The 50 Best Summer Festivals

2. Free Time
Four days of free family activities in the heart of London. Free Time sees Somerset House, the Courtauld, the Hermitage Rooms and the Gilbert Collection throw open their doors for treasure trails around the galleries, workshops and interactive shows. Elsewhere, in the Edmond J Safra Court, the fountains will be made to dance, so, while the children are splashing around having fun, their parents can look on and imagine they’re in La Dolce Vita.
Where Somerset House, London (020-7845 4600; www.somersethouse.org.uk)
When 26 to 29 July

3. Aldeburgh
In its 60th year, under the watchful eye of artistic director Thomas Ades, the festival founded by Benjamin Britten on the Suffolk coast opens with a new production of the latter’s Death in Venice. The Italian theme continues with music by Monteverdi and Gesualdo, Stravinsky’s Pulcinella and an exhibition of contemporary art inspired by Italo Calvino. World premieres include Elephant & Castle (above), a multimedia lyric-theatre piece with music by Mira Calix and Ades’s new Powder Her Face Suite .
Where Various venues (01728 687110; www.aldeburgh.co.uk)
When 8 to 24 June

4. Fantastic Films Weekend
Brian Aldiss, whose novels have inspired many movies including Frankenstein Unbound and A. I. Artificial Intelligence, John Hough, the director of the Hammer classic Twins of Evil (above), a lesbian vampire chiller and Lawrence Gordon Clark, who brought the BBC Ghost Stories for Christmas series to the small screen, are guests at the sixth FFW. Also on the bill for this celebration of cult movies are screenings of Countess Dracula and Forbidden Planet.
Where National Media Museum, Bradford (0870 70 10 200; www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk
When 15 to 17 June

5. Wychwood
Now in its third year, Wychwood brings its heady, family-friendly mix of pop, folk and world back to the grassy amphitheatre. Headliners are Fun Lovin’ Criminals and Levellers alongside Badly Drawn Boy, Anoushka Shankar (above), Balkan Beat Box, Eliza Carthy, Rodrigo y Gabriela and Ba Cissoko. And if their melodies don’t chill you sufficiently, you can visit the solar-powered Groovy Movie Picture House or have a soothing massage.
Where Cheltenham Racecourse (01993 772580; www.wychwoodfestival.com)
When 1 to 3 June

6. Summer Sundae Weekender
This weekender boasts five stages, four bars, three days of music, two campsites and more than 100 artists. The Magic Numbers (above), the Divine Comedy, Spiritualized, the Hold Steady, Gruff Rhys, California’s !!!, and the jazzhip-hop artist Soweto Kinch make for a sweet summery line-up this year. And the Cabaret tent, programmed by Leicester Comedy Festival, offers some of the best stand-up around.
Where De Montfort Hall & Gardens, Leicester (0116-233 3111; www.summersundae.com)
When 10 to 12 August

7. Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival
The largest festival of its kind in the UK screened 174 films from 15 countries last year, 117 of which were made by young people. This year, expanded from 10 to 15 days, it promises even more, including the premiere of the animated Impy’s Island (above).There is also a new Unicef prize for films on the theme of young people’s rights, and the Steel City Globe Awards, a mini-Oscars for young film-makers.
Where Showroom Cinema, Sheffield (0114-275 7727; www.showcomotion.org.uk)
When 28 June to 12 July

8. Faenol Festival
The opera singer Bryn Terfel (above) throws open his estate near Caenarfon for a weekend of popular music and opera stars. Girls Aloud and Jamelia kick off the festivities on the Friday night, while at Saturday’s opera gala, Terfel will be joined byCarlos Alvarez, Ramón Vargas, Rebecca Evans and Christine Rice, accompanied by Gareth Jones’s WNO. On Sunday it’s the turn of musicals with Ruthie Henshall and the Welsh Maria, Connie Fisher. Monday is devoted to the very best of Welsh rock and pop.
Where Faenol Estate, North Wales (01492 872 000; www.brynfest.com)
When 24 to 27 August

9. Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival
This celebration of the very best in forensic fiction sees a host of crime writers and their gumshoe creations descend on the spa town. This year’s authors include Frederick Forsyth (above), Lee Child, Harlan Coben and Val McDermid, the festival founder, who is appearing for the first time as a guest. Discussions range from “Plumbing the Depths”, exploring the psychology of violent crime, to “Reading the Crime Scene” where real life CSI’s share some tricks of the trade.
Where Crown Hotel, Harrogate (01423 562 303; www.harrogate-festival.org.uk/crime)
When 19 to 22 July

10. Manchester International Festival
A new festival dedicated to original work opens with a hugely exciting programme. Commissions include Damon Albarn’s and Jamie Hewlett’s circus opera Monkey, a concert adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s The Ground Beneath Her Feet with the Hallé, a stage version of The Pianist and a comedy from Stewart Lee and Johnny Vegas. Also performing are Lou Reed, the Fall, Kanye West, PJ Harvey, Beth Orton (above) and the Happy Mondays.
Where Various venues, Manchester (0871 2301888; www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com)
When 28 June to 15 July

11. Latitude
The beauty of this festival lies in its breadth of arty activities ranging from film to comedy (Shappi Khorsandi, Stewart Lee), poetry and literature (Louis de Bernières), experimental theatre and a cabaret arena offering Bollywood dance classes and a men’s burlesque workshop. The music isn’t half bad either – Arcade Fire (above), the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Damien Rice, Jarvis Cocker, CSS, Tinariwen and Midlake have all signed up.
Where Henham Park Estate, Southwold, Suffolk (0870 0603775; www.latitudefestival.com)
When 12 to 15 July

13. BBC Proms 2007
The world’s largest music festival with over 120 events, this year’s Proms have a decidedly literary feel with Shakespeare running throughout the programme from Verdi’s Macbeth to Bernstein’s West Side Story and two Cadogan Hall concerts featuring settings of Auden and Blake by Britten from Polyphony and the Nash Ensemble. Elsewhere, the spotlight is on Elgar, with a First Night Cello Concerto from Paul Watkins, and an all-Sibelius programme.
Where Various venues, London (020-7589 8212; www.bbc.co.uk/proms)
When 13 July to 8 September

12. Women’s Arts International Festival
This new festival celebrating the achievements of women in the arts has over 100 events. Musicians Patti Smith (above), Peggy Seeger and Joan as PoliceWoman will appear, as well as the writers Lionel Shriver and Nicci Gerrard, a range of female film-makers and comedians, the Jasmin Vardimon Dance Company, Prunella Scales and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown reading her new play Nowhere to Belong.
Where Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, Cumbria (01539 725 133; www.womensarts international.co.uk)
When Now running, to 24 May

14. Film4 Summer Screen
Love the cinema but can’t bring yourself to sit in a darkened pit during the long, balmy summer evenings? In a tried, tested and already immensely popular formula, Film4 presents 10 nights of film under the stars in a beautiful West End setting. This year’s highlights on the state-of-the-art wide screen with surround sound and panoramic views of the river will be Hot Fuzz (above) and 2001: a Space Odyssey.
Where Somerset House, London (020-7845 4600; www.somersethouse.org.uk)
When 2 to 11 August

15. Womad
The world comes to Wiltshire. For its 25th anniversary the original world music jamboree has moved. It will host 70 artists from 40 countries in a new green location. Highlights include Baaba Maal (above), Bassekou Kouyaté and Ngoni Ba, El Tanbura, Mariza, Ben Taylor and the Kronos Quartet. To mark the milestone Peter Gabriel, co-founder of the festival will perform on Friday evening, one of only very few UK dates this summer.
Where Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire (0845 1461735; www.womad.org)
When 27 to 29 July

16. Glastonbury
It sold out months ago but no festival guide can ignore Michael Eavis’s annual extravaganza. This year looks to be better than ever with 135,000 tickets snapped up. Headliners on the Pyramid stage are Arctic Monkeys (above), the Who and the Killers, while veteran foghorn Shirley Bassey will bring events to a spectacular close on Sunday evening. Other acts include Kaiser Chiefs, Amy Winehouse, Björk, Bright Eyes, Jamie T, Lily Allen and Paul Weller.
Where Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, Somerset (www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk)
When 22 to 24 June

