Enjoy a virtual tour of Occombe Beer Festival that’s not just about the beer, music, dancing and feasting. Occombe Festival is a charity event and festival goers help some of the places we love here in Torbay. 100% of the festival profits go to Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust, who look after Berry Head, Ansteys Cove, Occombe Farm and Cockington. Sun, beer, music, friends and raising money for charity. What more do you need? Lets go….
Update: 14th October 2019:
- Sadly 2019 was the last beer festival for Occombe Farm 😞 New ownership is turning the farm into a child friendly play area and expanding the farm shop and have confirmed no more beer festival.
I’ve been coming to this festival now for many years and It’s grown somewhat since the good old days of a fiver entry that included a beer token or two. I loved this Beer Festival, however what used to be a nice chilled festival has become very much a youthful party. Don’t get me wrong the atmosphere can be buzzing, but there can be the odd knob head that spoil it looking for a fight or even doing coke. A few years ago one of which decided it would be a good idea come over sit at our table and rack up a line. He even had the gall to say, (insert accent here).. “hey this is alright innit mate…” No, i’m not your mate and no it really is not alright! Security were informed and soon came over to kick the little chav out and introduce him to the police on the way. Apart from those few idiots, the majority of people are there to have a good time and are friendly. This year 2019, I only went on the Saturday and didn’t see any untoward behavior which was a surprise. I did see two incidents where people were taken out on a stretcher, but they’d had a drunken accident.
The actual beer on the drinks list has shrunk somewhat over the years going from over 70 real ales and 10 ciders in 2015, down to 28 ales and 9 ciders for 2019. This is disappointing especially as the price has usually increased most years. Friday’s are usually the more chilled of the two days, but even that was quite busy last year (2018). The thing that puts most people off these days though is the price. I used to grab an early bird weekend ticket that saved £6, but this year (2019) they haven’t had the early bird offer. Therefore this year I won’t be going both days, for the first time in years. £30 is way overpriced for what it is. I will be there only on the Saturday and yes I will be wearing my Shiteshirt so if you see me come say hi 👕😂
- In 360º
-
Don't forget to crank up the quality setting to 4k - Reframed
-
Don't forget to crank up the quality setting to 4k - 360 Video Tour
-
Don't forget to crank up the quality setting to 4k
Occombe Festival may have dropped ‘Beer’ from the name from 2018, but it still remains the main feature of the event.
Occombe Festival is a two day festival, the bars operate on a token-only system. You will need to purchase drinks tokens on your way into the festival. There are no tokens included with your festival ticket. You can now buy tokens using your card in multiples of 10, but only from one cashier, the rest are cash only. The tokens desk will be open throughout the festival should you wish to top-up.
- When wet weather is forecast they put up two giant marquees that cover the whole open area.
- Free drinking water is provided.
- There is No cash machine at the festival.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen, if it’s a scorcher.
- No under-18s are permitted.
Tip: If it’s rainy, wear wellies and waterproofs. If it’s looking like it might pour down, they provide marquees and use the barns at the farm for cover, the main area has now been covered in concrete.
Update 2019: Saturday Now opens at 12.
The festival opens its gates:
- Friday, 4pm and closes at 11pm.
- Saturday, 12pm
1.30pmand closes again at 11pm.
Tickets are available from Countryside Trust or pay on the door. It’s usually slightly more expensive to pay on the door though.
Tickets usually go on sale late March at a reduced early bird rate, however this won’t last and the price will increase nearer the event, so grab them as soon as you can.
Early Bird Weekend Ticket £24 No booking fee.(Sadly No Early Bird offer in 2019)- Weekend Ticket £30.
- Friday £13.50.
- Saturday £18.50.
- Drinks tokens cost £2.00 each, 1 token = half pint of beer or cider. 2 tokens = a pint of beer or cider, half a pint of Pimm’s or 1 glass of wine (175ml) or 1 glass of Prosecco (150ml).
Tickets available from Countryside Trust or pay on the door.
- 2019 – Weekend Ticket £30, Friday £13.50 and Saturday £18.50 – Drinks tokens were £2. Wet marquees ☔
- 2018 – Early Bird Weekend Ticket £24 + No booking fee – Weekend Ticket £30, Friday £13.50 and Saturday £18.50 – Drinks tokens were £2.
- 2017 – Early Bird Weekend Ticket £23 + 50p booking fee – Weekend Ticket £27.50, Friday £10 and Saturday £15 – Drinks tokens were £1.90.
- 2016 – Early Bird Weekend Ticket £23 + 50p booking fee – Weekend Ticket £27.50, Friday £12.50 and Saturday £17.50 – Drinks tokens were £?.
- 2015 – Weekend Ticket £21 – Friday £10 and Saturday £16 – Drinks tokens were £?.
