Now in its ninth edition and approaching its 10-year milestone, Festival on The Close has built a reputation for bringing world-class performers to the historic grounds of Rugby School — all in support of The Bradby Club, the local charity empowering young people in our community. The 2026 line-up is the biggest yet, with headline performances, intimate chamber concerts, family activities and outdoor staging spread across six days and multiple venues including The Tandem Outdoor Arena.

If you’re travelling in for the festival — whether for a single Saturday-night headliner or the full six-day run — Apart Hotel Rugby is the closest serviced accommodation to The Close, with self check-in 24/7, kitchenettes in every room, and weekly rates that kick in automatically from 7 nights.

The Festival on the Close 2026 line-up

Discount tip: Festival organisers are offering 20% off all tickets with code BRADBY la ticketsource.co.uk/thefestivalontheclose. Pair that with our direct-booking code DIRECT (up to 25% off your room) for the best total cost.

Why Apart Hotel Rugby works for festival visitors

Festival evenings often finish late, and the last thing you want after a Sara Pascoe headline set is to drive 20 minutes back to a generic chain hotel. We’re a 10-minute stroll along Lawrence Sheriff Street — straight from The Close back to your apartment. Self check-in means you can arrive at any hour after a late finish (the door code is the last 4 digits of your reservation), and our kitchenettes mean you can make a proper coffee in the morning instead of queueing at a hotel breakfast buffet.

What you get in every room

• Aer condiționat in every room — important in late June when Rugby can hit 28°C+
• Kitchenette with induction hob — make breakfast, coffee, or a late-night snack after the show
• Premium Studio and Deluxe Apartment also have a full conventional oven and 3-in-1 microwave/oven/grill
• Free guest laundry on the first floor, 24/7 — useful if you’re staying for the full 6 days
• Free weekly housekeeping on stays of 7+ nights

Room types — pick what fits your trip

Getting to The Close from Apart Hotel Rugby

The Close is part of Rugby School, on Barby Road and Lawrence Sheriff Street. From our front door at 123 Railway Terrace, the walking route takes around 10 minutes:

• Head south down Railway Terrace toward the town centre
• Cross at the lights onto Albert Street, continuing onto Sheep Street
• Follow Lawrence Sheriff Street past the Rugby Art Gallery
• The Close entrance is on your left as you approach Barby Road

For evening performances at The Tandem Outdoor Arena, the same route applies. The walk is mostly lit and follows the main pedestrian routes through town — safe for late returns after the headline shows.

Parking during the festival

We have 6 on-site parking spaces available first-come-first-served, plus free street parking on Railway Terrace between 18:00 and 08:00. The festival will likely fill town-centre car parks on headliner nights — parking with us and walking to The Close avoids the queues to leave the school car park after the show.

Booking direct vs third-party sites

We’re listed on Booking.com, Airbnb and similar platforms, but booking directly with us is cheaper and gives you more flexibility:

• Up to 25% off with direct-booking code DIRECT at checkout
• Free 14-day cancellation as standard (vs the tight non-refundable rates often pushed on OTAs)
• Direct line to the property for any pre-arrival questions
• Best rates always honoured — we won’t be undercut by aggregators

The DIRECT code stacks with the festival’s own BRADBY 20% ticket discount — so a couple coming for two festival evenings could save meaningfully on the total trip cost.

Festival evenings: practical tips from a local hotel

Who Festival on the Close attracts

Based on past festivals, Festival on the Close draws a mix of:

• Local families coming for the Michael Rosen show and the children’s workshop programme
• Couples from Coventry, Leamington Spa, Northampton and across Warwickshire for the headline comedy and music nights
• Music enthusiasts travelling specifically for She’s Got Brass or Absolute Amy
• Festival staff, volunteers and performers on multi-night stays
• Rugby School alumni combining the festival with a nostalgic visit to The Close

If you’re travelling from further afield — London, Birmingham, Leicester — Rugby station is a 5-minute walk from Apart Hotel Rugby, with Avanti West Coast services bringing you in from Euston in around 50 minutes and from Birmingham New Street in around 35 minutes.

Festival on the Close 2026 runs 20-25 June at Rugby School. Tickets via ticketsource.co.uk/thefestivalontheclose (use code BRADBY for 20% off all tickets, supporting The Bradby Club charity).