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As winter tightens its grip on the Cotswolds and festive lights flicker to life, our thoughts can't help but drift forward to gentler and warmer days. For all of us summer-loving folk, there is quiet optimism in the promise of a summer filled with long afternoons, cold drinks and sun-soaked fields. Summer 2026 is already taking shape with an exceptional line-up of artists already confirmed across some of our favourite festivals and magical open-air venues. Over in Kingham, Big Feastival prepares to turn Alex James’ farm into a vibrant tapestry of flavour, family, and song. This year’s early announcements land with a satisfying thud with The Streets and Bastille set to headline. Imagine the poetry of Mike Skinner drifting over the fields at dusk, each lyric a wry smile shared with the crowd, while Bastille’s soaring choruses rise like warm thermals into the late-August air. Among the towering bark-clad giants of Westonbirt Arboretum, the beloved Forest Live series once again promises nights that feel half concert, half woodland enchantment. Richard Ashcroft will bring a voice shaped for open skies; Fatboy Slim will transform the forest floor into a glowing celebration; UB40 will drape the evening in reggae warmth; and Deacon Blue will add their blend of melody and melancholy. To hear such iconic artists beneath Westonbirt’s ancient canopy is not merely to attend a gig, it is to step into a shared moment suspended between leaves and stars. A new jewel joins the summer crown with the inaugural Blenheim Palace Festival, and it arrives with regal ambition. Neil Young, a master of songcraft whose music feels carved from wind and time, will stand before the palace’s grand façade. Alongside him, pop luminary Katy Perry brings technicolour spectacle, Pete Tong with his sun-soaked rhythms of Ibiza Classics, while Teddy Swims adds the velvet depth of a voice that seems to wrap itself around you. Global icon Alanis Morissette is the latest to be announced and will be joined by special guests Skunk Anansie for a summer evening destined to linger in the warm night air long after the final chord fades. Blenheim has long been a place for history; in 2026, it becomes a place for harmony too. Cheltenham’s Wychwood Festival stirs up its usual magic on the racecourse, with the Kaiser Chiefs poised to deliver their trademark riot of energy. Few bands ignite a field quite like they do—big choruses, bigger smiles, and a feeling that summer has truly begun. And in May, Meadow Fest heads to Cornbury Park with a line-up that reads like a love letter to British farming and golden-era indie with Cast, The Fratellis, Sleeper, and Reef filling the early-season air with riffs, nostalgia, and the kind of anthems best sung with friends under an open sky. So while winter may be settled in around us, take heart. Music, glorious, sun-drenched, heart-thumping music, is already on the horizon, ready to fill the our fields and forests with song, sunshine, and celebration. Even on the coldest December day, that promise is enough to warm the soul. 
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After only just waving goodbye to the warmer days of 2025, summer 2026 is already shaping up nicely with Wychwood Festival dropping its first big name. Indie legends Kaiser Chiefs will headline Saturday night, 30th May, bringing their riotous energy (pun very much intended) to Cheltenham Racecourse for the festival’s 20th anniversary celebrations. After its biggest-ever year in 2025, Wychwood is well and truly cemented as the Cotswolds’ ultimate summer curtain-raiser. Each year, thousands flock to the Racecourse for three glorious days of music, comedy, family fun and a few pints under the sun, and 2026 looks set to raise the bar yet again. Headlining in the shadows of Cleeve Hill, the Kaiser Chiefs will belt out all the big ones; ‘Ruby’, ‘I Predict a Riot’, ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ and ‘Never Miss a Beat’. Expect frontman Ricky Wilson to charm the crowd with his trademark energy and quick wit, as one of Britain’s best-loved live bands take centre stage once more. It’s a fitting choice for a festival that knows exactly how to get a field full of families, friends and free spirits singing together. Following a record-breaking 2025 featuring Doves, James, Shed Seven and more, Wychwood has proved itself to be the little festival that punches well above its weight. Festival Director Graeme Merifield couldn’t be more excited: “After such an incredible milestone year in 2025, we wanted to come back with something really special. Kaiser Chiefs know how to unite a crowd and bring pure joy to a festival field — it’s going to be a moment to remember.” With half of all camping tickets already snapped up, under-10s going free, and unbeatable weekend ticket prices, it’s clear the Wychwood faithful are ready for another unforgettable weekend. So, dust off your wellies, gather the gang and prepare to raise a glass to 20 years of one of the friendliest, most feel-good festivals in the country. Wychwood Festival 2026 takes place 29th–31st May at Cheltenham Racecourse. Priority tickets are available from 10am, Thursday 16th October, before the general sale at 10am Friday 17th