CarFest South

Updated June 10, 2025

## CarFest South at Laverstoke Park Farm: Complete Visitor Guide

CarFest South is a major UK family festival that blends live music, fast cars, and fundraising for children’s charities. It takes place at Laverstoke Park Farm near Overton, a rural estate close to Basingstoke in Hampshire, England, with the event address typically given as Laverstoke Park Farm, Overton Way, Overton, Basingstoke, RG25 3DR, United Kingdom.

This guide focuses on the CarFest South experience at Laverstoke Park Farm, with notes where things are changing so you can cross-check details before you book.

> Important context (potentially outdated)
> – CarFest has historically run as CarFest North (Cheshire) and CarFest South (Hampshire).
> – From 2025, organisers have referred to “One Big CarFest” centred on Hampshire.
> – From 2026, CarFest is scheduled to move to Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire.
> Always confirm the current location, dates and ticketing on the official CarFest website before travelling.

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## What Is CarFest South?

CarFest is described by the organisers as the UK’s largest family fundraising festival, created by broadcaster Chris Evans to raise money for UK children’s charities.

Key facts that are well-established and verifiable:

– Founder: Chris Evans (UK radio presenter).
– Focus: Combination of music festival, motoring show, and family fun.
– Charity angle: Has raised millions of pounds for children’s charities, including Children in Need and a range of UK children’s organisations.
– Location (South edition): Laverstoke Park Farm in Hampshire, a large organic farm estate that has hosted CarFest South each August for many years.

From a visitor’s point of view, you can expect:

– Live music performances from mainstream and legacy artists
– Track shows and car displays showcasing everything from classic cars to performance machines
– Food and drink zones, with emphasis on British producers
– Dedicated kids’ areas and family activities
– Themed “mini-festivals” within the site such as KidsFest, FoodFest, SpaFest, RetroFest and others.

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## Location: Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire

Laverstoke Park Farm is an organic farm near the village of Overton, a short drive from Basingstoke in Hampshire.

– Coordinates near the festival entrance: approximately 51.2195° N, –1.2574° W, matching your provided data.
– The farm has hosted CarFest South each August since 2012, according to independent coverage of events at the site.

Arrival guidance for recent editions emphasises:

– A high volume of traffic on approach days.
– Temporary one-way systems that override normal sat-nav routes.
– Clear instructions to follow the yellow CarFest road signage once you’re near the area, rather than relying solely on your GPS.

### Practical Takeaways

– Treat the drive in as part of the day and allow extra time, especially for Friday and Saturday daytime arrivals.
– Expect rural approach roads and festival-style traffic management rather than a simple plug-and-go postcode experience.

(Internal link suggestion for you: link this section to your broader Hampshire or South-East England destination guide.)

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## What You Actually Do at CarFest South

Based on the official programme and independent reviews, the CarFest South experience is built around several core pillars:

### 1. Cars & Motoring Shows

CarFest was originally conceived as a celebration of automotive culture as well as a fundraiser.

Verified elements from past programmes include:

– Track demonstrations and shows featuring performance cars and classic vehicles.
– Static car displays where you can walk around and photograph rare and unusual models.
– Participation by car clubs and motoring groups, often highlighted by the organisers as part of the line-up.

From a visitor perspective, this is where you’ll find:

– Good opportunities for close-up photography of cars
– A mix of heritage vehicles and modern performance models
– Crowd-friendly commentary and demonstrations rather than technical race events

### 2. Live Music & Entertainment

CarFest is also a full-scale music festival.

Public line-ups and reviews consistently mention:

– A main stage with evening headliners across pop, rock and classic acts
– Daytime performances and DJ sets
– Comedy and spoken-word or interview sessions with guests

The emphasis is on mainstream family-friendly entertainment rather than niche genres.

### 3. FoodFest & Local Producers

The festival includes a substantial food and drink village, often branded as FoodFest, where:

– British food producers and street-food traders sell meals and snacks
– There are chef demos and cookery sessions led by recognisable names from UK food media in many past editions

Hampshire’s wider reputation for high-quality local produce is also reinforced by Laverstoke Park Farm’s own organic credentials and award-winning products.

