Advance ticket deadline approaches for Hatfield music festival

The audience at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House (Image: Folk by the Oak)

Folk by the Oak returns to the grounds of Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on Sunday, July 15.

An early booking offer for 2018 tickets ends at midnight on Saturday, March 31.

Adult tickets for the country’s largest one-day folk festival currently cost £37.

For that advance price you will get to see Amy Macdonald, Billy Bragg, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, The Young’uns, Julie Fowlis, Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys and Catrin Finch & Seckou Keita on the main stage.

Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House [Picture: Tammy Marlar] (Image: Tammy Marlar)

There will also be performances on the more intimate Acorn Stage from CC Smugglers, Stick in the Wheel, Midnight Skyracer, Alden, Patterson & Dashwood, The Drystones, Harri Endersby and the London Youth Folk Ensemble.

From April 1 until midnight on Saturday, July 14, adult tickets will cost the regular price of £39.95.

Tickets will be £45 on the day of the festival, subject to availability.

Children aged five to 15 pay £18 at all times, while youngsters aged four and under are free, and do not require a ticket.

Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House [Picture: AdrianCallaghanPhotography.com] (Image: AdrianCallaghanPhotography.com)

All under-16s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is over 18 years old.

An advance price of £102 for a family ticket – for two adults and two children – also expires at midnight on March 31, 2018.

The regular price will then be £107 until midnight on July 14.

Family passes will not be available on the day of the festival.

The view from the stage at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House (Image: Folk by the Oak)

Acclaimed Scottish songstress Amy Macdonald will be taking Folk by the Oak’s coveted finale slot as one of her few UK festival gigs this year.

The rest of the line-up is peppered with BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees, including ‘Best Group’ contenders Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band and ‘Folk Singer of the Year’ candidate Julie Fowlis.

Having the ‘Bard of Barking’ Billy Bragg perform is another coup for organisers.

“We’ve always had an eye on Billy for our Main Stage,” said FBTO festival director Adam Slough.

Storytelling at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House [Picture: AdrianCallaghanPhotography.com] (Image: AdrianCallaghanPhotography.com)

“His ability to marry his informed political opinions with exceptional song-writing and remarkable live performances has made him a stand-out artist and one we know our audience will enjoy welcoming to our festival.

“We are very proud to have him joining us this year.”

As well as a full day of back-to-back folk, roots and acoustic music in the Queen Elizabeth Oak Field at Hatfield House, Folk by the Oak also provides an inspiring family area, packed with fun for all ages.

A FBTO organiser added: “Although a fantastic array of artists are now booked and our line-up is complete, our work here is not done.

There's so much to do at Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House (Image: Folk by the Oak)

“Over the coming months we will be busy selecting handpicked craftspeople, vendors of vintage wares, amazing activities and gourmet caterers to make our festival in a day truly one to remember.”

Being an all-day festival with a compact and leafy site, the family area is close enough to the main stage action that no grown-ups need to miss out while the kids are being entertained.

Once again Folk by the Oak will be raising funds for Welwyn Hatfield-based charity partner Willow.

• For more details, and to buy tickets, visit www.folkbytheoak.com

Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House [Picture: Elly Lucas] (Image: Elly Lucas)

Folk by the Oak at Hatfield House [Picture: Tammy Marlar] (Image: Tammy Marlar)

Folk by the Oak Main Stage at Hatfield House [Picture: Tammy Marlar] (Image: Tammy Marlar)