Off The Tracks Summer Festival

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.