What's On at Dunkertons Park: Events and Tickets

Dunkertons Park events span live music, DJs, comedy, talks, family sessions and sport, with practical details here for tickets, travel and access.

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Retrospective of House Spring Party

6:00 PM, Sat, 20 Apr 2024

Apr

Dunkertons Park

Cheltenham

Events and Programming

Dunkertons Park is an active food, drink and entertainment destination rather than a conventional concert hall. Its programme moves between ticketed live bands, DJs, tribute productions, jazz, comedy, talks, workshops and family entertainment, alongside free music, quizzes, run-club sessions and screenings of major sporting fixtures. Most performances take place in the Taproom, a covered, heated space with a stage, dance floor and a mixture of standing room and informal seating.

The live event listing accompanying this guide should be used for exact dates because the schedule changes frequently. As a general guide, free events sit alongside paid nights typically costing about £10 to £35. Comedy, silent discos and community activities often fall near the lower end; established DJs, themed parties, touring tribute shows and festival performances usually cost more. Specialist tastings and creative workshops can range from about £25 to £80.

The documented post-pandemic programme began rebuilding in 2021 with an Apple Day festival, live music, cider tours, business gatherings and family apple-pressing activities. In 2022 the calendar expanded to comedy, quizzes, sports screenings, a harvest barn dance, Halloween entertainment, torchlit cidery tours and seasonal shopping events. Fire pits, blankets, heaters and mulled cider helped establish its characteristic autumn and winter atmosphere.

In 2023, Dunkertons hosted a three-day house-music weekender featuring Gok Wan and other DJs. Its National Apple Day celebrations combined live bands, rugby screenings, children’s activities and apple-themed food, while the Cornwall in the Cotswolds event brought together photography, seafood cookery, interviews and charitable fundraising.

The 2024 schedule featured monthly jazz sessions, Saturday cinema, pre-school music and dance, regular quizzes and comedy, craft and wellbeing sessions, silent discos and Retrospective of House parties. Tall Paul was among the DJs booked, while a performance by The AfterParty reportedly drew a sold-out crowd of about 350.

During 2025, Dunkertons strengthened its connection with Cheltenham’s festival culture. A year-round jazz collaboration brought artists including Huey Morgan and Toby Lee to the Taproom. The Literature Festival returned with author conversations, family storytelling, food and drink sessions, cider tours, cheese pairing and an evening involving songwriter Guy Chambers. Sport screenings included the British and Irish Lions tour, while Christmas programming included a seated pantomime.

The 2026 Jazz Festival established Dunkertons as an official satellite stage, with The Easy Rollers, Taj Farrant, Solomon Hicks, Giacomo Smith and Elysia Biro illustrating its interest in swing, blues-rock, soul and contemporary jazz. The wider 2026 calendar has included Race Week parties, Six Nations screenings, après-ski entertainment, tribute bands, Craig Charles, comedy, wine tastings, children’s workshops, Oktoberfest and Halloween programming. Forward sales extending into 2027 include further DJ and tribute productions, suggesting that this broad mix will continue.

Tickets and Booking

Tickets for events promoted directly by Dunkertons are normally purchased through the venue’s own event checkout. Festival performances and independently promoted activities may use the organiser’s separate booking system. Bring the digital order confirmation or QR code specified in the event instructions; physical tickets are not normally posted.

Popular bands, major DJs, limited-capacity tastings and seasonal parties can sell out. Booking early is sensible for Friday-night music, festival appearances and family shows during school holidays. Free events may still offer advance registration, but admission or tables can remain subject to available space.

A ticket does not automatically reserve a table unless the event is explicitly described as seated. Friday-to-Sunday tables are generally first come, first served, while weekday reservations are usually limited to groups of at least 30. Directly sold event tickets are commonly non-refundable and non-transferable, with refunds offered if the venue cancels; independently promoted events may apply different conditions.

About Dunkertons Park

Dunkertons was founded by Ivor and Susie Dunkerton in Herefordshire in 1980, with organic growing becoming central to the business. The company planted an organic bush cider orchard in 1988. Their son Julian Dunkerton and Jeremy “Bean” Benson later took over management and relocated production to Dowdeswell Park, on Cheltenham’s eastern edge, in 2017.

