Y Not Festival

By car: The Y-Not Festival site is at Green View Farm in Pikehall, near Matlock. The main routes are via the A6 or A515; look for bright yellow Y-Not road signs directing vehicles onto Mouldridge Lane, which leads to the festival entrance. Expect heavy traffic on Thursday and Friday mornings, so if possible try to arrive outside peak times. Onsite parking is available and clearly marked, just remember that you will likely need to park and then walk a short distance to the camping fields with your gear. Car-pooling is popular, and official parking maps (posted on the festival website closer to the date) show where to go.

Public transport: There is no direct train or bus to Pikehall, but you can use nearby stations or coach routes. The closest train stations are Matlock and Buxton (about 15–25 minutes by taxi from the site). Matlock station runs on the Derby–Matlock line, and Buxton lies on the Manchester–Sheffield line. Many visitors train to Derby or Manchester and then catch a local train to Matlock or Buxton. From there, pre-book a taxi or hire a ride-share for the final leg to Pikehall. Dedicated festival coaches may also run from major cities, so check announcements before you travel. Regular buses go to Matlock and Buxton towns, but none go closer to the festival site, so you’d still need a taxi from those towns.

By plane: The nearest major airport is East Midlands Airport (EMA), about 40–50 minutes from Matlock. From there you can rent a car or take the train (via Derby) to Matlock station. Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport are about 1.5-2 hours' drive away, offering more flight options; from either you would drive or take a train to Derby or Matlock first. Public transport from these airports usually requires at least one train change, so many travelers prefer renting a car. If you arrive on early flights, consider staying overnight near Derby or Matlock to rest before heading to the festival.

Accommodation: Y-Not provides on-site camping for fans (bring a tent or camper; spots may sell out fast once tickets go on sale). For non-campers, the surrounding towns have lodging. Matlock, Buxton and Bakewell each offer hotels, B&Bs and rental cottages (all within 15–20 minutes’ drive). Nearby villages like Biggin and Hartington have cozy country inns and pubs with rooms too. All of these book up quickly over festival weekend, so reserve as early as possible. Remember that road closures and festival traffic can delay travel, so give yourself extra time if you’re staying offsite. Planning your trip in advance will help ensure a smooth Y-Not experience.