What's on: the best festivals happening this summer

Most refined

Cornbury Festival

The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire
8–10 July
cornburyfestival.com

If you like your festivals to be civilised affairs with free-flowing champagne, gourmet chefs, ‘posh loos’, massage, reiki, hot tubs, saunas and VIP perks then this Cotswolds event is the place for you. Headliners this year include Bryan Adams, James Blunt, Ronan Keating, The Darkness, The Waterboys and Jools Holland.

Best atmosphere

British Summer Time

Hyde Park, London
Until 10 July
bst-hydepark.com

After hosting The Rolling Stones, Adele, Elton John and Eagles, the concert series finishes on a high with Pearl Jam (Fri/Sat) and Duran Duran (Sun) headlining bills that also include Pixies, Cat Power, Stereophonics and Johnny Marr.

Best for folk and world music

WOMAD

40 Charlton Park, Wiltshire
28-31 July
womad.co.uk

This year marks WOMAD’s 40th anniversary. Aside from the global musical melting pot (including Ghana’s Fra Fra, above) there will be a spa, music workshops and author talks.

Best for all the family

Latitude

Henham Park, Suffolk
21-24 July
latitudefestival.com

With a family campsite, dedicated kids’ theatre tent, plus an array of arts and crafts activities, Latitude is ideal for all the family. Lewis Capaldi, Snow Patrol, Groove Armada and Manic Street Preachers are some of the acts taking the stage this year.

Best for food

The Big Feastival

Alex James’ Farm, Kingham, Oxfordshire
26-28 August
thebigfeastival.com

Held on former Blur bassist Alex James’ beautiful Cotswolds farm, The Big Feastival offers music alongside cookery demonstrations and food. This year’s line-up includes The Human League, Stereophonics and Gabrielle.

Also consider

Henley Festival

Leander Club, Henley-on-Thames
until 10 July
henley-festival.co.uk

TRNSMT

Glasgow
8-10 July
trnsmtfest.com

Standon Calling

Standon, Hertfordshire
21-24 July
standon-calling.com

Bluedot Festival

Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire
21-24 July
discoverthebluedot.com

Wilderness Festival

Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire
4-7 August
wildernessfestival.com

Green Man

Crickhowell, South Wales
18-21 August
greenman.net

Camp Bestival

Lulworth Castle, Dorset, 28-31 July
and Weston Park, Shopshire, 18-21 August
campbestival.net

Manchester Psych Fest

Various venues
3 September
manchesterpsychfest.com

Camp Good Life

Hawarden, North Wales
16-18 Sept
thegoodlifesociety.co.uk

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