The best of British music festivals
Britain is famously celebrated for its deep pool of talent. Whether you want a festival showcasing pop, indie, folk or 80s classics, it is without a doubt the best place to find all your favourite artists under one roof. Here are some of the greatest music festivals the British have to offer.
Glastonbury
Where? Pilton, Somerset
Since: 1970
Located in Pilton, Somerset, the festival takes place in June on Worthy Farm and, when it's not being used as a muddy pit for the festival followers, the 900 acre farmland is just your regular working farm. Glastonbury festival first started the day after Jimi Hendrix died. This festival had an attendance of 1,500 people and now attracts annually over 135,000 excited music lovers to the fields of Somerset. Best recognised for its contemporary music, Glastonbury festival also displays other talents such as dance, comedy, theatre and other arty acts. It is the festival that is most associated with a family atmosphere, with a variety of acts aimed at all ages. So, whether you're 18 or 80, you can join in with that festival spirit.
FESTIVAL FACT: The cost to get into the first Glastonbury festival was £1 including free milk from the farm.
Where? Pilton, Somerset
Since: 1970
Located in Pilton, Somerset, the festival takes place in June on Worthy Farm and, when it's not being used as a muddy pit for the festival followers, the 900 acre farmland is just your regular working farm. Glastonbury festival first started the day after Jimi Hendrix died. This festival had an attendance of 1,500 people and now attracts annually over 135,000 excited music lovers to the fields of Somerset. Best recognised for its contemporary music, Glastonbury festival also displays other talents such as dance, comedy, theatre and other arty acts. It is the festival that is most associated with a family atmosphere, with a variety of acts aimed at all ages. So, whether you're 18 or 80, you can join in with that festival spirit.
FESTIVAL FACT: The cost to get into the first Glastonbury festival was £1 including free milk from the farm.
The Green Man
Where? Brecon Beacons, South Wales
Since: 2003
The Green Man festival takes place each year in August. The festival takes place in the mountain range Brecon Beacons in South Wales and is now a four- day event attracting in excess of 10,000 people. The festival dabbles in Indie, folk, dance, Americana and psychedlia music and, if you fancy veering off the musical path, The Green Man also includes other entertainment, from literature and film to comedy and all-night bonfires. The festival prides itself on having a unique take on the modern day live music festivals.
FESTIVAL FACT: The festival started out as a one day event attracting only 300 music lovers.
Where? Brecon Beacons, South Wales
Since: 2003
The Green Man festival takes place each year in August. The festival takes place in the mountain range Brecon Beacons in South Wales and is now a four- day event attracting in excess of 10,000 people. The festival dabbles in Indie, folk, dance, Americana and psychedlia music and, if you fancy veering off the musical path, The Green Man also includes other entertainment, from literature and film to comedy and all-night bonfires. The festival prides itself on having a unique take on the modern day live music festivals.
FESTIVAL FACT: The festival started out as a one day event attracting only 300 music lovers.
Hop Farm music festival
Where? East Peckham, Kent
Since: 2008
The Hop Farm music festival is located in Kent in the South East of England. Held at the Hop Farm Country Park, the festival is an annual attraction taking place in July. Exhibiting a mixture of folk and indie music, the festival has attracted some big names in music over the years such as Supergrass, Florence and the Machine, Van Morrison and Blondie. Hop Farm Festival has become a well-established summer music festival and, after only its first year, it was nominated at the UK Festival Awards with "Best New Festival".
FESTIVAL FACT: In the 2011 festival Prince was among the performing artists that year. It was his first ever UK festival appearance and his only UK show of 2011.
Where? East Peckham, Kent
Since: 2008
The Hop Farm music festival is located in Kent in the South East of England. Held at the Hop Farm Country Park, the festival is an annual attraction taking place in July. Exhibiting a mixture of folk and indie music, the festival has attracted some big names in music over the years such as Supergrass, Florence and the Machine, Van Morrison and Blondie. Hop Farm Festival has become a well-established summer music festival and, after only its first year, it was nominated at the UK Festival Awards with "Best New Festival".
FESTIVAL FACT: In the 2011 festival Prince was among the performing artists that year. It was his first ever UK festival appearance and his only UK show of 2011.
