Top summer music festivals in the UK
Inspiration
The best festivals to visit in your campervan this year
If your idea of a music festival is 50,000 cider-drinking students rolling around in a muddy field with a grungy band playing on a stage several miles away, then where exactly have you been for the last 25 years?
The days when festivals were exclusively a gathering place for rebellious teenagers, anti-establishment hippies and folk with ‘alternative lifestyles’ are long gone.
These days, music festivals are an established part of the British summer – chilled-out weekends packed with live music and great food, with all sorts of other activities, including comedy, talks, crafts, interesting trader stalls, and more.
Modern-day festivals cater for people of all ages and tastes and you definitely don’t have to be young to enjoy them. In fact, many festivals are aimed at older music fans – and don't worry, toilet and washing facilities have improved dramatically over the years!
What better way to enjoy a festival than in your campervan?
Iain Duff Content Editor: Campervan/Camping
Iain Duff Content Editor: Campervan/Camping
Which festival should you go to in 2025?
Festival veteran and Campervan editor, Iain Duff, has come up with a selection of great events to consider for your next campervan festival experience in the UK.
The best festivals for campervans tend to be the smaller, more intimate events but some of the bigger festivals are definitely worth visiting, too.
Glastonbury Festival
25 – 29 June
Glastonbury is the grandaddy of all festivals and there’s an argument that everybody should get the chance to go at least once in their life. It is known as the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. Not bad for its humble beginnings when the entry fee was £1 and included camping and a bottle of milk. If you manage to get a ticket, you’ll be sharing your weekend with over 200,000 other folk, but you’ll be absolutely spoilt for acts to see and things to do.
Tartan Heart Festival
31 July – 2 August
Belladrum’s sprawling estate near Inverness is the venue but, despite all the space, this is a festival that keeps its visitor numbers down to the 20,000 level. Nevertheless, it’s big enough to have attracted the likes of Van Morrison, Nile Rodgers and Travis – as well as being a natural home to more local acts of all levels. The 2025 headliners are Paul Heaton, Texas and Supergrass. Every year there’s a different theme for dressing up and in 2025 it’s the silver screen.
Wickham Festival
31 July – 3 August, 2025
A past winner of the Best Festival Under 15,000 People award, the Hampshire town of Wickham gives its name to this festival – and it’s close enough to walk into should you wish for a break from the usual music and other mayhem. Not that there’s not more than enough to keep your attention on the site itself. It’s fair to say the 2025 line-up is eclectic, featuring folk pioneer, Richard Thompson, Leo Sayer, Fisherman’s Friends and Alabama 3, among others.
Retro Festival
8 – 10 August, 2025
Experience a blast from the past at Retro Festival in Newbury, where live music, entertainment, and dance take centre stage. Three incredible stages showcase 60 years of timeless hits. Marvel at an array of vintage vehicles, from classic cars to campervans and military transports.
Whether you come as you are or dressed in retro attire, our fashion shows and stalls will inspire your style. Enjoy endless fun with fairgrounds, sideshows, delicious food, and lively bars that keep the good times rolling.
Beautiful Days
15 – 17 August, 2025
Ever heard of The Levellers? They’ve been going nearly 40 years with their brand of “angry hippy punk” and there’s no sign of them losing any enthusiasm. They’ve even been the headline act at Glastonbury. The Levellers themselves have been hosting Beautiful Days since 2003, giving them the chance to play acoustic sets, host other acts and close the festival themselves with a typically rumbustious set.
With them this year will be the likes of Frank Turner, the Sex Pistols, Shed Seven, Pete Doherty, John Grant, Therapy, Sleeper and more.
Boardmasters
8 – 10 August, 2025
If you’re into surfing, the Boardmaster festival will totally be your thing, dude. It takes place in Newquay, Cornwall – the UK’s capital of surfing. The music line-up is always great, with Raye, Central Cee and The Prodigy topping the bill in 2025, but it’s much more than that. The Boardmasters Open surfing competition takes place while rookies can get surf lessons and take part in workshops. A gnarly weekend of fun!
Green Man Festival
14 – 17 August, 2025
Wales’ number one festival is a heady mix of music and scenery (thanks to the Brecon Beacons) plus environmental awareness. There’s also dedicated campervan camping – indeed, there’s even the opportunity to arrive extra early, pre-festival and use it as a base for exploring more of Wales. The 2025 headliners are Wet Leg, Underworld and Beth Gibbons.
More UK festivals
Of course there are plenty more music festivals, of all sizes and shapes. The IAF (Association of Independent Festivals) not-for-profit trade body, for example, says it represents over 100 festivals with visitor capacities ranging from 500 to over 75,000.
You’ll also find a comprehensive listing of festivals – music and more – below!
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