More Info
FOLK UNBOUND: THE GATHERING 6th-10th July 2026
What to expect
You will learn instrumental folk pieces as a group ensemble, taught by the tutors. We will be exploring ways of playing together and ways to join in even if you don’t know a tune. We’ll be encouraging some smaller group and solo work with the invitaion to share work and compositions with the larger group in a supportive and fun environment. We plan to do a mix of communal cooking in the evenings, and have someone on hand to make lunches in the day. We would love to make held space to talk about our experiences on the folk scene – good and bad! And there will be games, social and free time, optional walks in the surrounding countryside and maybe a pub visit.
Who is it for?
Anyone of a marginalised gender who wants to:
- Nurture their own musicianship
- Connect with other musicians
- Support and celebrate each other!
This is open to musicians who are able to join in with learning instrumental folk music on their own instrument as part of ensemble playing and solo. You don’t need to be a ‘folkie’; we welcome people to come and learn about (and co-create) this ever changing tradition with us!
Where is it?
We are lucky to have booked a small gem of a place just outside the village of Castleton in the Peak District. Castleton lies in the embrace of Mam Tor (mother hill), also known as the Shivering Mountain. We’re about a 20 minute flat walk out of the village, and accessible by car with plenty of parking spaces, buses from Sheffield and trains to local village Hope. The space has two large halls, a large equipped kitchen, and accessible shower room/toilet with ground floor facilities all step free. There are dorms with bunk beds, and space for camping and hard standing for camper vans.
“I felt like every level of skill had it’s place and was embraced. “
2025 participant
“I will take home the confidence that what I do is valuable and needs to be shared & also what I say is something people want to hear.”
2025 participant
How much is it?
There are 20 places available. All the prices below cover all food, accommodation and tuition for the week. Any extras (like alcohol/special treats) is up to you to provide! Everyone who applies is required to pay a £50 deposit. If for any reason you are unsuccessful, this will be refunded to you. If you are offered a place which you then cancel, the deposit will be non-refundable unless we are able to give your place to someone else. This is just to make sure that folks have really read and understood who this event is for and if it’s right for them before applying.
We’re offering a tiered pricing system so that we can subsidise some cheaper places for those who need them. We have limited spaces available for low income tickets, which will be allocated on a first come first served basis, providing you are successfully given a space on the course. Here’s what our tiered prices mean:
Low income ticket £275– ‘I have low income or I would select a concession rate for an event due to my personal circumstances’
Standard ticket £300– ‘I have access to a regular and stable income/savings or inheritance.’
Solidarity ticket £350– ‘I have the financial means to contribute towards making this event accessible for others’
If you would like to apply onto Folk Unbound: The Gathering 2026, please complete the form on the ‘Apply’ page and follow the on screen payment instructions that pop up at the end. The application process is just there to ensure we get people who have read and understood that this event is for marginalised genders only, and that they have understood that this is an instrumental folk camp.
Trans Inclusive By Design
Trans inclusion at Folk Unbound is intentional and active. We do not expect trans participants to educate others, advocate for themselves, or have to “fit in” to existing norms.
We aim to:
- Use correct names and pronouns consistently
- Avoid gendered assumptions in sessions and social spaces
- Respond thoughtfully and promptly to issues if they arise
- Foster a culture where care and accountability are shared
- Not assume or ask for emotional vulnerability or availability
Pronouns & names
We ask for names and pronouns during registration and respect them across all camp activities. You are welcome to update these at any time.
Toilets & facilities
All toilets available at the site are gender-neutral, which will be clearly signposted.
Accommodation
Accommodation options are arranged with care and flexibility. We do not assume gendered rooming preferences and will work with participants to meet access needs as best we can. The dorm rooms will be available on a first come, first served basis, and sharing a room between two or more participants is expected, but we don’t assign rooms to people and who you share with is up to you. The dorm building has a ground floor and an upstairs, so if you have mobility/access needs please let us know. There’s also plenty of outside space for tents and campervans (which might be a good choice if a personal, private space is particularly important to you).
Accessibility
We recognise that access needs vary and may include mobility, sensory, mental health, or fatigue considerations. We encourage participants to share access needs during registration so we can plan thoughtfully, and we have spaces available if participants need to step outside and take a break at any time.
Care, conflict & accountability
We have a clear policies on consent, safeguarding and wellbeing (linked below) and named organisers who can be contacted during the camp. Any concerns will be taken seriously and handled with care, discretion, and respect. We aim to address issues early and thoughtfully, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of those affected.
Read our Safeguarding & Wellbeing Policies
A living practice
We know we won’t get everything perfect. Folk Unbound is a living project, and we are committed to listening, reflecting, and improving, especially in response to feedback from trans participants.
