General Info

• Where is Medicine Festival?

Medicine is hosted amongst beautiful parkland and ancient woodland in a stunning country estate in Berkshire, England, close to London and Heathrow airport. Visit our Travel and Location page for more details.

• When is Medicine Festival?

Medicine will be open to the public between Wednesday the 12th and Monday 17th August 2026.

• What are the opening and closing times for the Box Office?

 

• Wednesday 12th August: 11am – 10pm
• Thursday 13th August: 9am – 10pm
• Friday 14th August: 9am – 10pm
• Saturday 15th August: 10am – 10pm
• Sunday 16th August: 10am – 2pm

 

• When are opening and closing ceremonies?

We will have a number of collective moments on site where we will gather everyone at the festival and of course would love you all to be there too if you are able to join.

• Opening Ceremony & Eclipse Celebration (Wednesday 4pm-11pm) – Main Stage and Sacred Glade

• Collective Meditations (Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7-8pm) at the Goddess Fyr

• Despacho Offering to the Land (Friday 10am – 12pm) at Main Stage

• Closing Ceremony (Monday 11am – Midday)  at the Goddess Fyr

 

• How can I report something I lost at the festival?

Please report anything lost and found HERE

• Is there a community hotline for local residents during the festival?

Yes. A dedicated Community Hotline for local residents will be in operation from 11:00 on Wednesday 12th August until 16:00 on Monday 17th August for any festival-related questions or concerns, including noise. Community Hotline: 0118 391 3669

 

• Do you offer help with getting to the campsite from the car parks?

• Is Medicine family friendly?

Absolutely – kids are very welcome and we have a wonderful family area with a fully curated programme.

• Can we swim in the lake? 

Yes. Our beautiful Swimming Lake is open throughout the festival during published opening hours and is lovingly cared for by our Water Safety Team. Please enter and exit via the designated swimming jetty, stay within the marked swimming area, and follow all guidance from our Lifeguards and Lake Guardians. For everyone’s safety, numbers may be limited during busy periods. Read our full Swimming Lake Guide for opening times, safety information and everything you need to know before taking a dip.

• Cash, Cards and Paying for things on site?

All of our food and drink traders accept contactless payments and cash. Please note that there is NOT a cashpoint available on site so bring any cash you require with you. 

• What is the policy with Fires on site?

There is a team of 50 firekeepers who tend seven ceremonial fires throughout the gathering. We work with Fire as a living spirit, a teacher and a place for healing and transmutation. We invite you to gather around the Fires, developing your relationship with this element so familiar to our ancient bones.

Please treat these spaces as sacred – do not put any trash such as cigarette butts in them. They are portals to our ancestors and the spirit realms. Ask a Fire Keeper if you are unsure of what you can offer to the fire.

• FIRE SAFETY

This summer, the Thames Valley region is officially in drought. The land at Wasing is tinder dry, and the fire risk is severe. We are taking this seriously, and we need you to as well.

The following items are banned from the entire site (camping included) for everyone, no exceptions:

• Disposable BBQs
• Camping stoves of any kind (gas, gel, alcohol, tablet)
• Gas canisters
• Portable fire pits or fire bowls
• Chinese/sky lanterns
• Fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics
• Sparklers
• Candles and tea lights
• Incense and smudge sticks
• Lighter fluid, firelighters, and fire-starting products

There will be no personal cooking on site this year except in live-in vehicles with fire safe correctly fitted appliances. In current drought conditions, a single ignition source can start a grass fire in seconds.

Please leave all the above at home to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. We are in this together! Lets protect these special lands with awareness and presence. Hot food and drinks are available from our traders and catering team throughout the event. We ask that you:

• Never leave cooking equipment unattended
• Dispose of food waste thoughtfully using the bins provided
• Be mindful of shared space within busy camping areas

Please follow any additional safety guidance shared on site during the gathering.

 

• What do you mean by ‘Leave No Trace’?

Medicine is held in relationship with the land. As we gather together, we ask everyone to walk gently, tread consciously, and help leave Wasing as beautiful as we found it, or even more so.

