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| Top 25 summer festivals for music and arts lovers, foodies and families | Top 25 summer festivals for music and arts lovers, foodies and families |
| (3 days later) | |
| Festival No 6, Gwynedd | Festival No 6, Gwynedd |
| 5-7 September, PortmeirionWeekend ticket £160, includes campingHeld in the picturesque village of Portmeirion, this unconventional festival features musical acts plus arts and cultural events in venues that include an Italian-inspired piazza, the Colonnade Gardens, the banks of the estuary and in the surrounding Tangle Woods. Accommodation options are equally varied: you can rough it in a tent or sleep in a four-poster in the castle. The lineup is excellent this year, featuring Beck and Neneh Cherry, but the real star is Portmeirion itself. | 5-7 September, PortmeirionWeekend ticket £160, includes campingHeld in the picturesque village of Portmeirion, this unconventional festival features musical acts plus arts and cultural events in venues that include an Italian-inspired piazza, the Colonnade Gardens, the banks of the estuary and in the surrounding Tangle Woods. Accommodation options are equally varied: you can rough it in a tent or sleep in a four-poster in the castle. The lineup is excellent this year, featuring Beck and Neneh Cherry, but the real star is Portmeirion itself. |
| Port Eliot, Cornwall | Port Eliot, Cornwall |
| 24-27 July, St GermansWeekend ticket £172.50, includes campingThe grounds of the Grade 1-listed house of Port Eliot make up a dream festival landscape; grassy pastures, fairytale woodland, stunning river views, winding mazes and walled gardens. One of the first festivals to combine a literary and musical lineup, Port Eliot is a charming experience, with talks inside the majestic house, a flower show in the gardens, a wardrobe department to get you in the mood, and Airstream and gypsy caravans to sleep in. Public Service Broadcasting are headlining, while Caught by the River and The Idler provide a diverse lineup of writers and thinkers. | 24-27 July, St GermansWeekend ticket £172.50, includes campingThe grounds of the Grade 1-listed house of Port Eliot make up a dream festival landscape; grassy pastures, fairytale woodland, stunning river views, winding mazes and walled gardens. One of the first festivals to combine a literary and musical lineup, Port Eliot is a charming experience, with talks inside the majestic house, a flower show in the gardens, a wardrobe department to get you in the mood, and Airstream and gypsy caravans to sleep in. Public Service Broadcasting are headlining, while Caught by the River and The Idler provide a diverse lineup of writers and thinkers. |
| Loopallu, Highland | Loopallu, Highland |
| 26-27 September, UllapoolWeekend ticket £80, includes campingOne of Scotland's best-kept secrets, Loopallu is held in the pretty fishing village of Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. It's an intimate, local affair, that still manages to enlist major headliners – including Mumford and Sons and Franz Ferdinand in the past – alongside up-and-coming Scottish talent. It has yet to announce the lineup for its 10th festival but this is one to book for the unique setting and atmosphere as much as the artists. | 26-27 September, UllapoolWeekend ticket £80, includes campingOne of Scotland's best-kept secrets, Loopallu is held in the pretty fishing village of Ullapool on the shores of Loch Broom. It's an intimate, local affair, that still manages to enlist major headliners – including Mumford and Sons and Franz Ferdinand in the past – alongside up-and-coming Scottish talent. It has yet to announce the lineup for its 10th festival but this is one to book for the unique setting and atmosphere as much as the artists. |
| Fire in the Mountain, Ceredigion | Fire in the Mountain, Ceredigion |
| 30 May-1 June, Cwmnewidion Isaf, Cnwch Coch, AberystwythWeekend ticket £95Set in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains, this is a not-for-profit organisation that puts on an annual sustainable festival, with funds going towards the renovation of the farm on which it is held. Local food businesses play a big part in the event and there's fresh pizza and bread served from the farm's traditional cob ovens. Join headliners jamming by the campfire after you've seen them on stage – listen out for Martha Tilston and The Scientists, Kidnap Alice and Theo Bard. | 30 May-1 June, Cwmnewidion Isaf, Cnwch Coch, AberystwythWeekend ticket £95Set in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains, this is a not-for-profit organisation that puts on an annual sustainable festival, with funds going towards the renovation of the farm on which it is held. Local food businesses play a big part in the event and there's fresh pizza and bread served from the farm's traditional cob ovens. Join headliners jamming by the campfire after you've seen them on stage – listen out for Martha Tilston and The Scientists, Kidnap Alice and Theo Bard. |
