GENERAL
Festival Location
Ayclive Festival is hosted on the outdoor grounds at OakLeaf Sports Complex Newton Aycliffe Click to open side panel for more information :
- Address: School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 6QZ
Getting Here:
The site is easily accessible by car, public transport, or on foot for locals.
Detailed travel routes, parking instructions, and drop-off points can be found in our Travel FAQ section.
Opening Times
Ayclive is a two-day event packed with live music and entertainment:
- Friday (Evening): Gates open at 5:30 PM
- Saturday (Full Day): Gates open at 11:30 AM
A Quick Tip for Families:
Arrive early to grab a great spot on the field, explore the site, and get the kids settled before the main stage acts begin! Last entry times and full set schedules will be published closer to the event.
Music finishes in accordance with our site license, and lighting along main exit walkways will stay fully lit to guide you safely off site. Please respect our local neighbours by keeping noise to a minimum as you head out.
Cash & Payments
Both cash and card payments (including contactless and mobile pay) are accepted across the entire festival site.
This applies to:
- Ticket Desks (if tickets remain available on the day)
- Festival Bars & Food Vendors
- Market Traders & Stalls
- Fairground Rides & Attractions
Whether you prefer tapping your card or carrying cash, you are fully covered everywhere on site!
Food & Drink
We have a fantastic lineup of food and drink options on site to keep you fuelled all weekend:
- Street Food Vendors: A brilliant selection of top-quality local street food vendors from right across the North East.
- Festival Bars: Fully stocked bars serving a varied range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Free Hydration Stand: Free drinking water is available on site for those bringing reusable water bottles.
Bringing Your Own:
- Food: You are welcome to bring your own picnic or packed lunch in sealed food boxes.
- Soft Drinks & Water: Unopened soft drinks and water are permitted, but bottle lids must be unsealed upon entry.
- Alcohol: Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Please note: All bags, food containers, and picnic items are subject to security checks at the gates.
Gluten Free
We work with different street food traders each year, so menus for our vendors and full bar options are confirmed closer to the event.
If you have gluten-free dietary requirements, please pop us an email at hello@ayclive.co.uk. We will keep your details on file and reach out directly as soon as vendor menus and gluten-free bar options are finalised so you can plan your day with total peace of mind!
Lost Property
Losing something is never fun, but our friendly team is here to help reunite you with your belongings!
- During the Festival: Head to our clearly signposted Lost Property point on site. Our staff will be happy to check if your item has been handed in.
- After the Festival: Realised you’re missing something after heading home? Drop us an email at hello@ayclive.co.uk with a quick description of the item.
All recovered items are safely moved to our HQ at Aycliffe Business Park after the event. We can easily arrange a local collection time with you or, if you’ve traveled from further afield, post your item back to you!
TRAVEL
Shuttle Bus
Ayclive Festival is hosted on the outdoor grounds at OakLeaf Sports Complex Newton Aycliffe Click to open side panel for more information :
- Address: School Aycliffe Lane, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, DL5 6QZ
Getting Here:
The site is easily accessible by car, public transport, or on foot for locals.
Detailed travel routes, parking instructions, and drop-off points can be found in our Travel FAQ section.
Trains
Traveling by rail is super easy! Newton Aycliffe Train Station is just a short, 2-minute walk from the festival ground along a fully accessible route.
- Local Connections: We are on the Tees Valley Line (running between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn). Direct local stops include:
- Bishop Line Section: Bishop Auckland, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Heighington, and Darlington North Road.
- Tees Valley Line Section: Darlington (Bank Top), Dinsdale, Teesside Airport, Allens West, Eaglescliffe, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, South Bank, Redcar Central, Redcar East, Longbeck, Marske, and Saltburn.
- National Mainline: The line connects directly through Darlington Station, a major hub on the East Coast Main Line (London King’s Cross to Edinburgh), making it effortless to reach us from further afield.
- Booking: Regular services run throughout the day and can be planned and booked via Trainline.com.
Just hop off the train, take a quick 2-minute stroll, and you’ll be at the gates!- Local Connections: We are on the Tees Valley Line (running between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn). Direct local stops include:
Taxis & Drop-Off Points
Getting dropped off or grabbing a taxi home is super straightforward:
- Dedicated Area: There is a clearly marked taxi rank and passenger drop-off/pick-up zone located right on site.
- Friendly On-Site Support: Our helpful festival parking attendants and traffic management volunteers will be on hand to guide drivers directly to the correct spot, keeping traffic moving smoothly.
- Easy Access: The drop-off zone leads straight onto the main pedestrian routes, so you can head straight to the entrance gates without any hassle.
- Uber Friendly: If you’re traveling using the Uber app, simply search for Ayclive Festival as your destination, and it will route your driver straight to our official drop-off point!
Parking at the Festival
We have two dedicated, easily located, and clearly signposted car parks on site offering both standard and Blue Badge parking:
- Pre-Purchase for Fast Entry: Parking is a paid service, and we strongly advise buying your parking pass from our online store ahead of time. Pre-purchased passes make arrival much faster, our stewards simply scan your ticket so you can park up and head straight into the festival!