The Cheltenham retail counter followed in August 2018, when the converted production building opened with a launch party featuring DJs and live band Thrill Collins. The first Cheltenham Apple Day and open day were held that October. An outdoor weekend bar opened in July 2020, laying the foundations for the Taproom and food-led social destination that developed during 2021 and 2022.

The original industrial structure was softened with Cotswold stone, large timber boards, an oak-framed pergola and retro-industrial glazing. Inside, exposed oak, timber reclaimed from old vats and barrels, rooflights and a glazed view towards the production hall connect the visitor space to cider-making. Stone planters and seasonal planting create a buffer between the building and car park.

The wider complex subsequently added a farm shop, bakery, independent kitchens and extensive covered seating. It now operates as a hybrid cidery, food hall, bar, market and event venue. Planning documents from 2025 and 2026 also show proposals for additional riverside seating and an indoor padel centre, although those development proposals should not be confused with the present Taproom layout.

Seating, Layout and Production

The Taproom accommodates up to 150 people seated or 300 standing. A whole-site private takeover can hold up to 1,000, while the separate tasting room seats 25 or accommodates 35 standing. These are hire capacities rather than guarantees for every public event; individual productions may use a smaller limit.

There is no numbered auditorium or permanent seating chart. Festival listings describe both seated and standing formats as unreserved, and some standing events retain a limited quantity of informal seating. Arrive early if you need a chair or clear view. For dancing and atmosphere, stand near the stage; the sides and rear are generally better for easier bar access and conversation.

The performance area has a built-in stage, professional sound system, screens and a sizeable dance floor. The venue has not published stage dimensions, speaker brands, mixing equipment, lighting inventory, rigging limits or a formal technical rider. Production is therefore best understood as suitable for bands, DJs, comedy, talks and screenings rather than as a fully specified touring theatre.

The covered stretch-tent construction gives the room a lively, festival-like sound. The front can be loud during amplified events, while sightlines may be affected when a standing crowd forms. Visitors sensitive to volume should consider the rear or side areas and bring hearing protection.

Getting There and Parking

Dunkertons Park is at Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL52 6UT, beside the A40 east of the town. Drivers approaching from Charlton Kings find the entrance on the left after leaving the built-up area.

There is a large, free on-site car park, with disabled parking available. Cidery-tour visitors may be directed to the upper car park, which has a separate A40 entrance. Event stewards may change parking arrangements for busy nights, so follow signs rather than stopping at the first open area.

Local buses stop in Charlton Kings, with the walk to Dunkertons described by festival organisers as approximately six minutes. Evening services can finish well before late music events, making a taxi or rideshare advisable for the return journey. Cheltenham Spa railway station is approximately 4.9 kilometres away and has a taxi rank.

No formally designated rideshare bay is publicly advertised. Use the main arrival area and follow steward instructions without blocking the A40 entrance. Walking from central Cheltenham is possible but lengthy, and sections close to the venue follow a busy road; it is not the most comfortable option after dark.

Inside the Venue

Expect a relaxed food-hall atmosphere rather than a formal foyer. Entry arrangements range from open access for free music and screenings to ticket scanning and security checks for major parties. Allow 20 to 30 minutes before a busy performance, particularly if you want food or seating.

The Taproom bar serves Dunkertons cider alongside beer, wine, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. Independent kitchens typically cover pizza, tacos, tandoori cooking, Filipino street food, dim sum, burgers, crêpes, gelato and breakfast dishes. Kitchens operate independently and may sell out or close earlier than expected, so order before the headline performance rather than waiting until late evening.

Toilets and accessible toilets are provided. Smoking and vaping are not permitted inside the covered marquee areas; designated outdoor spaces should be used. Some event instructions specify card-only bar payments, so carrying a payment card or phone wallet is safest. A public coat check and guaranteed guest Wi-Fi are not advertised.

