FAQs

What is it?

We’re having a festival-themed shindig in the Suffolk countryside to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We’ve hired a meadow and invited a load of our friends. The plan is simple: pitch some tents and have a party.

In attendance will be roughly 30 adults, 30 kids and three well-behaved sniffer dogs.

Where is it?

The “off-grid, five-acre meadow” doesn’t have an address but can be found here: 52°13'38.7"N 0°52'07.9"E. It’s near the village of Woolpit in Suffolk, which is off the A14 between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. While it’s pretty remote and off-grid, it’s also a 7-minute drive to a Starbucks and a Greggs for those who want the full glamping experience and/or to avoid the campsite toilets. More details here: https://www.oakshademeadow.co.uk.

The What3words is Defensive.Poets.Crisis - campers must be sure to come from the southern Drinkstone side, not the Tostock side.

When is it?

Friday 25th July to Sunday 27th July. You’ve all let us know what day you are coming - for those arriving on Friday, we will be there from 10 am. Early birds get the best camping spots! I imagine we will begin packing up around lunchtime on Sunday.

What do I need to bring?

Everything you need to survive the Anglian wilderness. A tent, campervan, or similar is essential. Other than that, bring what you need to be comfortable. There is an AI-generated (Holly-approved) packing list on this website.

There is no power and water on site so keeping things charged and keeping things cold will be tough. Batteries, cooler boxes, ice cubes - please do what you can. There will be drinking water, but we suggest that you bring 5L per person for your clan.

And please bring any decorations that you feel will add to the festival-chic aesthetic.

Where will I sleep?

Those camping will pitch together in a couple of little clusters.

Those in campervans will be about 30m away (in the car park bit)

No cars/campervans are allowed on the grassy bits.

Will you feed me?

Mostly!

There will be dinner on Friday (Tentside Taco Takeoff) around 6pm.

There will be brunch on Saturday morning (Bedlam Breakfast Braai) around 9am.

We will make the kids “cheesy pasta” on Saturday lunchtime (if any adult needs feeding between brunch and dinner, please bring your own tucker).

There is a Hog Roast company (sorry Sammy) cooking for us all on the Saturday evening around 5pm.

On Sunday morning, we will put together some Bedlam Breakfast Burritos around 9am.

Kids are welcome to all of the above + we will keep making vats of cheesy pasta throughout the weekend!

Please bring extras for the kids (and grown-ups) to avoid hangry episodes between these (possibly variable) eating times.

Will you provide all the booze?

Good god, no.

We plan to erect some sort of makeshift bar that you all need to stock. Please bring beers, wine, spirits, mixers, stuff for the kids etc.

Did somebody say birthday?

It’s Amber’s 4th birthday on the Saturday, so we will have a party within a party for the kids. Facepainting. Pass the parcel. Disney themed fancy dress. Cake. Games.

What facilities are on site?

Not much. There is parking on site. There is a lake. There will be toilets. No power. No running water.

Health and safety

There is a lake at the campsite, so supervising kids at all times is a priority. There is also a main road (through some woods and over a hill) in case any dogs are escape artists.

Music

No power = no speakers. We have a JBL Xtreme 4 which will do a decent job for 48h hours. If you have a JBL speaker please bring along so we can pair for some surround sound. No loud tunes allowed after 11pm (not a major issue with sleeping kids anyway).

What do I do if I have more questions?

Ideally ask Holly. Else, ask Jack.