Whatton House

Whatton House is within easy reach of major transport hubs like East Midlands Airport (10 minutes’ drive) if you’re coming to Download from overseas, and East Midlands Parkway railway station (15 minutes). The campsite is also 15 minutes’ drive from Junction 24 of the MI motorway. Should you have time to spare from the full roster of bands at Download Festival, you might like to take a stroll around the 15-acre gardens at Whatton House, laid out in the late 19th century. Other inspiring gardens are found at Melbourne Hall and National Trust-owned Calke Abbey (both 20 minutes). If you’ve got the kids with you and you’re looking for a break from the festival hurly burly, they might like to see rare albino peacocks and follow the dinosaur trail at Manor Farm Park and Woodlands (15 minutes). Alternatively, you can all let off steam by having a bounce around at Jump Giants Loughborough Trampoline Park (25 minutes).