A Different Kind of Festival 2016
Posted 05 April 2016 in Events
Written by Britannia Web Team 
Book Festivals
Hay Festival
26th May-5th June 2016
Attention bookworms! If you love reading, then you HAVE to check out (arguably) THE best book festival in the UK. This year they are celebrating their 25th anniversary, so it is bound to be a special occasion this summer. There are a wide range of genres and authors who perform, give talks and do Q&A sessions. It is free to attend the festival but you usually have to purchase tickets for author or guest speaker events. You can also pick up some amazing book offers and you get to see some of the very best authors across the globe, all in the very heart of Wales.
Nearby attractions
Hay Castle
You can walk around the grounds and have a look around the Honesty Bookshop. There are some stunning views over Hay, so get your camera ready.
Words in the Park Festival
26th May-5th June 2016
This literary festival is new for 2016 and has a host of authors, journalists and politicians giving talks throughout the festival at Opera Holland Park. Both PD James and Alain de Botton are both headlining the event, as well as the author of The Cloudspotter’s Guide Gavin Pretor-Pinney.
Nearby attractions
Canary Wharf
Over the past few years Canary Wharf has opened a range of shopping malls, cafes and restaurants in the area which looks like a (much) smaller version of New York. You can stay nearby at one of our London hotels and enjoy the many sights across the capital as well as the literary festival.
Food Festivals
Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival
One of the most popular attractions at the food and drink festival is the annual Haggis eating competition in Trossachs National Park. You can find some fantastic local foods and dishes from around the globe at this festival set in the stunning Scottish countryside.
Nearby Attractions
Boat across Lake Lomond
You can stay at one of our nearby hotels and do some sightseeing around the magnificent lakes and countryside, as well as boat across the lake and see the spectacular views. The National Park also has some endangered species including red squirrels, otters and golden eagles.
Great British Beer Festival
9th-12th March Olympia, London
A must for any beer lover, the GBBF offers over 900 real ales, and ciders as well as international beers. There are also traditional pub games, tutored beer testing events, food stalls, live music and more.
Nearby Attractions
King’s Cross Pond Club
Although this is technically an art installation, this 40 metre oval pool is surrounded by the urban landscape and has loungers, lockers and changing rooms. Your experience may be based on the British weather so check the forecast beforehand! Book in advance for this fantastic oasis in the concrete jungle.
Family Festivals
27th-30th May, Pippingford Park, East Sussex
This family festival has everything you could wish for and more including a Woodland Spa for the parents and activities including baby bouldering wall, pond dipping, tree climbing, art camp and fairy wand workshop. There is boutique camping including bell tents and tipis and onsite there are toilets, showers and water points.
Nearby Attractions
Pooh Corner
The parish of Hartfield is where the Winnie the Pooh’s author AA Milne lived and his son would visit the shop here every week in the 1920s. Now, it has the largest Pooh memorabilia in the world, as well as 2 pubs and a tea-room to enjoy.
Camp Bestival
28th-31st July at Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Camp Bestival is a fantastic festival suitable for the whole family featuring an out of this world space theme for 2016. There are a wide variety of activities available for children including circus skills, bouncy castles, toddler’s area, and insect circus, soft play tent and face painting. There is also The World Record Breaking Bubble shows and a children’s disco. Get your glow sticks ready!
Nearby Attractions
Weymouth Beach
At this traditional British beach there are water sports, fish and chips, donkey rides, arcades and at certain times of the month the beach is dog friendly.
Sports Festivals
Boardmasters Festival Newquay, Cornwall Aug 10-14
This action packed festival mixes extreme sports and music and takes place every year in Watergate Bay. The artists appearing at the festival are always strong and this year they include Wolf Alice and James Bay. There is surfing and wakeboarding off shore, as well as skateboarding and BMX biking.
Nearby attractions
Minack Theatre
This world famous open air theatre offers stunning views over the Cornwall coast line hosting drama, operas and musicals all year round, a must see if you are in Devon.
Nass Festival
Friday 8th-Sunday 10th July, Royal Bath and West Showground
Nass festival offers a mix of action sports and music such as Jurassic 5 and Knife Party and hosts an International Skating competition and The BMX World Championships. There are other sporting activities including free running and inline skating as well as DJ and MC workshops.
Nearby attractions
Bath Boating Station
You can go rowing, canoeing and punting along the River Avon and there are some amazing wildlife to be seen such as kingfishers and otters.