It’s showtime ... so let the fun begin!
Summer is in the air, so snap up tickets to one of these fab festivals
FUN ON TAP
Kelburn Garden Party, Ayrshire Bus-driving. rope bridges. Woodland mazes, drum circles, gingerbread houses. scotland’s artiest music festival is also its most family friendly (June 29- July2,k el burn garden party.
com. Weekend tickets £124 adults; £35 children). WHERE TO STAY: Camping is free and hot showers are available.
FAIRY FROLICS
Bearded Theory, Derbyshire ‘Fairy Folk & Forest Creatures’ is 2018’s costume theme at this enchanting musical knees-up.
Teenage pixies can learn to beatbox and spray-paint (May 24-27, bearded
theory.co.uk. Tickets £121). WHERE TO STAY: Camping included plus communal camp fire in the ‘healing area’ each evening.
ROCK ’N’ ROLL
Black Deer, Kent CusToM motorcycles, barbecues and americana music are the chief focuses here. as well as iron & Wine and Passenger, actor Kiefer sutherland’s band will play (June 22-24, black
deerfestival.com). Tickets £125. WHERE TO STAY: gypsy- style wagons (£1,600) and bell tents (from £550).
STEP BACK IN TIME
Chalke Valley History Festival, Wiltshire one of the two airworthy Lancaster bombers will fly over the Chalke at this daily Mail sponsored event. also promised are napoleonic encampments and a Forties fancy-dress party (June 25-July 1,
cvhf.org.uk. Free weekday entry; weekend £12.50 adults/£6 children; events £10-£15). WHERE TO STAY: at salisbury’s timber-framed old House B&B. From £80, theold-house.co.uk.
ECO GATHERING
The Green Gathering, Monmouthshire Beside a ruined country house, this Welsh eco-festival encourages attendees to live better.
solar-powered cinemas and pottery tutorials complement healing areas and alternative music ( august 2- 5, green
gathering.org.uk. Tickets £100). WHERE TO STAY: Pre-pitched tents for lazy campers (twoperson Pop ups from £60).
BEACH PARTY
Low Tide Events, Isles of Scilly during ‘spring tides’, a sandbar between Bryher and Tresco appears. Cue these pop- up parties: 90 minutes of crab rolls, rockpooling, gin and acoustic performers (July 15, august 13 & september 10, tresco.co.uk). WHERE TO STAY: on car-free Tresco at a beachfront Flying Boat Cottage, one week from £1,680.
OPERATICS
Glyndebourne, East Sussex ForMaL evening wear is requested at the uK’s preeminent opera programme, this year featuring Madama Butterfly. gorgeous gardens and south downs views enhance the bonhomie (May 19-august 26,
glyndebourne.com. dinner package £365pp including top tickets to two performances). WHERE TO STAY: in Lewes at chic guesthouse Montys. From £80, montysaccommodation.co.uk.
BOOKISH
Wimpole History Festival THe national Trust’s parklandflanked Wimpole estate hosts a weekend of debates and readings, plus sword schools and roman dress- up for juniors ( June 22- 24, wimpolehistory festival.com). events £10-£15.
WHERE TO STAY: Cambridge is close — try its georgian- era regent Hotel. From £108 B&B, regenthotel.co.uk.
FOODIE FAVOURITE
Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival, Suffolk More than 100 local producers congregate at snape Maltings, and two cookery demonstration stages will host chefs including Thomasina Miers. The world’s biggest combine harvester awaits kids ( sept 29- 30, aldeburgh foodanddrink. co. uk. Tickets £14, under-15s free). WHERE TO STAY: a sea-facing room at aldeburgh’s White Lion Hotel. rooms from £ 123, whitelion.co.uk.
SWEET TREAT
Hans Sloane Chocolate & Fine Food Festival, County Down norTHern irish physician sloane supposedly invented milk chocolate — hence this bi-annual affair in Killyleagh, his pretty castle-town birthplace (sept 1416, hanssloane.com. Chocolate workshop available). WHERE TO STAY: at Killyleagh’s dufferin Coaching inn. From £60 B&B, dufferincoachinginn.com.
SMART SET
Cornbury Music Festival, Oxfordshire PreviousLy attended by david Cameron, champagne- soaked ‘Poshstock’ is characterised by yoga sessions, farmers’ markets and clean loos. uB40 and alanis Morissette headline (July 13-15,
cornburyfestival.com. Weekend tickets £191 adults/£30 children). WHERE TO STAY: Bell tents from £510.