Events at Hill Farm

Browse upcoming and past events at Hill Farm in Dereham, Norfolk. Find dates, event details and tickets.

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Maui Festival 2024

Fri, 23 Aug - Mon, 26 Aug 2024

Aug

23 - 26

Hill Farm

10:00 AM

Events and Programming

Hill Farm is a rural events site at Gressenhall, near Dereham, rather than a conventional theatre or permanent concert hall. Its public event identity has been shaped above all by Maui Waui Festival, a three-day celebration of international music, performance and arts that has used the farm as its Norfolk home since 2021. The festival combines live bands, DJs, circus, comedy, cabaret, body art, workshops, children’s activities and food and drink in a temporary festival village.

The strongest recurring programming is eclectic and deliberately cross-genre. Recent bills have included ska, dub, reggae, electro-swing, folk, Balkan music, world music, rock, drum and bass, techno, trance, Americana, bluegrass, country, comedy and circus. The booking policy favours a mixture of established festival acts, international performers, emerging artists and local or specialist talent rather than a single musical style.

The 2021 festival was the first Maui Waui at Hill Farm and featured more than 100 bands and performers across six stages and several themed areas. Notable appearances included Dub Pistols, Peatbog Faeries, Goldie Looking Chain, The Cabarats, Dana Immanuel & The Stolen Band, Hank Wangford and Flats and Sharps. The new Outer Limits electronic area included a large stainless-steel UFO-shaped DJ stage, with sets associated with Banco de Gaia, Chris Liberator and EZ Rollers.

The 2022 programme included Bad Manners, Baskery, Max Pashm, Ben Caplin, Oh My God! It’s The Church, My Baby, Captain Flatcap, Dub Pistols b2b Freestylers, Utah Saints, 2 Bad Mice, Dynamo City, Inner Terrestrials, Bloodshake Chorus, The Iron Bootscrapers, Rodney Branigan and many DJs across the Outer Limits, Section 63, World Music Café and Jeremiah Marques Stage.

Maui Waui’s 2023 edition brought Tankus the Henge, Dub Pistols, Krafty Kuts, Slamboree, Afriquoi, Mista Trick Collective, The Scribes, Newen Afrobeat, Baka Beyond, Blackbeard’s Tea Party, Old Time Sailors, Altern-8, The Mighty Flux, The Arlenes, Cabarats and a large supporting cast of bands, DJs and performers. The edition was promoted as the festival’s tenth anniversary.

The 2024 bill continued the same format, with Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Dreadzone, Henge, Mefisto Brass, Onipa, Plump DJs, The Egg, Dub Pistols b2b Freestylers, Mark Chadwick of the Levellers, Shanghai Treason, The Great Malarkey, Old Time Sailors, Seas of Mirth, Punch the Sky, The Rabbitts and live comedy from Arthur Smith, Marcus Birdman, Danny Posthill and others. Americana programming remained a major part of the Sunday schedule.

The 2025 programme included We Are the Monsters, Thumpasaurus, K.O.G, Max Pashm Band, Killabeat Maker, Banjolectric, Los Kamer, The Wran, Loonaloop, Pistons, Dogheadsurigeri, Freear, Slamboree DJ, Altern-8, Yard, Too Many T’s, Imperial Leisure, The Scribes, Captain Flatcap, Feeding the Fish, Technova, Chris Liberator, Aaron Liberator, Sterling Moss, Crystal Distortion, Jerome Hill, Foolhardy Circus, Shaft of Wit comedy and late-night cabaret.

As of 31 August 2026, the confirmed Maui Waui event was held from 28 to 30 August at Elveden Estate near Thetford, not at Hill Farm. No reliable public announcement of a 2026 Hill Farm festival or a 2027-and-beyond Hill Farm programme was found. Some third-party listings continue to display old Hill Farm data, so those should not be treated as confirmation of a separate event.

