FESTIVAL GUIDE 2018

Credit to Andrew Whittington

The sun is finally shining and summer is officially on its way which means one thing...festival season is just around the corner! It’s time to dust of your parka, pretend that you actually know how to put up that tent and grab your wellies. With brand new shiny festivals popping up every year, knowing which are worth splashing the pennies on can be a bit of a minefield. I’ve saved you the hassle of sifting through them with my top 5 festival picks for 2018.

Best for spotting new talent

Barn of the Farm | 5th - 8th July 2018 | Over Farm, Gloucester.

With previous acts including Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Jack Garratt, and Tom Odell before they hit the big time, BOTF has proved they can be trusted to showcase some more than half decent talent. If you want an intimate, laid back vibe with local food and the odd ostrich knocking about this is the one for you. This year’s lineup includes the incredible Tom Grennan, Fickle Friends, Mystery Jets, Jade Bird and Tom Misch. Well worth a visit.

Weekend tickets from £115 including camping http://www.barnonthefarm.co.uk/

Best for losing yourself

Wilderness | 2nd-5th August | Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Escape the daily grind and immerse yourself in a bohemian and ever so slightly bonkers world set in the lush woodland of Cornbury Park. Think feathers and flowers, banquets, woodland theatre, thought provoking talks, a lakeside spa and an eclectic mix of performers including Nile Rodgers and Chic, Bastille, Justice and George Fitzgerald. Let go a bit and you’ll love it. Trust me.

Weekend tickets from £189.70 https://www.wildernessfestival.com/

Best for Balance

Soul Circus | 17th-19th August | The Cotswolds

Set in the always appealing Cotswolds surrounded by rolling hills and even boasting its own lake, you really couldn’t have picked a more idyllic spot for a festival. This year’s Soul Circus offers up a packed programme of yoga, pilates and fitness sessions, as well as talks and workshops on everything from mindfulness to eating well. Once you’ve stashed your yoga mat, get glittered up, grab the Champagne and get your groove on to the likes of DJ Yoda and Nemone.

Weekend tickets from £199 https://www.soulcircus.yoga

Best for taking the kids

The Big Feastival | 24th-26th August | Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds

If the idea of taking your rabble to a festival seems like an utter nightmare, give The Big Feastival a bash. Well organised, with an amazing amount of things on site to keep all ages occupied and even its own Waitrose, it’s one of the most family friendly festivals that we’ve been to. Your festival wardrobe will need to have a bit of give as the food offerings are just ridiculous! Street food, supper clubs and Alex James’ own Cheese Hub make for a filling few days. Dance it off to Basement Jaxx, Craig David and Paloma Faith.

Weekend tickets from £159.50 https://thebigfeastival.com/

Best for Instagram

Festival Number 6 | 6th-9th September | Portmeirion Wales

You won’t find a more Instaworthy festival than the ridiculously photogenic Festival Number 6. Surrounded by fairytale architecture, sub-tropical vegetation and the wild beauty of Snowdonia it really is something else. Expect a diverse and eclectic mix of music, literature, poetry, comedy, theatre, wellbeing and a massive selection of other treats for the senses. Highlights this year include post-punk legends The The, Friendly Fires, Jessie Ware and Everything Everything.

Tickets from £180  https://festivalnumber6.com/tickets

If I’ve missed out your favourite or there’s a festival you think I should know about get in touch! I always love to hear from you.

Written by Kate @ktothemac