### 4. KidsFest & Family Zones

Family-friendly activities are a core part of CarFest’s positioning. The official site and multiple independent reports mention:

– A dedicated KidsFest area
– Workshops, craft activities and shows suitable for children
– Fairground-style rides and interactive experiences

This is one of the reasons CarFest is heavily marketed as a family weekend rather than an adults-only music festival.

(Internal link suggestion for you: connect this section to any RealJourneyTravels.com guide focused on UK family travel or festivals with kids.)

### 5. Wellbeing, Retro and “Mini-Festivals”

Recent programmes show several themed zones:

– SpaFest – focusing on wellbeing sessions, yoga, talks and relaxation
– RetroFest – nostalgia-driven entertainment and vintage stylings
– StarFest – spaces for celebrity talks, interviews and appearances
– AdventureFest – outdoor-style or activity-based experiences

The exact mix evolves year to year, but the idea of multiple festivals in one site is repeatedly emphasised.

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## Tickets, Camping and Practicalities (Check for Updates)

CarFest’s ticketing system is detailed and changes by edition, but some structures appear consistently across recent official information:

– 3-day weekend tickets with and without camping
– Premium options that add access to a Premium Lounge, upgraded toilets, and other comforts
– 2-day combinations (e.g., Friday–Saturday or Saturday–Sunday)
– Family tickets bundling adults and children
– Camping upgrades, including early-arrival options and permits for live-in vehicles (e.g., caravans)

The current official site lists detailed ticket tiers, opening times and add-ons for upcoming editions, including CarFest at Silverstone from 2026.

> Outdated-data warning: Specific prices, age bands and what is included in each ticket type change frequently. Any figures on third-party sites from previous years should be treated as historical only. Always rely on the ticketing section of the official CarFest website for current costs and inclusions.

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## Accessibility and Inclusivity

CarFest’s official information highlights:

– A dedicated Accessibility section
– Information on step-free access, viewing platforms and accessible facilities
– Contact routes to discuss individual needs with the customer services team in advance

Because detailed accessibility provisions can vary by year, the most reliable and inclusive approach is:

– Review the latest accessibility statement on the official site before booking.
– Contact organisers directly if you or anyone in your group has specific mobility or sensory requirements.

This helps ensure the festival remains a positive experience for disabled visitors, neurodivergent guests, older travellers, and families with young children.

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## CarFest South vs. “CarFest at Silverstone”

For several years, CarFest South at Laverstoke Park Farm has been the southern anchor of the brand. Independent listings and the organiser’s own materials now describe:

– A transition to one consolidated CarFest event in Hampshire.
– A further move announced for 2026 onwards to Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire.

If your primary goal is to experience CarFest in the countryside setting of Laverstoke Park Farm near Basingstoke, pay close attention to the year you’re booking:

– For editions still hosted at Laverstoke Park Farm, this guide applies directly.
– For Silverstone-based editions, much of the festival content (music, cars, family focus and fundraising) remains, but the setting, travel logistics and possibly camping layout will be different.

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## Is CarFest South Worth Adding to Your UK Itinerary?

Based strictly on verifiable information, CarFest South offers:

– A multi-day family festival with live music, big-ticket car displays and a strong kids’ programme
– A long-running partnership with children’s charities, with millions of pounds raised over the years
– A rural Hampshire setting at Laverstoke Park Farm with a history of hosting major food and festival events

For travellers planning a summer trip through southern England, it can slot naturally into:

– A family road trip across Hampshire, Dorset and the New Forest
– A wider UK festival circuit that mixes city breaks (e.g., London or Bristol) with countryside events

Because dates, line-ups and even the venue are evolving, the crucial step is always to:

1. Check the official CarFest site for the latest edition details.
2. Cross-reference your travel dates with whether the event is still at Laverstoke Park Farm or already at Silverstone.

Once those two boxes are ticked, you can treat CarFest South as a high-energy mix of music festival, car show, and charity fundraiser in the Hampshire countryside, with enough structure and programming to keep a wide range of ages engaged all weekend.

Key Highlights

• Extensive car displays spanning classics, supercars, and contemporary models
• Live music stages with headline and family-friendly performances
• Motorsport demos and track displays featuring guest drivers
• Artisan food village and street-food traders showcasing local producers
• Children’s entertainment and family activity zones

Location

Places to Stay Near CarFest South"There are lots of activities for you to do during the day and there is ..."

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