Please make sure to:

• Take all camping equipment home with you
• Please be sure to check bin signs and separate your waste carefully
• Avoid single-use plastics in life, and on the Medicine lands.
• There’s a couple of zero-waste shops in Reading and/or you can collect soft plastic film and return to supermarkets to recycle!
• Dispose of cigarette ends in General waste bins, they are toxic to land and animals
• Respect trees, wildlife, waterways, and natural spaces, and do not leave waste at your campsites
• Do not leave tents, chairs, gazebos, or broken equipment, please take them, or leave in waste pens
• Travel consciously and seek to share and offer lifts where possible
• Please answer our travel surveys, to help us calculate our carbon footprint as part of our Transparency movement.

 

• Is there anywhere I cannot smoke or vape on site? 

Smoking or vaping is NOT allowed near the family campaign area.

• Are dogs or animals allowed?

Pet dogs and other animals are not allowed on site, however service dogs are allowed. If you wish to bring your service dog this must be organised in advance, by completing our accessibility form. Please refer to our accessibility page 

• Is there phone charging on site?

Yes – We are excited to have LifeSaver – sustainable phone charging stations – on site this year. More details to follow soon.
We still recommend bringing a portable power bank where possible.

• What is the phone signal like at the festival? 

There is limited signal onsite and no public WiFi.

• What should I bring?

Medicine is a temporary village held through care, respect, shared responsibility, and connection to the land. Whether this is your first time camping at a gathering or you are an experienced camper, we encourage you to arrive prepared, tread lightly, and help create a beautiful experience for everyone around you. A few essentials we recommend bringing with you:

• Tent or live-in vehicle setup.
• Camping items – bed roll, sleeping bag, pillow and warm bedding etc.
• Earplugs and an eye mask.
• Waterproof clothing (raincoat, ponchos, wellies), sturdy footwear
• Plenty of layers of clothing for both warm and cool days/evenings.
• Sun protection, including a hat, scarf, parasol and natural sunscreen.
• Reusable water bottle and a mug or cup for hot drinks (Medicine bottles and cups will also be available to purchase on site).
• Torch or headlamp, with spare batteries if needed.
• Portable charger or power bank.
• Eco-friendly toiletries and biodegradable personal hygiene products.
• Non-toxic baby wipes.
• Shower towel, shower shoes, swim towel and swimmers.
• Any prescribed medication or personal wellbeing essentials.
• Yoga mat.
• Notebook and pen.
• Musical instruments if you feel called to bring.
• An offering for the community altars, if you feel called to bring one.
• If you smoke, please bring a canister for your cigarette butts.
• And perhaps most importantly: bring openness, kindness, and a willingness to slow down.

 

• Are there any prohibited items?

Yes – please see the list below:

• Alcohol
• Single use plastics
• Illegal drugs, legal highs / NPS, and nitrous oxide (now a controlled Class C substance)
• Weapons of any kind – knives, blades, anything that could be used as one
• Glass (bottles, jars, containers)
• Fireworks, flares, Chinese lanterns, and explosives
• Gas canisters and unsealed/large fuel containers
• Generators
• Drones / unmanned aircraft
• Laser pens and high-powered torches
• Sound systems / amplified speakers

 

• Can I bring a drum?

Yes. Drumming has long been a cherished part of Medicine, bringing people together in rhythm, celebration and connection. Informal drum circles are a much-loved part of the gathering and are welcome at designated times throughout the festival.

As guests on this land, we’re also committed to caring for our neighbours and the surrounding community. Drum circles can carry well beyond the festival site, so there will be times when drumming is asked to come to a close to help minimise noise for those living nearby.

If a member of the Medicine team or Security asks that drumming stops, we kindly ask that this is met with immediate cooperation and respect. By honouring these requests, we help care for our relationship with the local community and protect the future of Medicine for years to come. Thank you for helping us hold this gathering with care, respect and consideration for everyone it touches.

• Who should I contact for general enquiries, tickets, or partnerships?

For general enquiries, ticket questions, or if you’re an organisation interested in becoming a partner or sponsor, please email: enquiries@medicinefestival.com

• Can I volunteer at Medicine Festival?

You can learn more about our Volunteering / Guardian positions HERE

• Who do I contact for enquiries or media requests?

For press or media enquiries, please contact: lallie@polkadotelephant.com