Country houses and music events are well known - but an art gallery with its own music festival? Now that rocks! The Compton Verney Festival returns this summer (1-3 July), and promises three days of brilliant beats, fantastic food and lots of family fun.
The live music stage features a multitude of artists and different musical genres across the three days, with self-proclaimed ‘hardest working band in the world’ Chain of Fools headlining Friday, folk-rockers Leatherat closing Saturday night and the awesome, eighteen-piece Simon Kemp and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra set to smash out some serious R ‘n’ B, soul and funk out on Sunday evening.
There’s a strong emphasis on supporting local talent and giving up-and-coming artists a major showcase, so expect to see Coventry singer-songwriter Kristy Gallacher and Stratford’s Trees and Queens winning new fans alongside Devon-based Tobias Ben Jacob and Luke Drinkwater.
Fans of folk music will particularly enjoy an all too rare chance to see and hear some of the most exciting young performers in the genre play, whilst those who love a cracking tune and a good old boogie will also love the Compton Verney Festival line-up. Elsewhere in the Capability Brown-landscaped grounds, festival-goers can delight in all the fun of the fair, by whizzing down the helter skelter, biffing around in the dodgems and riding on the children’s carousel.
There are plenty of other hands-on activities to try too; from circus skills to jiggling your hips in the hula hoop sessions. Catch your breath as you watch the amazing stilt-walkers and balloon modellers, or unleash the artist within you in one of the festival’s arts and crafts activities.
Of course, having so much fun is bound to work up an appetite and a thirst. Handily, Compton Verney will fill rumbly tums - courtesy of its superb food stalls; including the wildly popular barbecue, pulled-pork and paella stands – and if you’re feeling parched, well how about a tasty tipple of locally produced beer or cider? If you’re with friends, why not order a jug of freshly-made Pimms to get into the party spirit?
Compton Verney Director Dr Steven Parissien said “Our wonderful Summer Festival makes for a brilliant day out for - and, for us, is a brilliant way of showcasing all there is to offer in our incredibly diverse site. Compton Verney isn't just about art and nature; we're also about live music, about rides and games, about food and drink. At Compton Verney we simply want you to have fun.”
Tickets are on sale now – including Early Bird discounts - and for those who want to make a weekend of it, camping is also available.
For more information and details on ticket prices and how to purchase them, visit www.comptonverney.org.uk/thing-to-do/compton-verney-festival or our Facebook and Twitter pages.
