Beautiful Days

In the heart of Devon’s rolling countryside, Beautiful Days Festival returns on 21–23 August 2026 at picturesque Escot Park near Fairmile, just outside Ottery St Mary. This family-friendly festival – organised by the Levellers since 2003 – has become a homecoming for music lovers who crave a weekend away from the ordinary. Here the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, backed by big-name talent: each year’s lineup blends folk, rock, indie and global beats, from headline acts on the main stage down to exciting up-and-coming bands on the smaller stages. Outdoor concerts, late-night sets and daytime lawn gigs all share one thing: a joyful spirit. Above all, Beautiful Days retains its independent, community-driven ethos – no corporate sponsorship, just pure passion behind every performance.

But there’s much more to do than dance. The festival site is dotted with colourful art installations and bustling with wandering performers, so every stroll feels like its own adventure. Children are especially well catered for: a massive kids’ area invites them to try circus skills, puppet workshops, creative crafts and storytelling in the famous Magic Teapot tent. Even the youngest campers feel at home in the gentle, family-only camping zones. Throughout the grounds, pop-up street theatre and fire-dancing surprise you around corners, while afternoons might bring spontaneous ukulele workshops or samba parades. This isn’t just a string of concerts – it’s a living, breathing village of creativity and play.

Foodies and gig-goers alike will be delighted by the culinary offerings: a hand-picked selection of artisan food stalls provides everything from local Devon pasties and wood-fired pizza to spicy curries, vegan fare and festival classics like falafel and churros. Nearby, taps pour real ales and craft beers from the locally famous Otter Brewery, as well as ciders and even custom-themed cocktails. For calmer moments, picnic on the grass in a shady spot or head to the Wellbeing Garden, where yoga classes, meditation and massage tents will revive you for the next set. When dusk falls, the fields come to life with lantern-lit art trails and acoustic campfire sessions – you might even find yourself joining a drumming circle or folk singalong under the stars.

What really sets Beautiful Days apart is the people. Millions of festival memories happen here not because of flashy branding (there is none) but because of the crowd’s genuine spirit. It feels like a giant family reunion: friends of all ages sharing picnics in the sunshine, children running delightedly between fountains of bubbles and music, and lifelong fans greeting each other like old friends. Festival director Mikey and the Levellers themselves mingle in the crowd, reminding everyone that this celebration came from a love of music and community, not profit. You’ll be encouraged to use reusable water bottles by the refill stations and to sort your recycling – part of the eco-friendly ethos that everyone respects. Please do the same for the neighbours: local villages around Fairmile appreciate a peaceful departure on Sunday and legal parking only. The festival team works hard to keep traffic flowing smoothly, so following directions and sharing cars helps minimize impact on the quiet country roads.

Drifting off each night to mellow tunes and waking to birdsong, you’ll feel immersed in a rare kind of magic. More than just concerts, Beautiful Days is a three-day escapade of togetherness. Pitching a tent on lush parkland, meeting friends old and new over impromptu folk songs, and dancing barefoot in the fields – this is what memories are made of. If you long for a summer escape filled with great music, playful arts and kindred spirits, then make your plans for 21–23 August 2026. Come raise a glass (or a guitar) with us at Escot Park and experience why Beautiful Days Festival truly lives up to its name.