About Us
Looking for your next adventure? The South West Outdoor Festival is a celebration of everything that can be enjoyed outdoors: adventure pursuits, nature, exploration, camping, cooking, trails, tales and ales.
This year, #SWOF takes place above iconic Cheddar Gorge on the weekend 8-10 September. This is your chance to explore activities unique to the rugged landscape of Cheddar Gorge, including world-class rock climbing and caving. You can also walk, run and ride through the magical Mendip Hills, try archery and axe throwing, or just relax and soak up stories and music around the campfire and in the entertainment tents in the vibrant heart of the festival hub, enjoying some of the best local produce the area has to offer.
Whether you camp for the whole weekend, or visit for the day, come and create your own adventure in an incredible setting, with outdoor experts on hand to help and guide you. Here’s a flavour of what the festival has to offer...
Camping
The South West Outdoor Festival welcomes both experienced campers and those new to the joys of sleeping under canvas beneath the kaleidoscopic night sky. We have a range of camping options available to suit people's varying preferences – standard camping for the self-sufficient, glamping (bell tent and some equipment supplied, just bring yourself and a sleeping bag) and campervan sites (BYO van, no electricity provided). However, the number of sites is strictly limited and we have already received a large amount of interest, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Campers are urged to arrive as early as possible on the Friday afternoon, to make the most of the weekend. Standard Camping sites will self-selected on a first-come-first-pitch basis, and Glamping tents and Campervan Sites will be allocated in a similar fashion.
The camping area of the festival site is directly adjacent to the Festival Hub, which is located in paddocks directly above Black Rock at the top of Cheddar Gorge (OS Explorer 141; grid ref: ST487/543). Vehicle access is via Warren Farm in Blagdon (postcode: BS40 7XR). This is a pop-up campsite specifically created for the festival, so there is no permanent infrastructure, but toilet and washing facilities will be supplied. A range of quality food vendors will be on site throughout the weekend. While the focus of the festival is on outdoor pursuits, there will be evening entertainment including some live music, which will be audible across the site, but won’t go on beyond 11.30pm.
Four unique and amazing selling points of the campsite
This is a unique opportunity to camp right above the gorge, with views across the Mendips, the Somerset Levels and out to sea. The site is on an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) and Special Scientific Interest, with resident wild badgers, deer and raptors.Campers can enjoy all the free evening entertainment on offer at SWOF, without worrying about the drive home.The camping areas are all child-friendly and vehicle free, and will have communal areas where you can socialise and share stories about the adventures you’re enjoying at the festival.
Standard Camping Area
The main camping zone is in the northern corner of the festival site, overlooking Black Rock and the gorge. Lovely. It’s a spacious area, but please don’t bring tents that are bigger than necessary. The zone is strictly vehicle free, with a dedicated parking area roughly 200 to 300 metres away, so please be mindful that you will need to transport your tent and gear a short distance across the field. Once you’re set up, access to food, entertainment, activities, toilets and showers is all just a few minutes stroll away. The cost of weekend camping tickets is £40–£50 per adult, or £95–£130 for families, with the best deals available to those who book the earliest. Ticket price is inclusive of entry into the festival and access to all the great stuff that comes along with that.
Glamping Village
We have a limited number of pre-pitched bell tents available for hire for people who want to camp but don't have their own equipment, or who want to simply arrive and dive straight into the activities on offer, without having to put up a tent or risk breaking a nail… These spacious and comfortable 4-person tents will be ready and waiting when you arrive, and come with ground sheet, air mattress and lighting, but you will need to bring your own bedding (sleeping bags/duvet and pillows). These are suitable for individuals, couples, families (two adults and up to three children) or groups of up to four adults. The cost of Glamping tickets is £225–£260, with the best deals available to those who book the earliest. Ticket price is inclusive of entry into the festival and access to all the great stuff that comes along with that. A refundable deposit of £100 (or current credit card details) will also be required per tent to cover any damage.
Campervans
We have space for a limited number of small campervans (combi-style/size vans only please, and no large awnings). These will be parked on a largely level space at the top of the festival field, with easy access to the festival hub, entertainment and facilities. The cost of a campervan site is £95–£130 (with the best deals available to those who book the earliest), which admits two adults and up to three children.