17. Love Bytes
Eschewing green fields, this festival is held in the urban birthplace of digital pioneers Cabaret Voltaire and Warp Records and features the most exciting international digital art, design and music today. Specially commissioned for the festival is the Norwegian composer Biosphere’s “Does Music Affect Plants?”, which will transform the city’s Winter Garden glasshouse into a laboratory of sound. There will also be club nights and live performances from Mira Calix (above) and Yasunao Tone.
Where Various venues, Sheffield (0114-275 7727; www.lovebytes.org.uk)
When 13 to 20 May

18. Lake District Summer Music
The theme for this year’s festival is the “Evolution of the Voice”. As such, the programme of 52 concerts in various idyllic Lake District locations begins with Purcell’s lavish semiopera The Fairy Queen by the Armonico Consort. Also performing are the Sixteen, Psappha, with a performance of El Cimarron, and Timothy West, who will read extracts from Casanova’s spicy memoirs to the accompaniment of the harpsichord.
Where Various venues, Cumbria (08456 442144; www.ldsm.org.uk)
When 3 to 19 August

19. Ledbury Poetry Festival
Nestling among the half-timbered buildings of this tiny town is Britain’s largest poetry fest. James Fenton kickstarts events reading from The NewFaber Book of Love Poems, followed by Simon Armitage (above) with Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.Other attendees include Tom Paulin, Daljit Nagra and PJ Kavanagh, while Theo Dorgan and Paula Meehan are the Irish poets in residence. The finale will be a performance of songs from The Ballads of the Book.
Where Ledbury, Herefordshire (0845 458 1743; www.poetry-festival.com)
When 29 June to 8 July

20. Edinburgh International Festival
Jonathan Mills’s (above) first festival as director opens with Bernstein’s Candide, swiftly followed by the world premiere of Cologne Opera’s Capriccio with Gabriele Fontana, David Grieg’s new version of The Bacchae starring Alan Cumming, the Wooster Group’s La Didone and two world premieres from the Scottish Ballet. And that’s not to mention the children’s, jazz, fringe, film and art festivals running throughout the summer in the city.
Where Various venues, Edinburgh (0131-473 2000; www.eif.co.uk)
When 10 August to 2 September

21. Wakestock
The main attraction of this extreme-sports event in three locations around Abersoch is the wakeboarding championship. But for those not so keen on riding the waves, there is also plenty of great music. The headliners this year are man of the moment MarkRonson and Dirty Pretty Things (above)while Just Jack, Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly and sets from Cascada and Ugly Duckling should keep the outdoorsy crowd on their toes.
Where Llyn Peninsula, North Wales (01758 710 000; www.wakestock.co.uk)
When 20 to 21 July

22. Taste
This nationwide series will showcase 130 of Britain’s best restaurants from the Witchery in Edinburgh to Le Gavroche in London. Visitors can sample signature dishes, learn valuable tippling lessons in the Leffe speciality beer academy and whisky conoisseurs’ lounge, enjoy aBath high tea and watch celebrated chefs, including Jamie Oliver (above), Tom Aikens and Richard Corrigan in action.
Where Edinburgh, Dublin, London, Bath, Birmingham (020-7471 1092; www.channel4.com/tastefestivals)
When 7 June to 8 July

23. Glyndebourne
The festival opens with a new production of Verdi’s Macbeth, reuniting Vladimir Jurowski with Richard Jones. Katie Mitchell stages Bach’s St Matthew Passion with Sarah Connolly and Mark Padmore. Nikolaus Lehnhoff will direct his landmark Tristan und Isolde (above), the first Wagner opera ever to be staged at Glyndebourne, and 2006’s acclaimed Così Fan Tutte andThe Turn of the Screw both return.
Where Glyndebourne, Lewes, East Sussex (01273 813813; www. glyndebourne.com)
When 19 May to 26 August

24. Port Eliot Lit Fest
Situated in the grounds of a beautiful stately home, this festival of words brings together writers and poets (William Dalrymple, Hari Kunzru and Hanif Kureishi), film-makers and artists (Pawel Pawlikowski, Mike Figgis and Martin Parr), chefs (Skye Gyngell and Angela Hartnett) and quality food. Back by popular demand are Gavin Turk’s magical kids’ workshops and Marcel Theroux’s literary pub quiz.
Where Port Eliot Estate, St Germans, Cornwall (www.porteliotlitfest.com)
When 20 to 22 July

