Loxwood Joust 2026 runs across six dates in August, but the booking decision is now urgent: the organiser says every Saturday is sold out and only limited Sunday tickets remain. At the current online prices, two adults and two children pay £87 for admission and one parking pass, before food or optional activities. That full cost, and the need to reserve parking before travelling, should decide whether this is the right family day out.
The short verdict is that Loxwood offers a full 10am to 6pm festival day rather than a single arena show. It makes most sense for school-age children and teenagers who will watch the two daily jousts, follow the characters and use enough of the included entertainment to justify the price. Families wanting a brief medieval attraction may find the cost harder to defend. For more choices across the six-week break, compare it with the wider Summer Holidays in West Sussex 2026 guide.
Loxwood Joust 2026 key information
Key Information
Do not turn up hoping to buy admission at the gate. The organiser says no additional tickets will be sold on the day, and current tickets cannot be exchanged between dates because dates have sold out.
What Loxwood Joust costs for a family
The current ticket bands are simple, but the family total rises quickly. The organiser does not list a discounted family ticket, so calculate the complete cost before booking.
| Booking | Admission | Parking | Total before food and extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| One adult and one child | £41 | £5 | £46 |
| One adult and two children | £50 | £5 | £55 |
| Two adults, one child and one under-four | £73 | £5 | £78 |
| Two adults and two children | £82 | £5 | £87 |
If that total is beyond this week’s budget, the free summer holiday activities in West Sussex article has confirmed alternatives that cost nothing to attend.
Adult tickets cover ages 15 and over. Child tickets are for ages 4 to 14, while children under four enter free. Eligible carers can buy a £10 day ticket when accompanying a guest with a full-price ticket, but proof is required at the gate. The organiser accepts an Access Card with a +1 symbol or current PIP/DLA documentation.
The official shop contains some lower-priced products labelled “old” or “Copy”. These are stale listings, not the current price basis for this guide. Use the current adult, child and carer products on the official day-pass page.
What the day pass includes
General admission covers a full day in the festival realm, with live jousting twice daily, music, characters, quests and activities spread across the meadow and woodland. The organiser also lists battles, falconry, jesters, dragon shows, face painting, archery, sword school and workshops, although the programme can change.
The important distinction is between the main festival entertainment and separately bookable experiences. The ticket shop sells selected workshops, training and banquet experiences in addition to admission. Families should treat those as optional extras and check the shop before promising a particular paid activity to a child.
The event is deliberately theatrical rather than a strict historical reconstruction. Children can meet recurring characters and join the story as well as watch arena action. Families primarily interested in real castles and documented history may get more value from the best castles and historic days out in West Sussex. Loxwood is the better choice when participation and spectacle matter more than museum-style interpretation.
Which ages will enjoy it most?
The organiser does not publish one ideal age, so any precise “best for ages 7+” claim would be invented. Based on the advertised programme, Loxwood has the clearest value for primary-school children, older children and teenagers who can follow the day’s story, sit through arena shows and take part in activities.
Under-fours enter free and can enjoy the colour and characters, but that does not mean every young child will find the day easy. Horses, drums, cheering crowds and combat displays can be loud. The site is also a natural meadow and woodland rather than a compact attraction with indoor rest areas. Parents of noise-sensitive children should consider ear defenders and a clear plan for stepping away from the busiest action.
Teenagers who like fantasy, performance, costumes or live combat should have more to engage with than at a standard heritage visit. The county-wide guide to things to do with teenagers in West Sussex has alternatives if a full day of medieval theatre is not their thing.
Top tip: choose Loxwood for a child who wants to join the story, not simply look at displays. Arrive near opening time so the family can learn the layout before the first large arena crowd forms.
Getting there
By car
Loxwood Meadow sits on the B2133 between Loxwood and Wisborough Green, with the event postcode RH14 0AL. The car park is limited and every car needs a £5 advance parking pass. Motorbikes park free.
Buy parking at the same time as admission through the official parking page. A ticket for the event does not automatically reserve a space for the car. The natural ground also means footwear suitable for a field is sensible, particularly after rain.
