Glamping, not Glasto: where to festival without the fuss in 2025
If mud, music and merriment aren’t for you, don’t worry — there may be a festival here that’s right up your street...
Ed Grenby - 17 June 2025
Leave the wellies at home – and you probably won’t need the glitter either, if we’re honest. Because – despite what you’ll see in the establishing shots in the BBC’s coverage of the Glastonbury Festival this week and next – Britain’s summer festivals aren’t just for twenty-somethings drinking lukewarm cider from plastic bottles outside their poorly erected £19.99 tents while the boom-boom-boom of the dance tent mingles with the smell of the chemical toilets. In fact, there’s a whole roster of UK festivals over the next few months that offer comfort, sophistication, music you actually like – and even maths puzzles. Think beautiful stately homes, thoughtful programming – and seats! Here are our favourite festivals for grown-ups…
ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
19—22 JUNE 2025
PERFECT FOR Golden greats, sea air and singalongs that don’t end in tinnitus If Glastonbury is the noisy neighbour who never quite grew out of their student phase, then Isle of Wight is the more distinguished older cousin – still up for a dance, but knows when to call it a night. This storied festival has hosted everyone from Joni Mitchell to the Rolling Stones, and in 2025 the torch is being carried by Sting, Paul Heaton and the Corrs. You’ll also spot Faithless and Amy Macdonald between the bigger names, and more comfy deckchairs than glowsticks. You’ll have to get your skates on to grab a ticket, but there is coverage on Sky Arts, on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June from 7.00pm each day.
PERFECT FOR Smooth sounds, scenic Sussex and seriously good wine Billing itself as “Europe’s answer to Montreux”, this polished jazz festival brings together legends and rising stars in a lush corner of the South Downs. In 2025 the line-up includes Smokey Robinson, the Roots, Nile Rodgers & Chic and the wildly talented Jacob Collier. You’re just as likely to stumble on a soulful gospel choir as a 30-piece swing band. And while it’s a camping festival, the on-site hotel-style yurts and pre-pitched bell tents with proper beds make things eminently bearable. If you like your music mellow, and your wine local, Love Supreme lives up to its name.
HENLEY FESTIVAL
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
9—13 JULY 2025
PERFECT FOR Dressing up, big names and black-tie boat rides Set on the banks of the Thames in Oxfordshire, this black-tie affair is as far from Glastonbury as a glass of chilled Chablis is from warm lager. A floating stage hosts headline acts – including, this year, Diana Ross, McFly and Rick Astley – while roving performers add a dash of circus sparkle. Expect fine dining pop-ups, champagne bars and a distinctly Gatsby-esque crowd. The best bit? You can arrive by boat. Second-best bit? There are proper loos.
PERFECT FOR Classical fans, countryside charm and a touch of Glyndebourne glam Tucked away in the South Downs not far from Love Supreme, Petworth is a cultured little gem that punches well above its weight. Held in intimate venues from grand churches to tiny barns, this arts festival blends classical music, jazz and the occasional literary flourish. Highlights this year include violinist Braimah Kanneh[1]Mason, the dazzling piano duo Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy, and saxophonist Tony Kofi. It’s small-scale, high-quality and terribly English. Picnic beforehand, then retire to one of the nearby country inns – with actual beds.
THE BIG FEASTIVAL
Kingham, Cotswolds
22—24 AUGUST 2025
PERFECT FOR Foodies, families, and fans of Radio 2 Set on Blur bassist Alex James’s farm (he swapped chart-toppers for cheese-making a few years ago), this event offers big-name chefs by day and big-name music acts by night. In 2025, the stage belongs to Nelly Furtado, Faithless, Travis, and Alex James’s Britpop Classical – and in the food tents, expect demos from Raymond Blanc and Hairy Biker Si King. There’s a “Waitrose with wellies” vibe, and plenty of glamping options if you’re not up for roughing it.
CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
10—19 OCTOBER 2025
PERFECT FOR Bookworms and Radio 4 listeners If the only time you’ve ever said “I’m at a festival this weekend” it was followed by “of Jane Austen” then this is for you. While the line-up is under wraps, Cheltenham has form: previous guests include Brian Cox, Bernardine Evaristo and Clive Myrie, and 2025 promises more of the same: clever, warm, witty conversation – whether you’re into histories, mysteries or memoir – and activities from maths quizzes to mass poetry readings. It’s all very civilised: Georgian townhouses, crisp autumn air, and plenty of coffee – or gin – between sessions.
