Editorial Policy
How WarnFestivals builds and reviews festival guides so you can plan with confidence and fewer surprises.
What this means in practice
WarnFestivals publishes experience-led festival guides designed to help people make confident decisions about tickets, travel, accommodation, and expectations — not just browse lineups.
We are an independent festival discovery and planning site. We are not a promoter, ticket seller, or official organiser. Our content is written independently with the goal of being genuinely helpful.
Our experience
WarnFestivals is run by Martin, a long-time festival fan who has been attending and following UK music festivals for over 30 years.
This experience dates back to the mid-1990s. The site was first launched in 2001 and continues to evolve as a practical planning resource.
What we aim to help you decide
Each guide is written with these core questions in mind:
- Is this festival actually right for me?
- What planning decisions make the biggest difference to the experience?
- What do first-time visitors commonly underestimate?
We go beyond headline announcements and focus on crowds, travel realities, accommodation, timing, and honest expectations.
How we use sources
We prioritise primary official sources for factual information, including festival organiser websites, official ticketing partners, and venue/travel guidance.
We also review recurring attendee feedback patterns from trusted platforms, focusing on consistent themes rather than individual opinions.
Balanced, not promotional
We do not present every festival as perfect for everyone. Where relevant, we clearly explain who a festival is best suited for — and who may find it challenging.
Updates and accuracy
We include a “Last updated” date on every guide. We clearly flag unconfirmed information and always recommend checking final details with the festival organiser before travelling.
Independence and objectivity
We are not paid by festivals to promote them. Inclusion on the site is not influenced by commercial relationships. Our priority is helping readers make informed decisions.
Commercial transparency
Some ticket, hotel, and travel links use affiliate tracking to help support the site. This never influences how we describe festivals. If a festival is logistically challenging or not suitable for certain audiences, we say so clearly.
Our use of AI tools
We use AI tools to assist with research and drafting. All content is reviewed, edited, and approved by Martin before publication. AI is a starting point — never the final product.
Why trust WarnFestivals?
- Experience: Over 30 years attending UK festivals
- Transparency: Clear disclosure of our process and funding
- Independence: Not owned by or tied to any promoter or ticketing company
- Helpful focus: We help you decide if a festival is right for you — not sell it to you
Feedback and corrections
We welcome corrections. If you spot something inaccurate or out of date, please contact us. A supporting official link is always helpful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you the official festival website?
No. WarnFestivals is an independent planning site. We link to official sources so you can verify details.
Who writes the guides?
Guides are written and edited by Martin. AI tools assist with research and drafting, but all content is reviewed and approved by him before publication.
Where does your information come from?
We use primary official sources for factual details — organiser websites, ticketing partners, venue and travel guidance. We also review recurring attendee feedback patterns to flag consistent real-world issues.
How often do you update guides?
When key information changes. Every guide includes a “Last updated” note so you can see when details were last checked against official sources.
Do affiliate links affect your recommendations?
No. Affiliate links help support the site but do not influence how we describe festivals.
Do you use AI to write content?
We use AI tools to assist with research and drafting. All content is reviewed and approved by Martin before publication — we do not publish AI output without editorial oversight.
Do you quote reviews from social media or forums?
We may summarise recurring themes, but we avoid treating single comments as representative. We focus on patterns that appear consistently.
How can I request a correction?
Use the site contact form to share the correction and, if possible, a supporting official link. We’ll review and update where appropriate.