2000trees Festival 2027 – Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Overview

2000trees Festival is an independent, multi-award-winning rock festival set in the rolling Cotswold Hills at Upcote Farm, Withington, near Cheltenham, United Kingdom. The event is capped at 15,000 attendees to preserve its intimate, community-driven atmosphere, a deliberate choice that sets it apart from large mainstream festivals. It focuses on punk rock, alternative rock, indie rock and electronic sounds, with an emphasis on upcoming and underground acts as well as more established headliners.

The festival offers more than 120 of the best new and underground acts from the worlds of rock and indie, plus bigger names to close the night, spread across multiple stages including hidden tents and a forest acoustic stage. Beyond music, attendees experience friendly camping, glamping options, locally produced ciders, ales and lagers, and an acclaimed selection of independent food traders. Described as one of the friendliest festivals you will ever attend, it is designed to be enjoyed with friends or solo, with a strong ethos of sustainability, independence, and putting the festival-goer first. The entire site is walkable, welcoming, and built by festival veterans who started the event out of frustration with overpriced mainstream events.

What Makes This Event Special

Independent Spirit: 2000trees was started by six friends who wanted an alternative to large corporate festivals. It is run as an independent business where the core team only pays themselves if the festival makes a profit, keeping decisions focused on experience rather than shareholders.

Award-Winning Pedigree: The festival won the Grass Roots Festival Award at the UK Festival Awards in 2010, 2013 and 2017 and was named Best Medium-Sized UK Festival in 2018, recognition that reflects its quality curation and attendee care.

Discovery-First Lineup: Unlike festivals that rely solely on legacy headliners, 2000trees is famous for championing emerging talent. The bill balances breakthrough punk, emo, hardcore, post-rock and indie with cult favorites, giving you a chance to see tomorrow’s headliners in a field.

Intimacy at Scale: With a 15,000 capacity limit, you are never far from the stage, the bar queues are manageable, and artists frequently watch other bands and mingle in the crowd, creating a unique connection between performers and audience.

Sustainability and Local Focus: From locally brewed ales to carefully sourced food and initiatives to minimize waste, the festival emphasizes eco-friendly practices and supports independent businesses, reinforcing its Cotswold community roots.

Lineup / Featured Artists

The musical identity of 2000trees spans punk, hardcore, emo, indie, and post-rock, with previous editions featuring acts such as Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, At The Drive In, Twin Atlantic, Frightened Rabbit, Soft Play, Nothing But Thieves, Blood Red Shoes, Band of Skulls, The Bronx, Wolf Alice, Public Service Broadcasting, 65daysofstatic, Lower Than Atlantis, and many more.

Recent headliners illustrate the range: in 2022 the festival was headlined by Jimmy Eat World, Thrice and IDLES, in 2023 by Soft Play, Bullet for My Valentine and Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, in 2024 by The Gaslight Anthem, The Chats and Don Broco, and in 2025 by PVRIS, Kneecap, Coheed and Cambria, Taking Back Sunday and Alexisonfire.

For the 2027 edition, expect a similar structure:

• Main Stage: Anthemic headliners from the UK and US alternative scenes closing each night with expansive production.
• The Cave: The second stage and home to heavier sounds, darker riffs and high-energy mosh pits.
• The Axiom: Formerly The Leaf Lounge, a mix of well-known and breakthrough acts and a nod to Cheltenham’s musical history.
• The Neu: Formerly The Croft and The Greenhouse, dedicated to new bands and underdogs to watch, plus comedy on early entry evening.
• The Forest: An intimate acoustic stage set within woodland, perfect for stripped-back sets and secret performances.

The festival typically programs more than 80 acts on four stages plus additional hidden stages, expanding to nine onsite stages including hidden tents and forest spaces during full capacity years.

Event Experience

2000trees delivers four nights camping with a friendly, intimate atmosphere plus food and locally produced ciders, ales and lagers. The site is designed to feel like a village rather than an arena.

Camping and Glamping: Standard camping is included with weekend tickets, with designated family camping and quiet areas. For those who prefer comfort, the festival offers glamping facilities including luxury Bell Tents, vintage tents, and beach huts, with facilities that have been shortlisted for Best Toilets awards.

Forest and Wellness: The Forest area offers yoga, forest school activities, kids mosh pits, and acoustic sessions away from the main stages. There are silent disco sets, artist signings with Marshall, and late-night entertainment in the woods.

Food and Drink: Expect an independent trader village with vegan, vegetarian and meat options, local cheeses, wood-fired pizza, and Cotswold-sourced ales. Bars focus on local breweries rather than national sponsors.

