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What better way to enjoy British Summer Time than at a music festival with friends? At least, that’s what 6.5 million music fans thought in 2022. Thanks to their increasing popularity over the past 20 years, festivals are bigger and better than ever.
Alongside music festivals, food and drinks festivals and literature festivals unite the best in their fields to celebrate art. From rhythm and blues to poetry and books, the South West has plenty to offer.
Music festivals
Isle of Wight Festival
isleofwightfestival.com/
Thursday 20 June – Sunday 23 June 2024
Newport Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight PO30 2EL
London to Ryde Pier Head: 2 hours 7 minutes
Created in 1968, the Isle of Wight Festival was the UK’s first music festival. It became known as the ‘Woodstock of Europe’ in 1970 after drawing over 600,000 attendees. The festival’s been getting better (but, thankfully, not bigger) every year since. Expect headline sets from artists like Kasabian, Duran Duran and Pulp.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £269.95 (day tickets from £120
How to get there: South Western Railway has trains to the Isle of Wight Festival via stations like Woking, Guildford and Basingstoke. Those living near London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Surbiton and Wimbledon can also enjoy trains to several Isle of Wight ferry ports. Catch the shuttle bus from any of the ferry ports to the festival.
Glastonbury
glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/
Wednesday 26 June – Sunday 30 June 2024
Worthy Farm, Worthy Lane, Pilton, Somerset BA4 4BY
London to Castle Cary by train: 2 hours 40 minutes
Glastonbury is the UK’s biggest music festival. Despite inviting over 200,000 attendees, tickets sell out in under an hour – because 2.5 million hopefuls queue to buy them.
For one weekend in June, Somerset’s Worthy Farm becomes the fourth-largest South West city (only Bournemouth, Bristol and Plymouth have bigger populations). The site covers over 1,000 acres (about 500 football pitches, or 8 times the size of Vatican City). Surrounded by elaborate 50-foot psychedelic set designs, you feel like you’ve landed on another, better planet, never mind another city.
There are hundreds of stages, but the world’s biggest artists pray to headline the Pyramid Stage. Recent headliners include Elton John, Arctic Monkeys and Kendrick Lamar.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: £280
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Glastonbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking, Salisbury, Yeovil and Basingstoke via Castle Cary. It’s a 30-minute taxi or free shuttle to the festival from there.
Let’s Rock Southampton
Saturday 6 July 2024
letsrock80s.com/
Southampton Common, Southampton SO15 7NP
London to Southampton Central by train: 1 hour 20 minutes
Let’s Rock Southampton is a family-friendly celebration of the best of the ‘80s, featuring artists like Soft Cell, Heaven 17 and Adam Ant. There are free kids’ activities, like face painting and inflatables, and ‘80s-inspired fancy dress for the adults.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £35
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Let’s Rock Southampton from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Bournemouth, Woking, Basingstoke and Winchester. Arriving at Southampton Central or St Denys, the festival is a 25-30 minute walk away, or there are shuttle buses every 10 minutes from Blechynden Terrace.
Camp Bestival
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campbestival.net/
25 July – 28 July 2024
East Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5QS
London to Wool by train: 2 hours 30 minutes
Designed by families for families, Camp Bestival guarantees fun for youngsters and oldies alike. Keep the little ones entertained all day with various activities, from self-portrait painting to silent discos and skateboarding lessons. After dark, dance to the likes of Mark Ronson, Fatboy Slim and Nile Rodgers & Chic. There are baby facilities, quiet spaces, clean toilets and plentiful bins – it’s any parent’s dream!
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £232 (child tickets from £91)
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Camp Bestival. Trains run from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Winchester, Southampton Central and Bournemouth to Wool and Wareham. It’s a 15-minute taxi to the festival from there.
Boomtown
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boomtownfair.co.uk/
Wednesday 7 August – Sunday 11 August 2024
Matterley Estate, Hampshire SO21 1HW
London to Winchester by train: 1 hour
Which festival best suits listeners with bold music tastes? The clue’s in the name: Boomtown. Following in Glastonbury’s footsteps, Boomtown values experience. It has eight surreal stages in themed ‘districts’. You could pass drum ‘n’ bass blasting from an ancient ruin en route to see reggae at a brutalist building. Boomtown’s main stage has hosted artists like Gorillaz, Wu-Tang Clan and Damian Marley.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £300
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Boomtown from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Southampton Central, Bournemouth and Portsmouth stations. Alighting at Winchester, take a £10 shuttle bus to the festival.
We Out Here
weoutherefestival.com/
Thursday 15 August – Sunday 18 August 2024
St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset BH21 5NA
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Founded by DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson in 2019, We Out Here has become one of the UK’s best-loved festivals among performers and attendees. Jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop soundtrack the days, with electronic music after dark. Between chilled afternoons and lively nights, there’s something for everyone at We Out Here. Expect headliners like Ezra Collective, Knucks and Nia Archives.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £199
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke. You can take a Train Station Shuttle Bus to the festival from there.
Reading
readingfestival.com/
Wednesday 21 August – Sunday 25 August 2024
Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ
London to Reading by train: 1 hour 20 minutes[DF4]
Reading Festival has had various phases since its 1961 founding, but many know it as the UK’s premier rock festival. It attracts over 100,000 attendees annually with world-renowned headliners like the Killers, Dave and Rage Against the Machine.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: £325 (day tickets from £115)
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Reading from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Richmond, Feltham, Bracknell, Wokingham and Winnersh. The festival is a 15-minute walk or shuttle bus from Reading station.
