Forest Live Reviews 

Greedy wotsits are now charging you to use every Carpark in The New Forest! That includes all the small gravel type ones.

Totally ruined my trip here. Simply couldn’t afford to visit all my favourite places. Locals have to pay £80 a year now to walk their dogs!

Shame on you!!! GREEDY….

As it is a 7 hour drives not cheap on fuel. To have to pay another £20 on parking. This will be my last trip here as you’ve ruined the place. Shops will suffer. I always go to the sweet shop in Lyndhurst. Now free parkings gone, didn’t bother!!!!

I hope once it’s known. Tourists totally boycott the area! I see you’ve bought a load of new vehicles to check people have paid. ELDERLY PEOPLE DONT HAVE SMART PHONES OR USE APPS!!!

If you don’t use apps? Then what? No machines take cash!!! Or card.

I’ve always wanted to live inThe New Forest. NOT NOW! Should be free to park like it’s always been and if you are old and don’t have a smart phone?????

Once you pay staff and for new vehicles will you make any money? The carparks were quieter than normal and people parking at one carpark enjoying the sunset didn’t pay!

SELFISH HORRIBLE MONEYGRABBING COMPANY! RUINED PEOPLES HOLIDAYS.

I didn’t line your pockets. Refused to pay and came home!

Went to see Fatboy Slim at Westonbirt and had a great time. The venue is fantastic and the show was excellent.
Highlights - easy parking, lots of help around taxi drop-off etc. and loads of advice about what you could and couldn't take in. Sound system was good and the toilets were kept clean.
Note there is no phone signal so it's an issue getting the ridiculous Tickemaster app to show the moving barcode to get in - we've had this at other gigs as well.
The bar was OK - reasonable selection at normal gig prices. The food offering however wasn't so good. We were in VIP (which is just a fenced off area with a bit more space) and although there were 5 or 6 different outlets the whole thing was chaos - several of the meal deals weren't available but you could build the meal yourself and pay extra. The staff were completely clueless about how to serve anything and were falling over each other as they effectively were all trying to cover each product line - it's certainly not like the normal traders making an effort to sell their produce.
Anyway, all turned out well and we'd go again. But we'd take our own food!

The venue was great (Westonbirt Arboretum).
Lots of space to move around.
The atmosphere was electric!
The security staff were friendly and helpful.
Traffic wasn't too bad leaving the venue. No long queues so it was well organised.
The best part was Richard Ashcroft and his band. They gave an absolutely superb performance! I was blown away by their music! Music is Power!

We went to see UB40 in Cannock Chase last night. Whilst the music was good there seemed to be trouble kicking off all over the place. Myself and my family were subject to abuse and violent behaviour from a crowd (of mainly women) wanting to get to stand at the barriers where we were, it was an awful experience and to be frank the security staff were next to useless, despite being told by a number of nearby people where the trouble came from they did next to nothing. We left part way through the 2nd UB40 song and, after 21 years of attending some great gigs, will never return. So so disappointing.

Had an AMAZING time at forest live in Cannock chase. We went to see Ali Campbell.

Firstly, I can't support all of the staff at the venue enough. They were amazingly helpful.

My mother in law has a blue badge and struggles with her mobility. She has issues with her back and knees and can't walk far. She usually avoids things like this where walking is involved but wanted to brave it to be able to see UB40.

I tried to book blue badge parking and couldn't. When we arrived we explained this and a very helpful woman looked at her badge and said I'm sorry, the blue badge parking is all taken, but we'll get you as close as we can. She rang across our registration to someone and told us directions.
The team helped us park as close as possible which was so helpful.
When we went to get in the queue to get in, it was huge and people were streaming into it from way down the path. My mother in law said I can't walk it, leave me here and when the queue catches up I'll jump in with you. My partner and I rushed off to join the back of about a 45 minute plus queue and left her at the railings near the front. Whilst we were at the back, my mother in law was approached by another lovely employee who asked if she was ok and needed anything. She explained we were in the queue and she would jump in as soon as we were at the same spot. The lady asked if she would like to use the accessible entrance. My mother in law who hates a fuss, said no it's ok, I can just wait here for the kids. The lady said not a problem, what are their names? She came and fetched us from the queue and sent us all to the accessible entrance. As we made it towards the entrance by this time mother in law who is nearly 70 was really struggling and was hanging on to my partner. Another lady saw this and asked if we needed help, she then put us in another queue to get us straight in as mom really needed to sit down at this point.

