We take a look at a selection of festivals and events that groups should pop in the diary.
The summer months are a great time for festival fever and exciting events. With plenty on the calendar you can be sure your group will find something to meet all interests. And some events run into the autumn, meaning you have even longer to plan.
1. This year’s Great British Food Festivals will see three new locations added to the venue line-up. The events combine delicious food and drink with heritage buildings and venues around the UK – ideal for foodie fans and history buffs. The three new venues are: Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales, Chiswick House in London and Floors Castle in the Scottish Borders. Festivals are currently taking place and are running at different locations until September where they will finish at Arley Hall on 23rd September.
2. This August Bank Holidays, The Big Feastival will make its return to Blur star Alex James’ farm near Kingham in the Cotswolds, with a line-up including chart-toppers Basement Jaxx, Craig David and Paloma Faith. From top stars to Michelin chefs, the festival will host one of the biggest names in the food industry, Raymond Blanc OBE. Dedicated to festival fun for all, there’ll be plenty of tricks to ensure the all ages are entertained during the weekend.
3. The Great Exhibition of the North, taking place across NewcastleGateshead between 22nd June and 9th September, will tell the inspiring story of the North of England and how its innovators, businesses, artists and designers have shaped the present and are inspiring the future. See work from figures ranging from pop art pioneer Richard Hamilton to world-renowned sculptor Antony Gormley as well as live performances and the original Postman Pat character models.
4. The Flower Festival at Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire is staged from 5th to 9th September. Named Illumination: A Festival of Flowers, the event will display a wide array of flower arrangements inspired by the Winchester Bible. This year’s festival will see the cathedral once again transformed by colourful and fragrant floral displays. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a riot of colour and admire a variety of flower arrangements.
Pictured: Illumination: A Festival of Flowers at Winchester Cathedral.
5. Feast at the Tower, run by River Street Events, will be held at the Tower of London this September. This three day event (7th to 9th September) will host up to 200 food and drink companies and see the famous dry moat transformed into a food and drink experience, a must for all foodie fanatics.
6. The Gaydon Military Show will be taking place on 30th September at The British Motor Museum in Warwick and is a must for all groups interested in military history. Visitors to the event will be able to explore the military through the decades as it features displays and parades of military vehicles, plus exhibits will reveal World War Two and Cold War artefacts and replicas.
7. Althorp Literary Festival this year’s marks its 15th time running and will take place from 15th to 17th October. Featuring guest speakers such as Claire Balding, Alexander McCall-Smith, Allison Pearson, Charles Spencer, and Dan Snow, the festival plans to inspire all literary fanatics against the backdrop of the picturesque home of the Spencer family.
If you’re looking for a specific event, you can search for it on our online Events Diary
