Lakefest is a family-friendly music festival held at Eastnor Castle Deer Park near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire. Running since 2013, it has steadily grown from a small local event into a festival that attracts around 8,000 people and books headline-level acts. The setting, beside a beautiful lake with the Malvern Hills as a backdrop, is one of the most picturesque of any UK festival. If you want quality music in a relaxed, welcoming environment, Lakefest delivers.
Location and setting
The festival takes place at Eastnor Castle Deer Park, a few miles east of Ledbury in Herefordshire (despite commonly being associated with Tewkesbury, which is the nearest larger town). The site is set around a lake within the deer park, and the views towards the Malvern Hills are genuinely spectacular. The castle itself provides an imposing backdrop, though the festival takes place in the grounds rather than the building.
Lakefest typically runs from Thursday to Sunday in August. The site is well-established as a festival venue and benefits from decent infrastructure and good drainage. The deer park setting gives the whole event a relaxed, pastoral feel that contrasts nicely with the energetic music programme.
Music
Lakefest books a mix of heritage acts and contemporary performers. Past headliners have included The Levellers, James, Lightning Seeds, The Waterboys, and Happy Mondays. The undercard features a mix of tribute bands, local acts, and up-and-coming artists. The musical focus is broadly indie, rock, folk, and reggae, with something for most mainstream tastes.
There are several stages around the lake, with the main stage facing the water. The programming runs from afternoon until late evening, with the schedule weighted toward the evenings and nighttime. Late-night DJs keep things going in the dance tent after the live music finishes.
The Lakefest vibe
The music at Lakefest is designed to be inclusive rather than cutting-edge. You will not find the latest underground artists here, but you will find bands that everyone in your group can enjoy. It is the kind of festival where parents and teenagers can both have a good time without either group having to compromise too much.
Family-friendly
Lakefest positions itself firmly as a family festival, and it delivers on that promise. The kids' area has a full programme of activities, including craft workshops, circus skills, sports, and children's entertainment. There is family camping in a quieter area, and the overall atmosphere is safe and welcoming for children of all ages.
The festival is also popular with groups of friends who want a weekend of live music without the chaos of larger events. The combination of quality headliners, a beautiful setting, and manageable numbers makes it work for a wide range of people. For more family options, see our family-friendly festival guide.
Camping and accommodation
Weekend tickets include camping in the deer park. The setting is lovely, with views of the lake and surrounding hills from many pitches. General camping is spacious, and there is a quiet camping area for families. Glamping options include bell tents, yurts, and pods, bookable separately. Campervans and caravans have a dedicated area with hookups available.
Facilities are good for a festival of this size: portaloos and some flushing toilets, showers, water points, and phone charging. The site is relatively compact, so the walk from camping to the stages is short. Our camping checklist has everything you need to pack.
Food and drink
Food traders at Lakefest offer a decent range, with wood-fired pizza, gourmet burgers, Thai food, and plenty of vegetarian options. The bars serve a mix of mainstream and craft beers, wines, and spirits. You can bring your own alcohol into the camping area. The lakeside setting means that a cold drink with a view of the water at sunset is one of the simple pleasures of the weekend.
Getting there and tickets
By car, Eastnor Castle is off the A438 between Ledbury and Tewkesbury. From Birmingham, it is about an hour. From Bristol, about an hour and a quarter. From London, about two and a half hours via the M5 and M50. The nearest train station is Ledbury, which has services from Birmingham and Hereford. A taxi or shuttle from the station completes the journey.
Weekend tickets are typically £130 to £170 for adults, with children's tickets significantly cheaper and under-fives free. Day tickets are also available. The festival has grown in popularity, and early bird tickets offer the best value. For ticket buying advice, see our online ticketing guide.
Is Lakefest for you?
If you want a gorgeous setting, crowd-pleasing music, and a family-friendly atmosphere without the stress of navigating a 100,000-capacity site, Lakefest is an excellent choice. It does not pretend to be the coolest festival in the country, and that honesty is refreshing. It is a really good weekend out in a beautiful part of England, and sometimes that is exactly what you want from a festival.
