Frequently Asked Questions
General FAQ’s
What is Duffield Arts Festival?
Duffield Arts Festival is an annual arts & crafts festival taking place every September in the Derbyshire village of Duffield, located just north of the city of Derby.
When does the festival take place?
Duffield Arts Festival takes place during September each year. The 2026 event, which will comprise of our 10th anniversary Scarecrow Trail, will take place on 16th-20th September 2026.
Does it cost to visit the festival?
There is no entry fee to visit Duffield Arts Festival (including the Scarecrow Trail) but some events such as ticketed events may incur an entry/booking cost.
The Scarecrow Trail is free to visit but if want to enjoy the full trail you can purchase a trail map at the event. These can be purchased from the Scarecrow Hub as well as certain retail outlets in the village.
How can I get to visit the festival?
Duffield is located approx five miles north of the City of Derby and is accessible via the main A6 road that runs through the village.
If you are coming by car then please enter postcode DE56 4EH into your sat nav. You can also use https://what3words.com/ample.monks.shaky
Car parking in Duffield is rather limited so we would recommend taking advantage of Duffield’s bus and train services.
Is there anywhere to stay in Duffield during the event?
Unfortunately there are no accommodation facilities available in Duffield, however if you do wish to make a stay local stay-over then there are a few local hotels and B&B’s located in our neighbouring villages as well as plenty of hotels available in the city of Derby.
Scarecrow Trail FAQ’s
Where can I buy a Scarecrow Trail map?
Scarecrow Trail maps are available to purchase from the Scarecrow Hub which will be located on Town Street in Duffield, as well as some retail outlets in and around the village.
How can I take part in the Scarecrow Trail?
If you live in Duffield or Hazelwood you can register to take part in the Scarecrow Trail. Simply submit your scarecrow entry via our registration form and we’ll be in touch to let you know about getting your scarecrow ready in due course.
How long does it take to do the full scarecrow trail?
The amount of time it takes to visit every scarecrow on the trail can vary from person to person. Most people will opt to walk their way round the trail and this could take up to a full day depending on how mobile you are. Whilst you are not obliged to do the full trail we highly recommend that you do in order to enjoy seeing all of the amazing scarecrows on display.
Some of the scarecrows on display will be located in the neighbouring village of Hazelwood, and you may wish to use a car to visit these.
Is the scarecrow trial suitable for disabled people?
The majority of the scarecrow trail is fully accessible, however there may be a small number of paths that disabled people could find difficult to negotiate. The location of each scarecrow is dictated by the individual makers. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that scarecrows are accessible Duffield Arts Festival can not be held responsible for any accessibility issues that may occur as the result of certain scarecrow locations.
Can I bring my dog with me to the scarecrow trail?
You certainly can bring your four-legged companion with you, but please ensure that they are well behaved and that you clean up any mess that they may create.
Is there anywhere to eat and drink on the scarecrow trail?
There are plenty of food and drink outlets situated in and around Duffield including pubs, takeaways and restaurants. There will also be a number of other food outlets run by some of our scarecrow makers with money raised at these outlets going to local charities.
Are there any public toilets?
Unfortunately there are no public toilet facilities available in Duffield, however facilities are available in the pubs located in the village. Please note your may be required to make a purchase in these establishments in order to use them. You could take this opportunity to break up your day and enjoy a relaxing drink before continuing with your time at the event.