All you need to know as Bryan Adams, Sting, Paloma Faith, Sir Tom Jones and Olly Murs prepare for Thetford Forest gigs
The ever-popular Forest Live concert series kicks off tonight at High Lodge, near Thetford and Brandon.
Bryan Adams opens the Thetford Forest gigs tonight, followed by Sting on Saturday, Paloma Faith on June 27, Tom Jones on June 28 and Olly Murs on June 30.
But seasoned Forest Live concert-goers might be surprised to discover a couple of new elements to this year’s shows. And if you have never been to Forest Live, what can you expect?
Read on for our round-up of essential information.
The Glade VIP
The biggest change this year could be the introduction of The Glade VIP package, which allows ticket-holders to get to the front of the stage with access to an exclusive bar, premium food options, flushable toilets, a souvenir Forest Live wristband and separate dedicated VIP entry lane.
Car parking
Another big change this year is the introduction of car parking charges for concert-goers.
Parking costs £8 per car in advance, or free for Forestry England members.
If you plan on arriving by car a parking space must be booked in advance, alongside admission tickets.
A car parking e-ticket must be presented for scanning on arrival at the car park (or an accessible parking hanger display for the accessible car park).
Subject to availability, limited parking may be available on the day at a cost of £15, payable on arrival (card payments only). However, for some events parking is already sold out.
Organisers said the car parking charges had been introduced to encourage customers to consider greener travel options such as car-sharing, coach and shuttle bus.
Directions
High Lodge, Thetford Forest, is on the Norfolk/Suffolk border between the towns of Thetford and Brandon.
Search for postcode IP27 0AF to find the quickest route. When you get close to the venue, turn your satnav off and follow the yellow event signage, as the event will be using different car parks and entrances to normal.
Travel information
The nearest train station is Brandon (Norwich to Cambridge line), six miles away.
The nearest bus station is Thetford, seven miles away.
Only pre-booked taxis will be allowed on site. Make sure you’ve considered your return journey before arriving and book in advance.
Use the designated pick up point to meet with your taxi or lift home – do not arrange to meet them on the main road.
Shuttle bus
Shuttle buses, which must be pre-booked, from Thetford to High Lodge will run between 4pm-7.30pm.
Customers have to be at their pick up point within 30 minutes of the concert finishing.
Tickets
E-tickets were issued two to four weeks before the concert, or at the time of purchase for late bookings (including e-tickets for pre-booked parking spaces).
Download each e-ticket and save to your device before arriving, as there may be limited phone signal or wi-fi.
What to take
Only take items essential to your evening as the security team will carry out bag searches – the less you take, the quicker it will be to enter the arena.
Dress for the outdoors, take something warm for later in the evening and a waterproof (umbrellas are not permitted in the arena).
Folding chairs or blankets are permitted (in both the main arena and The Glade VIP area).
Insect repellent may be useful.
Can I take my own food and drink?
You are welcome to take picnics, but items including glass, tables, metal cutlery, breakable crockery and more are not permitted in the arena.
Empty re-usable metal water bottles are permitted and encouraged, Cans are also permitted .
No more than one litre of soft and/or alcoholic drink is permitted per person (all drinks must be unopened). Undiluted spirits are not allowed
Larger containers such as wine boxes are permitted when shared between a party, as long as this does not exceed one litre per person and all of the party enter the arena together
What cannot be taken into the arena?
Prohibited items include: trollies; umbrellas and parasols; tables; glass of any kind including bottles and jars; breakable crockery; metal cutlery; open drinks; drinks over one litre; undiluted spirits.
What time can I get there?
Car parks open at 4.30pm and the arena doors open at 5pm.
Will the concert go ahead if it’s raining?
Concerts will go ahead regardless of weather, except in extreme conditions where the venue is deemed unsafe or unfeasible to hold the event.
All customers are advised to wear suitable clothing and footwear for an outdoor event.
Is food and drink available?
A fully licensed bar and a variety of food and drink outlets are available – bar and food outlets accept card payments only.
Is seating provided?
Seating is not provided or reserved. Ticket-holders are welcome to take blankets or small single folding chairs, but these are not allowed in the standing-only area directly in front of the stage.
The audience may choose to stand throughout the event in any part of the arena – concertgoers cannot claim a spot with chairs or blankets and leave it unattended.
Leaving the site
The concerts usually finish between 10.30-10.45pm and will run no later than 11pm.
It can take up to an hour for all cars to leave the site, so be patient.