What You Need To Know
Anything you dont see here, just ask!
Craic by the Creek takes place at Whitebottom Farm in Compstall, Greater Manchester. While brilliant and magical, there are many quirks to the festival site and the running of the festival itself that you should know about. If there is anything that you dont read on this page, just drop us a line using the form at the bottom.
The information on this page is quite important and is here for safety and to ensure a smooth running of the festival. Please read it carefully and follow the guidance.
Please note that the festival gates open at midday. Last entry is at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 6pm on Sunday. You will not be able to enter the festival outside these times. The shuttle bus from the car park can become busy, so please allow plenty of time for your journey to the festival site.
Getting To The Festival
Please do not rely on directions provided by search engines when travelling to Craic by the Creek. These are often generated automatically and may be incorrect.
Craic by the Creek is held at Whitebottom Farm in Compstall, Greater Manchester. If you’re familiar with the area, you’ll find it just beyond the beautiful Etherow Country Park.
If you’re travelling to the festival by car, please be aware that vehicles cannot normally access the festival site. Instead, you’ll need to leave your car in the designated festival car park. Please do not attempt to drive directly to the site, as this can cause disruption on the surrounding roads for both local residents and the festival.
Please head straight to the festival car park, located at SK6 5HH. The car park is run by a local farmer and costs £20 for the weekend. Cash payments are preferred, as Wi-Fi and mobile signal can be unreliable.
The walk to the festival site takes approximately 15 minutes from the festival car park or 10 minutes from Etherow Country Park car park. Both routes are clearly signposted, with the latter taking you through the beautiful surroundings of Etherow Country Park.
If you’re carrying camping equipment, you can hop on the free shuttle bus, which runs regularly throughout the festival. Alternatively, you can enjoy the walk while sending your camping equipment ahead on the luggage bus. Where possible, this is our preferred option.
The nearest train stations are Marple, Romiley and Stockport. Bus services connect all three stations with Compstall village.
Once you arrive in Compstall, head to Etherow Country Park car park on George Street, Compstall, SK6 5JD, if you’re walking to the festival. The route is signposted from there and takes approximately 10 minutes. For safety, please ensure you use the footpath around the far side of the water – not the road through the park – this is a road and will be used by cars.
From Marple Station, SK6 7DA, take the 383 bus and get off at Compstall village. The journey takes approximately four minutes. The walk from Marple Station directly to the festival site takes approximately 40 minutes.
From Romiley Station, SK6 4BL, take the 383 bus and get off at Compstall village. The journey takes approximately six minutes. The walk from Romiley Station directly to the festival site takes approximately 40 minutes.
From Stockport Station, the 383 and 384 buses operate a circular service between Stockport, Marple and Romiley, passing through Compstall village. The 383 departs from Mersey Square, approximately seven minutes’ walk from Stockport Station. The 384 departs from Heaton Lane Bus Station, approximately nine minutes’ walk from Stockport Station.
This information is correct as of 2026 – please ensure that there have been no changes to schedules or routes before beginning your journey.
If you wish to use a local firm, you may wish to use Lynx taxis – 0161 483 1099 or 0161 480 500.
Uber also operate in the area.
Taxis are not permitted through the Park please ask them to drop you off at either the OFF-SITE Car Park (SK6 5HH) or Etherow Country Park Car Park.
The walk to the festival site takes approximately 15 minutes from the festival car park or 10 minutes from Etherow Country Park car park. Both routes are clearly signposted, with the latter taking you through the beautiful surroundings of Etherow Country Park.
If you’re carrying camping equipment, you can hop on the free shuttle bus, which runs regularly throughout the festival. Alternatively, you can enjoy the walk while sending your camping equipment ahead on the luggage bus. Where possible, this is our preferred option.
Anyone who has been to a music festival before well know that walking a considerable distance with camping equipment is to be expected. Crack by the Creek is no different. The quickest and most efficient way to get from the festival car park to the festival. Site is to walk.
However, if you feel like you’re unable to walk, we do offer a complimentary shuttle bus that will run between the festival site and the festival car park across the weekend.
The shuttle bus will begin at midday and will end at 2am the following morning.
Please note that it does not follow a time schedule, it will simply go back and forward continuously. If the shuttle bus is not at the car park when you wish to use it, please keep in mind that I can take up to 30 minutes to get to your location depending on traffic.
If there are quiet periods, the shuttle bus may rest. Please let a steward know so that they can use a radio to determine the location of the bus.
Please remember that this is a free complimentary service that the festival operate to make things a little easier.
There is no parking in the festival site itself for festival goers – you’ll need to leave your car in the designated festival car park. Please do not attempt to drive directly to the site, as this can cause disruption on the surrounding roads for both local residents and the festival.
Please head straight to the festival car park, located at SK6 5HH. The car park is run by a local farmer and costs £20 for the weekend.
