Breaking Bands Festival
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Get ready to rock at the 2026 Breaking Bands Festival, a four-day celebration of grassroots music held during the late May Bank Holiday in the Worcestershire countryside. Now in its 11th year, the festival takes over the Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club just outside Bromsgrove. From the moment you arrive, Breaking Bands envelops you in an energetic, family-friendly atmosphere where discovering new bands is the main event. Attendees of all ages gather under open skies to enjoy lively crowds, campfires, and the buzz of hearing fresh local talent between sets. The festival prides itself on keeping things simple and fun – camping and parking are free, and there’s no VIP section to elbow through, so you can mingle freely with both friends and artists. It’s community-run festival magic: everything you love about live music festivals, with none of the hassles.
This year’s lineup is packed with rock, punk and metal acts to satisfy every taste. Over 40 bands will perform on two stages from midday until midnight each day, ensuring non-stop entertainment. Confirmed headliners include hard-rock powerhouses like Skarlett Riot and The Virginmarys, with many more names still to come. Even the Thursday before the main shows kicks off with a fun community quiz night to warm up the crowds. Whether you prefer blistering guitar solos or sing-along anthems, there’s always something new to enjoy around every corner at Breaking Bands.
Breaking Bands stands out for its warm, inclusive community atmosphere. Organizers run it as a not-for-profit event, investing all proceeds back into the festival experience. Volunteers are treated like family – helping out even earns perks like free food, drinks and a festival T-shirt – and they work hard to keep everything running smoothly. The festival has a strict no-hidden-fees policy: there are no extra charges for booking, camping or parking. Families feel right at home here, and a friendly security team maintains a relaxed, respectful vibe. Attendees say it feels like an old-school festival where everything’s clean and organized: the restrooms stay tidy, beer queues are short, and hassle-free fun is guaranteed for everyone.
The Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club itself offers a great festival setting. It has an indoor stage and bar, plus plenty of outdoor space for camping. All standard amenities are covered: the main building has spacious restrooms open all day, with extra portable toilets (including accessible ones) nearby. Campers can arrive Friday afternoon and choose a pitch on flat, grassy ground or under marquee tents if needed. In the evening the field lights up with fairy lights and campfires as music plays on around the clock. Between sets you might swap stories with fellow music lovers (even artists often mingle in the crowd!) or stretch your legs by visiting nearby attractions like the Lickey Hills Country Park. By late night, the music picks back up again until midnight, and once the daily headliners finish, the beats continue with acoustic sets at the campsite. It’s this perfect blend of live music, friends and low-key fun that gives Breaking Bands a true home-away-from-home feeling.
In short, Breaking Bands Festival is where you’ll discover your next favorite band while making memories that last a lifetime. With great acts confirmed, full camping, and a warm Worcestershire welcome, this four-day festival has everything you need for an unforgettable rock experience. Grab your tickets, rally your friends, and get ready for days of electric live music, friendly faces, and endless good times under the Worcestershire sky – the ultimate grassroots rock weekend is about to begin!
Bromsgrove is conveniently located at the junction of the M5 and M42 motorways. If you are coming from the north, follow the M6 then take the M5 south, exiting at Junction 5 onto the A38 toward Bromsgrove. From the south or London, join the M40 out of London, merge onto the M42 north and then onto the A38. Detailed GPS directions should include the postcode B60 4BH for the venue (Stoke Prior Sports & Country Club). Please note that the final country lanes near the venue are narrow and winding – drive carefully. Once on site, parking is free of charge and plentiful, whether you’re in a car, campervan or just visiting for the day.
By train, Bromsgrove railway station is about 3½ miles from the festival site. Regular West Midlands Railway services run between Bromsgrove and Birmingham New Street (approximately a 30-minute journey) throughout the day, with connections via Worcester and other Midlands towns. If you are coming from London or beyond, it’s usually easiest to take a train to Birmingham (New Street) and then catch a local train south to Bromsgrove. From the station you can grab a taxi or use local buses to reach Stoke Prior. Specifically, First Bus 145 runs from outside Bromsgrove station toward Stoke Prior (roughly every 30 minutes), stopping near the club venue. A quick taxi ride is also a handy option if you have luggage or arrive late in the evening.
The nearest major airport is Birmingham Airport (BHX), just about 20 miles away. From there, you can take the free Air-Rail Link to the train station and then a train to Bromsgrove, or drive south via the M42 and M5/A38. Other airports like Manchester or East Midlands are farther (typically 1.5–2 hours by road), so Birmingham is the most convenient for international visitors. Bromsgrove itself doesn’t have a coach station, so if you’re arriving by long-distance coach you’ll usually disembark at Birmingham or nearby Worcester and then switch to a train or local bus to finish the journey.
Bromsgrove and the surrounding area offer a range of accommodation options. In Bromsgrove town you’ll find budget hotels, chain inns and cozy B&Bs, as well as pubs with rooms. The Travelodge by the train station is popular, and there are independent guesthouses downtown. Because the festival falls on a busy holiday weekend, it’s wise to book early. If Bromsgrove hotels fill up, check nearby towns: Droitwich Spa and Redditch are only about 15 minutes away by car, and Worcester or Birmingham (around 20–30 minutes) offer many extra choices. Alternatively, many fans simply camp on-site (camping is included with the festival ticket). If you prefer a few home comforts, there are also private campgrounds and glamping sites in the Worcestershire countryside – just bring your tent or camper and enjoy the great outdoors.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Crown by Marstons Inns | 3.7 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| The Vernon Hotel & Restaurant | 3.9 ml | £65.00 | Book | |
| Hillscourt | 4.2 ml | £39.50 | Book | |
| Meadow Farm by Marstons Inns | 4.3 ml | £40.95 | Book | |
| Southcrest Manor Hotel | 4.4 ml | £41.50 | Book | |
| Abbey Hotel Golf & Spa | 4.5 ml | £59.00 | Book | |
| Chateau Impney | 5.1 ml | £59.00 | Book | |
| The Westmead Hotel | 5.3 ml | £45.08 | Book | |
| The Steps Guest House | 5.3 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| Alcott Farm | 5.7 ml | £50.00 | Book | |
| Queens Lodge | 6.0 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| Brockencote hall | 6.1 ml | £105.00 | Book | |
| The Old Rectory Hotel | 6.1 ml | £69.00 | Book | |
| St Andrews House Hotel | 6.2 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| Blue Inn | 6.7 ml | £39.00 | Book |
Bromsgrove, B604BH