Victorious Festival
victoriousfestival.co.uk/
Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August 2024
Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Portsmouth PO6 3EN
London to Portsmouth by train: 1 hour 50 minutes
Over 60,000 people, eager to catch the likes of New Order, Paul Weller and the Streets, flock to the Southsea coast on the last weekend of August for Victorious Festival. The stunning seaside setting is reason enough to book your ticket. Add to that a family-friendly kids' arena, comedy tent, and literary talks, and it’s a must-visit.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: £210.60 (day tickets from £77)
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Victorious Festival from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Surbiton, Woking, Winchester, Havant, Fareham and Cosham. Trains will take you to Portsmouth & Southsea, Portsmouth Harbour or Fratton. It’s a 25-30 minute walk to the festival from all three stations. Or, catch the Xelabus X27 bus from Clarence Pier to the campsite.
End of the Road
endoftheroadfestival.com/
Thursday 29 August – Sunday 1 September 2024
Larmer Tree, Tollard Royal, Salisbury SP5 5PY
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Since starting in 2005, End of the Road has become the UK’s premier independent rock and folk music festival. Set in Dorset’s stunning Larmer Tree Gardens, it’s an intimate affair attended by 15,000 revellers. Expect woodland walks with intriguing art installations and headline sets from the likes of the Pixies, Little Simz and Khruangbin.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £255
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke. You can take a National Shuttle Bus to the festival from there.
Food and drink festivals
Saturday 6 July 2024
The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5EZ
London to Wareham by train: 2 hours 30 minutes
As the name suggests, Love It Local celebrates the best local food and drink produce. Its inaugural event at Corfe Castle will showcase the finest ingredients from across the Isle of Purbeck. Expect coastal classics like ice cream, shellfish and ale.
Age: All ages
Prices from: £13 (including Corfe Castle admission)
How to get there: South Western Railway has trains to Corfe Castle via Wareham. It’s a 15-minute ride on the Purbeck Breezer 40 from Wareham.
Foodies Festival, Winchester
foodiesfestival.com/events/winchester-2/
Friday 19 July – Sunday 21 July
North Walls Recreation Ground, Nuns Road, Winchester SO23 8DL
London to Winchester by train: 1 hour
Foodies Festival features Michelin-starred chefs, Masterchef champions and Great British Bake Off stars, so you know you’re in for a treat! Watch chefs demonstrating their signature recipes and visit stalls showcasing the world’s best street food. There’s also live music, a kids’ cookery theatre and chilli eating competitions.
Age: All ages
Prices from: Free
How to get there: Foodies Festival Winchester is a 14-minute walk from Winchester.
Taste Salisbury
visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/whats-on/taste-salisbury
Saturday 28 September – Tuesday 1 October
The Market Place, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1JH
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Taste Salisbury is a four-day festival in the heart of Salisbury celebrating the best that the city has to offer. Attendees enjoy a diverse line-up of activities, from workshops and recipe demos to walking trails.
Age: All ages
Prices from: Free
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke.
Literature festivals
Sherborne Travel-Writing Festival
sherborneliterarysociety.com/travel-writing-festival-2024
Friday 5 April – Sunday 7 April 2024
Powell Theatre, Abbey Rd, Sherborne DT9 3AP
London to Sherborne by train: 2 hours 20 minutes
Sherborne Travel-Writing Festival is not just for budding travel writers but also jetsetters and literature lovers. Talks cover everything from human rights and politics to race and society. Traverse the globe from the comfort of Sherborne’s Powell Theatre.
Age: All ages
Prices vary
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains from London Waterloo to Sherborne. It’s a 9-minute walk from there to the Powell Theatre.
London Literature Festival
southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/festivals-series/london-literature-festival
Wednesday 23 October – Sunday 3 November 2024
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
The Southbank Centre’s annual literary festival attracts some of literature’s most famous faces to celebrate the written and spoken word. Its diverse line-up features literary legends like Jacqueline Wilson and Teju Cole alongside A-listers like Sir Patrick Stewart and Jada Pinkett Smith. Writers discuss their texts in relation to themes like friendship and identity.
Age: All ages
Prices vary
How to get there: South Western Railway has regular trains to South Bank from Woking, Basingstoke, Guildford, Winchester, Haslemere, and Southampton via London Waterloo.
Bridport Literary Festival
bridlit.com/
Sunday 3 November – Saturday 9 November 2024
Various locations
London to Dorchester South by train: 2 hours 50 minutes
2024 will mark the 20th annual Bridport Literary Festival. As usual, expect various talks on diverse subjects like political activism and rewilding from speakers like Clive Myrie and Alastair Campbell.
Age: All ages
Prices vary
How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Dorchester South. It’s a 40-minute ride on the X51 Jurassic Coaster from there.
Whether to your local festival or further afield, South Western Railway can help you reach your destination. Find cheap train tickets to London by travelling off-peak. Passengers with a Railcard could save more, while those travelling in a group could benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard. Travel at any time with Sunday Out tickets.
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