| FAMILY | FAMILY |
| 3Foot People, Essex | 3Foot People, Essex |
| 24-26 June, Hylands Park, Chelmsford Day ticket £8.50The organisers of the 3Foot People festival are experts at entertaining children under 5, with farmyard animals, giant sandpits and kids' workshops, as well as parenting advice areas and bottle-warming facilities to make life easier for carers. | 24-26 June, Hylands Park, Chelmsford Day ticket £8.50The organisers of the 3Foot People festival are experts at entertaining children under 5, with farmyard animals, giant sandpits and kids' workshops, as well as parenting advice areas and bottle-warming facilities to make life easier for carers. |
| Lollibop, Hertfordshire | Lollibop, Hertfordshire |
| 15-17 August, Hatfield HouseDay ticket £19.25The big bash for little people moves to Hatfield House this year, which is a stunning stately home surrounded by gardens. There will be music, arts and crafts, sporting activities and also nature talks for under 10s, along with the odd kids' TV character as "headliner".• lollibopfestival.co.uk | 15-17 August, Hatfield HouseDay ticket £19.25The big bash for little people moves to Hatfield House this year, which is a stunning stately home surrounded by gardens. There will be music, arts and crafts, sporting activities and also nature talks for under 10s, along with the odd kids' TV character as "headliner".• lollibopfestival.co.uk |
| Just So, Cheshire | Just So, Cheshire |
| 15– 17 August, Rode Hall ParklandWeekend ticket £100, includes campingRecapture the magic of childhood with woodland pillow-fights, bedsheet-fort building, and pirate training camps. Headliners Gabby Young and Other Animals are a treat for all ages. | 15– 17 August, Rode Hall ParklandWeekend ticket £100, includes campingRecapture the magic of childhood with woodland pillow-fights, bedsheet-fort building, and pirate training camps. Headliners Gabby Young and Other Animals are a treat for all ages. |
| Chilled in a Field, East Sussex | Chilled in a Field, East Sussex |
| 1-3 August, Bentley Wildfowl and Motor MuseumWeekend ticket £59.50This not-for-profit social enterprise makes good clean fun for families. From water fights to science workshops, it offers plenty for kids, as well as live music for adults at night. | 1-3 August, Bentley Wildfowl and Motor MuseumWeekend ticket £59.50This not-for-profit social enterprise makes good clean fun for families. From water fights to science workshops, it offers plenty for kids, as well as live music for adults at night. |
| NEW FESTIVALS | NEW FESTIVALS |
| The Summer House Weekend, Secret location | The Summer House Weekend, Secret location |
| 14-17 August£100 for those who book in advance, with a £50 low-income tierThis intimate festival started as a birthday party for a group of friends who knew each other from communities like Burning Man. All of the activities are focused on bringing people together, from speed-meeting to communal dinners; you're required to participate rather than spectate. The party on the Saturday night includes an erotic element with a playroom and BDSM area, so over 18s only. Wake up with an early-morning rave courtesy of Morning Glory, then relax with mindfulness and meditation workshops, lake swimming and wood-fired hot tubs. | 14-17 August£100 for those who book in advance, with a £50 low-income tierThis intimate festival started as a birthday party for a group of friends who knew each other from communities like Burning Man. All of the activities are focused on bringing people together, from speed-meeting to communal dinners; you're required to participate rather than spectate. The party on the Saturday night includes an erotic element with a playroom and BDSM area, so over 18s only. Wake up with an early-morning rave courtesy of Morning Glory, then relax with mindfulness and meditation workshops, lake swimming and wood-fired hot tubs. |
| Somersault, Devon | Somersault, Devon |
| 17– 21 July, Castle HillWeekend ticket £123.66New this year, Somersault aims to recapture the mood of an old-fashioned summer holiday. Surfers' favourite Jack Johnson is headlining, and there will be trips to nearby Woolacombe to catch the waves. Other activities and off-site excursions include horse riding, on-site rafting, moor running and mountain biking on nearby Exmoor. Campfire feasts will be overseen by Nathan Outlaw of the Ethicurean team. | 17– 21 July, Castle HillWeekend ticket £123.66New this year, Somersault aims to recapture the mood of an old-fashioned summer holiday. Surfers' favourite Jack Johnson is headlining, and there will be trips to nearby Woolacombe to catch the waves. Other activities and off-site excursions include horse riding, on-site rafting, moor running and mountain biking on nearby Exmoor. Campfire feasts will be overseen by Nathan Outlaw of the Ethicurean team. |