25. Meltdown
Jarvis Cocker (above) will curate this year’s Meltdown at the newly refurbished Southbank Centre. The festival features Iggy and the Stooges, Motörhead, the Jesus and Mary Chain and cult singer Melanie, along with film music from John Barry and the LPO, and tunes from the Vintage Disney Songbook reworked by Cocker and Hals Wilner.
Where Southbank Centre, London (0871 6632520; www.southbankcentre.co.uk/meltdown)
When 16 to 23 June

26. Download
If the concept of a mellow summer chill-out fills you with mild scorn, then hard-rocking Download is the festival for you. Headliners are the head-spinning trio My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park (above) and Iron Maiden. Fellow old-timers Mötley Crüe are on hand as well as Wolfmother and Megadeath while newcomers Enter Shikari and Jared Leto’s band 30 Seconds from Mars also brave the stage. Excess all areas.
Where Donington Park, Derby (0870 400 0822; www.downloadfestival.co.uk)
When 8 to 10 June

27. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
This free festival has grown and grown since its humble beginnings in 1979 with just 29 hot air balloons. A great family event set in the beautiful parkland of Ashton Court, this year’s spectacle promises mass launches of 120 hot air balloons every morning and night, night glows which combine illuminated balloons, fireworks and music as well as children’s entertainment in the heaven area.
Where Ashton Court, Bristol (www.bristolfiesta.co.uk)
When 9 to 12 August

28. York Early Music Festival
The 30th festival will open in style with a reconstruction of King George II’s coronation in York Minster by the King’s Consort (above). Continuing this year’s theme, “PowerPlay: 500 years of musical intrigue, politics and passion”, are the Sixteen with music written for the Sistine Chapel, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, with a programme of John Taverner and Emma Kirkby who joins the Yorkshire Baroque Soloists for an evening of Purcell.
Where Various venues, York (01904 632220; www.ncem.co.uk)
When 5 to 14 July

29. Britdoc 07
Britdoc is where documentary films are born, bringing together the most diverse, and influential group of film-makers and financiers in the world. Screenings this year include We Are Together (above) and The Monastery. Visitors can also enjoy photography from the Magnum agency, specially curated films by artists and animated documentary, while the Phoenix Picturehouse will screen free films.
Where Keble College, Oxford (www.britdoc.org)
When 25 to 27 July

30. Brecon Jazz Festival
A favourite of First Minister Rhodri Morgan, who hasn’t missed one in its 24-year history, this balmy summer festival brings this usually sleepy Welsh market town to life. Among the 32 concerts this year are performances from Joe Lovano (above), Jessica Williams, Andy Sheppard, Jools Holland and Lulu and Mercury Prize nominee Zoe Rahman, while the streets are kept lively with over 60 Stroller events.
Where Various venues, Brecon (01874 611622; www.breconjazz.co.uk)
When 9 to 12 August

31. T in the Park
Now a staple of the Scottish festival season, T in the Park has its usual great line-up this year with Arctic Monkeys, the Killers, Razorlight, Brian Wilson, Arcade Fire, Rufus Wainwright, Amy Winehouse, the Gossip, Snow Patrol and Scissor Sisters (above) on the bill, with Paolo Nutini and the Fratellis providing a little local flavour. New this year is the Tangerine Field offering a luxury camping experience.
Where Balado, by Kinross, Kinross and Perth www.tinthepark.com)
When 6 to 8 July

32. Children’s International Theatre Festiva
This is no ordinary kids’ festival, beginning as it does with Scotland’s first-ever “Baby Rave” for 0-to-4 year olds, complete with live DJ and a chill-out zone. The main focus, though, is the tantalising theatre programme comprising 16 productions from eight different countries and taking in Spanish dance and puppetry, Scottish fairytales, Dutch ballet, a new version of Jason & The Argonauts (above) andThe End of Everything Ever, an account of the kindertransport.
Where Various venues, Edinburgh (0131-228 1404; www.imaginate.org.uk)
When 19 to 28 May (Scottish tour until June)

