Rock at the Castle
Rock at the Castle
Get ready to rock the Castle at the hugely popular, not to be missed, event of the season, which is back at Hertford Castle on Sunday 3rd August, 12 noon - 7pm, and this year will be celebrating it's 20th anniversary!
Set within the spectacular grounds of Hertford Castle, performances by local musicians will span across multiple stages featuring a wide range of music genres, suitable for all the family.
In celebration of it's 20th anniversary, this year's event will feature acts that have played in previous years, highlighting both the vibrancy and the legacy of the music scene in Hertford over the last twenty years. Plus! Due to the popularity of previous performers we will be providing opportunities for newer acts to fill our Island Stage, which this year will feature rap, hip hop and dance acts! A full line up will be added in due course.
As ever, we hope there will be something for everyone at Rock at the Castle and we look forward to an amazing anniversary celebration!
Musicians Application
To apply to perform at this year's Rock at the Castle please register with our online events booking system as follows:
- Click here to register.
- Once you have completed registration and submitted your details you will receive an email to confirm your email address, please click to confirm and then wait while we approve your account. Please ignore reference to trader/organisation name as this is a registration process for all.
- Following approval, you will receive an email inviting you to login with instructions on how to apply.
If you have already registered please login to apply as follows:
- Click here to login
- Click 'Rock at the Castle - Musician Application' form
- Complete the application form & click Submit
Please complete and submit you application by the deadline Monday 2nd June.
All applications will be reviewed, and the running order will be decided by the Rock at the Castle Committee.
If you have not been contacted by July, you have unfortunately been unsuccessful this year.
Chosen Charity
Rock at the Castle is a charity event and whilst entry is free, donations are welcome to a chosen charity. Over the 20 years it has been running, Rock at the Castle has helped raise over £50,000 for local charities, donated generously by those attending.
Hertford Town Council is once again offering the opportunity for local charities and organisations to apply to become the Rock at the Castle charity beneficiary for 2025. Applicants will need to meet the following criteria:
• Local or national registered charity, or similarly constituted body, with a strong presence in Hertford.
• Ability to demonstrate that its work and initiatives are of benefit to Hertford and the local community.
• The creativity and enthusiasm to maintain fund-raising.
• A sufficient number of volunteers to assist at the event itself to collect donations.
To apply please complete the following application form and returned to events@hertford.gov.uk by the deadline of Thursday 1st May.
Event Alcohol Policy
Visitors are limited to bringing no more than four cans of beer/cider/pre-mixed drinks or one bottle of wine (750ml max) on entry per person into the premises before 4 pm. No glass will be allowed on site; therefore any bottled wine or drinks will be decanted on entry.
Event Sponsors
Hertford Town Council would like to thank official event sponsor:
McMullens was founded in 1827 and since then have continued brewing in Hertford without a break. They have protected the company’s brewing history throughout that time by acquiring and investing in the public houses. To this day, the McMullen family remains firmly committed to their beers because they act as the ‘flag’ for their business. McMullens will be one of the main bar vendors at this year's Rock at the Castle, as well as the sponsor of the main stage.
For sponsorship opportunities please email events@hertford.gov.uk.
Event Information
Location
Hertford Castle, Castle Street, SG14 1HR
Entry information
The event is FREE of charge to attend. Donations welcome to the chosen charity.
The Castle grounds can be accessed by foot at any of the following pedestrian gates: Castle Street, St Andrew Street Car Park, Main Castle Gate off The Wash or through the Moat Garden on Castle Street.
Travelling to the Event
Hertford Town Council declared a Climate Emergency in July 2023 and has committed to taking action to protect human health and our natural world to the maximum extent its powers allow. We therefore encourage people to come to our events by public or active transport. The two Hertford railway stations, Hertford North and Hertford East, are a short walk from the Castle, and bus services are available to the Wash and Hertford bus station. Please visit National Rail for live train times and Intalink for bus routes.
Parking
Unfortunately, there is no public parking at Hertford Castle (including disabled) but there are a number of car parks close to the Castle. Please click here for more information and map.
Amenities
Toilets are located either side of the main lawn on the footpaths.
Accessible toilets & baby changing facilities are available inside the castle, please speak to a volunteer for access.
First aid will be provided by St John's Ambulance and will be located on the riverbank by the Ashley Webb shelter.
Dogs are welcome, however they must be kept on a lead at all times and we kindly ask that dog waste is picked up and put in the bins provided.
The nearest Changing Places toilet is located in the foyer area of BEAM, The Wash. There is step free access from the main entrance to the Changing Places. Please be advised that the Changing Places does not have a permanent attendant. For further information please get in touch HERE.