But genuinely everyone was helpful and friendly. When we were in side it was lovely and clean from the bins being emptied repeatedly to the toilets being clean. The food queues were reasonable. My partner waited all of two minutes for chips. The view was good. The only comment we had was, that it would be nicer if the screens on the side of the stage could be bigger, as we didn't want to venture too far in due to my mother in law's mobility but it was FULL regardless nearly every space was taken around us back by the entrance.

The support acts were great! Not sure the name of the first guy, but we loved him and he really set the vibe. Then the next guy Bitty McClean was fabulous and my mother in law was saying how she'd had his records and he sounded exactly the same.
Ali Campbell and UB40 were fabulous as to be expected.

Over all we had an amazing day and the team at forest live made it. So thank you all so much and we will be attending another concert with you again!

Great atmosphere but the best thing was the security check to get in to the venue. Very polite staff doing a thorough check making it feel safe. Not just a box-ticking exercise! Well done - not an easy job.

Too much rapping by one person, not to my satisfaction. Up until Ali Campbell appeared on the stage it was not to my taste.
My first music festival I have attended in the UK and I will not be attending another one at Weston birthday arboretum.
Ticket master was a nightmare to retrieve our tickets once ordered. What should have been a straight forward process was a complete complicated process.

Went to see McFly at Forest Live. Was told I couldn't bring my perfume in. They said they would keep it safe and showed me where they would put it and just said to ask for it at the end. Went to that place after the show and they said they gave it to someone else !

I recently discovered that I had accidentally booked VIP tickets for the wrong UB40 venue and was absolutely devastated because they were for a very special occasion with my dad.

UB40 hold a special place in our hearts. They were the very first band we ever saw together, and the opportunity to see them again means far more to us than simply attending a concert. It is a chance to share an experience and create another special memory together.

I contacted Forestry Live, hoping there might be a solution, although I fully understood that ticket transfers are not normally possible. From the moment I spoke with Lucy, I felt listened to and genuinely cared for. She took the time to understand our exceptional circumstances and kindly escalated my request to her supervisor, Nicky.

Thanks to Lucy's help and Nicky's understanding, they were able to arrange a transfer to the correct venue. What could have been a very upsetting experience was turned into a hugely positive one through their professionalism, empathy and willingness to help.

In a time when great customer service can be hard to find, Lucy and Nicky went above and beyond. They didn't just resolve a ticket issue; they helped save a very important day and ensured that a very meaningful experience can now go ahead.

A huge thank you to both of them and the Forestry Live team. Your kindness, understanding and outstanding customer service have not gone unnoticed.

Highly recommended.

I went to Wilverley Plain in the New Forest today thinking it would be busy on the hottest May day on record. On arrival I was shocked to see just 4! cars in the car park. I proceeded to the nearest parking information board. The prices were advertised but no payment machine. At the bottom it said the nearest payment machine was...THIS CAR PARK. I wandered around the car park but no payment machine. I then went on Ringo but had no data signal. I rang the number provided....still no signal. Oh dear Forestry England. Maybe you don't want visitors altogether. No visitors = no trade. You've shot yourselves in the foot this time.

Book tickets for mcfly at Thetford next year for a family Christmas present, paid for the refund your ticket upgrade. Since found out my son is away on a school trip and we are out of the country as a result, went to arrange refund, been told it’s not a good enough reason? Really disappointing service.

Went to the Halloween Night in Moors Valley... It has to be the most EXPENSIVE DISAPPOINTMENT I've ever had after a my car broke down, then returned to dealership, only 9 days after purchase. OVERPRICED TAT. I can do 10x better for half the price and still make a profit after giving away fre marshmallows and hot chocolate.. THIS KIND OF EVENT SHOULD BE BANNED FOR FALSE ADVERTISING AND BEING A RIP OFF!

