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Bearded Theory 2026

Bearded Theory returns from 20th to 24th May 2026 in Catton Park, Walton upon Trent, Derbyshire. This family- and community-friendly festival takes place on a scenic private estate in the National Forest, offering a welcoming atmosphere for all ages.

Music

Enjoy a diverse line-up across multiple stages, featuring folk, indie rock, reggae, ska, world music, funk, and electronic dance. The festival hosts local bands, rising stars, headliners, late-night DJs, and occasional silent discos.

Arts & Entertainment

Discover circus performers, fire-dancers, comedy acts, poetry readings, and interactive art installations. Craft workshops include hat decorating, drum making, T-shirt painting, and dance circles. A retreat zone offers yoga, meditation, and acoustic storytelling.

Family Activities

The award-winning Children's Village features games, storytelling, puppet shows, and crafts. An on-site school supports learning during term time. Facilities include babycare, teen hangouts, and family camping areas for a relaxed experience.

Food & Drink

The food village offers wood-fired pizza, curry, vegan options, and sweet treats from food trucks and stalls. Bars serve local ales, craft beers, ciders, and tea and coffee tents provide warm drinks and pastries.

Atmosphere & Camping

Evenings shine with lanterns, fairy lights, and fire pits in the campgrounds. Accommodation options include tents, campervans, and glamping. Well-maintained facilities and helpful staff ensure a comfortable stay, enhancing the festival’s friendly vibe.

By car: Walton-upon-Trent (Derbyshire DE12 8LN) is best reached via the nearby motorways. From the south, take the M42 north (or the M6 to M42) and from the north or east use the M1 and M6 south to join the M42. Then leave the M42 onto the A38 toward Burton-on-Trent or Tamworth and follow local A-road signs to Walton-upon-Trent and Catton Park. When you reach the country lanes close to the site, follow the official festival signs (often marked Catton Park) rather than GPS, as some bridges are narrow. On arrival, parking is available a short walk from the camping areas.

By train and coach: The nearest railway stations are Burton-on-Trent (about 7 miles away) and Lichfield (about 10–12 miles away). Both have services from Birmingham, Nottingham, and Derby. Tamworth station (about 10 miles away) can also be used, with trains to Birmingham New Street and beyond. From any station you can take a local bus or taxi toward Walton-upon-Trent. Local bus routes (for example Arriva’s 81 from Tamworth or Lichfield) may drop you at Walton-upon-Trent, though schedules can be limited in the evenings. National Express and Megabus coaches serve Tamworth, Derby and other nearby towns – from there you could switch to a local bus or taxi.

By air: The closest airports are East Midlands (about 15 miles away) and Birmingham International (about 30 miles away). Both have car hire and are well connected to the Midlands motorway network. From East Midlands, follow the A50 to the M1/M6 to the M42 north; from Birmingham, use the M42 north. Each airport also offers train connections: from East Midlands you can take the rail link to Derby; from Birmingham Airport you can take a train via Birmingham New Street and Tamworth.

Accommodation: The festival site offers on-site camping fields for tents and campervans (bookable with the event). Off-site, the nearest towns with hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs are Burton-on-Trent, Tamworth, Lichfield and Derby. Each is about a 15–25 minute drive from Walton-upon-Trent and has lodging options from budget inns to cozy B&Bs. During busy festival dates it’s wise to book early. For a country stay, consider holiday cottages or local inns in nearby villages – just remember you may need a taxi or parking if staying slightly farther out.