Tickets and Booking

Hill Farm does not operate like a year-round venue with a permanent box office. Tickets are issued by the individual organiser, and the main public ticketed event associated with the site has been Maui Waui Festival. For private weddings, corporate gatherings and other events, booking is handled as a venue hire enquiry rather than through a public event calendar. Bullard’s Farm describes the site as suitable for festivals, weddings, corporate events and other bespoke occasions.

Recent Maui Waui pricing gives a useful guide rather than a current Hill Farm price list. Published 2025 prices included an adult weekend ticket from approximately £145 before later ticketing stages, a standard adult weekend ticket of £192.60 including fees, teen weekend entry at £77, Friday or Sunday day tickets at £82.50, Saturday entry at £102.60, Thursday entry at £38.50, a car pass at £11 and a campervan or caravan pass at £44. Prices changed by release stage and fees, and 2026 prices were for the new Elveden site.

For popular festival weekends, the practical strategy is to buy during the earliest release, use an instalment plan if offered, and reserve vehicle, campervan, quiet-camping or accessible-camping options at the same time. Children aged 13 or under have historically entered Maui Waui free when accompanied by an adult, while teenagers require their own ticket. The organiser has also offered discounted or free carer arrangements subject to evidence of need.

About Hill Farm

Hill Farm forms part of Bullard’s Farm, a privately managed rural holding near Dereham. The Bullard family has been associated with the farm and surrounding land since 1928. The estate combines meadowland, ancient woodland, arable land and wetlands, with conservation and habitat restoration forming an important part of the farm’s current identity.

The venue’s most useful published capacity figure is approximately 5,000 people for a festival. That figure refers to a temporary outdoor event layout, not to a permanent auditorium capacity. Bullard’s Farm describes its festival offer as a combination of wide-open spaces and more intimate parkland, allowing large temporary events to operate without losing the character of a working countryside site.

The site is notable because it was not purpose-built as an arena. Its appeal comes from the contrast between working farmland, woodland, meadow and temporary event infrastructure. Stages, tents, bars, catering areas, camping fields, lighting installations and decorative structures are brought in for each production. As a result, the layout, capacity, stage positions and audience facilities can change from one event to another.

No authoritative source publishes a fixed main-stage width, permanent auditorium dimensions, seated capacity, VIP capacity or standard technical rider for Hill Farm. Those details should be requested from the relevant event organiser for a private booking or a specific festival edition.

Seating and Layout

Hill Farm is primarily an outdoor standing and camping venue. Maui Waui has used a main stage in a big top or large temporary tent, alongside smaller tents, woodland dance areas, themed stages and activity spaces. There is no standard numbered seating plan, reserved grandstand or permanent VIP section documented for the site.

For a main-stage performance, the front offers the most immersive atmosphere but can become crowded. The middle and rear of a tent generally provide a better balance between sightlines, sound and personal space. Smaller stages reward arriving early, particularly for popular acts in the Flavour Parlour, where the venue is intentionally intimate and decorative.

The best viewing position varies by area. The main stage suits audiences seeking larger performances and a shared crowd atmosphere; the Flavour Parlour is better for close-up discovery; the woodland electronic areas are designed around movement, lighting and immersive decoration; and the Americana programming on the Jeremiah Marques Stage offers a more relaxed alternative to the busiest dance spaces.

Getting There and Parking

The Hill Farm event address used for Maui Waui has been Hill Farm, Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2NR. Event listings also identify the site as Bullard’s Farm or Field Cottage. It is approximately three miles north-west of Dereham and lies in a rural area where roads can be narrow and local traffic increases significantly during a festival weekend.

Driving is normally the simplest option. Festival parking has been organised separately from the camping fields, and a vehicle pass has historically been required for each car. In the published 2025 arrangements, cars could not be parked beside tents; vehicles had to remain in the designated car park, while registered disabled or less-able visitors could use an unloading area close to the campsite.

