5 Festivals in the Cotswolds to Check Out

When you think of the Cotswolds, I’m guessing quiet villages and pretty countryside comes to mind. There are actually quite a few great festivals in the Cotswolds though.

The Cotswolds’ countryside landscapes are the perfect setting for a festival, and there really is one for everyone to enjoy in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Let’s take a look at the variety of Cotswolds festivals for you to enjoy…

Wilderness Festival

What to take to Wilderness Festival

Set in Cornbury Park, close to Oxford, Wilderness Festival is super-chilled and laid-back, but at the same time, there’s always something fun going on. There’s not only music from the likes of Bastille and Justice to see live at 2018’s event but also everything from open air theatre to live podcasts, yoga classes, long table banquets and all kinds of fun and games.

Don’t make a plan for Wilderness – just wander around and see what you find!


READ MORE: Top 10 Things to Do at Wilderness Festival 


WOMAD

WOMAD dubs itself The World’s Festival, and with a line-up of artists from 126 countries across the globe, it’s the place to head to fall in love with new sounds and soak up the combination of cultures.

This festival, held at Charlton Park in Wiltshire, also has much more to offer than its myriad of world sounds. The Taste the World, World of Art, World of Words, World of Children and World of Wellbeing areas mean that there’s so much discover that’ll really reawaken the senses.

The Big Feastival

Festivals in the Cotswolds

Food and music are brought together for this huge family-friendly event, held on Alex James’ farm near Kingham. There are cooking demos from the likes of Raymond Blanc alongside street food stalls, boutique bars and enormous feasts, enough to send you to foodie heaven.

It’s also backed by an amazing soundtrack packed with pop favourites, such as Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit and Basement Jaxx. Kids are especially well catered for with their favourite characters and presenters coming to the festival, including Peppa Pig, Justin Fletcher and Dick & Dom.

Forest Live

Every year the Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire takes part in this special event held at several forests across the UK by the Forestry Commission – the ultimate party in the woods.

Surrounded by the National Arboretum’s towering trees, expect to see top artists take to the stage across the season, spanning legends from pop and rock as well as current favourites.

Cornbury Music Festival

Cornbury Music Festival

Bags of charm and unpretentious fun for all the family are promised at the Cornbury Music Festival, held at Oxfordshire’s Great Tew Park. Described as a country fair with a rock and roll twist, it boasts an eclectic line-up of music across its four stages to get you dancing.

If you’re not in the mood for dancing, there’s a thrilling fairground, a relaxing therapy and massage zone, the comedy emporium, a whole wealth of arts and crafts stalls and wandering entertainers who will ensure you never get bored.

A special addition for this year is the Pop-Up Woody Fired Restaurant, hosted by the Hairy Bikers – you won’t go hungry at Cornbury!

You could make your Cotswolds festival experience part of a wider Cotswolds road trip experience – check out my itinerary on that link.

Not a fan of camping?

There are so many accommodation options now that even if you’re not a fan of camping, there’s no need to miss out on the festival experience.

Many festivals also offer glamping experiences on site alongside their campsites, with festival luxuries such as private showers, toilets and lockable doors. You could also stay nearby and enjoy your own space while still having the fun of the festival on your doorstep. There are a host of hotels and B&Bs to choose from across the Cotswolds, as well as self-catering cottages from holidaycottages.co.uk, where you can stay in a home-from-home during your festival visit.

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