Larger Venues

At: Download 2025

Show: Bands watched / Venues ; SiM – Apex Stage, Unpeople – Avalanche Stage, Boston Manor et Al – Apex Stage.

Date: Friday 13th June 2025

Response from initial email;  5/5 (accessibility@downloadfestival.co.uk)

5 days for confirmation of accessible facilities based on Nimbus Access Card

Parking at / Near Venue; 5/5

Access Car Parking pass came 2 to 3 weeks before the event and allowed for parking close to the arena. We were not camping which is a different access point (Purple gate I believe. We had access to Blue access car park). This was approximately 200m away from the top entrance to the arena from which you can access all the stages. This year there were walkways to get to the various venues in-case of rain, but today was a scorcher! I had to be able to walk a substantial distance (for me) to get to the various venues.

Meet & Greet; 2/5 (Only 1 window to get wristbands and only 2 toilets)

We got to Donington early (9am) and just waited in the queue for our wrist bands knowing that there would be a substantial que to get wristband. We never imagined there would only be ONE window for all the accessible patrons to get their wrist bands, oh and only 2 toilets whilst queuing. We were at the front of the queue, but heard rumours of 1 – 1 1/2 hours of queuing just to get wrist bands. This needs looking at for next year.

View; 4/5 (Just too far away. To the side may have been better for the smaller venues)

The viewing platforms with chairs were fantastic, but I understand some filled up quickly for some bands. They were a little distant from the stages and may be a little closer and further to the side may have been possible, but other than that I was grateful for the seat and rest in between toilet visits, drinks and merch stall. We did make it to one venue other than the main stage (Avalanche stage) and try as I might, there was no way I could keep moving between stages due to fatigue issues, so we decided to camp out at the main stage and watched Boston Manor (from Blackpool), Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Rise Against before moving towards the back of the arena for Green Day.

Access to Bar & Toilets; 5/5

No complaints about the toilet access or cleanliness. Access to the bars going in through the ‘out door’ was fabulous and the merch queue was long(ish), but fine. Thank you for easing my worries.

Leaving the Venue; 4/5

We were always going to leave after 4 or 5 songs of Green Day due to legendary queuing to get out of venue. And a good job we did! Reports of 2 to 3 hours to get off site due to an emergency on the road.

In Summary

We had a fantastic time and will be returning next year, may be for 2 or 3 days. Facilities were really well organised, the staff were helpful and everybody was understanding. We had a ‘life affirming experience’. Thank you.