Campervans and caravans require the relevant pass and are directed to a dedicated field. Quiet camping has also been sold as a separate option, with the vehicle included in that package rather than requiring a standard car pass. These arrangements are event-specific and should not be assumed for a private booking or a future festival at Hill Farm.

Bus travel is possible to Gressenhall. Current local services include stops around Hall’s Drive, the post office and Litcham Road on routes linking Fakenham, Gressenhall and Dereham. The rural venue is not directly beside a railway station, so visitors arriving by bus or train need to allow for a final taxi journey or a walk whose suitability depends on weather, luggage and the event’s exact entrance.

Dereham’s railway station is part of the Mid-Norfolk heritage railway rather than a regular national rail interchange. Visitors travelling from Norwich, Cambridge or London generally need to reach a national rail station such as Wymondham or Norwich and continue by road. No permanent Hill Farm rideshare drop-off point or shuttle service has been published.

Inside the Venue

During a festival, entry is through temporary ticket and security points rather than a permanent reception. Maui Waui tickets have been named, with electronic tickets scanned at the gate. The organiser has warned visitors not to share QR codes after they have been used, as each code becomes invalid once checked in.

Expect a relaxed but highly visual festival atmosphere. Temporary tents and stages are decorated with bright colours, theatrical props, handmade installations and immersive themes. The Flavour Parlour combines live music with cabaret-style presentation and a beauty parlour; the Living Art Show brings body painting and a parade; the circus area offers shows and workshops; and the children’s area has included crafts, storytelling, bubble activities, bouncy attractions and other supervised creative sessions.

Food vendors, bars, merchandise stalls and festival clothing stalls have been part of the Maui Waui experience. Visitors may bring food and drink into the campsite, but alcohol has not been permitted inside the arena. Hot showers, toilets and water facilities are provided within the camping areas, with arrangements varying by campsite. A permanent coat check, fixed indoor hospitality area or guaranteed mobile-phone connectivity has not been documented.

Prohibited items listed for recent festival editions have included illegal substances, nitrous oxide and related equipment, weapons, glass, fireworks, flares, spray cans and generators. Camping-area sound systems are not allowed, and low-noise camping has a stated quiet-hours expectation after 1am.

Nearby Amenities

Dereham is the main service centre for visitors staying outside the festival site. The town offers pubs, restaurants, cafés, takeaways, supermarkets and accommodation, while Gressenhall and surrounding villages provide smaller rural options. Nearby places commonly listed for food or drinks include The White Swan in Gressenhall, The New Inn, The Longham White Horse, the King’s Head Hotel and Greenbanks Country Hotel.

Accommodation near Gressenhall includes country pubs, guest houses, hotels and self-catering cottages. Because festival camping has historically been included with weekend tickets, staying on site is usually the most straightforward option for late-night performances. Visitors booking external accommodation should arrange a return taxi in advance, as rural late-night transport is limited and cannot be assumed.

Arriving several hours before a headline performance is sensible. It allows time for traffic, parking, wristband collection, campsite setup, walking between fields and finding the smaller stages before evening crowds build.

What Makes This Venue Special

Hill Farm’s character comes from its setting rather than from a landmark building. The venue places an ambitious arts programme inside ancient meadowland, woodland and farmland, allowing the audience to move between large tents, intimate stages and natural spaces. The result is closer to a temporary creative village than a conventional concert site.

Maui Waui’s move to Hill Farm in 2021 was significant for both the festival and the local area. The festival had already built an East Anglian identity elsewhere, but the Norfolk site gave it a larger countryside setting and a strong base near Dereham. The 2021 event was described as attracting about 5,000 people and introducing a new location, six stages and more than 100 acts.

The site also supports a distinctive environmental story. Bullard’s Farm describes conservation, habitat regeneration and making farming work for nature as central aims, while the festival has promoted recycling, solar-powered site lighting, ethical trading and fundraising for local charities. The public record does not provide a formal economic-impact assessment, but the event’s reported audience, traders, visiting performers and volunteer opportunities indicate a meaningful seasonal contribution to the surrounding hospitality and cultural economy.