By shuttle bus
The organiser runs prebooked shuttles between the event and both Horsham and Guildford railway stations. Each selected journey costs £6, and the booking form asks for a date, departure point and departure time. Book the outward and return selections you need rather than assuming one £6 choice is a return ticket.
The current Horsham shuttle booking page lists departures at 9am, 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 3.15pm, 4.15pm, 5.15pm and 6.15pm, using Stop K at Horsham station. The Guildford service uses the Rail Airbus Stop and has its own timetable. Seats are limited, so check the live options before buying train tickets.
Horsham is also a useful base if Loxwood forms part of a longer weekend. The Horsham town guide covers the town’s current events and practical visitor information.
By train
The organiser identifies Billingshurst as the nearest station, but it does not operate the event shuttle from there. Unless a taxi is booked in advance, the clearer public-transport plan is a train to Horsham or Guildford followed by the reserved event shuttle. The organiser warns that app-based taxis rarely serve this rural area reliably, so do not leave the final connection to chance.
Food, picnics and payment
Food traders are expected to offer vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free choices. Visitors can bring their own food, but there is no dedicated picnic area within the event. The organiser allows visitors to return to their vehicle to eat and ask for a re-entry stamp at the gate.
Outside alcohol is not allowed within the festival grounds, and glass bottles are prohibited. Some traders take cards, but not all. Cashback is available at the entrance, so carrying some cash is the safer option.
Packing a simple lunch can keep the family total close to the ticket-and-parking figure. Buying meals, drinks and separately ticketed activities on site will make the day substantially more expensive, even though the main shows are included in admission.
Accessibility, weather and dogs
The event provides accessible parking, pathways and toilets. However, the venue remains a natural meadow and woodland, and wet weather can make movement more difficult. Anyone who needs detailed access reassurance should contact the organiser before booking rather than relying on the word “accessible” alone.
Loxwood Joust continues in rain, with updates expected only for rare severe weather. Large umbrellas, personal gazebos and tents are not permitted because they block other visitors’ views. Waterproof layers, sun protection and field-friendly footwear cover the most likely conditions without creating an obstruction.
Assistant and service dogs are welcome. Other well-behaved dogs can attend on leads if they are comfortable around horses, drums and loud noises. For many dogs, that combination will be stressful, so permission to bring one is not the same as a recommendation.
For quieter options where a dog is the main planning consideration, use the dog-friendly days out in West Sussex guide.
What to book and bring
Before leaving home, check these five things:
- Admission is confirmed for the correct Sunday.
- A £5 parking pass is attached to the booking if travelling by car.
- Both shuttle journeys are reserved if travelling through Horsham or Guildford.
- The ticket PDF is available on a charged phone with its QR code visible.
- The family has waterproofs, suitable footwear, water, some cash and any sensory aids a child may need.
Real and bladed weapons are prohibited. Replica swords must stay sheathed, while foam, wooden and plastic props are allowed when used responsibly. Dressing up is optional.
Frequently asked questions
Is Loxwood Joust 2026 sold out?
All Saturday dates are sold out. The organiser said on 27 July that Sunday tickets had limited availability and that no extra tickets would be sold on the door. Check the official booking page before travelling because availability can change.
How much are Loxwood Joust 2026 tickets?
Current online prices are £32 for adults aged 15 and over, £9 for children aged 4 to 14 and £10 for eligible carers. Children under four enter free. A parking pass costs another £5 per car.
Do I need to book parking for Loxwood Joust?
Yes. Parking is limited and cars need a £5 pass booked in advance. Motorbikes park free. Do not drive to the event without confirming both admission and parking.
What age is Loxwood Joust suitable for?
There is no official recommended age. The event offers the clearest value for school-age children and teenagers who can follow the story and enjoy arena shows. Younger children may enjoy the characters, but horses, drums and crowds can be intense for noise-sensitive visitors.
Can I take food and a dog to Loxwood Joust?
Visitors may bring food, although there is no dedicated picnic area inside. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on leads if they are comfortable around horses, drums and loud noises. Assistant and service dogs are welcome.