The Green Gathering
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30 July - 02 August 2026
Mark your calendar! From 30 July to 2 August 2026, The Green Gathering invites you to four days of creative, family-friendly fun in the lush surroundings of Chepstow Racecourse. This vibrant, low-impact festival transforms the racecourse into an off-grid village powered by solar panels, wind turbines and the energy of its participants. Imagine waking up each morning to birdsong and panoramic views of the Wye Valley. Every corner of the site buzzes with art, music and ideas. Wander between cozy sun-powered stages and woodland trails, share stories around campfires, and dance barefoot under the stars. Sustainable living meets festival fun here. You’ll wake up each day with a smile and a spring in your step.
The festival grounds pulse with music and creativity all day long. Intimate solar-powered stages host up-and-coming singer-songwriters, DJs spinning beats and soulful spoken-word performers. In between sets, wander through shaded groves full of workshops and craft tents: try basket-weaving, pick up a drum beat, or learn permaculture gardening tips. The atmosphere is alive with surprise – you might find an impromptu jam session or an open-mic under a willow. As dusk falls, the music carries on under strings of twinkling lights. The celebration easily stretches into the night, blending collaboration with the party spirit.
The Green Gathering is perfect for families and kids. A dedicated children’s area offers nature trails, art workshops and games to keep little ones busy, and teens have their own chill-out spot with music and activities. Campers often gather around communal fires to swap recipes and stories. True to the festival’s green ethos, almost everything on site is vegetarian or vegan and made with local ingredients. Street-food stalls dish up hearty stews, fresh salads, wood-fired pizzas and sweet treats, and organic teas or cool cider keep everyone satisfied. Friendly neighbors quickly become friends. You might share a pot of stew or help another camper pitch their tent before bedtime.
Yet between all the fun and music, a spirit of learning and action ripples through the gathering. Tents and yurts tucked among the trees host talks on sustainability, hands-on skillshares and lively discussions about environmental and social issues. In the permaculture garden, volunteers demonstrate growing food without waste. Activists gather at a campaigns corner to lead lively discussions on climate change, recycling and community projects, and everyone is welcome to join in. Whether it’s a drum circle made from recycled materials or a workshop on solar power, every activity plants seeds of knowledge. This is a place where you can dance all night and still leave feeling empowered to make a difference.
Best of all, the Green Gathering feels like a caring community. People paint banners together, share skills, and even join impromptu musical jams. By the final morning, the racecourse feels like a village of friends rather than strangers. You’ll leave with a warm satisfaction, energized by great music, good food and meaningful conversations. The Green Gathering at Chepstow Racecourse offers a magical blend of festival fun and inspiration that stays with you long after the festival ends.
By road, Chepstow Racecourse is easily reached via the A466 from the M48 motorway. From the M4, take the M48 Severn Bridge (junction 2, Chepstow) and follow brown racecourse signs to the venue. The bridge is now toll-free, simplifying travel between England and Wales. Allow plenty of travel time on busy weekends, and consider car-sharing to ease traffic and parking. On-site parking is available (usually for a fee), but can be limited, so arriving early is recommended.
By train and bus, Chepstow has good connections. Chepstow station is about a 20-minute walk from the racecourse and sits on the main line between Cardiff and Bristol, with frequent direct trains from Cardiff, Newport and beyond. (London connections typically go via Newport.) On event days, a shuttle bus often runs from Chepstow station (via the town’s bus station) to the racecourse entrance. Otherwise, local Stagecoach buses and taxis from town will bring you the rest of the way. Always check schedules in advance if you have an evening train to catch.
By air, the nearest major airports are Bristol (about 45 minutes’ drive) and Cardiff (around an hour). From Bristol Airport, you can take a bus to Bristol Temple Meads and then a train via Newport. From Cardiff, take a bus to Cardiff Central then train via Newport. Other airports (Birmingham, Manchester) are further afield with rail links via Birmingham or Bristol. In all cases, once you reach Chepstow town centre, local buses or taxis will transfer you the short distance to the racecourse. Cyclists can use the pedestrian/cycle path on the old Severn Bridge to reach Chepstow by bike, and bike parking is usually provided on site.
For accommodation, many attendees camp at the festival (check if a camping pass is included with your ticket). If you prefer hotels or B&Bs, Chepstow town offers several within a few miles of the course (in town, by the river or in nearby villages). Monmouth and Newport have additional options. Book early, as local lodging can fill up quickly on a summer weekend. If you do stay overnight, allow extra travel time each morning: local taxis and shuttle buses generally run between town and the racecourse on event mornings.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The First Hurdle | 0.6 ml | £75.00 | Book | |
| Racecourse Guest House | 0.7 ml | £70.00 | Book | |
| The Two Rivers by Marston s Inns | 1.0 ml | £70.00 | Book | |
| Parva Farmhouse Riverside Guesthouse & Restaurant | 3.7 ml | £80.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Bristol Severn View M48 | 4.0 ml | £47.00 | Book | |
| The Woolaston Inn and Gurkha Restaurant and Bar | 4.8 ml | £45.00 | Book | |
| Carpenters Cottages | 6.2 ml | £85.00 | Book | |
| Rock and Fountain | 6.9 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| Millingbrook Lodge | 7.0 ml | £65.00 | Book | |
| Thornbury Golf Lodge | 7.4 ml | £70.00 | Book | |
| Alveston House Hotel | 7.7 ml | £78.00 | Book | |
| Clearvewe Usk Luxury eco Bed and Breakfast | 7.7 ml | £60.00 | Book | |
| The Bowl Inn | 7.8 ml | £69.00 | Book | |
| DEANGATE MOTEL | 7.9 ml | £59.00 | Book | |
| Crossover House | 7.9 ml | £70.00 | Book |
Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, NP166BE
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