Festival goers are not permitted to park in any other locations such as Marple Bridge or Compstall Village.
You cannot bring your car on to the festival site when the festival is active. Please head straight to the festival car park, located at SK6 5HH.
Tickets and Entry
Please make sure you have the correct festival tickets before you arrive. We’re unable to sell tickets at the gate or resolve ticketing issues on site.
Tickets for Craic by the Creek are on sale via our official ticket supplier – Skiddle.
Here is a festival ticket key that will help you determine what types of tickets that you need.
| What are you doing? | General admission | Camping ticket | Glamping booking | Motorhome / caravan ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not staying on site | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Camping | Required | Required | Not required | Not required |
| Glamping | Required | Not required | Required | Not required |
| Motorhome, caravan or trailer tent | Required | Required | Not required | Required |
We are lucky enough to have the land owned by a local farmer, which we can use as an overspill offsite location for additional motorhomes. This is the same location as the offsite car park – SK65HH.
If you are staying on the offsite location, you will need an off-site motorhome ticket and general admission tickets to get into the festival. You do not need the additional camping ticket.
We do not offer day tickets to Craic by the Creek.
Yes, re-entry is permitted with a valid festival wristband. Security will check all wristbands for signs of tampering.
Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or otherwise stated in the ticket terms and conditions.
The festival gates open at midday each day. Unfortunately, access cannot be granted before this time.
Last entry is at 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 6pm on Sunday. If you arrive after the last entry time, you will not be admitted and will need to return from midday the following day, where applicable.
Please plan your journey carefully and allow extra time for possible travel delays.
Children are welcome at Craic by the Creek; however, the event is primarily aimed at adults. Anyone under the age of 18 must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times and wear an under-18 wristband displaying that adult’s contact number throughout the festival.
Dogs are welcome but must remain on a lead at all times.
Yes. Security will carry out a standard search when you first enter the festival and each time you re-enter, helping us to maintain a safe environment throughout the event.
Yes. Vehicles may be selected at random for a security search upon entry to help maintain a safe festival environment.
Accommodation Options
We always recommend staying on-site in a motorhome, caravan, tent, or glamping tent to make the most of your weekend.
Yes, camping is available at Craic by the Creek if you bring and pitch your own tent. Everyone staying in the campsite will need both a general admission ticket and an additional camping ticket. Tickets can be booked through Skiddle.
Glamping is an incredibly popular option at Craic by the Creek, and many options sell out soon after going on sale. Your glamping booking covers the tent only, so everyone staying in it will also need a general admission ticket to enter the festival.
Glamping guests should check in at the main entrance using their general admission tickets and let the gate staff know that they have a glamping booking. They will then be directed to the glamping reception area.
Yes, provided you have a valid motorhome, caravan, trailer tent or roof tent ticket. Once these tickets have sold out, we cannot accommodate any additional live-in vehicles on site.
Allowed / Recommended List
– Small camping stove
– Tent
– Sleeping bag and extra blankets
– It gets chilly at night
– Wellies
– Torch
– Water proofs – Fingers crossed they won’t be needed
– Sun cream
– Medication – (prescription only)
– Spare clothes
– First aid kit
– Money (Cash and Card)
– Soft Drinks
– Food or Snacks
– Camping / Fold-up chairs
– Dogs allowed – must be kept on a lead and under control.
Not Allowed List
– No glass allowed
– No illegal substances or legal highs
– No fires or BBQs
– No sound systems
– E bikes / scooters
– All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
– Unruly behaviour is not accepted
– No Ruck Sacks in the barn / stage area – trip hazard
– No Public Cars On Site
-Disposable BBQs
– Glass bottles (unless tested and installed in a m motorhome)
Yes. Pull-along trolleys and wagons are permitted.
We are currently reviewing the guidance around this to reach a happy medium. Please check back later.
We’re often asked about hotels near the festival site. There are plenty of options in the local area, ranging from independent hotels to well-known chains such as Village Hotels and Premier Inn.
We don’t work directly with any accommodation providers, so festival discounts are not available. However, booking early will usually help you secure a better rate.
There are also several local B&Bs, and Airbnb is well worth checking for additional accommodation options.
Yes. If your group arrives together, you can camp together where space allows. Pitches are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and spaces cannot be reserved for guests arriving later.
Glamping guests can request to be placed next to or near other members of their group. While we cannot guarantee specific locations, our glamping team will do their best to accommodate all requests.
Once we have a clearer idea of glamping numbers, we’ll announce when requests can be submitted on our social media pages. This will usually be three to four months before the festival.
Leaving The Site
If you’re not staying overnight at the festival site, please pay close attention to the guidance on leaving the site.
If you are not staying on-site, you must leave by 2am. Security personnel will begin checking wristbands at 1.30am and asking non-camping guests to make their way off the site.