EMF unknown stage
Cans unknown stage
Meryl Streek unknown stage
JooLs unknown stage
Cara Means Friend unknown stage
La Securite unknown stage
LiINES unknown stage
3 Daft Monkeys unknown stage
A Certain Ratio unknown stage
An Dannsa Dub unknown stage
Andrea Kenny unknown stage
Big Special unknown stage
Bloodworm unknown stage
Chris Hawkins unknown stage
DJ Rap unknown stage
Lambrini Girls unknown stage
LiINES unknown stage
Meatdripper unknown stage
Muddy Summers & The DFWs unknown stage
Split Dogs unknown stage
The Unthanks unknown stage
VENUS GRRRLS unknown stage
Pixies unknown stage
CMAT unknown stage
Garbage unknown stage
The Damned unknown stage
Skunk Anansie unknown stage
Kae Tempest unknown stage
Adult DVD unknown stage
Amelia Coburn unknown stage
Au Pairs unknown stage
Bad Nerves unknown stage
Badly Drawn Boy unknown stage
Beans on Toast unknown stage
Bez unknown stage
Chalk unknown stage
DJ Rap unknown stage
Drum Machine unknown stage
Dub Pistols (DJ Set) unknown stage
Fat Dog unknown stage
Ferocious Dog unknown stage
From The Specials unknown stage
Getdown Services unknown stage
Girl Scout unknown stage
Goldie unknown stage
Good heath Good Wealth unknown stage
Graeme Park unknown stage
Grandmas House unknown stage
Heartworms unknown stage
Henge unknown stage
Idlewild unknown stage
jasmine.4.t unknown stage
Jess Silk unknown stage
Kate Nash unknown stage
kezia Gill unknown stage
Kid Kapichi unknown stage
Leeroy Thornhill unknown stage
Miki Berenyi Trio unknown stage
Neville Staple unknown stage
NewDad unknown stage
Panic Shack unknown stage
Peter Hook and The Light unknown stage
Phil Hartnoll unknown stage
Pop Will Eat Itself unknown stage
Reverend and The Makers unknown stage
Senser unknown stage
Slay Dugee unknown stage
Sprints unknown stage
Stewart Lee unknown stage
Taylor More Swiftly unknown stage
Teke Teke unknown stage
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican unknown stage
The League of Rebelz unknown stage
The Magic Numbers unknown stage
The Molotovs unknown stage
The Nightingales & Ted Chippington unknown stage
The Pale White unknown stage
The Sabres of Paradise unknown stage
The Wedding Present unknown stage
Thistle unknown stage
Toots and the Maytals ft Leba Hibbert unknown stage
Utah Saints unknown stage
Westside Cowboy unknown stage
Artist Stage Day
3 Daft Monkeys unknown stage Thu 21st
A Certain Ratio unknown stage Thu 21st
Adult DVD unknown stage Day TBC
Amelia Coburn unknown stage Day TBC
An Dannsa Dub unknown stage Thu 21st
Andrea Kenny unknown stage Thu 21st
Au Pairs unknown stage Day TBC
Bad Nerves unknown stage Day TBC
Badly Drawn Boy unknown stage Day TBC
Beans on Toast unknown stage Day TBC
Bez unknown stage Day TBC
Big Special unknown stage Thu 21st
Bloodworm unknown stage Thu 21st
Cans unknown stage Wed 20th
Cara Means Friend unknown stage Wed 20th
Chalk unknown stage Day TBC
Chris Hawkins unknown stage Thu 21st
CMAT unknown stage Fri 22nd
DJ Rap unknown stage Thu 21st
DJ Rap unknown stage Day TBC
Drum Machine unknown stage Day TBC
Dub Pistols (DJ Set) unknown stage Day TBC
EMF unknown stage Wed 20th
Fat Dog unknown stage Day TBC
Ferocious Dog unknown stage Day TBC
From The Specials unknown stage Day TBC
Garbage unknown stage Sat 23rd
Getdown Services unknown stage Day TBC
Girl Scout unknown stage Day TBC
Goldie unknown stage Day TBC
Good heath Good Wealth unknown stage Day TBC
Graeme Park unknown stage Day TBC
Grandmas House unknown stage Day TBC
Heartworms unknown stage Day TBC
Henge unknown stage Day TBC
Idlewild unknown stage Day TBC
jasmine.4.t unknown stage Day TBC
Jess Silk unknown stage Day TBC
JooLs unknown stage Wed 20th
Kae Tempest unknown stage Sun 24th
Kate Nash unknown stage Day TBC
kezia Gill unknown stage Day TBC
Kid Kapichi unknown stage Day TBC
La Securite unknown stage Wed 20th
Lambrini Girls unknown stage Thu 21st
Leeroy Thornhill unknown stage Day TBC
LiINES unknown stage Wed 20th
LiINES unknown stage Thu 21st
Meatdripper unknown stage Thu 21st
Meryl Streek unknown stage Wed 20th
Miki Berenyi Trio unknown stage Day TBC
Muddy Summers & The DFWs unknown stage Thu 21st
Neville Staple unknown stage Day TBC
NewDad unknown stage Day TBC
Panic Shack unknown stage Day TBC
Peter Hook and The Light unknown stage Day TBC
Phil Hartnoll unknown stage Day TBC
Pixies unknown stage Fri 22nd
Pop Will Eat Itself unknown stage Day TBC
Reverend and The Makers unknown stage Day TBC
Senser unknown stage Day TBC
Skunk Anansie unknown stage Sun 24th
Slay Dugee unknown stage Day TBC
Split Dogs unknown stage Thu 21st
Sprints unknown stage Day TBC
Stewart Lee unknown stage Day TBC
Taylor More Swiftly unknown stage Day TBC
Teke Teke unknown stage Day TBC
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican unknown stage Day TBC
The Damned unknown stage Sat 23rd
The League of Rebelz unknown stage Day TBC
The Magic Numbers unknown stage Day TBC
The Molotovs unknown stage Day TBC
The Nightingales & Ted Chippington unknown stage Day TBC
The Pale White unknown stage Day TBC
The Sabres of Paradise unknown stage Day TBC
The Unthanks unknown stage Thu 21st
The Wedding Present unknown stage Day TBC
Thistle unknown stage Day TBC
Toots and the Maytals ft Leba Hibbert unknown stage Day TBC
Utah Saints unknown stage Day TBC
VENUS GRRRLS unknown stage Thu 21st
Westside Cowboy unknown stage Day TBC

Walton Upon Trent, Walton upon Trent, DE128LN

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