Sticklebarn Ambleside reviews by real event-goers

Review of Octoberfest

Great weekend, queues at the bar were infuriating on Saturday but you cannot do anything about broken tech, was a shame as missed out trying to get served waited 40 mins one time, shame, but on rhe whole great.

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

The beer was of a dubious quality. Eg Bluebird bitter which is Never like that. My friends took beer back to Lanty Slee bar . Barman agreed it was horrible replaced it but continued to serve. I will not go to a beer fest again where the brewers are not there to serve their beer

Review of Octoberfest

We were there on Friday and Saturday....quite a different vibe on each night but both were fun and friendly. The bar was very impressive- we didn't manage to sample every one of the beers but we found some new favourites. Staff all very helpful.
We enjoyed most of the acts we saw - highlights for me Riot Jazz, Undercover Hippy, Thieving Magpies, Matt Carlin and Meetwood Flac.
Downside was the loos. Didn't mind the mud! All part of the festy fun. Please do it again next year....we want to bring our friends!

Review of Octoberfest

beer tokens or cash in seperate tents...Just have one system please

Review of Octoberfest

Didn't know that locals were allowed in free so bought tick*ts in advance. They knew who I am but took the money anyway. Noise and light pollution was terrible and prices were not value for money.

Review of Octoberfest

Thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. We hope it continues for many years

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

The music and the atmosphere of the festival was great but the organisation and the information shared before hand left much to be desired.

A lot of room for improvement. But I would return.

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Very disappointing, very expensive, £200 for 4 tick*ts then £11 a drink, totally overrated.

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Review of Octoberfest

Got early bird tick*ts which worked well. Music was great on Thursday and Saturday night. 'Thieving Magpies' and 'Face the West' and especially Meetwood Flac, who stole the show.

Friday night music not so good and atmosphere a bit 'agro' on Friday night partly because a few people had obviously been drinking for a long time and were all over the place. I didn't think Riot Jazz played music to get people dancing and were a bit too 'towny' for the venue.

Please look up https://www.atomicbrass.com/. I saw these a while ago in Kendal and they would really suit this festival.

Food was good. The workshop initially mentioned were not really advertised well at all. Maybe include a few guided walks/ MTB rides as you are in Langdale after all. Could do different levels and walks that include other local pubs like ODG, Wainwrights, Brittania inn. if not possible, then have a section on the website with suggestions of walks/ rides for people. could have day time talks from local outdoors people on things like walking, climbing, wild swimming.

Overall, a good first festival, just need to decide what you want to be and who you want to attract, as towny bands mixed with foraging walks are a weird combo. The festival needs a clearer identity. You are based in an iconic valley which attracts outdoor people, so capitalise on that. Also, apart from the title 'Octoberfest' and the effort people made on Saturday night with fancy dress, this was not like a Bavarian Octoberfest at all. Your video showed Beer steins but there was not one in sight. Usually bar staff are dressed up at an Octoberfest but even on Saturday night when punters were, non of the staff were dressed up.

You are in a great venue, just decide whether you want to attract people who will sit at their vans and drink all day until the music comes on or people who love the area, will get out for a walk in the day, add to the local economy and want to have a dance and a laugh in the evening.

Review of Octoberfest