33. Mostly Mozart
A four-weekend festival offering the opportunity to listen to world-class classical music in the heart of the capital to the accompanying bangs and whooshes of fireworks. This year’s programme focuses on the great violin concertos with Nicola Benedetti (above) and Chloe Hanslip as well as the Armonico Consort’s witty Magic Flute. Budding musicians also have the chance to get involved with the Mozart Big Sing and an Improvising Mozart workshop.
Where Barbican, London (0845 1207500; www.barbican.org.uk/mostlymozart)
When 13 July to 4 August

34. Ways with Words
Aimed at people who read novels and think, “I could do that”, Ways with Words includes a Write On! mini-festival of workshops, study groups and surgeries for wannabe writers run by publishers, agents and established writers. For those content to sit back, listen and wait for inspiration to hit, the medieval Great Hall will host a variety of wordsmiths including Seamus Heaney (above), Tariq Ali, Antonia Fraser, Clive James, Kate Atkinson and Andrew Marr.
Where Dartington Hall, Devon (01803 867373; www.wayswithwords.co.uk)
When 6 to 16 July

35. Newbury Comedy Festival
For those southerners who can’t face the trek to Edinburgh to get their comedy fix, this small but perfectly formed festival features many of the circuit’s biggest names, and pre-fringe too. On the bill areCurb Your Enthusiasm’s Susie Essman, Ed Byrne, Lucy Porter (above), Shazia Mirza, Josie Long and a version of all six Harry Potter books in 60 minutes.
Where Various venues, Newbury, Berkshire (01635 522733; www.ewburycomedyfestival.com)
When 7 to 14 July

36. Bestival
Coming at the tail-end of festival season, Rob da Bank’s boutique bash is a great way to see off a hedonistic summer. Promising utter escapism with its blend of music, dressing up, deluxe camping and delicious vegetarian food, this year looks to be as fun as ever with the Chemical Brothers (above), Beastie Boys and Primal Scream heading the bill.
Where Robin Hill Country Park, Newport, Isle of Wight (08700 667753; www.bestival.net)
When 7 to 9 September

37. Cheltenham Science Festival
This festival has a fascinating lineup of talks including Alice Roberts on how not to die young, Robert Winston (above) on the need to conceive, Alex James on the link between art and science and Jonathon Porritt quizzing David Cameron on his green credentials. Scientific children can have fun with the Creature Comforts team and Laughter Yoga.
Where Various venues, Cheltenham (01242 227979; www.cheltenhamfestivals.com)
When 6 to 10 June

38. London Literature Festival
The capital’s new literary festival has contributions from Pat Barker (above), the poets Roger McGough and Brian Patten, a masterclass in satire from Martin Rowson and a multi-media celebration of WH Auden’s centenary. Wole Soyinka will give the inaugural Southbank lecture and nominees for the Caine Prize, the African Booker, will read.
Where Southbank Centre, London (0871 6632500; www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
When 29 Jun to 12 July

39. Larmer Tree Festival
Jools Holland (above), Show of Hands, Billy Bragg, Los de Abajo, Ozomatli and Courtney Pine are some of the artists lining up for this five-day festival set among the peacocks and pagodas of Larmer Tree’s enchanted gardens. A well kept secret, this quirky event also has street theatre and 100 workshops that culminate in a carnival procession.
Where Larmer Tree Gardens, near Salisbury (023 80711820; www.larmertreefestival.co.uk)
When 11 to 15 July

40. Watch This Space
Once again, the National Theatre plays host to a range of events on its outdoor stage on the South Bank. This year’s highlights look to be Storm Bringer, a free adaptation of The Tempest set aboard a giant ship by the masters of outdoor theatrical waterworks, Avanti Display and a Polish Heart of Darkness.Other events include Sicilian sounds from Nakaira and The Bicycle Ballet.
Where National Theatre, London (www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/wts)
When 6 July to 17 September

41. Rockness
Billed as “the only festival with its own monster”, this event on the banks of Loch Ness mixes electrodance and beats with indie, rock and pop. Chemical Brothers, Groove Armada (above) and Kelis are all lined up for Saturday. Sunday sees Manic Street Preachers and Daft Punk take to the stage, while 2ManyDJs and DJ Yoda take care of the Radio Soulwax Arena.
Where Loch Ness, near Dores (0871 4244444; www.rockness.co.uk)
When 9 to 10 June

