TEN OF THE BEST SUMMER FESTIVALS IN THE UK AND IRELAND

With music, art, cars, yoga – and a goat, Britain and Ireland are celebrating this summer in glorious style. So pack shorts or tuxedos and join us on our journey from Edinburgh to Cornwall to Killorglin to find the best festivals...

1. JUPITER RISING FESTIVAL, JUPITER ARTLAND

26–28 August 2022

Rock around the installations at the art and music festival in Jupiter Artland, the contemporary sculpture park outside Edinburgh. Focusing on emerging artists, it features new sounds from Britain and elsewhere. Highlights include the Durban duo, Destruction Boyz, who bring their Gqom music to Scotland. Meaning ‘hitting a drum’ in Zulu, Gqom is electronic dance music with minimal, repetitive sounds and heavy base beats.

Then there’s the jazz-soul poetry of London’s seven-piece Dylema Collective, who even sing emails. Hobnob with the artists at the makeshift bars and explore the art. Our favourites include Antony Gormley’s 1019 steel balls and Anish Kapoor’s caged metal chute.

2. HENLEY FESTIVAL, 40TH ANNIVERSARY

6–10 July 2022

Don black tie and a tux or a slinky maxi dress for the well-heeled Henley Festival, as it's the only Brit festival with such a dress code. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, it’s the same site as the Royal Regatta, which happens the week before. For the 40th anniversary, there’s a strong array of headliners, including The Script, Craig David, and Tom Jones on the floating stage, while Pete Tong will spin his Ibiza classics with an orchestra. Grab a prime spot on the lawn or take an undercover grandstand seat.

And it’s not all music gigs – there’s comedy with Jo Brand and others; art exhibitions, including Carla Kranendonk Ibrahime’s patterned mixed-media works; and a retro disco. Go for a bird's-eye view of the festival on the vintage carousel and other funfair rides. Sip fizz at the Moёt Champagne bar before fine dining at the Riverside Restaurant.

3. BOARDMASTERS, CORNWALL

10–14 August 2022

Surfing, skateboarding and BMX bike riding are as equally important as the music at Boardmasters in Cornwall on Britain’s southwestern tip. With the sporting action on Fistral Beach – involving competitions or classes, and the gigs up the coast at Watergate Bay, a regular bus shuttles between the two.

George Ezra and the Kings of Leon are headlining this year’s music festival on the main stage. But make time for the other nine stages, especially Unleashed for its big summer tunes or The View for newcomers, which included Ezra four years ago. The top place to be is the VIP space overlooking the bay, as this includes private shows and is where the artists hang out. For a local experience and tasty Cornish pasty, head to nearby historic pub Keg & Pastry, once a 17thcentury smugglers’ haunt. Relax in a luxe Bedouin tent or nab an on-the-beach loft at the Watergate Bay Hotel.

4. WILDERNESS, CORNBURY PARK IN OXFORDSHIRE

4–7 August 2022

For a holistic experience, discover Wilderness. Set in 5,000 acres, the wellness, sporting and food line-up is as strong as the music. Explore the park by joining the morning jog, or by horseback or boat. Find a new favourite type of yoga , such as the Brunch Club session, or for something just as focused, archery lessons may hit the spot too. Make time to unwind in the Lakeside Spa, sipping Champagne in one of its wood-fired hot tubs and then chow down at the mouthwatering banquets by star chefs like Skye Gyngell. And as for the diverse entertainment, headliners include Olly Alexander (as his solo project Years & Years) and Hofesh Shechter’s contemporary dance troupe. Book a stylish tent or country wagon, yurt or cabin.

6. GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

23–26 June 2022

Set in the sprawling West Sussex grounds of Goodwood House, home to the Dukes of Richmond since the 17th century, Goodwood Festival of Speed is a glamorous date in the motorsport calendar. See Formula 1 drivers and their cars from McLaren, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Scuderia Ferrari and Williams Racing teams and more compete in the annual uphill 1,890 metre course. Mingle with the drivers and engineers in the pit lane.

