Choosing your fields

The site must be large enough to accommodate the number of people and attractions you are expecting, with sufficient additional space for pathways, emergency vehicle access, offices, tents, on site parking and storage. From my experience, if space looks tight on a plan, it will cause you major problems on the ground. On the other hand, if you have any extra space you will always use it.

Keep in mind that with events, you usually rent space in terms of ‘fields’ rather than square metres or hectares. It is therefore important to calculate the space you , and then find a field or fields that meet or, better still, more than meet those requirements.

You must also keep in mind that there is a difference between total area of a given site and the usable area of that site. Odd-shaped fields, slopes, swampy areas, areas inside and around gates and other access points, ponds and slopes are problems you will have to contend with. Though on paper an odd-shaped field may have the total space required, the shape may prevent you from making efficient use of some areas. Similarly, any areas that slope or are muddy or uneven will have limited use, which will reduce the amount of space that is available to you.

Your site inspections should allow you to measure and calculate the available area, excluding slopes, swamps, ponds, etc. You should be viewing and imagining the field as whatever use you have in mind for it – either event site or car park. Imagine the main gate and offices there, the fun fair in the far corner (taking the noise and nuisance away from the houses), steam engine display area there, arena on the central flat area, etc. You should be able to build a fairly clear mental picture of an initial site plan, as well as gauging the suitability of the site and the usable space available to you. A huge area covered in prickly gorse bushes or brambles, or the steeply sloping side of a hill would be of little use, no matter how cheap or convenient the location. It also almost certainly needs to have electricity, water and possibly sewage connections available.