42. Underage Festival
It’s astonishing that no one has thought of this before, but this is the first credible indie music festival for under 18s. Brainchild of the 14-year old entrepreneur Sam Killcoyne, who programmes the Underage club night, this festival has a great line-up for the MySpace generation with Patrick Wolf, Mystery Jets and the Young Knives (above) all slated to appear. No adults, or alcohol, allowed.
Where Victoria Park, London (www.ticketweb.com)
When 10 August

43. Fierce!
This feast of live events provides an alternative look at performing arts. The programme will see the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in hot-air balloons and the Birmingham Royal Ballet dancing on a Routemaster bus (above). There’s also a 10-hour club event, with burlesque and films inspired by George Bataille, and cabaret from Duckie.
Where Various venues, West Midlands (0121-244 8084; www.fiercetv.co.uk)
When 18 May to 3 June

44. The Big Chill
With a vastly improved music line-up this year including Mika, Isaac Hayes, Cymande, Ojos de Brujo and Seasick Steve this August weekender is great for those looking to escape the city. It’s really all about soaking up the laid-back atmosphere with a magical art trail in the park’s arboretum, a dressing up tent and a Media Mix tent with film, theatre, cabaret and comedy events.
Where Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Malvern Hills, Herefordshire (08700 667733; www.bigchill.net)
When 3 to 5 August

45. Goodwood Festival of Speed
Astaple on the society calendar, this annual hill-climb race in the grounds of Goodwood House attracts petrol-heads from all over the UK. There’s also a display celebrating 60 years of Ferrari, an opportunity to see stars of motor racing, including Damon Hill, Stirling Moss and Jenson Button, in action and children can watch a real-life Wacky Races with specially built cars.
Where Goodwood House, Chichester (01243 755055; www.goodwood.co.uk/fos)
When 22 to 24 June

46. The Green Man
Set in the glorious surroundings of Glanusk Park in the Brecon Beacons, this gentle folksy festival promises music late into the night from this year’s hottest harpist Joanna Newsom (above), Robert Plant, the Earlies, Vashti Bunyan and Lilac Time. This year there’ll be even more campfire ceilidhs, a larger second stage and a DJ tent.
Where Glanusk Park, Powys (08700 667799; www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk)
When 17 to 19 August

47. V Festival
This mainstream music event, spreading one line-up over two parkland locations has a chartfriendly line-up that ranges from the Killers, Kasabian, Primal Scream and Manic Street Preachers to Basement Jaxx, Pink and Kanye West with the mellow tones of Corrine Bailey Rae (above) Damien Rice and KT Tunstall.
Where Hylands Park, Chelmsford; Weston Park, Staffordshire (0870 1202224; www.vfestival.com)
When 18 to 19 August

48. Acoustic Festival of Great Britain
The grounds of a stately home provides the venue two days of unplugged songs. This year’s bill includes Jethro Tull (above), the Animals, Whitesnake and Midge Ure. The Woody Guthrie tent will host Cajun and Nashville guitarists and blues-roots sounds and visitors can supplement their picnics with samples from the real ale and world food tents.
Where Dorfold Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire (01269 596056; www.acousticfestival.co.uk)
When 28 to 29 July

49. Wireless Festival
The White Stripes (above) and Queens of the Stone Age play their only UK dates this summer and Daft Punk their only English date of the year at Wireless. Joining them will be Kaiser Chiefs, Faithless, Just Jack, the Twang, Badly Drawn Boy and CSS. This year for the first time visitors can pitch camp at Harewood House for the authentic festival experience.
Where Hyde Park, London; Harewood House, Leeds (0871 2309840 www.o2wirelessfestival.co.uk)
When 14 to 17 June

50. Buxton Festival
Combining classical music and literature, this cultural feast boasts seven operas among its 110 events. As well as Le Nozze di Figaro, Donizetti’s Roberto Devereux, Offenbach’s Bluebeard and Jonathan Dove’s Tobias and the Angel, there will be recitals from Dame Felicity Lott and Emma Kirkby. Claire Tomalin, Julian Barnes, Joanna Trollope provide the bookish fayre.
Where Various venues, Buxton (0845 1272190; www.buxtonfestival.co.uk)
When 6 to 22 July