- On-the-Day Entry: Friendly parking attendants will be on duty at the car park entrances to check advance passes and take cash or card payments.
- Easy Access to Gates: Both car parks are right on site with short, level pedestrian routes leading directly to the main entrance.
Head over to our official store to grab your parking pass early for the smoothest possible arrival!
Accommodation
Ayclive is a non-camping festival with no on-site accommodation, but there are plenty of great places to stay nearby!
- Hotels & B&Bs: Newton Aycliffe and the surrounding County Durham area offer a wide range of fantastic hotels, inns, and guest houses.
- Holiday Rentals: You’ll also find numerous local options available on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com.
Check out our full list of recommended places to stay here.
Offsite Campsites
While we don’t offer camping on site over the festival weekend, we’ve made finding a place to pitch your tent or park your camper super easy!
We’ve put together a handy page featuring recommended local campsites in the surrounding area, ranging from spots within walking distance to those just a short taxi or bus ride away.
Check out all the nearby pitch and glamping options here.
ENTRY
Age Restrictions
We are a family-friendly festival and welcome music lovers of all ages!
To keep everyone safe, we operate clear age categories and entry requirements:
- Under 5s: Go free! (A free Under 5 ticket must still be ordered via our ticketing portal).
- Children (Aged 5–13): Dedicated kids ticket tier.
- Teens (Aged 14–17): Dedicated teen ticket tier.
- Adults (18+): Standard adult ticket.
Anyone aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 18 or over at all times.
Valid ID Requirements
To ensure entry runs smoothly and all licencing rules are followed, please keep the following in mind:
- Accepted Forms of ID: We accept valid physical photo ID, including a driving licence (full or provisional), passport, or official PASS-accredited card (with the proof of age hologram).
- Accompanying Under-18s: Adults who are responsible for and accompanying under-18s must present valid photo ID at the entrance gates.
- Challenge 25 at the Bars: All bars across the site operate a strict Challenge 25 policy. If you look under 25, you may be asked to present valid physical photo ID before purchasing or being served alcohol.
Re-entry Rules
We know families and festival-goers love the flexibility of stepping out to grab extra layers, put kids to bed, or pop back to the car! Here is how our re-entry policy works:
- Wristbands: When you first scan your ticket at the entrance gates, you will receive an official Ayclive wristband. This wristband allows you to move freely in and out of the festival site throughout Friday evening or Saturday.
- Last Re-entry Time: Please note that the last entry and re-entry time is 9:30 PM on both Friday and Saturday evenings. After 9:30 PM, no further entries or re-entries will be permitted.
- Security Checks: For the safety of everyone on site, every time you re-enter the grounds, you will pass back through security and be subject to a routine bag search for prohibited items.
There will be signposts on the gate to remind you on the day.
Official Ticket Vendors
To make sure your ticket is genuine and to keep your purchase completely safe, please note:
- Official Channel Only: Ayclive tickets are only sold online through our official website store. We do not sell hard paper tickets at local physical venues, box offices, or through third-party ticket agents.
- Beware of Scams & Secondary Sellers: We do not partner with secondary ticket resale websites or social media platforms. Please be extremely wary of individuals selling tickets on Facebook, Instagram, or online marketplaces.
- One-Time Use QR Codes: Every official ticket features a unique, single-scan QR code. Once scanned at the main gates, any duplicate or copied QR codes will be invalid and refused entry.
Always protect your money and buy directly through our official website!
Zero Tolerance Policy
At Ayclive Festival, we are committed to creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and safe. We operate a strict zero-tolerance policy towards any form of harassment, discrimination, or violence. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Harassment or abuse based on race, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, or any other personal characteristic.
- Sexual harassment, unwanted physical contact, or threatening behaviour.
- Any act of violence, intimidation, or aggressive behaviour.
Anyone failing to comply will be evicted from the festival.
Eviction Policy
Ayclive Festival is created for the enjoyment, safety, and well-being of all our guests. We reserve the right to evict anyone from the festival site without a refund for any breach of our site rules.
Reasons for Eviction:
- Unauthorised Entry: Entering or remaining on site without a valid ticket, wristband, or official pass.
- Anti-Social or Criminal Behaviour: Engaging in violence, harassment, intimidation, theft, or disruptive behavior.
- Prohibited Items: Being in possession of illegal drugs, legal highs, weapons, or unpermitted dangerous items.
- Unauthorised Trading: Attempting to sell alcohol, goods, or tickets without prior official approval.
How Evictions Work On Site:
- Assessment: The decision to evict is made at the discretion of the festival Security Manager and Eviction Team.
- Wristband Removal: Any person being evicted will have their festival wristband cut off and will be escorted off the grounds immediately. Re-entry will not be permitted.
- Belongings & Support: Evictees will be allowed to make a phone call to arrange transport home or contact friends inside the site to collect personal items. Security will not re-admit evictees to gather belongings.
Please help us keep Ayclive safe and fun for everyone by following site guidelines and looking out for one another!