When leaving the site on foot, please follow the designated walking route around the outside of the boating lake to the Etherow Country Park car park. The route is lit and patrolled by stewards.
Please do not walk along the road, as this is reserved for vehicles.
Security personnel at the exit will direct you to the correct route and provide any further guidance.
This is the agreed route outlines in Whitebottom Farm’s egress plan.
Taxis cannot reach the festival site. The designated taxi pick up zone is Etherow Country park Car Park. Please follow the guidance above about leaving the site – the walking footpath will take you right to the taxi pick up zone.
The local taxi company is Lynx taxis. Lynx Taxi: 0161 480 5000 / 0161 483 1099
Uber will also collect form Etherow Country Park Car Park
The shuttle bus will run until 2am. By this time, anyone without a valid pass to stay on-site must have left the festival site.
We understand that spirits will be high when leaving the festival. However, it is important to minimise disruption to local residents. Please keep noise to a minimum, dispose of your litter responsibly, and remain polite, considerate and friendly at all times. We reserve the right to refuse re-entry to anyone who does not follow this guidance.
Food, Drink & Traders
There are many options for food and drink at Craic by the Creek to suit most needs.
Yes. Licensed bars operate throughout the festival weekend.
Food vendors and menus may change from year to year, so please check our social media pages for the latest information or send us a message.
We aim to offer a wide selection of festival favourites, such as pizzas, burgers, Thai food, toasties, steak and chips, sandwiches and breakfast options.
While we do not have dedicated vendors for specific dietary requirements, we ask all food vendors to include suitable options wherever possible, such as gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan dishes. Please speak directly to the vendor about your requirements before ordering.
Drinking water is available at three main locations across the site: the main festival shower area, behind the Bus Bar and beside the glamping toilets. Each water point will be clearly marked and easy to find when you arrive and are on the site map.
Yes. If you are camping onsite, you are welcome to bring your own food and soft drinks to enjoy within the campsite.
However, outside food and drink cannot be taken into the festival arena. A wide range of food, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase throughout the festival weekend.
Please note that glass containers are not permitted anywhere on site.
The festival bars operate a token system, meaning all drinks must be purchased using tokens. Tokens can be bought with cash or card at stations located throughout the site.
Any unused tokens can be exchanged at the main bar for a cash or card refund before the festival closes. You can also bring them back and use them again in future years.
There is a dedicated coffee vendor which serves various types of delicious coffee and tea at the festival. The vendor offers various types of milk to suit all needs.
Yes, official festival merchandise will be available throughout the weekend. The merchandise trailer will open at scheduled times, so please check the signage when you arrive. We recommend visiting early to give yourself the best chance of finding your preferred item and size.
Artists performing during the weekend may also have their own merchandise available.
The festival market will feature a wide range of traders offering Irish products, sweet treats, interactive activities, information stands, relaxation services, clothing and more.
No – the traders will be cash or card only.
Site Facilities
Handy things to remember while you’re at the festival.
Power points are available at various locations across the site for charging phones and using small personal appliances, such as hair straighteners and hairdryers.
A dedicated phone-charging station is available inside the main barn. Power points for personal grooming appliances, such as hairdryers and straighteners, can be found in the shower area and Pamper Tent.
Yes. Hot electric showers are available in the main festival area and are suitable for all guests. Additional tank-fed showers can be found in the glamping field, although their water temperature is preset.
We recommend using the showers in the main festival area whenever possible. All showers are open daily from 6am to 1pm.
These facilities are due to be reviewed for the 2027 festival. We’ll update festivalgoers as soon as further information becomes available.
Yes. The accessible toilet is located in the main stage area and can be reached via a ramp. If you require accessible facilities, please contact our team so we can provide further information and support.
Depending on your location and individual needs, the main toilet facilities may be closer, quicker and more convenient.
Yes – festivalgoers have successfully used mobility scooters on-site in previous years. The terrain includes gravelled, grassed and tarmacked areas, so scooters with larger wheels are generally easier to manoeuvre. Please be aware that ground conditions may vary depending on the weather.
It’s a music festival in Manchester, so there’s always a chance of rain – and you may get wet! However, plenty of covered space is available around both the main and second stages.
A professional first-aid and fire marshal team will be on-site 24 hours a day throughout the weekend. The first-aid and Fire point will be located on the hill opposite the log cabin, and an emergency contact number will also be available should you need assistance.
If you need assistance from security, you’ll find team members throughout the festival wearing yellow high-visibility vests. Security personnel will also be stationed at the main entrance.
If you need security to attend your location, please call the security number displayed on the festival information boards.
Your safety is important to us. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or vulnerable at any point during the festival, visit any of our bars and ask a member of staff for “Angela”. This discreet phrase lets the team know that you need help, and they will support you in a safe and confidential manner.
Still Got A Question?
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered above, please let us know using the form below.