photo by Jesse Glazzard
We are Camp Trans CIC.
We are a muddy, sunny, joy-filled camping festival inspired by radicals in communion, filled with art performances in the sun, workshops in fields, readings in the woods, bonfires under stars, jumping in lakes, swimming in the rain, climbing of trees, celebration, reflection, rest, new connections, deep friendships, and honest love.
The word ‘utopia’ was used a lot and I can't think of a better word for it
We are made by and for people who are trans, non-binary, intersex and gender non-conforming, together we create healing and nurturing spaces within the contexts of nature, art, and community.
A surreal, dream-like pocket in time and space.
This year’s camp takes place in South Wales on 18th-21st of September.
We look forward to welcoming you to Camp Trans Festival 2025!
A magical week that was immensely healing, I had a permanent grin on my face.
We were inspired by the annual protest demonstration and event held outside the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival from the late 1990s, galvanised by trans-activist figures including Leslie Feinberg and Riki Ann Wilchins. Read Imogen Binnie's essay and Michelle Tea's essay.
Site Information / Facilities
Toilets: There are 5 toilets near the main building, 3 compost loos by the general campsite.
Showers: The showers are located by the general campsite. There is one small step leading up to them.
Swimming: The property features three ponds, with one being used for swimming. Swimming is only permitted when a lifeguard is present.
Bar: There will be a small bar run by the venue, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic options including kombucha, alcohol-free beer, natural wine, beer, cider. Please also see our alcohol/drug policy in our Code of Conduct.
Rain Coverage: There are plenty of covered and indoor areas on the premises.
Bell Tents: There are 15 bell tents on the site, which each accommodate up to 4 people. They come with mattresses, matting, lights, and a table for £200 per tent.
Parking: There is parking available.
Vendors and food
Farm Food Stall
Serving fresh produce directly from the farm.
Breakfast. Potential menu: breakfast baps with sausage, cheese, hash browns, and egg, as well as plant-based and gluten-free options.
Lunch. Potential menu: farm-made beef or hogget burgers with the choice of sides or loaded fries (topped with cheese, jalapeños, and crispy onions).
Dinner. Potential menu: Farm meat-based stew or curry, with plant-based options also available.
The vendor aims to cater to dietary needs and preferences, ensuring a pleasant and inclusive experience for everyone. If you have specific dietary concerns or questions, please contact us ahead of time.
Allergen information from our food vendors will be provided prior to the event.
More TBA
Groceries and Restaurants
The nearest restaurant is 40 minutes walk from the site. The grocery shops are around the closest train station. The train station is 2 hours walk from the camp. 36 minutes on a bike, and 11 minutes by car.
Welfare and Safety
Camp Trans Festival is an event for trans+ people, by trans+ people. All forms of aggression or abuse will not be tolerated, including but not limited to racism, colourism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, wh*rephobia, fatphobia, ableism and classism. Please ask, and don’t assume the pronouns of attendees.
We will have welfare, security, and medical staff on-site.
The welfare area is a space for you to consider your feelings and needs, and maybe offer yourself a pause/reset. Please feel welcome to come to the welfare area with anything that’s on your mind, whether a celebration, something that feels tricky, or the need for a moment of calm. They are there to hold a space for you to sit with them on your own, or together with them.
Accessibility
Introduction
Camp Trans is a relatively small camp for 250 attendees and staff. There is a lake in which attendees can swim in, a campfire and many opportunities for socialising with the Camp Trans community. Attendees are expected to organise their own tents and sleeping arrangements. There are vendors to buy food from. Attendees are expected to cater for themselves or buy food from vendors.
This is the third year, and we aim to continue to grow and change to accommodate the different needs of people in the trans community. We are always interested in hearing suggestions of how we can make Camp Trans more accessible. The aim of this description is to be clear about the layout of the camp so that attendees can make an informed decision about whether Camp Trans matches their access needs, but if there is something preventing you from attending, please let us know as we may be able to organise further adaptations.
We aim to update the access information as we approach the festival date. Some aspects of creating an accessible space may be confirmed closer to the time, as we are adapting to attendees' needs.
There will be an accessibility team, consisting of an accessibility supervisor, and stewards able to assist during the camp.
Accessibility form: HERE
Site Map
Site Description
Paths link the main areas of the site. The path is sand and gravel of uneven-sized stones. Parts of the path will get muddy if it rains. The fields for camping will be freshly cut and level.
The area outside the Sleeve is grassy.
The area between the Sleeve and the Dutchie is cement and flat. A broad path connects the two buildings. There are plenty of seating areas inside and around the main buildings. The lighting is low. The Dutchie has two levels with step access to the upper floor.
There are four steps up to the main house lawn.
We have a small dedicated accessible camping area closer to the main buildings.
The Ton is a further walk away. There is grass around the building. The floor inside is flat and made of cement.
We might be able to hire ramps and trackways for accessibility.
Facilities
The toilets, sinks and showers near the general campsite have 2-3 step access with air between them.
The toilets near the main building have three-step access and a seating area outside.
We might be able to hire accessible showers and toilets, please let us know by filling out the access form.