October. www.wychwoodfestival.com/buy-tickets   Image: Matt Higgs There are weekends that pass without incident, and then there are weekends that feel like they ought to be chiselled into the walls of the Cheese Hub as a reminder of why we endure the long English winter. The Big Feastival, once again, delivered the latter. Under skies that behaved themselves with uncharacteristic good manners, Alex James' farm became a sun-dappled playground for music, food, drink, and more happy faces than one field should reasonably contain. Quite simply, it was the best weekend of the year. Friday got off to a start that was both nostalgic and effervescent. Scouting For Girls bounded onto the stage with the sort of energy that made you forget that their heyday had supposedly passed. They had the crowd onside instantly, and by the time Rizzle Kicks took over, the field was bouncing like it was 2011 all over again. The duo reminded us what pop-rap sounds like when it’s fun, cheeky, and completely unpretentious. It was a perfect opening salvo; big smiles, bigger choruses, and the first hint that this weekend was going to be special. Saturday leaned into pure indie nostalgia. The Pigeon Detectives transported us back to 2007, when jeans were tighter, haircuts were sharper, and indie disco ruled the night. Their set was a joyful reminder that guitars, when deployed with enough northern swagger, are still capable of lifting a crowd to euphoric heights. Tom Walker followed, and if the Pigeons were all youthful abandon, Walker brought heart and heft. His voice soaring over the farm, rich and gravelly, commanding the sort of hushed reverence that only a proper singer-songwriter can conjure. Then came The Wombats, who brought chaos, colour, and choruses sharp enough to slice the night in two. It was the sort of set that demanded you dance, sing, and then immediately Google when they’re next touring. Faithless’ headline set was electric and was beautifully capped by a poignant tribute to maxi Jazz during “Insomnia” that turned the field into a mid-nineties dancefloor. In among all of this, over in the Cheese Hub, James Buckley, Simon Pegg, and Woody Smith spun awesome DJ sets that felt like the ultimate afterparty in the middle of the day, chaotic and brilliant in equal measure. The final day included Caity Baser, the rising star of pop, who brought a breezy confidence that felt perfectly pitched for a Sunday afternoon. Then, as the sun dipped low over the Cotswold hills, Travis took to the stage. There are moments at festivals that transcend the ordinary, and this was one of them. As Fran Healy’s voice floated across the fields with "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?", the irony was not lost, we’d been gifted pretty much flawless weather all weekend. It was spine-tingling, communal, and utterly unforgettable. To close, Alex James’ Britpop Classical wrapped the weekend with sweeping strings, guest appearances from some stars of the time, including a trip back in time with Parklife and Phil Daniels, and a celebration of the genre that made him famous. It was both tongue-in-cheek and grandiose, a fitting curtain call on a festival that understands how to end with style. Of course, The Big Feastival is as much about food as it is music, and 2025 did not disappoint. Poor Boys’ shrimp and chicken mixed box was an unashamed crowd-pleaser among our group: smoky, spicy, crunchy, and entirely addictive. The Bab House won many a heart with their birria tacos, a messy, glorious indulgence which we waited all weekend to enjoy. Banquet 1415 brought a piece Argentina to the Cotswolds with their grilled meats, smoky and succulent in a way that would make a gaucho weep with pride. And then there were the burgers from local boys Smiths; juicy, towering creations that proved once again that simple can be incredibly delicious. The drinks side of things was equally well covered. The Cotswolds Distillery kept us cool and just the right side of merry with their gin slushies. Cold, sharp, and refreshing, they were the unofficial currency of the weekend, clutched in both hands as we meandered back and forth to the main stage and street food stalls. It was the kind of drink that made you wonder why anyone ever bothers with lager. But beyond the music, the food, and the drink, what really makes The Big Feastival the highlight of the year is its atmosphere. It is, quite simply, for everyone. Toddlers danced in ear defenders, parents swayed with gin in hand, teenagers screamed the words to songs that their parents had introduced them to last week, and the veterans of Glastonbury past nodded approvingly at how civilised the whole affair has become. It is joy distilled into a weekend, with the added bonus that it’s just ten minutes down the road for those of us lucky enough to call this part of the world home. And that luck is not to be underestimated. For all the talk of acts and eats, the quiet hero of the weekend is Alex James himself. To open his farm, year after year, to tens of thousands of revellers, and to curate an event that manages to be both a world-class festival and a neighbourly gathering, is no small feat. We should be grateful, not just for the music and the food, but for the spirit of generosity and community that underpins it all. Without him, our August bank holiday would be infinitely poorer. So, what can be said of The Big Feastival 2025? That it was sunlit, spirited, and satisfying in every possible way. That it reminded us why festivals matter: because they bring us together, make us dance, feed us well, and send us home happier than when we arrived. It was, in short, everything you’d hope for from the best weekend of the year. And until next August rolls around, we’ll all be quietly humming Wombats choruses, craving birria tacos, and wondering if gin slushies can be made at home. Early Bird tickets for Big Feastival 2026 are on sale now - bigfeastival.com
