FAQs – South Essex

Back on the road for Undercover Festival!
A New Month and New Location…
26th and 27th Sept 2025 in South Essex

Very excited to have a new home for Undercover Festival with free camping for 2-day ticket holders, free showers and free car parking!

Battlesbridge Showground
Battlesbridge Antiques Centre 
Maltings Road
Battlesbridge
Essex 
SS11 7RF 

Just off the A130 on the banks of the River Crouch, midway Near Wickford, Chelmsford and Southend. 

There is a free car park on site, just wait to be directed to where to park. 
The closest railway station to the venue is Battlesbridge, a few minutes walk from the festival site.

Everyone is asked to try and get to the festival if you can by public transport, taxi (see below) or car share. This helps us manage the site more effectively to the benefit of all.
See below for a list of suggested local Taxi firms.

Being dropped off?
Drop off and pick up from outside the “Nerd Centre” Please.

What are the Opening / Closing / Re-entry Times?

Friday 26th Sept 2025; doors: 2:30pm, first band on 3:15pm
Saturday 27th Sept 2025; doors: 12pm, first band on 12:45pm

Campsite is accessible for 2 day ticket holders from 10:30am on the 26th.

ADMITTANCE is by advance ticket ONLY, no tickets will be available for sale “on the door” at the festival site, but if any tickets are left then they will be available online only up to 9pm each day.

Please note that doors and ticket exchange closes 9pm each day, there will be NO admittance or readmittance after this time. 

We do this in order to manage the site effectively and in a safe manner.

ON ARRIVAL
Have your tickets (paper and online) ready at ticket exchange, if in a car you may be directed to the car park and then asked to make a short walk back to ticket exchange.

Is this an outdoor event?

All the music will be Undercover, but a lot of the stalls and entrance to one of the marquees will be in the open.

What Bands are Playing and When?

Please see the Line-up section of this website.

How Do I Get Tickets?

Tickets will be available online up to 9pm each day.
Some tickets will be available on the door in limited numbers (scroll below for details).

Please see our page on Gigantic where you can buy tickets online.

OR Paper Two-Day tickets in person from the following retail outlets

There will be some tickets available on the door in limited numbers, so best get there early to grab yours. 

They will be more than in advance. 
(Fri £39 ADV or £45 OTD / Sat £45 ADV or £50 OTD / 2 Day £79 ADV or£85 OTD).

If they sell out an announcement will be made on https://www.facebook.com/UndercoverFestival

Or to be safe best get your tickets online.

Can I Get A Refund?

Like any other festival or gig we cannot refund unwanted tickets, sorry.

Like other promoters except if an event is cancelled, we are not able to offer refunds.

We do our best to keep quality alternative live music going, your support is appreciated.

I Have Lost My Ticket, Can I Get A Replacement?

Like any other event, ticket agency or box office, we cannot replace lost tickets so make sure you keep them safe!

Getting Wristbands on the day

On arrival you will be directed to Wristband Exchange. 
If you have ordered an e-ticket you will need ID and either a mobile version or a print out of the ticket.

Please note that ticket exchange closes 9pm each day, there will be NO admittance or readmittance after this time. 
We do this for every Undercover event this way it discourages pi**heads and all that entails.

Taxis

Getting to your home or hotel / B&B is a lot easier if you get a cab. Suggestions (not recommendations) of local cab firms below:

  • Wickford Taxis (Wickford) 01268272727
  • Happicabs (South Woodham Ferrers) 01245321321
  • Abba Cars (Rayleigh) 01268777300
  • Bestax (Rochford) 01268 777300
  • A&B Taxis (Basildon) –  01268555555
  • Steve’s Radio Cars (Canvey Island / Benfleet) 0126875001
  • Value Cars (Basildon) 01268 525252
  • ABC Radio Taxis (Benfleet) 01268 556666
  • Southend Mini Cabs 01702 861998 
  • Best Tax (Rayleigh) 01268 777300
  • 5 Star Travel (Benfleet) 01268 566799 

Car Parking

Parking is free for all ticket holders
On arrival follow as directed. From there its 5mph and have your hazards lights on please.

Camping and campervans on site

Camping and campervans are free to those who have purchased a 2 day ticket.
On arrival you will be directed to the campsite. 

Free camping is not available to those buying a day ticket.
Access to and setting up camping is only accessible on the 26th, this is necessary so that the site can be managed safely.

Everyone is asked to keep the middle of each site clear for emergency access etc.

You are advised to wear sturdy footwear in case of any uneven areas, stones etc and have a torch for the campsite.

Cars are not permitted on the campsite, you will need to unload in the car park which is next to the campsite.

Campervans, Caravans and Motorhomes

Ideally campervans should be on site if at all possible before midday on the 26th, campervans are asked to drive no faster that 5 mph and have hazard lights on when driving through the campsite to set up.

