‘The British have a spirit of adventure, a desire to try new things and pursue their passion projects’
CANTILENA FESTIVAL, ISLAY, INNER HEBRIDES
Head to Islay in the Inner Hebrides for a potent combination of chamber music and whisky. As well as taking the opportunity to visit the 25-milelong island’s numerous distilleries, take in performances of Bach and Vivaldi from Cantilena’s professional musicians and students of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. A tasting at the Islay House hotel led by whisky expert Martine Nouet will pair malt whiskies with classical music.
July 7-12; venues across Islay; cantilenafestival.co.uk
TEWKESBURY MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
In 1984, a small group of eccentrics decided they were going to re-enact the Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place in 1471. Fast forward 35 years and it’s now the biggest event of its kind, attracting more than 2,000 gallant soldiers from all over Europe for a weekend of (fake) bloodshed. An array of medieval-style market stalls, fortune tellers, falconry displays and food stalls will also be on offer.
July 13-14, Tewkesbury Town Centre, Gloucestershire; free entrance; camping available; tewkesburymedievalfestival.org
DORSET MOON, DORSET
Touring Sherborne Abbey (July 5-7) and Nothe Fort in Weymouth (July 12-14) this month, is Luke Jerram’s acclaimed
Museum of the Moon sculpture. Measuring seven metres in diameter, Jerram’s moon features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. It is accompanied by an arts festival comprising of a series of lunar-inspired events. Installations and performances include Laura Reid’s Celestial Bodies, heard through silent-disco-style headsets, and Ra Zamora’s Call of the Wild sound installation.
Selected dates until July 14; Abbey Close, Sherborne DT9 3LQ; free; dorsetmoon.com
THE SCOTTISH SCYTHING FESTIVAL, PERTH AND KINROSS
Mowing with a scythe is enjoying a revival, as is traditional haymaking, thanks to the therapeutic and environmental benefits. This new festival in Spittalfield, Perthshire takes place on a 43-acre community farm and is an opportunity to hone your technique in a meadow, Poldark-style. Take part in a competition, attend talks from scything experts, camp under the stars, picnic in the shade of ancient apple trees and tuck into wild game from the Screaming Peacock. July 27; tickets from £11.25 via Eventbrite, Blackhaugh Community Farm, Blackhaugh Farm, Spittalfield, PH1 4JZ; blackhaughcommunityfarm.weebly.com
ROLLER COAST AT DREAMLAND, MARGATE, KENT
This new summer festival in the hipster’s paradise Margate, taking place in traditional English seaside funfair Dreamland, offers different themes to entertain the kids from a young age to tweens: Superheroes, Carnival (mask-making, samba), Rainbow (celebrating Pride), Street Fest (BMX stunts and dance workshops), Science (live shows from