| Lunar, Warwickshire | Lunar, Warwickshire |
| 6-8 June, Umberslade EstateWeekend ticket £89The Lunar festival is back for its second year in the spiritual home of singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Sister to Moseley Folk festival, Lunar's line-up is refreshingly eclectic with the impressive Polyphonic Spree headlining this year. Away from the stages you'll find plenty of activities for all ages: bird spotting, yoga, foraging, sausage making, guerrilla knitting … and animal lovers will appreciate that Umberslade farm is on site and open to families. At night DJs take over the central bar while mini nightlubs pop up around the rest of the site. | 6-8 June, Umberslade EstateWeekend ticket £89The Lunar festival is back for its second year in the spiritual home of singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Sister to Moseley Folk festival, Lunar's line-up is refreshingly eclectic with the impressive Polyphonic Spree headlining this year. Away from the stages you'll find plenty of activities for all ages: bird spotting, yoga, foraging, sausage making, guerrilla knitting … and animal lovers will appreciate that Umberslade farm is on site and open to families. At night DJs take over the central bar while mini nightlubs pop up around the rest of the site. |
| Orchestival, Somerset | Orchestival, Somerset |
| 19-20 July, Bath and West showground, Shepton MalletWeekend ticket £100Orchestival is a groundbreaking venture featuring collaborations between world-class musicians such as Squarepusher and The Unthanks, the Philharmonia and theatre company Kneehigh. Conductor Charles Hazlewood plans to blur boundaries, defy genres and make symphonic music accessible to all. | 19-20 July, Bath and West showground, Shepton MalletWeekend ticket £100Orchestival is a groundbreaking venture featuring collaborations between world-class musicians such as Squarepusher and The Unthanks, the Philharmonia and theatre company Kneehigh. Conductor Charles Hazlewood plans to blur boundaries, defy genres and make symphonic music accessible to all. |
| FOODIE | FOODIE |
| Kendal Calling, Lake District | Kendal Calling, Lake District |
| 1-3 August, Lowther Deer ParkWeekend ticket £119Mainly a music festival, but one with the best sort of food, from posh burgers to vegan delicacies and a real ale festival. Kendal Calling is also home to the one-of-a-kind Tim Peaks diner, curated by The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess, who uses the venue to host intimate musical sessions and tout his own brand of cereal. | 1-3 August, Lowther Deer ParkWeekend ticket £119Mainly a music festival, but one with the best sort of food, from posh burgers to vegan delicacies and a real ale festival. Kendal Calling is also home to the one-of-a-kind Tim Peaks diner, curated by The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess, who uses the venue to host intimate musical sessions and tout his own brand of cereal. |
| Camp Bestival, Dorset | Camp Bestival, Dorset |
| 31 July-3 August, Lulworth CastleWeekend ticket £195 (kids free-£113), includes campingRob da Bank's Bestival was so successful that he created this little sister, the more genteel, family-orientated Camp Bestival. Now hugely successful in its own right, the festival is also gaining a foodie reputation, too. Its Feast Collective brings together independent chefs and foodmakers to create a unique, outdoor eating experience with communal tables, food demos, talks and tastings. Martin Morales, the chef behind London restaurant Ceviche, is food ambassador this year, while the rest of the collective includes The Cake Shop Bakery, Wholefood Heaven and the Knackered Mothers' Wine Club. Music headliners include Basement Jaxx, De La Soul and Johnny Marr. | |
| Feast in the Woods, Kent | Feast in the Woods, Kent |
| 24-26 May, secret woodland location near Pluckley/HothfieldWeekend ticket £50The rise of food banks and horse-meat scandals make a festival that looks at the importance of food in a social context hugely relevant. Food writer Guyrope Gourmet, who specialises in the art of eating well while camping, will be giving talks on the history of food riots and how communities mobilise around food rights. A communal meal on Saturday night is included in the ticket price and everyone barbecues together on the Sunday. Other highlights include juice and cider tastings and coffee sampling. | 24-26 May, secret woodland location near Pluckley/HothfieldWeekend ticket £50The rise of food banks and horse-meat scandals make a festival that looks at the importance of food in a social context hugely relevant. Food writer Guyrope Gourmet, who specialises in the art of eating well while camping, will be giving talks on the history of food riots and how communities mobilise around food rights. A communal meal on Saturday night is included in the ticket price and everyone barbecues together on the Sunday. Other highlights include juice and cider tastings and coffee sampling. |