The Sauna has 1 large step access and a small doorway. The swimming pond and sauna are at the end of a slope.
Other facilities
We will be able to provide a secure cold fridge to store medication.
Electric power supply is available in the main buildings.
We can possibly provide a quiet space with stim, and provide earbuds and noise-reducing ear covers.
Parking
The area closest to the site is designated accessible parking. Please let us know if you would like assistance carrying your kit from your car to the campsite. We will happily arrange for a steward to help you.
Accessible campervans
If you want to attend in a campervan, please let us know in advance using the Access form. We might have limited capacity for campervans.
Personal assistant
Personal assistant (PA) and companion tickets are available free of charge upon request. Companion/PA. Please fill out the access form to request a PA ticket.
We will ask for one of the following:
- The Access Card or equivalent
- A DLA/AA/PIP award letter
- Blue Badge
- d/Deaf or Blind registration
We can then offer a free ticket for a carer.
d/Deaf attendees
If your attendance requires BSL interpretation, please get in touch using the Access form.
Assistant Dogs
The venue allows assistance dogs.
Contact Information
Accessibility form: HERE
If you require a BSL interpreter, ramps, step-free access to toilets and showers, or any other accommodations for your attendance, please get in touch as soon as possible so that we can provide the necessary support.
Email: camptransfest@gmail.com
Please note that ticket pre-sales will begin on 4th April at 12pm.
We have limited resources due to financial restrictions but will do our best to cater to access needs.
Getting There
The exact location will be revealed to ticket holders a week before the event.
By car: There are plenty of free parking spaces. The site is 1 hour from Bristol, Swansea and Cardiff, 2 hours from Birmingham, and 3 hours drive from Central London, Manchester and Liverpool.
By public transport: The closest train station has some step-free access. There are no buses linking the campsite with the station.
- From Cardiff: 40 minutes to the site's closest train station, zero changes.
- From Bristol: 58 minutes to the site's closest train station, with one change in Newport.
- From London: 3 hrs to the site's closest train station, with one change in Newport.
- From Liverpool: 3 hrs to the site's closest train station, with one change in Chester or Crewe.
The site's train station is 2 hours walk from the camp. 36 minutes on a bike, and 11 minutes by car.
Code Of Conduct
Camp Trans is an event for trans+ people, by trans people. All forms of aggression or abuse will not be tolerated, included but not limited to racism, colourism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, wh*rephobia, fatphobia, ableism and classism. Please ask, and don’t assume the pronouns of anyone.
Entry
Camp Trans is an 18+ event. All attendees of Camp Trans must bring a form of photo ID along with their ticket to gain entry. We understand that ID’s may show a previous name, attendees are welcome to cover any information that they do not want organisers to know (we just need to see date of birth and the photo). If you do not have a form of photo ID, please speak to the organisers. We strongly advise that all attendees take a Covid test before arriving at Camp Trans.
You will not be searched on arrival at Camp Trans, but please note that the following items are not permitted at Camp;
- Weapons
- Fireworks
- Glass bottles
Medical Emergencies
By buying a ticket to Camp Trans, you consent to staff contacting an ambulance should we believe you need emergency medical assistance.
Please do inform the team if you have any medical conditions that they will need to be aware of.
Alcohol/Drug Policy
The general campsite, accessibility campsite and swimming pond area will be sober areas, meaning we ask you not to drink alcohol in these areas.
It is possible to purchase alcohol at the bar in the Dutchie. You can also bring your own alcohol and consume it in/around the main buildings. Please do not bring over 12 cans of alcohol.
Please do not drink out of glass cups or glass bottles - we encourage you to bring your own reusable plastic drinking bottles/cups. Remember to drink water and stay hydrated.
Please do not swim unless you are sober.
We will not take any disciplinary action if drugs or alcohol are consumed at camp, and we encourage you to practise harm reduction around your substance use. Please feel welcome to check in with Welfare if you’d like any advice about this. Please be mindful about your conduct around others if under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
If you need medical, emotional or any other support under the influence, you can safely disclose this to our team. We just ask that all attendees be mindful of sober members of the community. Our welfare workers are trained and happy to support you with anything that comes up around substance use at any point during the festival.
Dogs
We unfortunately cannot allow dogs at the venue, since there already are five dogs belonging to the venue.
Privacy Policy
Please be aware that not all attendees of Camp Trans will be ‘out’ and activities at Camp Trans should be kept confidential. Please do not take photos or videos of other attendees without their explicit consent.
The address of Camp Trans is confidential and is only given to attendees. Please ensure to not ‘doxx’ the location of the event on social media to protect the event and attendees.
Fire Safety
Attendees at Camp Trans are not permitted to start their own fires. The bonfire will be available to enjoy under the supervision of Camp Trans staff and volunteers.
Rubbish
Please be sure to pick up your own rubbish and dispose of it in the bins provided.
Breaches of Code of Conduct
The code of conduct is in place to ensure the safety and ‘good-time’ of everyone at Camp Trans. Breaches of the code of conduct will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Serious breaches may result in you being asked to leave the site.
All attendees are expected to read the terms of the code of conduct. Ignorance of the rules will not be accepted as justification for breaches.