If I could give it zero stars I would, Hangs, doesn't update, 2 hours of trying to buy tickets for a Halloween event and no closer. How these people expect to make money and sell tickets with this website I don't know. it's a shame as the events are good - but good luck getting a ticket. Horrible experience. :(

Just went to rejoin FE for another year at my local forest and was shocked at the now nationwide joining fee. What a shame for an organisation linked and with a remit for creating healthy outdoor persuits. Have been a member with FE for over 8 years in which time I have seen pricing structures change making it less and less affordable for the average single person. Went from two sites combined at a reasonable cost to the one site only, with site specific and choices given to join other sites independently to now a nationwide site cost. I have one forest and one forest only I visit for dog walking, £90+ a year. Sorry FE you've just lost another customer or maybe I should join the queues of people parking on the hard shoulder to avoid excessive charges and the contracted out parking company with the newly installed ANPR cameras!

Absolutely shocking. What a joke and I will see these people in a court of law. For anyone reading this. I'd urge you to spend your money booking tickets within a venue that has experience in the field of event management.

Elbow and support acts were tremendous and a wonderful occasion at Westonbirt. The whole experience was marred by traffic and parking management (again). We stayed in Tetbury for the evening - six minutes away. On arrival, despite having very expensive VIP tickets, we were directed to park north of the venue and then walk 30 minutes to the stadium. Extremely hot that evening and no water stations were provided - so by the time we reached the gate all our water supplies had been opened and therefore would not be allowed in the venue! Unkind and illogical. On leaving, we faced the 30 min walk back to our parking area only be held up crossing traffic coming from a car park south of ours and nearer the venue! Illogical. And then, on leaving the car park, we were forced to take a long detour through country roads and were not allowed to join a closer road leading back to Tetbury. Our six minute journey therefore took 45mins. After midnight back in the hotel. Please could the organisers pay attention to the reviews. If you wish arrivals from the north to park north of the venue, and vice versa for the those arriving from the south then stick to it on departure and don't let traffic cross. Please, Please, Please don't spoil the entertainment with such frustrating and poorly thought through logistics.

Pleasantly surprised by the car park for Paul Heaton at Westonbirt. On previous concert visits, the walk was long and mostly in the dark. However, somehow managed to park 5 min walk away and easy exit. Paul Heaton and Billy Bragg were brilliant.
However, if you are going to charge £10 to park, at least have a way of checking. Didn’t need to pay as no one checked, many people will just turn up next time and not pay. TOILETS, way, way too few, causing ridiculous queues and a few arguments!

5 Stars for Sting
It took longer to get into the car park than driving from Swindon to Tetbury. (stop start for about the last 2 miles).
We paid £10 for parking but nobody checked.
20 odd minutes each way from parking to venue!!
We also missed the first act and caught 15 minutes of Imelda May.
We have attended most years for over a decade, this is the worst parking ever.
Very poorly organised, must do better.

Took an absolute age to get into the venue we had allowed what we considered enough time
Missed the first act and only saw a bit of the second act
Sting was excellent thoroughly enjoyed
We paid for parking but no one checked
VIP was a joke the bar was slow and did not have much variety limited stock
Who wants flavoured carling lager and food mediocre and long wait
We have been attending Westonbirt for many years but this was a complete rip off and our worst experience
Getting out was a nightmare
The long walk to and from the carparks were not exactly fun for an angina suffer!!!

Clearly the organisers or “Forestry England” don’t read these reviews or are making so much money that they simply don’t care. Attended James at Thetford
• Badly managed traffic system. No right turn towards Thetford on exit, with no signage to advise where to go resulted in hundreds of cars driving around clearly following sat navs telling them to go back the way that was blocked. Shambolic.
• £65 ticket pricing that limit where you can actually stand. So if you want tyo get near the stage you will need to spend over £100 – yes £100.
• Strict restrictions on drink that can be brought in, with security that are very keen to enforce it….why, well read on
• 187ml can of “Most Wanted Wine” that’s not well chilled, £8.50. RRP of £2.25, so you can bet these cost £1 at the most. We’re not wine snobs, but I wouldn’t use it to cook with.
• Insufficient toilets. 10 mins to queue for a urinal.
Overall, a badly organised rip off.