 Image courtesy of Matt Higgs As British institutions go, few embody the spirit of refined celebration quite like Salon Privé. With its unique blend of motoring heritage, luxury lifestyle, and sartorial distinction, the event has come to define the modern English garden party with an immaculate blend of classic cars, cutting-edge supercars, Champagne flutes, silk pocket squares and plenty of good conversation. Returning from 27–31 August 2025, the UK’s most prestigious five-day automotive gathering will mark its 20th anniversary within the resplendent grounds of Blenheim Palace in characteristically spectacular fashion. This year’s event promises the most dazzling edition yet. Expect everything from pre-war grand tourers to the latest hypercars, alongside world-class brands like Boodles, Pommery, Qatar Executive and Gatineau. The newly introduced Salon Privé Gallery, a refined atrium-style pavilion overlooking the lawns, will offer guests a shaded, luxurious vantage point without losing the party’s famously relaxed elegance. The Week at a Glance Wednesday 27 August The Salon Privé Concours presented by Aviva Private Clients opens the show with a parade of the rare and remarkable. From grand tourers to Le Mans legends, each car is meticulously judged by an international panel. Thursday 28 August Concours day two sees the presentation of awards, the Concours Parade and an air of quiet prestige. It’s the perfect setting for collectors and casual admirers alike to get up close with automotive masterpieces — all while enjoying a glass of something cold and a view of something beautiful. Friday 29 August One of the most anticipated days of the Season. Ladies’ Day brings elegance centre stage, as guests step out in summer finery for a chic garden party unlike any other. The Boodles Best Hat competition adds a touch of playful glamour, while a 20-year celebration of the Bugatti Veyron, a showcase of contemporary supercars and highlights from the Blenheim GT Tour ensure the cars remain just as eye-catching as the attire. Saturday 30 August With more than 1,500 sports, super and hyper cars descending on Blenheim’s grounds, the Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton is a celebration of passion, engineering and private motoring enthusiasm at its most vibrant. The family-friendly atmosphere offers something for every generation — whether you're into carbon fibre or chrome bumpers. Sunday 31 August New for 2025, Supercar Lifestyle Club Day caps off the week in suitable splendour. Mixed-marque and single-marque clubs alike display their best alongside the debut of the Concours de Vente, a judged exhibition where every car is for sale. For collectors, it’s an opportunity. For the rest of us, it’s a dream in polished metal. Whether you come for one day or all five, Salon Privé offers an experience tailored to your taste. Tickets start from £55, with luxury hospitality options available up to £645 for those seeking the full five-star experience. To purchase tickets to Salon Privé visit www.salonpriveconcours.com or to enter your vehicle into the Concours, complete an application at www.salonpriveconcours.com/apply-to-enter  Each summer, Big Feastival transforms Alex James's Cotswold farm into a heady weekend of live music, incredible food, and family-friendly mischief. But this year, it’s not just back, it’s back with strings attached. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or just someone who enjoys cheese with your dancefloor, here are five unmissable highlights at this year’s Big Feastival.  ALEX JAMES' BRITPOP CLASSICAL For the uninitiated, imagine the swagger of the ‘90s Britpop era reimagined with the cinematic flourish of a full orchestra. Add a dash of eccentric English charm and a roll-call of cultural icons and you begin to understand what’s in store. Blur’s very own Alex James will take centre stage alongside a glittering line-up including Phil Daniels, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Gary Stringer of Reef, and Fran Healy & Dougie Payne of Travis. This all-star symphonic spectacular promises orchestral takes on era-defining anthems like Girls and Boys, Place Your Hands and Bittersweet Symphony. Quite the crescendo to cap off the weekend.  