All you need to know as Rag’n’Bone Man, James, The Script and Gary Barlow perform at High Lodge, Thetford Forest, this week

The ever-popular Forest Live concert series kicks off tonight at High Lodge, Santon Downham, near Thetford and Brandon.

Rag’n’Bone Man is on stage this evening, followed by James tomorrow, The Script on Friday and Gary Barlow on Saturday.

This year, there are some new rules about what you can and cannot take into the arena. And if you have never been to Forest Live, what can you expect? Read on for our round-up of essential information.

Directions

• High Lodge, Thetford Forest, is on the Norfolk/Suffolk border between Thetford and Brandon.
• Search for postcode IP27 0AF to find the quickest route.
• When you get close to the venue, turn your satnav off and follow the yellow event signage, as the event will use different car parks and entrances to normal.

Car parking

• Parking costs £10 per car in advance and spaces must be pre-booked (free for Forestry England members).
• Limited parking may be available on the day, costing £18.
• At the end of the night it may take more than an hour to exit the car parks due to the number of vehicles leaving at the same time.

Travel information

• The nearest train station is Brandon (Norwich to Cambridge line), six miles away.
• The nearest bus station is Thetford, seven miles away.
• Only pre-booked taxis will be allowed on site. Make sure you’ve considered your return journey before arriving and book in advance.
• Use the designated pick up point to meet your taxi or lift home – do not arrange to meet them on the main road.

Tickets

• Email confirmations are not tickets and will not be accepted.
• Show all e-tickets at the arena gates and any parking tickets on arrival at the car park as the QR codes will need to be scanned.
• There is limited phone signal in the forest, so download and save individual tickets before arrival.

What can I take?

• Only items that are essential. Bag searches will be carried out – the less you take the quicker it will be to enter the arena.
• Blankets and small folding chairs are permitted in the main arena and The Glade VIP area, but you cannot claim a spot with chairs or blankets and leave it unattended. Tables are not allowed.
• Picnics are welcome, but glass, metal cutlery and breakable crockery are not allowed in the arena.
• No more than one litre of soft or alcoholic drink is allowed per person, while all drinks must be in sealed and unopened cans only.
• Drinks in plastic/glass bottles, wine boxes, cartons or any other format are not permitted.
• A single sealed bottle of water is allowed per person.
• Empty refillable water bottles are allowed, but must be empty on arrival.

Other important information

• Concerts will go ahead regardless of the weather, except when it is deemed unsafe – suitable clothing and footwear for an outdoor event is recommended (bring something warm for later in the evening).
• No umbrellas are allowed in the arena.
• Bars and food outlets will accept card payments only.
• Professional photography is prohibited – tripods and cameras with detachable lenses are not allowed.
• The concert arena opens at about 5pm and concerts usually finish between 10.30pm-10.45pm.
• Last admission to the event is 9pm and those collecting tickets on the night should arrive by 8.45pm before the on-site ticket office closes.