Glastonbury 2025 - Coverage across BBC TV, radio, red button and iPlayer from Thursday
ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL
Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight
PERFECT FOR Golden greats, sea air and singalongs that don’t end in tinnitus If Glastonbury is the noisy neighbour who never quite grew out of their student phase, then Isle of Wight is the more distinguished older cousin – still up for a dance, but knows when to call it a night. This storied festival has hosted everyone from Joni Mitchell to the Rolling Stones, and in 2025 the torch is being carried by Sting, Paul Heaton and the Corrs. You’ll also spot Faithless and Amy Macdonald between the bigger names, and more comfy deckchairs than glowsticks. You’ll have to get your skates on to grab a ticket, but there is coverage on Sky Arts, on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June from 7.00pm each day.
Request a brochure and get inspiration for your next holiday
LOVE SUPREME JAZZ FESTIVAL
Glynde Place, East Sussex
PERFECT FOR Smooth sounds, scenic Sussex and seriously good wine Billing itself as “Europe’s answer to Montreux”, this polished jazz festival brings together legends and rising stars in a lush corner of the South Downs. In 2025 the line-up includes Smokey Robinson, the Roots, Nile Rodgers & Chic and the wildly talented Jacob Collier. You’re just as likely to stumble on a soulful gospel choir as a 30-piece swing band. And while it’s a camping festival, the on-site hotel-style yurts and pre-pitched bell tents with proper beds make things eminently bearable. If you like your music mellow, and your wine local, Love Supreme lives up to its name.
HENLEY FESTIVAL
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire
PERFECT FOR Dressing up, big names and black-tie boat rides Set on the banks of the Thames in Oxfordshire, this black-tie affair is as far from Glastonbury as a glass of chilled Chablis is from warm lager. A floating stage hosts headline acts – including, this year, Diana Ross, McFly and Rick Astley – while roving performers add a dash of circus sparkle. Expect fine dining pop-ups, champagne bars and a distinctly Gatsby-esque crowd. The best bit? You can arrive by boat. Second-best bit? There are proper loos.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive more content like this from Radio Times Travel, Shop and Money - click here
PETWORTH SUMMER FESTIVAL
Petworth, West Sussex
PERFECT FOR Classical fans, countryside charm and a touch of Glyndebourne glam Tucked away in the South Downs not far from Love Supreme, Petworth is a cultured little gem that punches well above its weight. Held in intimate venues from grand churches to tiny barns, this arts festival blends classical music, jazz and the occasional literary flourish. Highlights this year include violinist Braimah Kanneh[1]Mason, the dazzling piano duo Pavel Kolesnikov and Samson Tsoy, and saxophonist Tony Kofi. It’s small-scale, high-quality and terribly English. Picnic beforehand, then retire to one of the nearby country inns – with actual beds.
THE BIG FEASTIVAL
Kingham, Cotswolds
PERFECT FOR Foodies, families, and fans of Radio 2 Set on Blur bassist Alex James’s farm (he swapped chart-toppers for cheese-making a few years ago), this event offers big-name chefs by day and big-name music acts by night. In 2025, the stage belongs to Nelly Furtado, Faithless, Travis, and Alex James’s Britpop Classical – and in the food tents, expect demos from Raymond Blanc and Hairy Biker Si King. There’s a “Waitrose with wellies” vibe, and plenty of glamping options if you’re not up for roughing it.
CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
PERFECT FOR Bookworms and Radio 4 listeners If the only time you’ve ever said “I’m at a festival this weekend” it was followed by “of Jane Austen” then this is for you. While the line-up is under wraps, Cheltenham has form: previous guests include Brian Cox, Bernardine Evaristo and Clive Myrie, and 2025 promises more of the same: clever, warm, witty conversation – whether you’re into histories, mysteries or memoir – and activities from maths quizzes to mass poetry readings. It’s all very civilised: Georgian townhouses, crisp autumn air, and plenty of coffee – or gin – between sessions.
Glastonbury 2025 - Coverage across BBC TV, radio, red button and iPlayer from Thursday
Wanting to book a getaway close to home? Check out our UK holidays