Trains to Chester Folk Festival
The Chester Folk Festival takes place in Kelsall, a picturesque village near Chester. Though various venues support the festival, Kelsall Green is its main venue. Visitors to the festival will need to find their way here.
If you’re getting to the festival by rail, you will need to get the train to Chester. Trains arrive at Chester station from lots of destinations, such as London Euston, Crewe and Bangor. One here, you can get a bus or taxi to Kelsall Green.
Those driving to this Chester festival can make the most of ample free parking at the festival site on Kelsall Green. There are also plenty of other car parks at Kelsall Primary School, Kelsall Wellbeing Hub, Kelsall Community Centre and Kelsall Methodist Church. All of these car parks are stopped on the festival’s shuttle bus route.
You could also opt to take the bus to Chester Folk Festival. The bus service number 82 connects Kelsall and Chester, providing easy access. However, there are no buses on Sundays or Bank Holidays. On these days, festival goers could consider hopping into a taxi.
What to do at Chester Folk Festival
The most obvious, and best, thing to do at Chester Folk Festival is to enjoy the music. Each year the line up gets better and better. 2025’s performers include the likes of The Melsons, Melrose Quartet, The Wilson Family and Jez Lowe. Folk lovers from all over come together to listen to new and established artists.
There are plenty of other things to do and see at the folk festival, like children’s entertainment. Families and little ones are well looked after, making it a great day out for all ages. You can also browse market stalls for crafted items and trinkets, ideal gifts or momentos to remember the day by.
If you’ve worked up a hunger in all of the festivities, there are food options available too. Stroll and discover on-site food vendors for tasty cuisines and offerings on-the go. Or, head to The Morris Dancer pub. This nearby establishment offers food both inside and outside from their outdoor bar and barbecue area.
If you’re a keen camper, or like to be at one with nature, why not camp at the festival? There are camping sites available on both Kelsall Green and Green Lane Farm. This is a great way to make the most of the whole weekend and enjoy some time away. And, a free shuttle bus connects the venues with the campsites, making things even easier.
About Chester Folk Festival
The Chester Folk Festival is an annual event, an iconic music festival that locals and tourists alike have enjoyed since 1975. In 2025, this iconic Chester music festival will be celebrating its 50th birthday. This year, the event runs from Friday 23rd May to Monday 26th.
It’s organised by a registered charity made up of folk enthusiasts in the Chester area. The overall aim is to promote the joy of folk music events. Whilst the main festival takes place over one weekend, there are other events throughout the year.
February Folk Day takes place on Saturday 22nd February 2025 at All Saints Church. This is a joyful day involving music and dancing, and there is also food and drink on offer. There are also Young Folk Sunday Sessions spread across the year, where young people aged 10 to 18 come together. Here, they learn to play and sing folk songs.
Ways to save on your train ticket to Chester Folk Festival
Discover lots of easy ways to save money on your travel to Chester Folk Festival with Avanti West Coast. One of the simplest is to invest in a Railcard. With a Railcard, travellers will save 1/3 on train tickets every time they travel, for a £30 annual cost. There’s a variety of card types to browse, with something for everyone.
Family Train Tickets are another great option for family groups of up to five people with at least one adult and a maximum of four children. Travelling together by rail gives you more quality time to spend together, and less time sitting in traffic.
Booking your train tickets ahead of time is also effective when it comes to finding the best prices. Advance tickets give you the best deal possible, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. You could even set up a Priority Ticket Alert to make sure you don’t miss out on great savings.
Get the app
When you use the Avanti West Coast app to travel, getting to your destination is a breeze. Find, book and track your chosen train service with just a few taps of your smartphone. The app also provides you with the cheapest possible train tickets as you’re booking directly with Avanti. Download the app now to try it for yourself.