Innovation is this year’s theme, so take a close look at the new supercars on show in the Michelin Supercar Paddock, such as last year’s Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR, as well as the latest electric vehicles and cross-industry future technology. And if vintage cars are your thing, head to the Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn, showing the chicest car designs, ranging from a Volkswagen T2 van to a one-off Ferrari P80/C.

5. GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

22–26 June 2022

Somerset is the place to party. Known for its legendary line-up, this year the choices are stellar – with new Oscar winner Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and US rapper Kendrick Lamar rocking the main Pyramid Stage, while disco queen Diana Ross is Sunday’s teatime legend. Don’t miss some of today’s exciting rising stars, such as rapper Doja Cat, rock band Wolf Alice, and 21-year-old Arlo Parks, whose R&B-infused indie folk has brought her multiple award nominations and wins. And for jazz fans, don’t miss Herbie Hancock on the keys. For an extra atmospheric experience, stay in a tipi near the Stone Circle.

7. GREEN MAN FESTIVAL IN THE BRECON BEACONS

18–21 August 2022

Nestling in South Wales’ National Park, the Green Man Festival is the most picturesque. Alongside musicians including electronic pioneers, Kraftwerk, comedians, authors, artists and performers, this quirky festival also has science workshops and film screenings.

Consider this year’s sessions, including how to grow and cook pink oyster mushrooms. Relax in the Walled Garden with a picnic or a pint at the Green Man pub. The many local landmarks are worth exploring too, like the medieval Cilgerran Castle and the coal-mining museum in Blaenaven. And for an extra-luxurious experience, stay at the nearby Gliffaes Country House, a fishing hotel by the River Usk.

8. HEBCELT, THE HEBRIDEAN CELTIC FESTIVAL IN STORNOWAY, OUTER HEBRIDES

13–16 July 2022

For 25 years, the island of Lewis has been promoting its Hebridean Celtic heritage at HebCelt through this lively festival of Gaelic and traditional folk music. Set in the grounds of 19th century Lews Castle, overlooking Stornaway Harbour, the festival attracts international as well as local musicians. This year, Glaswegian alternative rock band Texas performs and so does local crofter and singer-songwriter Colin Macleod, whose latest acoustic folk and rock album Hold Fast features a duet with Sheryl Crow. Hear some fresh takes too, such as six-piece Glasgow-based band Eriska, which meshes jazz and classical music with trad tunes; or the all-female Scottish group Heisk turns folk funky. Learn more about the isle of Lewis and Gaelic culture at Stornaway’s art centre, An Lanntair, where other stories of the island are told through the medium of video and music.

9. PUCK FAIR. IRELAND'S OLDEST FESTIVAL

10–12 August 2022

For a historic and unusual festival, head to Killorglin in County Kerry, south-west Ireland where, the town has been celebrating the vibrant three-day Puck Fair since the 17th century. Meaning the ‘fair of the he-goat,’ each year a mountain male goat is crowned in Killorglin’s town square by a local schoolgirl. Hoisted 60 feet in the air, the he-goat reigns over the street festival, which features a funfair, Irish dance workshops and more, until the final day when he’s returned to his natural habitat. (A veterinary surgeon oversees the goat’s welfare, according to a statement from the Puck Fair Committee.)

10. FRINGE FESTIVAL, 75TH ANNIVERSARY

5–29 August 2022

As Edinburgh celebrates this landmark anniversary of its famous arts festival, expect to find an even stronger mix of comedy, theatre, dance, cabaret, circus and more, as well as street performances. With 280 events to choose from you can hear the 101 ways stand-up comic, Henry Churniavsky survived his Jewish mother, see the best of burlesque or enjoy a classic British play, such as Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party. Venues range from the stately 18th-century Assembly Rooms to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s Georgian townhouse, which serves over 500 single malts.

Find out more

Susie Little, Travel Design Manager “Somehow the landscape changes when it’s festival season across the UK and Ireland; an excitable mood descends on various cities and corners of the country. Events are filled with music, culture, gastronomic delights and colourful trends, which can only be discovered when you join in with the locals.”

⬥ susie@dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | MELANIE ABRAMS