The relationship is not without practical pressures. Parish records mention requests for festival road signs to be removed after the event, and council papers refer to minor complaints discussed with organisers. That balance is typical of a large temporary event operating beside a rural community: the festival brings cultural activity and visitor spending, but also requires traffic, noise and signage management.

Visitor Tips and Information

Hill Farm is a field-based venue, so waterproof footwear, warm layers, sun protection and a torch are more useful than smart clothes. Ground conditions can change quickly after rain. Bring only what you need, keep valuables secure and avoid glass, aerosols, fireworks, generators and other prohibited equipment.

Families should use the designated family camping area where available. Children and teenagers must be accompanied by a responsible adult, and free child entry has historically applied only within the organiser’s stated age limits and conditions. Day-ticket holders who camp have previously been required to leave the arena by 10am the following morning.

Accessible camping has historically included a dedicated area, accessible toilets, mobility-scooter charging and an accessibility steward. Power has required advance booking and has been limited. Accessible camping is close to the arena to reduce travel distances, but that also means it can be noisy; quiet camping may be more suitable for visitors who need lower sound levels. There are no showers within the accessible camping area, with the nearest shower unit located in the main campsite.

These are event arrangements rather than evidence of a permanent accessible infrastructure across every part of Hill Farm. No published site-wide statement confirms step-free access to every stage, firm pathways across all fields, accessible viewing platforms or a formal accessibility certification. Anyone with mobility, sensory or medical requirements should confirm the layout for the specific event before booking.

There is no published dress code. Photography and filming conditions can vary between performers and activities, particularly around body-art events. For a more comfortable weekend, choose camping based on your priorities: red camping is sociable, blue is lower noise, green is family-oriented, yellow is accessible, and quiet camping is located in a separate field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hill Farm a permanent concert venue?

No. Hill Farm is a rural farm and adaptable event site that hosts temporary festivals, weddings, corporate gatherings and other private functions. Its public music identity has mainly come from Maui Waui Festival. Stage locations, capacities, camping fields and visitor facilities are built for individual events, so there is no permanent concert-hall layout.

What is the address of Hill Farm near Dereham?

The event address most often published for Hill Farm is Hill Farm, Gressenhall, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 2NR. Some listings identify the same site as Bullard’s Farm or Field Cottage. Check the exact event instructions before travelling because temporary entrances, parking fields and sat-nav directions can change between productions.

What is the capacity of Hill Farm?

Bullard’s Farm states that it can host approximately 5,000 people for a festival. This is an outdoor event capacity, not a fixed building or seated-auditorium figure. No authoritative source publishes standard capacities for individual stages, camping zones, VIP areas or private functions, so those numbers must be confirmed for the specific booking.

Does Hill Farm have seated concerts?

Public festival programming at Hill Farm is primarily standing, with audiences gathering in temporary tents, woodland stages and outdoor areas. There is no standard numbered seating plan or permanent auditorium. Private events may install tables, chairs, a marquee or other seating, but those arrangements are created by the organiser and are not a permanent feature of the farm.

Which major festival is associated with Hill Farm?

Maui Waui Festival is the principal public event associated with Hill Farm near Dereham. It moved to the site in 2021 and returned for annual August Bank Holiday editions through 2025. Its programming includes international music, DJs, circus, comedy, cabaret, family activities, body art, workshops and food and drink.

Was Maui Waui held at Hill Farm in 2026?

No confirmed 2026 Maui Waui event took place at Hill Farm. The festival’s published 2026 information placed the 28–30 August edition at Elveden Estate near Thetford. Older third-party listings may still show Hill Farm because venue databases are not always updated when an event changes location.

Will Hill Farm host events in 2027?

