FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: WHY IS THE FESTIVAL CASHLESS?

A: It is becoming increasingly expensive and bureaucratic to acquire cash for events and there are now few if any banks available where cash can be obtained from and deposited at.  It also costs us to withdraw and deposit cash. For these reasons, we have decided to only accept card payments at our festivals. This applies to festival entry, merchandise sales, and any refunds.

Q: I’VE PAID BY CARD, WHEN WILL MY REFUND APPEAR IN MY ACCOUNT?

A: Refunds on cards (either debit or credit) do not appear instantly in your account, even though they are processed through the card machine there and then. It can take several days for these to appear, especially at weekends. So please don’t worry if you can’t see it straight away. If there are any issues after the festival has closed, please get in touch with us.

Q: CAN I BUY A FESTIVAL SOUVENIR BEER GLASS THIS YEAR? 

A: The Maldon Beer Festival souvenir glass is now only £2.00. We have decided this year not to offer glass refunds, in keeping with a growing number of festivals, which is why we have reduced the cost from previous festivals. The glass is yours to take away as a souvenir, however, you may choose to leave your glass at the festival; you can do this at the Membership stand. You can also bring your own glass, provided this is suitably lined for all measures, ie a third, half, two thirds and pint.

If you visit the festival on a subsequent day, please bring your festival glass with you, though you will be charged admission if you are not a CAMRA member

Q: CAN I BECOME A CAMRA MEMBER AT THE FESTIVAL? 

A: Yes you can and you will be welcomed into a great organisation that supports pubs and brewers, running festivals and offering a range of merchandise. You will also get £10 of beer tokens if you join during the festival. Just pop along to the Membership stand for more information.

Q: HOW DO I PAY AT THE BAR? 

A: All payments will be made using beer tokens. These can be purchased at the point of admission and then from the Membership & Merchandise stand.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I DO NOT FULLY USE MY BEER TOKENS?

A: Any remaining value on your beer tokens can be refunded at the Membership stand, although many people like to donate the remaining value to our Charity

Partner. We have introduced a minimum refund of £1 this year, alongside no longer offering glass refunds.

Q: DO I NEED TO PAY FOR ADMISSION IF I AM NOT DRINKING ALCOHOL?

A: All customers require a ticket covering the entrance charge, the festival souvenir glass and a £10 Drinks Voucher card. If you do not use all or any of your voucher card(s), a refund can be obtained at our Membership stand, or you can donate them to our festival charity.

Q: WILL SOFT DRINKS BE AVAILABLE FOR DRIVERS/ANYONE NOT WANTING BEER?

A: Soft drinks will be available from the pub bar whenever the pub is open, and there will be a small bar inside the venue open at times during the festival.

Q: WHAT ARE THE ENTRY TIMES?

A: The festival will open at 12noon each day, Wednesday to Saturday, and will close at 11pm each day except Saturday, when it will close at 9pm. Last entry will be 9.30pm each day except Saturday.

Q: CAN I BRING CHILDREN TO THE FESTIVAL?

A: Yes, children under 18 are welcome when accompanied by a responsible adult, for example an 18 year old accompanying a 17 year old would neither be acceptable nor permitted. As with any licensed premises, it is illegal for under 18s to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol or consume it. It is also illegal to purchase alcohol for consumption by anyone under 18 years old.

All young children must be supervised at all times.

Anyone who appears to look under the age of 21 will be asked to provide verification of age. Please ensure you bring this with you in case you’re asked.

We will not tolerate the consumption of any alcohol by persons under the age of 18.

Q: IS THE FESTIVAL ACCESSIBLE?

A: The venue is fully accessible for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. There is an accessible toilet on site. Disabled parking is also available at the venue and in the nearby public car park. There is seating available, both inside the venue (with some on the venue’s stage) and outside, but this is limited by the size of the venue and there will inevitably be more people attending than seats available.

Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I LOSE SOMETHING AT THE FESTIVAL?

A: Please check with the Membership stand in the first instance, anything handed in will be held there while the festival is open. After it closes, please check with the Swan Hotel.

Q: WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE?

A: There will be two “pop up” food stalls, offering a range of hot and cold food, including burgers, sausages and various pies. These will be available throughout the festival at all sessions.

Nibbles in the form of crisps and pork scratchings will be available for purchase from the bar.

There will also be hot and cold food available from The Swan Hotel, Bar & Grill, however it is best to book a table in the restaurant.  The Swan Hotel have given permission for food from outside the establishment, such as the many take aways in the high street, to be brought into the hall.

Q: WHAT CAN I BUY AT THE FESTIVAL?

A: Beer and cider, obviously! We will also have a Membership & Merchandise stall, which will offer a choice of cans and bottled beers, spirit from our local brewer Mighty Oak, books (including the Good Beer Guide), and festival shirts.

Q: CAN I BRING MY DOG?

A: Dogs are allowed into the festival providing they are kept on a lead and under control.  Dogs are also allowed in the hard floor area of the main hotel bar.

Q: CAN I TAKE BEER OR CIDER AWAY FROM THE FESTIVAL?

A: Unfortunately, we are now unable to offer draught beer or cider in take-away containers or allow you to decant drinks into your own take-away container. We know this is frustrating, but this is what the law currently says,

Q: IS THERE A CAR PARK?

A: There is paid for parking in Butt Lane car park or White Horse Lane car park, with additional free parking in the many side streets around the High Street. A park and ride system runs from Tesco’s at Fullbridge (at the bottom of Market Hill) which gives you 3 hours free parking. At weekends The Plume school opens its car park for free on Saturdays.

Q: WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES TO DRIVING?

A: There are lots of bus links and at present a great £3.00 travel offer for single journeys around the UK. The nearest bus stop is within two minutes of the venue.

From Chelmsford First Bus No31/331  https://www.firstbus.co.uk/essex/routes-and-maps/route-maps

From South Woodham Ferrers via Danbury First Bus No336 then No31/331 as above 

From Witham Stephensons No90  https://stephensonsofessex.com/service-timetables/

Q: IS THERE ANYWHERE I CAN STAY? 

A: The Swan Hotel offers accommodation, so why not stay next door to the festival! Though there is no breakfast included, there are plenty of places to eat nearby. Alternatives are the Limes and the Travelodge, both just down Market Hill from the venue, or the Blue Boar pub. The nearest Premier Inn is next to Chelmsford rail station. From Colchester First Bus No75 as above

Q: I’M GLUTEN INTOLERANT OR VEGAN, OR I HAVE ALLERGIES, WILL THERE BE ANYTHING SUITABLE FOR ME?

A:  There will be gluten friendly beer and vegan beer on the beer list for you to enjoy; please speak to one of our volunteers for more information on gluten free or vegan beer or any allergies. As with all beer at the festival, not all beers will be available at all times.

https://www.maldonswan.co.uk/stay/

https://www.thelimesmaldon.co.uk/book-a-room

https://www.travelodge.co.uk/uk/essex/maldon/index.html

https://blueboarmaldon.co.uk/rooms/

8Q: HOW DO I CONTACT THE ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT? 

A: Please email info@maldonanddengie.camra.org.uk should you have any further questions.

​