Festival season is almost upon us…
If you’re still stuck on where to go, here’s our run-down on some of the best Britain has to offer.
1. Isle of Wight Festival
This year celebrating “40 Years of Punk” the infectious carnival atmosphere is one of the best you can find. It’s big enough to attract some huge names but not so big you’ll have a breakdown every time you lose sight of your mates. This original festival from the 60s really has something for everyone, so it’s great for a big crowd with diverse musical tastes. Fun fact: the Isle of Wight festival is known to have the friendliest bouncers on the circuit.
2. Secret Garden Party
This boutique festival is both quirky and chilled out. This year’s ‘Gardeners Guide to the Galaxy’ theme is sure to be filled with hedonistic treats and uninterrupted fun. The line-up is mainly led by dance acts but is usually decent, however, what really attracts the crowds is the epic firework displays, paint fights and naked fields. SGP is also rumoured to have the fittest festival crowd around.
3. Boardmasters
Located on the sunny shores of Newquay, Cornwall, this festival combines music and surfing for a few days of summery fun. Watching the stunning sunsets is a definite highlight along with the energy of the young crowd and holiday ambience.
4. Bestival
The “Disneyland of music festivals”, Rob da Bank’s creation is a feast for the senses. Everything from the journey over to the Isle of Wight, to the wacky themes, makes this one a real adventure. It’s a great way to end the summer and show off your fancy dress creations in a beautiful playground setting.
5. Glastonbury
The big one. You’ll definitely have to go at some point in your life just to experience the absolute freedom that completely contrasts modern, civilised society. The sheer scale is like no other festival you’ll encounter, and Glastonbury has everything from massage tents to Block 9 (the party animal’s dream). This one is truly the mother of all parties.
6. BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend
IT’S GOING TO BE IN EXETER!! Our Exeter tenants have really lucked out this year with their chance to go to this not quite free but super cheap (£8.50) festival. With Coldplay and Ellie Goulding headlining, if you were lucky enough to snap up a ticket, this weekend in Powderham Castle is sure to be a banger.
7. Reading/Leeds
Maybe we’ve grown out of this post-GCSE rite of passage or maybe we still love it. Attracting some huge headline acts as well as some of the hottest new bands around, this rock ‘n’ roll celebration will always be a classic. Who doesn’t love shouting ‘Alan’ into the small hours in the hopes of a return gesture of ‘Steve’?
8. Farr Festival
If boutique festivals are your thing, this edgy gem is definitely a small one but a magical one. It started out as a party between a group of mates with a make-shift stage, six years later it’s certainly not one to be missed.
9. Wildlife
Yep, it’s in an airport and yep, that’s really cool. Set up by Disclosure and Rudimental, they bring all their mates together for this big crazy rave on the South coast.
10. T in the Park
Put together by a brewery back in 1994, this is Scotland’s biggest festival. It has an element of Reading’s gig-in-a-field ambience along with Glasto’s debauchery- this will definitely be a weekend of madness.
If none of these take your fancy, don’t worry. The best thing about the UK festival scene is the variety! Check out The Telegraph’s selection for more inspiration.