| The Big Feastival, Oxfordshire | The Big Feastival, Oxfordshire |
| 29-31 August, Alex James's farm near KinghamWeekend ticket: £115With huge acts on both the food and music stages, Jamie Oliver and Alex James have produced a festival lineup to suit all appetites. Kelis, who recently took her own foodvan to SXSW, will be performing tracks from her new album, the appropriately named Food. There's street food from Big Apple Hot Dogs and Mother Clucker, artisan food markets and tips from experts such as Gizzi Erskine. | 29-31 August, Alex James's farm near KinghamWeekend ticket: £115With huge acts on both the food and music stages, Jamie Oliver and Alex James have produced a festival lineup to suit all appetites. Kelis, who recently took her own foodvan to SXSW, will be performing tracks from her new album, the appropriately named Food. There's street food from Big Apple Hot Dogs and Mother Clucker, artisan food markets and tips from experts such as Gizzi Erskine. |
| BRAINY | BRAINY |
| Also, Warwickshire | Also, Warwickshire |
| 21-22 June, Compton VerneyWeekend ticket £90, includes campingThe creative team behind cultural entertainment organisation Salon London makes debate and discussion the focus of its new festival in the Capability Brown-designed gardens of an 18th-century mansion. The theme for the first year is Speed, with a lineup featuring talks on "How to Age" and "How the speed of light was discovered by candlelight". But it's not all theory: the session on Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance will be accompanied by a long, countryside bike ride. | 21-22 June, Compton VerneyWeekend ticket £90, includes campingThe creative team behind cultural entertainment organisation Salon London makes debate and discussion the focus of its new festival in the Capability Brown-designed gardens of an 18th-century mansion. The theme for the first year is Speed, with a lineup featuring talks on "How to Age" and "How the speed of light was discovered by candlelight". But it's not all theory: the session on Zen and the art of bicycle maintenance will be accompanied by a long, countryside bike ride. |
| How the Light Gets In, Powys | How the Light Gets In, Powys |
| 22 May-1 June, Hay-on-Wye10 day pass £78Talks priced individuallyThe original intellectual festival, How the Light Gets In still manages to pack more than most brains can manage into 11 days of philosophy and music. The theme for 2014 is Heresy, Truth and the Future, which leaves scope for talks on everything from the big bang theory and black holes to morality and the selfie. Exceptional speakers such as Warren Ellis and Laurie Penny will appear alongside musical acts such as Emmy the Great and Moulettes. | 22 May-1 June, Hay-on-Wye10 day pass £78Talks priced individuallyThe original intellectual festival, How the Light Gets In still manages to pack more than most brains can manage into 11 days of philosophy and music. The theme for 2014 is Heresy, Truth and the Future, which leaves scope for talks on everything from the big bang theory and black holes to morality and the selfie. Exceptional speakers such as Warren Ellis and Laurie Penny will appear alongside musical acts such as Emmy the Great and Moulettes. |
| Wilderness, Oxfordshire | Wilderness, Oxfordshire |
| 7-10 August, Cornbury ParkWeekend ticket £151.50Previous attractions at this eclectic festival with a hedonistic vibe have included a lovely lakeside spa. This year, there's a whole programme devoted to literary arts and debating and it will include activities and events with smart organisations such as The School of Life and Guerilla Science joining writers and thinkers such as George Monbiot. The musical lineup, featuring London Grammar, is strong, too. | 7-10 August, Cornbury ParkWeekend ticket £151.50Previous attractions at this eclectic festival with a hedonistic vibe have included a lovely lakeside spa. This year, there's a whole programme devoted to literary arts and debating and it will include activities and events with smart organisations such as The School of Life and Guerilla Science joining writers and thinkers such as George Monbiot. The musical lineup, featuring London Grammar, is strong, too. |
| A Friend, a Book and a Garden: A festival of garden literature, West Sussex | A Friend, a Book and a Garden: A festival of garden literature, West Sussex |