Community Vibe: Attendees repeatedly cite the absence of bad aspects associated with massive mainstream events. You can watch a band from side of stage with VIP upgrades, bump into artists at the VIP bar, and enjoy early entry entertainment for super-fans.

Date & Schedule

Event Dates: 7–10 July 2027. The official listing shows the festival running from Wednesday to Saturday, with early entry from Wednesday afternoon.

Daily Schedule Structure:

• Wednesday: Early entry night for super-fans. Gates open in the afternoon, with returning artists playing The Cave, Axiom and Forest plus comedy on The Neu stage. Limited bars and food open.
• Thursday: Full site opens late morning. All stages operate from early afternoon until late night. Main Stage introduces mid-tier acts, while The Cave and Axiom host heavier and alternative lineups.
• Friday: Full program from midday to 2am. Main Stage headliner closes the night, followed by late-night forest sessions and silent disco.
• Saturday: Final full day with staggered stage times to reduce clashes. Main Stage finale followed by closing parties across all tents.

Doors typically open around 11:00 AM each full day, with music running until late. Family-friendly activities run during daytime hours.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Location & Venue

2000trees Festival is located at Upcote Farm, Withington, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4BL. The full address is listed as 1 Manor Farm Cottages, Cheltenham, GL54 4BG in some directories, with the site itself centered on Upcote Farm near Withington village.

The venue sits in the Cotswold Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering natural amphitheatres, forested dips, and hilltop views. The site is a working farm that also hosts weddings at The Barn at Upcote.

Venue Layout:

• Main Field: Contains Main Stage and large bar areas.
• The Cave, Axiom, Neu: Clustered around the central social hub with a distinctive tree at its center.
• The Forest: Woodland at the edge of site for acoustic and wellness programming.
• Campsites: General, family, quiet, accessible and glamping fields spread across surrounding fields with a long but scenic walk from car park to campsite.

Event History

2000trees was founded in 2007 by a group of festival veterans disillusioned by extortionate ticket prices. The first edition featured performances from Frank Turner, InMe, Brigade, and Devil Sold His Soul.

Growth has been organic:

• Early years operated as a two-day 5,000 capacity festival set in the Cotswold Hills with weekend tickets at £39 and youth tickets at £20.
• By 2016 the lineup included Refused and Twin Atlantic, marking a step up in international punk bookings.
• The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 complications, including travel restrictions and lack of government insurance.
• Post-pandemic return saw expanded programming to four days, with 2022 marking a return with Jimmy Eat World and IDLES, and 2023-2025 featuring increasingly diverse headliners across rock, punk and hip-hop crossover.

The festival has maintained its founding principle of capping growth to protect vibe, moving from 5,000 to 15,000 over more than a decade while retaining independence. Its reputation as one of the best rock festivals in the UK was cemented with features in Kerrang and other publications noting its evolution from humble beginnings.

Getting to the Event

By Car: Upcote Farm is located just off the A40 between Cheltenham and Andoversford. Follow signage from Cheltenham for Withington. On-site parking is available but must be purchased in advance. Car sharing is encouraged due to limited hilltop parking.

By Train: Nearest main stations are Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester. From Cheltenham Spa, regular shuttle buses and local taxis operate to the site during festival days. The walk from car park to campsite is long and uphill, so pack light if using public transport.

By Bus and Coach: Official coach travel from London and other cities has been offered in previous editions at around $51 USD return. Local buses run from Cheltenham to Withington village, followed by a 20-minute walk.

On Foot and Cycling: The site is accessible via Cotswold footpaths. Bike racks are provided near the entrance. Attendees camping are advised to bring wheelbarrows or trolleys for gear due to the hill.

Accessibility: The site includes accessible camping, viewing platforms, and accessible toilets. Contact the access team in advance for specific needs.

Where to Stay Nearby

While most attendees camp on site for four nights, nearby accommodation exists for those not camping.

On-Site Options:

• General Camping: Included with weekend ticket, bring your own equipment.
• Family Camping: Quieter field with earlier curfew and proximity to facilities.
• Glamping: Beach Hut glamping from $127 USD, Pink Moon Camping and luxury bell tents from $100+ USD per person. Includes pre-pitched tents, bedding, and power.

Off-Site Hotels:

• DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds: Manor house two miles from regency town of Cheltenham, full-service spa, indoor pool and restaurant.
• Queens Hotel Cheltenham: Central Cheltenham, 9.0 rated, from around $209 USD per night including taxes.
• Ellenborough Park, No38 The Park, Hotel du Vin: Boutique options in Cheltenham town centre, 12-14 miles from Upcote Farm.
• B&Bs near Withington: Upper Hill Farm B&B, Glenfall Farm B&B, Bridge House B&B offer rooms from $53 to $127 USD per night.