WOODLAND DINNERS AND FIRE PIT FEASTS Dining is a serious affair here. The Big Kitchen plays host to culinary royalty, with Raymond Blanc (Friday), Simon Rimmer (Saturday) and Si King (Sunday) cooking up a storm in front of live audiences. For those in search of more immersive indulgence, Fire Pit Feasts and Lazy Lunches by Ben Quinn promise four-course revelry under canvas, with smoke, fire and finesse in equal measure. Thursday’s Woodland Feasts will see intimate gatherings amidst the trees, serving up Cotswold-reared beef and James’ own Blue Monday cheese, a nod to terroir and tradition alike. Meanwhile, a brand-new BBQ Cook School invites budding firemasters to get hands-on with the grill, while Little Cooks with Prept keeps younger chefs entertained, informed and very well fed.  THE CHEESE HUB As dusk falls, the party continues. What began as a quirky tent filled with Alex James’ cheeses has become one of the festival’s hottest nightspots. The Cheese Hub returns with a DJ line-up that’s equal parts nostalgic and wildly entertaining: Simon Pegg, James Buckley, Chris Stark, Edith Bowman and more. One of our highlights from last year was Woody Cook who returns again to The Cheese Hub on the Sunday.  STREET FOOD, OBVIOUSLY We don't know another music festival where the food as just as popular as the music, but Feastival absolutely nails both. What sets Big Feastival’s street food scene apart is not just the quantity, but the quality. Whether you're craving something charred, spiced, slow-smoked or plant-based, there’s something for every palate and enough variety to make even the most indecisive eater deeply content. From bao to brisket, ramen to roti, it's a global tour of bold flavours without having to leave the farm.  THE BIG TOP
The Big Top returns as the beating heart of Big Feastival’s family fun and a vibrant hub packed with entertainment and activities for younger festivalgoers. It's the place ypu will find Barrioke, an hour-long sing-a-long with Eastenders star Shaun Williamson. Highlights for 2025 include School of Beatbox, Mad Science Live, Little Yogi Festival Flow and Ninja Masters, promising music, movement and interactive learning. New for 2025, kids will also get to enjoy the world’s biggest bouncy castle, which will be on site for the first time. Across the weekend, families can enjoy live shows from favourites like MC Grammar, Evie Pickerill, The Marvellous Myth Hunters and Bubblemania. Big Feastival will also welcome back children’s TV legend Justin Fletcher, Strictly star Oti Mabuse, and introduce the daring thrills of Chris Bullzini’s High Wire – a jaw-dropping spectacle high above the festival fields. This year also sees the biggest comedy line-up in the festival’s history including Lucy Beamont, Lou Sanders & Bridget Christie to name a few. The Big Feastival takes place on Alex James' Farm in Kingham from Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th August 2025. bigfeastival.com Get ready to pack your wellies and picnic blankets as Big Feastival 2025 is back, bigger and tastier than ever! Set against the backdrop of Alex James’ farm in Kingham from 22 - 24 August 2025, the weekend is a glorious mash-up of top-tier live music, dining experiences, family fun and, of course, incredible street food. If you're there for all three days or just one, here is some of the best food that you need to try. SMITHS OF BOURTONWe couldn't start with anyone else than our fellow Cotswoldians, Smiths of Bourton. Brothers Theo and Seb have been smashing awesome burgers in their parent's old tea room in Bourton on the Water since 2020, and will be appearing at Feastival for the first time. You can expect huge flavours in their hand-pressed beef burgers made with Aubrey Allen dry-aged beef, buns from Marks Cotswold Bakery, homemade sauces and a while lot of love. www.smithsofbourton.com 
Our favourites from last year's festival, Bab Haus specialise in Mexican Street Food with a focus on pure, bold flavours and fresh ingredients. Their food is a fresh mix of authentic Mexican recipes with strong influences from LA and the West Coast. Their loaded nachos are awesome, but the Birria Taco is next level and an absolute must. www.babhausmex.co.uk 
If wild game is your thing, then you need to visit Game and Flames. Created by Cai Ap Bryn, a renowned wild food chef, hunter, and outdoor cooking expert with a deep passion for field-to-fork cuisine, Game and Flames not only caters using wild game but also sources high-quality meat from across the British Isles, supporting sustainable and ethical farming practices. Combining culinary creativity with traditional skills, Cai and his team deliver unforgettable, flame-fired feasts that reconnect people with the origins of their food www.gameandflames.com 
At Banquet 1415, you can expect delicious Beef Short Ribs to Argentine Sausage, Pork Collar and mixed grill with the famous chimichurri that will have your taste buds dancing. Insta: @banquet1415 
These guys have been a staple of Feastival for a few years and are a must if you're going this summer. Serving classic New Orleans and Regional American flavours with their and Buttermilk Fried, don't be surprised if you venture back more than once! eatpoorboys.com 
That’s It Pancit is your go-to for bold Filipino BBQ, loaded noodle bowls, and crispy fries with a twist. They're all about big u, street food vibes, and sharing the love for pancit—Filipino-style stir-fried noodles—done right. Whether it’s juicy skewers fresh off the grill, saucy pancit packed with toppings, or fries drizzled with our signature sauces, we keep it simple, fun, and full of Filipino soul. 