If you have a large motorhome, please email us that you are coming so that we can find a suitable location on-site.

Campervan hook-up power points were limited and allocated on a first come first served basis, THESE ARE NOW SOLD OUT. Those that have purchased can pick up a pass from ticket exchange on the day.

Please note that while electrical hook ups are sold out there will still be space for campervans on site. 

If you have parked your campervan or tent at an electrical hook up point without one of the passes you will be asked to move.

NO FIRES OR BBQS ARE PERMITTED ON THE CAMPSITE.

Keeping the site free of litter

On arrival all campers / vans will be provided with a black rubbish bag, it’s a lovely site and hopefully together we can all keep it that way.
This is lovely site and we are their guests please all treat it with respect, that way we can all enjoy the festival.
Better still, please take any litter / recycling home with you.

STAYING ON-SITE BEFORE OR AFTER THE FESTIVAL

If you have a 2 day ticket for the festival, camping / campervans usage and access are included in the ticket for the Friday and Saturday nights.

Other nights you will have to book through the venue, details can be found on this link.

Will there be glamping?

Not this time, but who knows for 2026.

Security

There will be full 24 hour security on site throughout the weekend.

Somewhere to stay during Undercover

See This Page

Information for Disabled Ticket Holders

It is very important to us at Undercover, that we ensure that the event is accessible as is reasonably possible, to everyone, and all aspects of accessibility are reviewed regularly, to ensure improvements can be made, where required, on an ongoing basis. 

This includes the availability of accessible disabled parking, wheelchair access, disabled toilets.

We strive to do all we can to make Undercover as accessible as possible. As with any event where some of it is in the open, weather conditions and uneven ground in parts, on a grassed site, need to be taken into consideration, when using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, and for wet weather conditions, suitable clothing, footwear, etc, is recommended.

This year we are unable to provide a viewing platform but this will be in review if we go for a festival at this location in 2026.

As we are only a small festival we will be unable to provide carer tickets, this is a shame but faced with financial constraints this is not possible this year.

If it is the case that access to the toilets when you are on site is an issue, please speak to one of the stewards or security and we can look at how this can be resolved on a reasonable basis. 

Queues – If trying to get to ticket exchange is an issue can you or a friend please speak to one of the stewards or security and we can fast track you.

ARE DOGS ALLOWED ON SITE?

Sorry with the exception of Bowie (long story) and guide dogs, no dogs are permitted on site (this includes the campsite).

What About Children/Young People?

We are aiming for 18+, but ask anyway.

What Food and Drink Will Be Available?

Bars will be managed by the site owners; a range of hot and cold food is available at the venue.

Can I Bring My Own Alcohol, Food and Soft Drinks?

You are not permitted to bring your own alcohol, food or soft drinks onto the venue under any circumstances.
You can bring your own alcohol, food or soft drinks if you are camping but not into the festival itself.

Health and Safety

All ticket holders are advised to read this section with regards to First Aid, Responsible Drinking, Protect your hearing and Emergencies.

Click here for more information

Prohibited Items

Click here for more information

What About Illegal Drugs?

Undercover Festival is a drug free festival and no illegal drug use, sale or distribution will be tolerated.

If you are found to be using, selling or distributing illegal drugs at the festival you will be removed from the site and will most likely be dealt with severely by the police.
There are NO first warnings – if you use drugs you are OUT!

Will Medical Assistance Be Available?

Emergency medical assistance will be available – please contact one of our stewards in the first instance.

What about Smoking?

In accordance with UK law all areas undercover are no smoking, please feel free to smoke outside but pick up your cigarette butts. 

Are Dogs Allowed

Sorry for this event it is not possible to have dogs on any site including the camping area.

I Am In A Band – Can We Play At The Festival?

For Undercover Festival 2025 we are pretty much full but drop us a line on undercoverfest@btinternet.com anyway, as we are always on the lookout for bands for other gigs we put on, please don’t be a pest as these get deleted.

I Am A Trader – Can I Have A Stall?

We have some spaces for appropriate non food traders.
Drop us an email at undercoverfest@btinternet.com.

How Can I Get A Press Pass?

Please contact us at undercoverfest@btinternet.com for more information.

Are cameras allowed?

Yes for personal use only but please don’t be a pain in the bum with your camera.  We already have an official photographer so thanks for the offer but we are happy with “Our Gerry”. Please contact undercoverfest@btinternet.com if you require press accreditation or are unsure of our photography policy.

Can I have a job?

We do not have that many jobs going and most of the help we get is with our band of volunteers without which the festival would not take place.  These roles are pretty much full.

However as always we need help spreading the word online and help flyer gigs, this help is appreciated, please email for more details. 

I Can’t Find the Answer to My Query – Who Do I Contact?

If your question isn’t answered here please email us at undercoverfest@btinternet.com.

FINALLY:  We are all here to have fun, keep safe everyone and see ya down the front or at the bar!