The shop and deli sell cider, glassware and food products, but artist merchandise depends on the production. Photography rules also vary. Venue event conditions commonly warn that official photographers may be present, while professional cameras should not be assumed permissible without advance approval.

Nearby Amenities

Most visitors will not need separate pre-show dining because the on-site kitchens are a central part of the experience. Charlton Kings, roughly one to one-and-a-half miles towards Cheltenham, has pubs, cafés, restaurants and a wine bar. Central Cheltenham provides a much wider late-night choice but requires a taxi or bus journey.

Most established hotels are approximately two-and-a-half to three miles away in central Cheltenham, including boutique townhouses, Regency hotels and budget properties. Staying in town offers easier access to the railway station and late-night venues; staying around Charlton Kings reduces the taxi journey to Dunkertons.

What Makes Dunkertons Park Special

Dunkertons combines working cider production with an informal Cotswold food market and music venue. Reclaimed barrel timber, oak framing, stonework, fairy lights, fire pits and covered communal tables create a setting that feels somewhere between a rural cider mill and a small festival enclosure.

Its cultural importance has grown through partnerships with Cheltenham’s Jazz and Literature festivals, creating an eastern satellite for events normally associated with the town centre. Recognition followed with a Shopping and Leisure Destination award in 2024 and an Entertainment Venue award in 2025.

The economic benefit is most visible in its platform for independent food traders, local suppliers, performers and event staff. Planning assessments describe the wider Dowdeswell site as a successful place to work and gather, supporting existing businesses and potential employment. No independent, venue-specific figure for visitor spending or job creation has been published, so broader claims should be treated cautiously.

Visitor opinion reflects its distinctive character. Positive reviews frequently praise the cider, broad food choice, atmosphere and event organisation, including successful weddings and large private parties. Recurring criticisms concern crowds, high noise levels, variable temperature beneath the covered structures, food selling out and the difficulty of reaching the site without a car.

Visitor Tips and Information

Dunkertons is described as fully accessible, with level access, no required stairs, accessible toilets and disabled parking. The Americans with Disabilities Act is not a UK certification, so “ADA compliant” is not the relevant designation in England. Detailed information about hearing loops, Changing Places facilities, sensory spaces or companion-ticket schemes has not been published.

Children are welcome with a responsible adult but should remain supervised and must not run around the Taproom. The general Taproom becomes restricted to people aged 16 and over after 8pm. Cidery tours are for adults aged 18 or over, and identification may be requested. Individual family performances can apply different rules.

Dogs are welcome during normal Taproom trading, although certain seated productions prohibit pets. Wear layers because temperatures can vary between covered and open sections, and choose stable footwear for busy standing events. There is no general dress code, except where a themed party encourages costumes.

Do not assume that an event ticket guarantees a seat, a reserved table or late food service. The most useful strategy is to arrive early, order food first, identify the accessible toilets and exits, and agree return transport before drinking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dunkertons Park still open?

Yes. Dunkertons Park remains open and trading under that name in 2026. It operates throughout the week as a Taproom, food destination, shop and event venue. Normal hospitality hours and individual event times are different, so a concert may have separate doors, performance and last-entry arrangements. Seasonal closures can apply around Christmas, New Year and bank holidays.

Is Dunkertons Park indoors or outdoors?

It is best described as a mixed indoor, covered and outdoor venue. The main Taproom uses heated, permanent stretch-tent structures around communal seating, kitchens, the bar and performance area. Visitors are protected from ordinary rain, but the venue does not feel like a sealed theatre. Cold, wind and summer heat can still influence comfort near the open edges.

What is the capacity of Dunkertons Park?

The Taproom holds up to 150 seated guests or 300 standing. A full-site private takeover can accommodate as many as 1,000 people, while the tasting room holds 25 seated or 35 standing. Public event capacity can be lower because staging, production equipment, food service, furniture and emergency routes all affect the usable space.

Are seats reserved for concerts?

Usually not. The Taproom is commonly operated as an unreserved venue, whether an event is advertised as seated or standing. A seated show should provide chairs but not necessarily assigned seat numbers. Arriving early gives the best selection. Anyone who cannot stand for long should arrange their access requirements when booking rather than relying on spare furniture.