No reliable public 2027 Hill Farm programme was identified in the information reviewed. Bullard’s Farm continues to promote the site for festivals, weddings, corporate events and other bespoke uses, but individual bookings are not necessarily announced through a public venue calendar. Treat any future event listing as provisional until the organiser confirms the location.

Are children allowed at events at Hill Farm?

Maui Waui has been family-friendly, with a children’s area, circus workshops, storytelling, crafts and other activities. Children aged 13 or under have historically entered free, subject to the event’s ticket conditions, and children under 17 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Other Hill Farm events may set different age restrictions.

Is camping available at Hill Farm?

Camping has been available with Maui Waui weekend tickets, with separate red sociable, blue low-noise, green family, yellow accessible, quiet and campervan areas. Camping arrangements are not a permanent campsite guarantee for every Hill Farm booking. Check whether camping, showers, water points and vehicle access are included before purchasing a ticket.

Can I park beside my tent?

Recent Maui Waui arrangements did not allow ordinary cars to park beside tents. Vehicles were directed to the festival car park, while registered disabled or less-able visitors could use an unloading area near the campsite. Quiet camping and campervan fields had different arrangements. Do not assume vehicle access to a pitch unless your ticket specifically provides it.

Is parking free at Hill Farm?

Recent festival ticket information charged separately for a car pass, with the 2025 published price listed as £11 including fees. Campervan and caravan passes were priced separately. These are historical event prices, not a permanent Hill Farm tariff. Private events may include parking in the hire arrangement or operate a completely different system.

Can I reach Hill Farm by bus?

Local buses serve Gressenhall on routes linking the village with Dereham and Fakenham, including stops around Hall’s Drive, the post office and Litcham Road. The farm is rural and not directly beside a major transport interchange. Visitors should confirm the final walking route or arrange a taxi, especially after dark or when carrying camping equipment.

Does Dereham have a regular railway station?

Dereham’s railway station belongs to the Mid-Norfolk heritage railway and is not a regular national rail interchange. Visitors arriving by train generally need onward road transport from a connected national rail station such as Norwich or Wymondham. There is no railway platform at Hill Farm and no permanent festival shuttle has been confirmed.

What food and drink is available?

Maui Waui has featured food traders, festival bars, local beer and cider, refreshments and themed hospitality areas. Visitors have historically been allowed to bring food and drink into the campsite, but alcohol has not been allowed inside the arena. Vendor choices and prices vary by event, so bring suitable supplies for the campsite and check the specific rules.

Are there showers at Hill Farm?

Hot showers have been provided in the main campsite and quiet campsite for Maui Waui. The accessible campsite has not had its own shower unit, with the nearest showers located in the main camping area. These are temporary event facilities rather than permanent farm amenities, so private bookings may have different arrangements.

What accessibility facilities are available?

Recent festival arrangements included accessible camping, accessible toilets, mobility-scooter charging, an accessibility steward and limited pre-booked power. Carer tickets have also been offered under stated conditions. However, no public source confirms step-free access across every field or stage, accessible viewing platforms throughout the site or a formal site-wide certification.

Are dogs allowed at Hill Farm festivals?

Dogs have not been allowed on site for recent Maui Waui editions. This rule applies to the festival environment and should not automatically be extended to every private event held at Bullard’s Farm. Assistance animals require specific confirmation before travel, particularly because the site includes livestock, camping fields, crowds, amplified music and temporary structures.

What should visitors not bring?

Recent rules prohibited illegal substances, nitrous oxide and related equipment, weapons, glass, fireworks, flares, spray cans and generators. Camping-area sound systems were also prohibited. Rules may be updated for each edition, so pack lightly and avoid anything that could create a fire, safety, noise or crowd-management problem.

Why is Hill Farm important to the local area?

Hill Farm brings a large temporary arts programme to a rural part of Norfolk, attracting visitors, performers, traders, volunteers and seasonal spending near Dereham. Maui Waui has also promoted charity fundraising and environmental measures. No independent economic-impact study was found, so the scale of the wider financial benefit should not be overstated.

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