Booking early is essential as Cheltenham is a popular summer destination and rooms near Upcote Farm sell out quickly.

Things to Do Before or After the Event

The Cotswolds offer extensive pre and post-festival activities.

Nature and Outdoors: Explore Cleeve Common, the highest point in the Cotswolds, for panoramic views. Cotswold Farm Park is close to the site and ideal for families. Walking trails from Withington to Andoversford pass through classic limestone villages.

Cheltenham Town: Regency architecture, Imperial Gardens, and Montpellier district provide boutique shopping and cafes. The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum hosts contemporary exhibitions.

Historic Sites: Sudeley Castle, Chedworth Roman Villa, and Gloucester Cathedral are within 30 minutes drive. The Barn at Upcote itself is a wedding venue worth viewing for its stone architecture.

Wellness: The festival’s own yoga and forest school activities extend into local offerings such as Cotswold spa days at Ellenborough Park.

Restaurants & Dining Nearby

On-Site Dining: Independent traders serve wood-fired pizza, bao buns, vegan burgers, loaded fries, and locally sourced BBQ. The trader village emphasizes sustainability and independent businesses, with dietary options clearly marked.

Near Upcote Farm:

• The Mill Inn, Withington: Traditional Cotswold pub with ales and seasonal British menu, 10-minute walk from site.
• The Woolpack Inn, Slad: Famous for Laurie Lee connections, serving gastro-pub fare.
• Cheltenham Restaurants: For pre-festival meals, try The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie for modern British, Prithvi for Indian fine dining, and Boston Tea Party for brunch.

Local Produce: The festival bars focus on locally produced ciders, ales and lagers, with guest taps from Gloucestershire breweries and Cotswold cider makers.

Ticket Information

Tickets for 2000trees Festival can be booked via the official website and authorized sellers. All prices below are converted to USD. Previous edition pricing used for reference where 2027 pricing not yet announced.

Ticket Types:

• Weekend Ticket (Thursday to Saturday with Wednesday early entry): $242 USD based on 2025 weekend price of £191. Includes 4 nights camping.
• Day Tickets: From $57 USD per day based on £45 day ticket history, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday available separately.
• Early Bird Weekend: Previous early birds at $139 USD for three days. 2027 early birds typically sell out within weeks.
• VIP Tickets: Offering boutique luxury camping, backstage access, side-stage viewing for a band of choice, and VIP bar. Previous pricing around $380 USD to $450 USD.
• Parking: Car park pass $35 USD, campervan pass $90 USD.
• Glamping Upgrades: Bell Tents from $350 USD for two people for the weekend, Beach Hut from $500 USD, Pink Moon pre-pitched from $250 USD.

Children under 10 free, youth tickets (10-15 years) around $25 USD based on historical £20 pricing. No minimum age but under 18s must be with accompanying adult 18+.

Tips Before You Go

Pack for Hills and Weather: The walk from car park to campsite is long and uphill. Bring a trolley, sturdy boots, and waterproofs. The Cotswolds can be hot by day and chilly at night.

Arrive Early: Thursday early entry night offers comedy on the Neu stage and returning artists playing The Cave, Axiom and Forest, and helps secure a good camping spot.

Cashless and Connectivity: Bars and traders are largely cashless but signal is limited in valleys. Download your ticket to the official app and bring a portable battery.

Ear Protection and Hydration: Stages are close together and The Cave can be loud. Bring earplugs. Free water points are available; bring a reusable bottle.

Respect the Farm: This is a working farm and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Use provided toilets, recycle, and stick to paths to preserve the site.

Official Event Information

Official Website: https://2000trees.co.uk/
Social Media: Follow @2000trees on all platforms for lineup announcements, ticket alerts and sustainability updates.
Contact: Info, accessibility, and trader applications are handled via the website’s contact forms.
Capacity and Policy: 15,000 capacity, no age restriction but under 18s with adult 18+, dogs not allowed except assistance dogs. Re-entry allowed with wristband.

Attendee Experiences

Past attendees highlight the friendly atmosphere and discovery factor. Reviews frequently note that you will make new friends whether you attend with mates or solo, with staff and volunteers praised for helpfulness.

The sound-tech is consistently described as brilliant on every stage, and toilet facilities are often shortlisted for best festival toilets, a rarity that reflects veteran organizer attention to detail.

Many note the balance of more than 130 acts across stages without overwhelming clashes, allowing you to dart between The Axiom, The Cave and The Neu and still catch full sets. The forest acoustic stage is a favorite for intimate, unexpected performances.