Can I reserve a table before an event?

Ordinary tables are generally first come, first served from Friday to Sunday. From Monday to Thursday, reservations may be considered for groups of 30 or more. Event tickets and restaurant tables are separate unless the event description explicitly includes reserved seating. For popular music nights, arrive before the main crowd if having a table is important.

Is parking at Dunkertons Park free?

Yes. The venue advertises free, ample on-site parking, including provision for disabled visitors. Large events may use more than one parking area, and stewards can direct vehicles away from the usual entrance. Do not leave a car on nearby private roads or attempt to use access routes around Dowdeswell Reservoir, where gates and residential restrictions can cause problems.

Which railway station is nearest?

Cheltenham Spa is the nearest mainline railway station, approximately 4.9 kilometres from Dunkertons Park. A taxi rank is available outside the station, making a cab the simplest onward connection. The railway station is on the opposite side of Cheltenham, so walking with luggage is impractical and buses may require a change or a further walk.

Can I get a bus to Dunkertons Park?

Bus services run through Charlton Kings and stop within a short walk, commonly described as about six minutes from Dunkertons. Routes and evening frequencies change, and the final bus can depart before concerts finish. Public transport is most practical for daytime events; for late parties, plan a taxi, rideshare or designated driver for the journey home.

Is Dunkertons Park wheelchair accessible?

The published access information describes flat, step-free entry, no required stairs, accessible toilets, level or ramped access and disabled parking. The informal layout can become crowded during standing shows, so arriving early is useful. No detailed public specification confirms hearing loops, lowered counters, Changing Places toilets or dedicated wheelchair viewing platforms, and these should not be assumed.

Are children allowed at Dunkertons?

Children are welcome when accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. The general Taproom becomes restricted to guests aged 16 and over after 8pm, although a specific ticketed family production may apply its own arrangements. Family programming has included storytelling, pantomime, painting, floral workshops, cinema, dance sessions and Apple Day activities.

Can I bring a dog?

Dunkertons is normally dog friendly, particularly during standard Taproom trading and outdoor community events. This is not a universal permission for every performance: seated shows, pantomimes and crowded productions may prohibit pets. Assistance dogs should be accommodated, but visitors may wish to notify the organiser when booking if floor space or a quieter position is required.

Does Dunkertons Park accept cash?

Some event instructions specify card-only transactions at the bar, so visitors should bring a debit or credit card or use a phone wallet. Individual food traders may operate their own payment systems. Do not rely on cash as the only option, particularly during ticketed events. All major cards are generally accepted within the wider venue.

What happens if it rains?

Most Taproom events continue because the main performance, bar and dining areas are covered. Rain can still affect exposed walkways, parking areas and tables near the structure’s edges. Outdoor elements may be moved, reduced or cancelled in severe weather. Bring a waterproof layer and suitable footwear rather than treating the site like a completely enclosed concert hall.

How early should I arrive?

For free entertainment or sport, arriving 30 to 45 minutes early improves the chance of finding a table. For ticketed music, 20 to 30 minutes is normally sensible, with longer allowed if ordering food. Cidery tours require arrival about 15 minutes before the advertised start for a health and safety briefing; late visitors may be refused entry.

Is there a bag or photography policy?

No universal public bag-size policy has been published for every Dunkertons event. Travel light because standing shows can become crowded and security may inspect bags. Personal phone photography is commonly seen, but professional cameras, flash or video recording should not be assumed acceptable. Official photographers may operate, with event conditions often notifying guests that images could be used promotionally.

Can Dunkertons Park host weddings or private parties?

Yes. The Taproom is offered for weddings, corporate gatherings, children’s parties, meetings and seasonal celebrations. Weddings are generally available Monday to Friday, selected Friday bookings can attract increased hire charges, and private hire is unavailable on Saturdays. The venue provides a stage, sound system, dance floor, food traders and capacities of up to 150 seated or 300 standing.

What's On at Dunkertons Park: Events and Tickets

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