- 2014 – Friday £10 and Saturday £15 – Drinks tokens were £?. Wet marquees ☔
- 2013 – Friday £10 and Saturday £13 – Drinks tokens were £1.75.
- 2012 – Friday £7 and Saturday £9 – Drinks tokens were £?. Wet ☔
- 2011 – Admission was only £5 & included a souvenir glass – Drinks tokens were £?.
If anyone can help me fill in the blanks please comment below, many thanks 😊
The actual beer on the list has shrunk somewhat over recent years going from over 70 real ales and 10 ciders in 2015, down to 28 ales and 9 ciders 2019. For those seeking alternatives to real ales and cider, there is also Pimms, a selection of wine, Red, White & Rosé, Bays Devon Rock craft lager and Hunts Andsome Bay lightly sparkling cider. Plus there is a prosecco bar.
Drinks tokens cost £2.00 each,
- 1 token = half pint of beer or cider.
- 2 tokens = a pint of beer or cider, half a pint of Pimm’s or 1 glass of wine (175ml) or 1 glass of Prosecco (150ml).
- Free drinking water is provided.
Tip: Always ask for a taster and don’t be afraid to try 3 or 4 before you settle on one.
Tip: Never ask for a full pint, you can’t over fill a pint!
There are plenty of food stalls to choose that are situated behind the cider bar, usually:
- Authentic Thai Food
Crepe Beret (2018)- Hatties Pizza
- Meat 59
- Occombe Farm Cafe
- Kumbites
The Pastry Club (2018)- The Pig Apple
LG Palk Spit Roast(2018)Secret Kitchen (2018)South Devon Pizza Company (2018)Tom’s Pies (2016)- World Food
Apart from the beer, there are bands playing on the main stage throughout most of the day, usually starting out chilled working its way up to a rock band. The majority of the bands are local with most performing covers.
- If you like face paints and glitter there’s usually a tent beside the cashiers tent near the entrance.
There are numerous ways, grab a lift postcode TQ3 1RN, taxi or catch a bus, but there is no car parking available anywhere on site. For more info click here
- Car, Postcode TQ3 1RN. There is no parking available onsite or on Preston Down Road. You’ll be guided into the festivals drop off and collection point. For free parking try around Duchy Dr or Avenue.
- Bus,
£2.50 each or £4 return. From 2018 all tickets now include bus transport to and from the Festival. From Paignton: Preston Down Road shops, Upper Penns Road, Eugene Road, Victoria Park (drop off), Paignton Bus Station (Paignton Library), Victoria Park (pick up), Hillside Road, Edenvale Road and Occombe Farm. From Torquay: Preston Down shops, Upper Penns Road, Wheatridge Lane, Corbyn Head, Princess Theatre, Belgrave Road (Derwent Hotel), Torre Station bus stop, Dairy Hill and Occombe Farm.- Friday Departs outside Paignton Library at 3:30pm, then every half an hour.
- Friday Departs outside Torquay Princess Theatre at 3:30pm, then every half an hour.
- Saturday Departs outside Paignton Library at
1:30pm11:45am, then every half an hour. - Saturday Departs outside Torquay Princess Theatre at
1:30pm11:45am, then every half an hour - Last bus from Occombe Farm at 11:30pm.
- Taxi
- Torbay Taxis: 01803 211611
- Price First Taxis: 01803 322322
- Torbay Cab Company: 01803 292292
- Riviera Taxis: 01803 212600
- Ace Taxis (Brixham): 01803 882121
- South Hams Cabs: 01803 840404
- Walk, bear in mind that the festival is at the top of hill and it can be pretty dark on the walk home.
- Tickets usually go on sale late March
at a reduced early bird rate, However this won’t last and the price will increase nearer the event, so grab them as soon as you can. - If it’s rainy, wear wellies and waterproofs. If it’s looking like it might pour down, they provide marquees and use the barns at the farm for cover, the main area has now been covered in concrete.
- Always ask for a taster and don’t be afraid to try 3 or 4 before you settle on one.
- Never ask for a full pint, you can’t over fill a pint!
- When wet weather is forecast they put up two giant marquees that cover the whole open area.
- Free drinking water is provided.
- There is No cash machine at the festival.
- Don’t forget the sunscreen, if it’s a scorcher.
- No under-18s are permitted.
- Last bus from Occombe Farm at 11:30pm.
- For more info go to www.occombebeerfestival.co.uk
- Tickets available from Countryside Trust or pay on the door.
- www.drinkaware.co.uk
Insta360 X4
KanDao QooCam 3
Ricoh Theta Z1
If you found this helpful, please like and follow my social pages
189
229
823
253
48
Click here to Explore More of Torbay in 360º
Originally posted on 17 June 2017 by Ash
