may be done and dusted but revellers looking for more festival action this summer have more choice than Barbie has pink outfits.
From family-friendly fun to the wildest of rides, frenzied preparations are underway across the country to create the perfect conditions for you to escape the stresses of the city, tune in and forget all about real life until Monday morning rolls around.
Who knows what the will do but let’s face it, this is the UK – if we let a few clouds stand in the way of a party, we’d never go out.
So here are some of the weirdest and wildest wonderlands where you can pitch your tent and park your troubles…
Deer Shed
The cosmic jazz of The Comet Is Coming and the cinematic spectacle of Public Service Broadcasting are among the musical highlights of this family-friendly gathering in North Yorkshire. And there’s plenty else besides, including comedy from Phil Wang, outdoor theatre and even a science tent.
July 28-31, Baldersby Park, from £190 plus £9.50 fee
Wilderness
Set amid the great lakes and ancient oaks of Cornbury Park, this festival offers a seriously star-studded line-up including the Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim and even psychedelic pop icons The Zombies. Tree-lined amphitheatre The Valley crackles to life as the sun sets, pulsating with intelligent dance music from titans of the scene.
August 3-6, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, from £275.40 + £3.25 fee
Green Gathering
If you want to get away from it all, this one is literally off the grid. The festival is 100 per cent powered by renewable energy but there seems to be plenty to go around because there are more than 100 acts including Mobius Loop, Indian Man and The Trouble Notes.
August 3-6, Piercefield Park near Chepstow, £140
Rally
This newcomer is a collaboration between the organisers of south festival GALA and renowned live music tastemakers Bird On The Wire. Bringing together diverse music communities from the capital’s bubbling melting pot, it also boasts international visitors such as trailblazing rapper Princess Nokia. The packed bill includes genre-defying afro-psychedelic artist Obongjayar and Brighton post-punkers Squid.
August 5, Southwark Park, tickets from £38.50
Boomtown
High-concept and shrouded in mystery, this festival invites revellers to journey into another world where ‘the game is the master and you are the player’. Assuming that doesn’t send too much of a shiver down your spine, head for the Hampshire hills to explore winding streets and film-like sets while listening to the music, which includes The Prodigy.
August 9-13, Matterley Estate near Winchester, from £270 + £10 fee
Houghton Festival
It takes place at a grand neo-classical mansion but if string quartets and cucumber sandwiches on the terrace aren’t your thing, have no fear. This festival is curated by Craig Richards – the resident DJ at Fabric for 18 years. Dance till you drop to the likes of acid jazz pioneer Roy Ayers, Notting Hill soundsystem legend Aba Shanti-I and buzzed-about newcomers Animistic Beliefs.
August 10-13, Houghton Hall, North Norfolk, from £250 + £15 fee
Maui Waui
It’s just a stone’s throw from the Norfolk market town of Dereham but, as its rather wonderful name suggests, Maui Waui is also a land far, far away. The festival is fully family friendly but has all the flavour of a full-blown rave after dark, with a life-size UFO as the DJ stage. Acts include Tankus The Henge, Dub Pistols and silver-tongued Americana newcomers Box River Junction. Plus rumour has it a mystery guest will be arriving at the main stage by helicopter on the Sunday.
August 25-27, Hill Farm, Dereham, from £145 and kids under 14 go free
Lost Village
A place to truly lose yourself, Lost Village nurtures a post-apocalyptic vibe, with stages crafted from industrial detritus popping up among the trees in deepest Lincolnshire. Those on the outside will never understand, warn the organisers… and even the location is somewhat shrouded in mystery. But we can tell you acts will include Avalon Emerson & The Charm, Bárbara Boeing and Barry Can’t Swim.
August 24-27, LN6 9HN, £305 + £24.40 booking fee
WE ARE FSTVL
This is one of the best dance music festivals going, boasting everything you could possibly desire to help you work up a sweat. Acts include FISHER, Annie Mac and Essex legends The Prodigy, with organisers hinting at surprises in store. Towering new stage concept Terminal 2.0 promises to take revellers to new heights.
August 25-27, Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Upminister. from as little as £26.50 + £3.18 fee if you go Friday only and enter before 2pm
Corona Sunsets Festival
Perfect if you like a good time and a slice of lime, this festival sponsored by Corona is part of a global series of one-dayers dedicated to connecting people with nature by celebrating the sunset. The line-up includes Leicester favourites Easy Life, the soul-songstress Mahalia and contemporary duo Franc Moody.
But there will also be live art installations and culinary experiences, all designed to help you bask in the glory of the golden hour in the picturesque setting of Hatfield Park. Let’s just hope it’s a sunny evening!
September 2, Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire. from £40.25 + £1.50 fee
