Hop Farm Festival

[deejayk2]

Have to agree - a great little fest and what a bonus Roger Daltrey coming on in Paul Weller's encore. Setting is ideal and the organisation was very good - camping was good, food choice good, regular litter-picks and all toilets I saw were good. Nice friendly atmosphere also. Didn't seem full so would doubt very much that it had sold out.

Only gripes would be beer tent only having two real ales which ran out very early and the proximity of the dance tent to the main stage - you could hear it even in front of mixing desk. Security seemed a bit heavy at times also with wrist-bands not only being looked at regularly but "yanked" as well each time!!

Had a good time though and weather was fantastic.

[MOLLYJESS]

What a fantastic weekend! Hubby and I took our two girls aged 9 and 4 to their first festy and we all absolutely loved it. The campsite was great, plenty of little "shops" to get bits from, even milk!! Nice short walks from car park to campsite/campsite to arena. Everybody was so friendly, plenty of lovely food stalls to choose from. Couple of good funfair rides (which my 9 year old braved!!) even bumper cars, fantastic!!

Admittedly we only went along as we had the free tickets from MandM, but we have said that we will definitely go again next year and pay full price. It was such a relaxed atmosphere, we go to V every year and it was so nice not to be fighting through the crowds to get from one place to another as we do there.

Sunday night was my highlight, Editors and Paul Weller PLUS the legend that is Roger Daltrey appearing on stage with him, oh my god, what a moment that was!!

Met some great people there too and had a really fab time.

Well done Vince Power/Hop Farm, I really hope this comes back again next year - will definitely be returning.

[fingers_mark]

They need to sort out the main inside bar, pulling pints of froth, they need an air conditioned cellar or something. Was also getting annoyed that they kep running out of beer and cider in there, and they would totally close the bar and toilets. Totally un-prepared. Good weekend for nothing anyway!!!!

[takeaguess]

should have used some initiative and used the dance tent bar then. never more than a two minute wait there - never used the main bar

[missyejones]

Was excited about it going, and am glad to say that it lived it up to my expectations. Will definately be coming back to camp next year. Gutted I missed the Daltrey/Weller moment GRRRRRR! I knew there would be a little surprise at the end but I had to go (work - rubbish).

Loved the atmosphere, no knob heads taking shots at crowd members with muddy footballs a la V last year.

I just hope it stays this way!

Teensy tiny grumble - same old ones I'm afraid but I am fussy about such things, in that the loos were in a bit of a pickle by the end, and the food was still exorbitant.

[glasto-worker]

Went Friday night and stopped till Sunday afternoon

[sprocketrocket]

Right here goes, I'll start with the three negatives....

1. As with all festivals and big events these days we are encouraged to go by public transport... the train to paddock wood was fine*, shuttle bus to the site was ok and was playing some crazy country and western version of radiohead, then the bus dropped us off, no one told us where to go and there were no signs showing you where to go and eventually some other festival goers who had already arrived pointed us in the right direction. We were expected to walk a long way right around the festival site and around the carpark with all our camping gear while the people in cars had a much shorter journey and were in dirty smelly cars!!!

2. Friday:- night there was some hassle in the campsite from a real chavvy b*stard I guess this is what you get when you give away tickets with £10 rain macs....!!!

3. Saturday:- seemed very quiet, I suppose thats what you get when you have the fratellis as your main headliner...

The good points in my humble opinion far outweighed the negative.

1. Its in a lovely location (and close to london!!!)

2. There was a great atmosphere for most of the time excluding point 2 above.

3. Very family friendly (but not over run with childeren like othe family friendly festivals)

4. Spinach and agushi (sp) was the best festival food I've had for a long time.

5. Toilets were exceptionally clean for a festival.

6. The acts I saw were excelent especially Florence and the Machine!

7. The Hurly Burly Bus in the campsite did an excellent job of entertaining the campers when the arena was closed.

8. I can't remember now, but there is loads more good points.

*except for a city worker on our train who was moaning about having his swimming pool mended and it still leaking, like some kind of c*nt

[ukdannyb]

What happened in the campsite?

I didn't get there until Saturday as was at Blur on the Friday night. Saw loads of chavs when I initially walked into the festival but not too many for the rest of the time I was there.

[emz2468]

Hey all, I've written my 'personal' account of the Hop Farm festival and have some photos. Please feel free to have a read. MY REVIEW

[deejayk2]

Hey all, I've written my 'personal' account of the Hop Farm festival and have some photos. Please feel free to have a read. MY REVIEW

[LondonTom]

So whose going next year and who are hoping for on the line up? Is it even going ahead?

Personally hoping for Franz to headline the saturday this year