The UK’s Top 5 Festivals (and how to get there by coach)

With Glastonbury only a few days away, it’s time to pay tribute to some other UK festivals as well. Music aficionados who couldn’t get their hands on Glasto tickets have no reason to fret since the UK is home to a vast amount of top notch music festivals. Whether it’s some relaxed days in the countryside or a loud city festival that you are craving – the UK offers a festival for everyone!

Reaching the UK’s Top 5 Music Festivals by Coach

While the festival pass might be fairly expensive in some cases, getting there really isn’t. Most festival venues can easily be reached by coach, with the likes of Eurolines, National Express and megabus offering inexpensive fares. Most companies allow you to take a generous amount of luggage so that all your festival essentials can be packed. For larger items, such as a tent, an additional fee might be charged. You can find out more about that in our guide to luggage allowance on the coach.

1. BoomTown Fair, Winchester

Date: 11-14 August
Main Acts 2016: Madness, Damien Marley, Fat Freddy’s Drop

BoomTown Fair is one of the largest festivals in the UK. An overall of 22 stages offer entertainment for all types of music fans. The festival is particularly renowned for the huge array of musical styles that are features on the stages, allowing both folk and punk rock fans to have a good time. Some fans of the festival like to describe it as more of a “dystopian carnival” than a festival. What’s special about BoomTown Fair is that the festival ground is set up as a village with different districts. Some of them represent a dystopian take on our current society by stressing the difference between the rich and the poor or between different cultures.

Cheap Coach Connection:
London – Winchester, National Express, £11.70
 

2. Bestival, Newport (Isle of Wight)

Date: 8-11 September
Main Acts 2016: The Cure, Major Lazer, Bastille, Diplo

Bestival describes itself as a “boutique festival” drawing attention to its picturesque nature. Set on the Isle of Wight, the festival is one of the most beautiful ones with regards to its set-up and the landscape surrounding the stages. This is also the reason, why Bestival won several awards in the last few years, including the “Fans’ Favourite Festival” in 2011. A hot tip for families is Bestival’s sister festival called Camp Bestival. This family-friendly event takes place from 28 to 31 July in Lulworth Castle, Dorset. Families can enjoy themselves and spend a few days out and about while listening to famous bands such as Underworld or Kaiser Chiefs.

Cheap Coach Connection:
London – Newport (Isle of Wight), Eurolines, £26
 

3. Wilderness, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Date: 4-7 August
Main Acts 2016: The Flaming Lips, Robert Plant

Wilderness is less about loud music and more about escaping busy city life for a few days by turning back time. In remote Oxfordshire thousands of visitors come together every year to celebrate the arts. While the stages provide musical entertainment, you also have the option to visit theatre performances, go to dramatic readings or watch street artists. Wilderness is also renowned for its fantastic food, ranging from Sushi to Street Food Classics. The festival even engages famous chefs which serve their delicacies at the Banqueting Tent, where festival goers can come together to enjoy a lavish meal and a nice glass of wine.

Cheap Coach Connection:
London – Oxford, megabus, £1
 

4. Wireless Festival, Finsbury Park, London

Date: 8-10 July
Main Acts 2016: Calvin Harris, Kygo, Chase & Status

Wireless Festival in central London is held since 2005 and is regarded one of the best music festivals for urban tunes and R’n’B. The festival takes place over three days and will feature famous artists such as Calvin Harris, Kygo or Fergie. Wireless is particularly recommended for visitors who prefer a city-based festival which does not require camping and a lack of shower opportunities. For Wireless you can easily book a hostel in London and then retire to a comfy bed after the last performance of the day.

Cheap Coach Connection:
London – Newcastle upon Tyne, megabus, £7
 

5. Reading&Leeds, Little John’s Farm and Bramham Park

Date: 26-28 August
Main Acts 2016: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Biffy Clyro, Fall Out Boy

Reading is one of the oldest festivals in the UK with its first instalment having taken place in the early 1960s. Because of its lasting success and popularity, a sister festival in Leeds was initiated. All in all about 150 artists are featured on six stages, amongst them famous UK bands such as Biffy Clyro as well as international artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Cheap Coach Connections:
Birmingham – Reading, National Express, £22.60
Leeds – Manchester, megabus, £1