| 21-22 June, Petworth House and ParkWeekend ticket £280Only in its second year, this paean to gardening will explore how the concepts of Eden and Arcadia continue to haunt our imagination. The walled gardens of the 17th-century Petworth House play host to the festival in a location that inspired JMW Turner. Speakers will include Anna Pavord on gardens in books, and Giles Waterfield on the garden in France that inspired his novel The Long Afternoon. | 21-22 June, Petworth House and ParkWeekend ticket £280Only in its second year, this paean to gardening will explore how the concepts of Eden and Arcadia continue to haunt our imagination. The walled gardens of the 17th-century Petworth House play host to the festival in a location that inspired JMW Turner. Speakers will include Anna Pavord on gardens in books, and Giles Waterfield on the garden in France that inspired his novel The Long Afternoon. |
| EUROPEAN | EUROPEAN |
| Salt, Norway | Salt, Norway |
| 29 August-1 September, Sandhornøya, south of BodøFree, but individual events are ticketedA new festival, Salt will explore arts, culture and the environment in a series of Arctic locations, starting this year with a beach on the mountainous island of Sandhornøya. This is a groundbreaking, leave-no-trace conceptual event inspired by the few remnants of Arctic culture archaeologists have found in the region, but focussing on the area's future in the light of climate change and untapped oil reserves. | |
| Exit, and Sea Dance , Serbia | Exit, and Sea Dance , Serbia |
| 10-13 July and 15-17 July, Novi Sad, VojvodinaExit Adventure ticket £90 Exit's fortress venue has helped establish it as one of the go-to European festivals, and in this, its 15th year, it's expanding to offer the Exit Adventure, which finishes with a new, three-day Sea Dance festival on the idyllic Jaz beach in Montenegro. Headliners include Damon Albarn and Disclosure. | 10-13 July and 15-17 July, Novi Sad, VojvodinaExit Adventure ticket £90 Exit's fortress venue has helped establish it as one of the go-to European festivals, and in this, its 15th year, it's expanding to offer the Exit Adventure, which finishes with a new, three-day Sea Dance festival on the idyllic Jaz beach in Montenegro. Headliners include Damon Albarn and Disclosure. |
| Body and Soul, Ireland | Body and Soul, Ireland |
| 20-22 June, Ballinlough Castle, County MeathWeekend ticket €139.50, includes campingCelebrating the summer solstice, the vibe here will inspire the imagination of older kids, as the castle grounds are turned into "realms' of an alternate universe. Young and Brave is the dedicated kids' area; Kings and Queens features acrobatics and performance. As the name implies, there's a focus on holistic health; headliners include Goldfrapp and John Grant. | 20-22 June, Ballinlough Castle, County MeathWeekend ticket €139.50, includes campingCelebrating the summer solstice, the vibe here will inspire the imagination of older kids, as the castle grounds are turned into "realms' of an alternate universe. Young and Brave is the dedicated kids' area; Kings and Queens features acrobatics and performance. As the name implies, there's a focus on holistic health; headliners include Goldfrapp and John Grant. |
| Way Out West, Sweden | Way Out West, Sweden |
| 7-9 August, GothenburgWeekend ticket £175Set in beautiful woodland at Slottsskogen park in Gothenburg, Way Out West is an environmentally-conscious festival that only serves vegetarian produce to reduce its carbon footprint. The quality and range of veggie options has made it as famous for its cuisine as its music; this year's lineup includes The National, Queens of the Stone Age and Janelle Monáe – all of whom, like everyone else on the site, will have to abide by the veggie-only food policy. | 7-9 August, GothenburgWeekend ticket £175Set in beautiful woodland at Slottsskogen park in Gothenburg, Way Out West is an environmentally-conscious festival that only serves vegetarian produce to reduce its carbon footprint. The quality and range of veggie options has made it as famous for its cuisine as its music; this year's lineup includes The National, Queens of the Stone Age and Janelle Monáe – all of whom, like everyone else on the site, will have to abide by the veggie-only food policy. |
| Unknown, Croatia | Unknown, Croatia |
| 8-12 September, RovinjWeekend ticket £129Perfect for extending your summer, Unknown is held next to the charming old town of Rovinj on the Croatian coast, where the sun should still be shining well into September. In its second year, the festival includes events on secluded private islands, as well as boat parties hosted by Resident Advisor and Hot Chip. Accommodation options include forest lodges overlooking the sea. | 8-12 September, RovinjWeekend ticket £129Perfect for extending your summer, Unknown is held next to the charming old town of Rovinj on the Croatian coast, where the sun should still be shining well into September. In its second year, the festival includes events on secluded private islands, as well as boat parties hosted by Resident Advisor and Hot Chip. Accommodation options include forest lodges overlooking the sea. |
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