V Festival
Where? Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, South Staffordshire
Since: 1996
V is an annual festival taking place on the penultimate weekend in the month of August. The idea for the festival stemmed from the Sheffield based band Pulp. The festival takes place in the two different locations, so that the north and the south of England can enjoy the same music without having to travel the length and breadth of the country. The acts play one night then switch and play the other venue the following night; the plan is to spread the music across the geographical divide between the north and south of England.
FESTIVAL FACT: V festival is the first festival to be held at two different venues simultaneously. The festival attracts over 160,000 spectators annually.
Summertime Ball
Where? Wembley Stadium, London
Since: 2009
The ball is classed as a mini-festival, held annually in June by the Local Radio station, 'Global Radio'. The ball was first held at Emirates Stadium but is now held at Wembley Stadium in London. With artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Leona Lewis and Coldplay taking to the stage it's no surprise that the Summertime Ball has attracted an increasing crowd of over 55,000 people.
FESTIVAL FACT: Global Radio also showcases a winter ball called 'Jingle Bell Ball' with big artists such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Flo Rida taking centre stage.
Where? Hylands Park, Chelmsford, and Weston Park, South Staffordshire
Since: 1996
V is an annual festival taking place on the penultimate weekend in the month of August. The idea for the festival stemmed from the Sheffield based band Pulp. The festival takes place in the two different locations, so that the north and the south of England can enjoy the same music without having to travel the length and breadth of the country. The acts play one night then switch and play the other venue the following night; the plan is to spread the music across the geographical divide between the north and south of England.
FESTIVAL FACT: V festival is the first festival to be held at two different venues simultaneously. The festival attracts over 160,000 spectators annually.
Summertime Ball
Where? Wembley Stadium, London
Since: 2009
The ball is classed as a mini-festival, held annually in June by the Local Radio station, 'Global Radio'. The ball was first held at Emirates Stadium but is now held at Wembley Stadium in London. With artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Leona Lewis and Coldplay taking to the stage it's no surprise that the Summertime Ball has attracted an increasing crowd of over 55,000 people.
FESTIVAL FACT: Global Radio also showcases a winter ball called 'Jingle Bell Ball' with big artists such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Flo Rida taking centre stage.
Rewind Festival
Where? Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Since: 2009
Located in the picturesque site of Temple Island Meadows in Henley-on-Thames, the Rewind Festival takes you back to the days when music by iconic 1980s artists such as Bananarama, Billy Ocean and Go West were topping the charts. Fuel your classic music tastes with a blast from the past by joining the thousands of 80s lovers at this festival. Moor up on the Thames or camp in style in the idyllic surroundings of Temple Island Meadows.
FESTIVAL FACT: The festival is attended by over 40,000 people annually, with the number of attendees rising by 10,000 between the years 2009- 2010.
Where? Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
Since: 2009
Located in the picturesque site of Temple Island Meadows in Henley-on-Thames, the Rewind Festival takes you back to the days when music by iconic 1980s artists such as Bananarama, Billy Ocean and Go West were topping the charts. Fuel your classic music tastes with a blast from the past by joining the thousands of 80s lovers at this festival. Moor up on the Thames or camp in style in the idyllic surroundings of Temple Island Meadows.
FESTIVAL FACT: The festival is attended by over 40,000 people annually, with the number of attendees rising by 10,000 between the years 2009- 2010.
Reading Festival
Where? Little John's Farm, Central Reading
Since: 1971
The Reading Festival is held on the land of a working farm called Little John's Farm and takes place over three days. The festival always take place over the last weekend in August and the genres of music include rock, indie rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and punk rock, with big names such as The Killers, Tenacious D and Pulp having played this big festival to a growing crowd of over 87,000. Reading also has a sister festival called Leeds Festival; they both share the same music line-up and take place simultaneously, alternating acts over the three day period.
FESTIVAL FACT: The Reading Festival is the world's oldest popular music festival still in existence.
Where? Little John's Farm, Central Reading
Since: 1971
The Reading Festival is held on the land of a working farm called Little John's Farm and takes place over three days. The festival always take place over the last weekend in August and the genres of music include rock, indie rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and punk rock, with big names such as The Killers, Tenacious D and Pulp having played this big festival to a growing crowd of over 87,000. Reading also has a sister festival called Leeds Festival; they both share the same music line-up and take place simultaneously, alternating acts over the three day period.
FESTIVAL FACT: The Reading Festival is the world's oldest popular music festival still in existence.
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