6 of the best festivals to take a road trip to

Put your lease car through its paces and take a road trip to one of these six fantastic festivals this summer

Arguably one of the best reasons to pack up your camping gear, hop in the car and take to the roads, the UK festival circuit has a lot to offer.

With a plethora of live music events spanning every genre, art and spoken word festivals, food-centric feasts and family friendly affairs, there’s sure to be a festival to suit every age and taste.

And with fun firmly back on the cards after the chaos of the last few years, 2024 is the perfect time to crack out the tent and take your car lease out for a spin.

So, regardless of whether you’re joining the ranks of seasoned festival goers, dipping your toe in the festival waters with a one-day ticket, or you’re simply dreaming of breaking out from your office and watching some good music in the sunshine, we’ve picked six of our favourite festivals.

Wellies and mud not included – but, let’s face it, almost mandatory.

Camp Bestival

When: 25th – 28th July 2024
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset

The go-to festival for families, Camp Bestival is worth the trip if you want to get the whole clan involved. 

With the music line-up including acts like McFly, Paloma Faith, Jake Shears, Pete Tong, James Arthur, and Sophie Ellis Bextor, and a variety of activities like a sensory garden, silent disco, wall clubbing, weaving and a mud kitchen, there’s truly something for everyone.

And with the entire festival being geared towards families, there’s plenty of safeguarding in place to keep you and your little ones safe.

Camping is plentiful, with pitches for tents and campervans as well as options like yurts and pre-pitched tents (if you don’t fancy putting up your own canvas, or want something a little sturdier).

There are plenty of facilities for families, and more to do than you could ever possibly get to in one weekend, with a mix of music, arts, contemporary theatre, activities, and spoken word.

Latitude

When: 25th – 28th July 2024
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk

If you’re looking for the very best in music and the arts, Latitude is the festival for you.

Set in the beautiful grounds of Henham Park, this family friendly festival provides no end of magical entertainment.

With acts like Kasabian, Duran Duran, Keane, Rick Astley, CMAT and Baby Queen gracing the music stage, comedians like Jo Brand, Sara Pascoe, Seann Walsh, Lucy Beaumont and Sam Campbell providing the laughs, and the best talent across the performing arts bringing wonder and spectacle to a variety of venues, there’s something new to enjoy around every corner.

Whether you’re into live music, comedy, literature, theatre, poetry, spoken word, dance or exploring enchanted gardens and woodlands, Latitude has you covered. 

Reading and Leeds Festivals

When: 21st – 25th August
Where: Richfield Avenue, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds

The UK’s longest-running popular music festival, Reading Festival is one not to miss if you’re a bit of a music aficionado, with its sister festival in Leeds running at the same time for those of us up north.

Together, they’re two of the biggest annual music festivals, with killer acts having graced the stage since 1989 (although Reading Festival actually dates back to 1958, when it was known as the National Jazz Festival). 

Headliners (and most supporting acts) play both festivals, with the lineups swapping over each day, so whichever festival you choose, you’ll get the same experience.

And with some of the biggest artists and bands taking to the stage, as well as up-and-coming and hidden talent, Reading and Leeds promise three non-stop, jam-packed, music-filled days.

The 2024 line-up includes big names like Lana Del Rey, Fred Again, Blink 182, Liam Gallagher, Skrillex, Raye, and even more to be confirmed.

The Kent Food Fest

When: 15th and 16th June
Where: Little Elses, Sevenoaks

Get yourself out to Sevenoaks for two days of food, music, and (fingers crossed, don’t say it too loudly) sunshine.

The festival is known for its lineup of talented musicians, tribute acts, and mouthwatering food options, and 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever.

Bop along to the UK’s top tribute acts paying homage to Adele, Oasis, The Killers, Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, dance ‘till your feet fall off with up and coming DJ’s, and send your tastebuds on an adventure with gourmet food trucks, international cuisines and plenty of sweet treats.

There’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained, with circus acts, interactive art workshops, a funfair, and even a Kidz Secret Forest Rave.

And that’s not everything – this year’s festival features a Classic Car & Bike Exhibition, showcasing a variety of classic cars and vintage bikes to take you on a trip back through automotive history.

Cars, music and food?

We're sold.

Isle of Wight Festival

When: 20th – 23rd June
Where: Seaclose Park, Newport

Kick off the summer season with one of the best festivals around.

A mere two hour hop over from London, the Isle of Wight is an idyllic place to host a festival. And with regular car ferries heading to the island from Portsmouth, Lymington and Southampton, you’ll be able to escape the daily hustle and enter music nirvana easily. 

The Isle of Wight Festival began in 1968, with the 1970 line-up including iconic acts like Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Doors, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. It’s long been recognised as Europe’s equivalent of Woodstock, but could have faded into obscurity if it weren’t for the work of John Giddings, who relaunched the Festival in 2002 and still curates the line-up to this day.

And with acts this year including The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys, Green Day, The Pretenders, Scouting for Girls, Keane, Jessie J, Zara Larsson, McFly, S Club, Natalie Imbruglia and more, there really is something for the whole family.

The only tricky bit will be deciding who gets to pick your festival schedule.

(We’d go and see S Club over everyone else, truth be told.)

The Big Feastival

When: 23rd – 25th August
Where: Alex James’ Farm, The Cotswolds

The brainchild of former Blur bassist turned cheesemaker (what else do you do when you hang up your instrument?), The Big Feastival is a relative newcomer to the circuit, but offers an iconic line-up of both musical acts and food.

Want to watch some of the best chefs and culinary talent whipping up a storm on the kitchen stage? With demonstrations from Raymond Blanc, Fitwaffle, George Egg, Poppy O’Toole, Max La Manna and Cherish Finden, you can do just that.

Want to catch some incredible musical acts in the flesh? With the line-up featuring artists and bands like Becky Hill, Ella Henderson, Scouting for Girls, Johnny Marr, Jax Jones, Cian Ducrot and CMAT, you’re spoiled for choice.

Want to sample some absolutely delectable dishes? With a variety of food options, from cheese to burgers to doughnuts to toasties to paella to Mexican classics to noodle dishes, you won’t go home hungry.

There’s even plenty to keep younger children entertained while you scoff your way around the world and dance the day away, including shows from Cbeebies’ Justin Fletcher, Adam Henderson’s Cotswold Farm Park, Silly Science and Circus School. You can even rest your feet (and your mouth) while enjoying comedy from Rhys James, The Scummy Mummies, and In Sickness and In Health with James & Clair Buckley.

In fact, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend an August weekend.