronic chill-out DJs. You might hear Celtic fiddles drifting through the trees at one moment and pulsing dub bass the next. When you need a break between sets, wander through the Goblin Market – a lively craft and vintage market – or relax in the “Energy Orchard” groves, where gentle yoga and drumming workshops often take place. Of course, no festival is complete without good food and drink: look for the wood-fire pizza and gourmet pie stalls, and don’t miss the well-stocked real-ale bar offering local cask ales, cider and artisan soft drinks.
One barn even hosts a mini beer festival, so you can sample many brews alongside local farm fare. As night falls, lanterns and fairy lights bathe the old stone barns in a warm glow, and late-night music carries across the fields. Festival-goers often tell stories around the campfire or dance under the stars long after the headliners finish. Yet even with all this activity, Off The Tracks never feels overcrowded – its spacious 20-acre site on the gentle farmland means you can always find a peaceful spot if you want a moment of quiet. This is truly a festival where children can play safely under watchful eyes, and well-behaved dogs (on leads) are welcome too. The overall atmosphere is equal parts fun and relaxed: you can kick back in a hammock between stages or join an impromptu ceilidh in a barn – the choice is yours.
If all of this sounds inviting, mark your calendar now. Off The Tracks Summer Festival is much more than a lineup of acts – it’s a celebration of community, countryside and creativity. Whether you’re camping under canvas or staying in the venue’s comfortable hotel rooms, you’ll find yourself wrapped in a friendly, inclusive vibes from morning till night. Donington Park Farmhouse will overflow with music, laughter and great food, all set in the green fields of Castle Donington. Come see for yourself why fans travel back year after year. Bring your friends (and family), and prepare to make memorable new ones – we can’t wait to welcome you off the beaten path this September!
By air: East Midlands Airport (EMA) is the closest airport, only about a 5-minute drive from the festival site. EMA handles flights from many UK and European airports. From there, you can take a short taxi ride or hop on the frequent Stagecoach Skylink bus towards Nottingham/Derby – this route stops at Melbourne Road near the venue. If you fly into Birmingham Airport (around 60 minutes away) or Manchester (roughly 2–2.5 hours away), you can connect by car or hire a car and join the M1 going north. London Heathrow and Luton are also options, with a straightforward drive via the M1 (plan for about 2–3 hours).
By train: The nearest railway station is East Midlands Parkway, about a 10-minute drive from Donington Park Farmhouse. East Midlands Parkway has direct services to London St Pancras, Leicester, Sheffield and other cities. From there, a taxi or local bus can bring you right to the farm’s entrance. Alternatively, you can travel to Loughborough or Derby stations (each about 25–30 minutes away by road) and then take a short taxi or bus ride. In Castle Donington itself, there is a local bus stop on Melbourne Road served by regional routes (for example, Stagecoach bus number 9, which links Burton, Derby and East Midlands Airport). If you do take the train, remember to check for any special festival travel deals or coach connections closer to the event.
By road/car: The festival site is easy to reach by car. If you’re coming via the M1 motorway, exit at J23A (for travelers from the south) or J24 (from the north), then follow signs for the A42/A453 toward East Midlands Airport and Castle Donington. Continue toward Donington Park, then turn onto Melbourne Road (you may see signs for Donington Park Farmhouse). Parking is generally available onsite near the venue’s fields – parking attendants or volunteers will guide you. Note that festival weekends can be busy on local roads, so consider arriving earlier in the day or carpooling with friends. Alternatively, the nearby large M1 service area (Donington Park services) can be a handy landmark if needed.
Accommodation tips: Many visitors choose to stay right on site. Donington Park Farmhouse offers a hotel and an extensive campground adjacent to the festival fields. RVs, campervans and tents are welcome on grassy pitches (electric hookups are available) ([www.campsites.co.uk](https://www.campsites.co.uk/search/campsites-in-derbyshire-and-the-peak-district/castle-donington/donington-park-farmhouse#:~:text=Set%20within%2020%20acres%20on,Dogs%20are%20welcome)). This means you can literally roll out of your tent and be on stage in minutes! If you prefer solid walls, the Farmhouse’s own hotel rooms and cottage suites can be booked in advance. For other options, the Hilton Nottingham East Midlands (near the airport) is only a 5-minute drive away and offers full hotel amenities. The village of Castle Donington has a few B&Bs and small inns within walking distance, and the larger towns of Loughborough, Derby or Nottingham (all under 30 minutes by car) provide a wide range of hotels, guesthouses and vacation rentals. Accommodation sells out early for big event weekends, so it’s wise to book as far in advance as possible.
Melbourne Rd, near Castle Donington, DE742RN
Festivals Near Melbourne Rd