Inspired by classic European bistros, neighbourhood bars and cafés that have influenced Australasian culinary duo Melanie Brown and Sami Harvey, The Laundry will be bringing their masterfully slow-cooked caramelised NZ spiced pork belly, a rich and creamy Mac'n'Cheese with smoked manuka and crispy Pangrattato, as well as a BBQ Brekky Bun to kick-start your day at Big Feastival. thelaundrybrixton.com 
If, like us, you love Mexican food, you will definitely love Elote Tacos. If you are a regular at Gloucester Food Dock, you will be familiar with these guys, and they will be bringing their flavour-packed authentic Mexican cuisine to the farm for the first time in 2025. elotetacos.com 
For anyone with a sweeter tooth, look no further than Blondies Kitchen. Founded in 2016 by two blonde foodies and professionally trained chefs, Kristelle and Chelsie, the girls became obsessed with American style cookies and have taken the cookie world by storm with their unique flavours and irresistible taste. Instagram: www.instagram.com/blondieskitchen 
We absolutely love Dumplings and these hand-crafted Himalayan ones are a thing of beauty. Their usual offering includes traditional pork and leek, signature beef and their vegan ones too. 
A restaurant in London for over a decade, Chick 'N' Sours have been taking their awesome fried chicken and flavours around the UK and is just another you should be trying at Big Feastival this August. www.chicknsours.co.uk 
 The Big Feastival have today announce their line-up for this year's festival in August. Travis, Nelly Futado, The Wombats, Faithless, Tom Walker and Sophie Ellis-Bextor will all play across the Bank Holiday weekend at Alex James' Farm in Kingham. The Pigeon Detectives, Rizzle Kicks, Maximo Park and Scouting For Girls will also be playing. The festival takes place from the 22nd-24th August 2025. For the full line up, visit bigfeastival.com  Wychwood Festival announced more bands that will join them in 2025. Shed Seven, Doves, The Lottery Winners, Scouting For Girls, The Magic Numbers and The Zutons are just a few of the bands that will be playing across the weekend on 30th May - 1st June 2025 at Cheltenham Racecourse. The three-day festival has won numerous awards for being the best Family Festival in the UK, and next year looks like it will be the best yet. Day and Weekend tickets are on sale now. wychwoodfestival.com  PHOTO COURTESY OF WYCHWOOD FESTIVAL  While it's cold, wet and miserable outside, you'd be forgiven to be dreaming of singing, drinking and soaking up sunshine next summer. And looking at all of the music announcements coming through, summer 2025 is going to absolutely awesome! FOREST LIVELet's start with Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum which boasts six nights of great music from 17th - 22nd June 2025. If you've never been to Forest Live, it's a wonderful concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere. 17th June: Snow Patrol 18th June: Sting 19th June: Elbow (+ The Coral and Billie Marten) 20th June: Paul Heaton and special guest singer Rianne Downey ( + Billy Bragg) 21st June: McFly (+ Twin Atlantic and Devon) 22nd June: The Script (+ Tom Walker) www.forestlive.com
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