Organisers of the Festival on the Hills at Taunton Racecourse have expressed deep regret over camping delays and other issues faced by attendees during the May 29 to 31 event. Despite its family-friendly reputation, many campers reported significant dissatisfaction with the camping arrangements.
Festival-goers described the camping area as “totally oversubscribed,” with many left unhappy due to space constraints and logistical challenges. In a candid Facebook statement, the organisers apologised for delays in allocating camping spots and asked for patience as their team worked to resolve the issues.
While some attendees commended the efforts of stewards managing the event, others voiced strong complaints. One disabled attendee reported being placed in a remote field two miles from the main festival site, making participation impossible given her mobility challenges. Multiple campers indicated frustration with priority access, alleging that some arrived later yet secured superior camping locations.
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Moreover, Dean Sharp recounted being relocated to an overflow field with tall grass and inadequate initial facilities, including a lack of toilets. He also shared that he incurred extra charges to use nearby shower amenities and faced a long trek back to the festival stage, despite the late introduction of a shuttle service. He expressed disappointment, stating he would not return to the event in the future.
The organisers explained that campers occupied more space than anticipated due to large tents and vehicles, surpassing prior estimates based on the industry-standard “Purple Guide” for health, safety, and welfare at music events. They acknowledged failing to enforce size restrictions, which contributed to overcrowding. The festival had capped ticket sales weeks before reaching capacity but was still overwhelmed by the unexpected footprint of camping setups.
In addition, the team mentioned they would directly contact individuals who experienced issues with ticket scanning to discuss possible resolutions. They confirmed that police and fire services inspected the site pre-event and approved its safety standards.
Established five years ago as a non-profit community initiative, the Festival on the Hills has donated proceeds to local causes including the Somerset carnival circuit, Andy’s Man Club, and Mind. The organisers thanked attendees for their support and stressed that they would carefully consider feedback to improve future editions, should the event return.