At the end of August every year, an eclectic bunch of partygoers descend on the woods at Norton Disney in Lincolnshire. They are there for Lost Village – an electronic music festival with an otherworldly feel. This is my accessibility review of Lost village 2022.
Accessibility
I went along every day from the 25th to 29 August, and it was a good but very tiring experience. As I lived locally, I got a discounted ticket, and I got two free carers tickets.
OurAbout 50% of the Lost Village site is in the woods, and the other 50% is on flat grassland. There were some clearings in the forest where DJs played with dirt paths linking them. So there are bumpy dirt tracks that run through the wooded areas, and tree roots can be a nuisance.
But the main stage and where all the food is located is on a flat, grassy area, which was easy for me to drive over.
This year, an “access route” went behind the main stage and provided more accessible access to different parts of the site. It was helpful as a smooth pathway was laid down for most of it.
The accessible parking spaces were in a field about 15 minutes from the festival site. To get from the car park to the festival entrance, I had to drive along a bumpy dirt path with some tree roots protruding from the ground in places. So it wasn’t the smoothest journey. A smooth walkway from the car park to the festival entrance could be laid down, making the journey much easier.
It rained on the first day of the festival just before we arrived, so some muddy areas were scattered around the site, but I managed to not get stuck in any of them. My wheels did need hosing down after I got back home, though. Thankfully it didn’t rain for the rest of the event, so the ground was baked dry in most places.
The mud would probably have been a greater problem if it had rained more, especially in the woods.
There were a decent number of accessible portaloos around the site. But they were very cramped, and there was very little space in them for both me and my carer.
There was no mobiloo on site, so if I needed to use the hoist, I had to go back home, which, luckily for me, was not far away. But for anyone with my level of disability who doesn’t live locally, it would be impossible for them to go on the toilet if they needed a hoist to do so.
That was my biggest gripe about lost village. It was a pain having to go all the way back to the car, home, and then come back again afterwards.
Although I mentioned it to the accessibility team, they said they were pushing for a mobiloo hopefully next year.
I do need to give a shout-out to Nick from the accessibility team, who was great. He contacted me before the festival to give me information about the festival site and ask if there was anything I needed, which I appreciated. When I arrived on the first day, he was waiting to meet us; he showed us the accessibility route, which was very helpful. I got the impression that they genuinely want to make the festival as accessible as possible, so I am hopeful for improvements in the future.
The music
I don’t know a lot of EDM DJs, so I didn’t know most of the lineup for lost village. It was a bit of a lottery trying to find stuff I liked. Although most of the music was electronic, there were other genres at the festival. In one tent called “the circus of astonishment”. I saw some jazz musicians on brass instruments, which I enjoyed. This place was more laid back, so I spent a lot of time there.
I think next time I would prefer to go to a festival with more bands that I am familiar with. That way, I can plan who I want to see rather than randomly wander around.
The food
the food at Lost Village is always great. It’s street food, but it’s not just typical street food. It’s quality.
I had katsu curry chicken and rice, Vietnamese noodles, a Greek wrap, and doughnuts but not all at the same time.
I had lunch and dinner there every day, apart from Sunday when I went home for a roast dinner.
You could have a meal cooked by a Michelin-starred chef if you wanted, but I didn’t do that this time.
I tried a CBD cocktail I bought from a “record store”! Yes, there was a bar disguised as a record store which was pretty cool.
Other activities
Near the lake is the Energy Garden, a relaxing area where you could have various treatments like massage, yoga or sound therapy. I did a couple of sound baths in a big yurt, which was an interesting experience. Everyone was arranged around the edge lying on the floor and I just tilted my chair back. People made sounds on various instruments like gongs, Drums and keyboards, which were meant to vibrate and relax you.
I didn’t feel any vibrations from it myself as I think you needed to be on the floor to get the vibes. I got more vibrations from the DJs in other areas of the festival. But EDM isn’t as relaxing generally.
I tried listening to some stand-up comedy, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying. This wasn’t unexpected due to my hearing loss, but I thought I would try it anyway.
Conclusion
Overall, Lost village was fun, but it could have been better. The fact is, there is a lot of it that I couldn’t do. I couldn’t go in the hot tubs because there was no hoist, I couldn’t enjoy the stand-up comedy because of my hearing loss, and I had to go home to use the toilet.
It did have positives, though, too. The food was delicious, the staff were always happy to help, and the accessibility team were great. Plus, I’m always impressed by the scenery. There was a petrol station/bar, an airbase in the woods, and I even came across a piano in the forest. It’s definitely unique.
Great review Alex X
Hi Alex,
it was nice to read your review of this place, as in my ignorance, had never even heard of it before. but I don’t get out much to anyplace, so thats not so unusual….
I’d go to lots of these type of music venues for a listen ( as I do love music, even if I’m rubbish on guitar/piano, really love all types of stuff for a listen and to watch). really love to see how other folk do things musically, which is always interesting.
Unfortunately I can’t stand for too long and even more so need a comfy place to pee..lol
Do watch things like this on television (but they never do many close ups on guitar play) so guess, it definitely isnt the same as being there in person.
Its interesting to hear whats there and available and your take on disable access. I’d have enjoyed the jazz area too. Would also have had a go at that piano you said you come across… that sounded brill….!
For me to even think of going someplace like this, they would need to be lots of places to sit dotted about, even while actually listening to the music. I avoid places if I think i might have to stand for too long.
Im guessing its not only young folk that want to go to these venues, but old biddies like me too. (smiley face)…..lol
Question – Is there any type of gadget that these type of venues could use or try out – to feed the music through that might let folk with limited hearing, be able to maybe get a clearer sound.. ?
excuse my ignorance on this subject… but was just wondering with all the new technology etc, there just might be something folk could experiment on, with regards to venues like this.
..
Hi Kaz, sorry it’s taken a long time to reply. Yeah, there weren’t a lot of places to sit down around the venue. There were benches and seating around the food area. But not a lot in other places. There were some older people in their 50s, I would say, but most of them were young people. The music was loud so I didn’t have any problem hearing it. It’s just hearing what people are saying if they talk to me, which is the problem. Not sure how that could be improved though.