Faerie Festival
| 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Days | Hours | Mins | Secs |
Step into enchantment at Faerie Festival, nestled in the historic village of Alfriston in the heart of Sussex’s rolling countryside. Each spring, lush meadows and ancient woodlands around Alfriston come alive with magic and color. Families and faerie-lovers of all ages gather to celebrate folklore and nature. Wander through the festival grounds and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a storybook: tents and stages are decorated with twinkling fairy lights and vibrant banners, and the sweet scent of wildflowers and woodsmoke drifts through the air. Children laugh as costumed performers dance around, while adults relax on picnic blankets listening to gentle harp music. Everywhere you turn there is something playful to discover – a flute melody drifting from a nearby glade, a mystical storyteller engaging a circle of kids, or a spirited game of hoop-and-stick on the grass.
The festival’s stages and grounds are alive with music and entertainment from dawn till dusk. You might catch a lively folk band mixing Celtic melodies with energetic rhythms, or join a drum circle laying down hypnotic beats under the trees. Graceful acrobats and fire-dancers amaze in the twilight, while costumed entertainers roam everywhere – stilt-walkers with butterfly wings, illuminated hula-hoopers, and storytellers spinning faerie tales. Creative workshops tucked between the tents invite you to play: join a nature-inspired yoga session, learn face-painting, or help build a communal art piece. When night falls, bonfires spark and an even dreamier atmosphere settles over the camp. You could dance by firelight, stroll along lantern-lit paths, or hum a lullaby as stars twinkle overhead. The music and magic at Faerie Festival turn the entire weekend into a celebration of wonder.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Faerie Festival also offers dozens of creative activities and artisan stalls. Wander the vibrant marketplace and browse handmade crafts – crystal jewelry, floral crowns, carved wands, enchanted art and other whimsical treasures. Delicious local food is never far away: vendors serve wholesome vegetarian and vegan fare, fresh wood-fired bread, and sweet treats that taste like pure joy. In the children’s play area, young adventurers can learn circus skills, attend puppet shows and get their faces painted, or follow a whimsical Faerie Trail through the woods with surprises at every turn. It’s a place where visitors of any age can tap into childlike wonder – perhaps by weaving a flower crown around the campfire or joining a friendly performer to share old forest tales.
As night falls on each festival day, the sense of community at Faerie Festival truly sparkles. Most attendees camp onsite in tents or campervans beneath the starry sky. The grounds provide all the basics – flush toilets, hot showers and even a large covered marquee in case of rain – so you can focus on fun. Around every corner there are smiling faces: you might join a circle of strangers gathered around a campfire for impromptu drumming, or hear guitars and laughter drifting through the darkness. By the time Sunday’s finale arrives, you’ll leave with pockets full of fairy dust (figuratively speaking), new friends by your side, and the warm glow of unforgettable days outdoors. Faerie Festival is more than just a weekend – it’s an invitation to believe in magic again and share an enchanted adventure.
By car: Alfriston is easily reached via the South Coast roads. If you’re driving from London or the north, take the M23/A23 south to the A27, then follow signs for Lewes and Polegate. Turn off the A27 onto local roads for Alfriston and follow directions to Pleasant Rise Farm (Cuckmere Road, BN26 5TN). The festival site provides parking for cars and campervans, but spaces can fill up quickly on busy days. We strongly recommend car-sharing to ease traffic. Once in Alfriston village, the route to the farm is well-signposted – just look for the festival flags and signs.
Public transport: There is no train station in Alfriston itself, but nearby towns have good connections. Lewes (on the Brighton–London line) and Polegate (on the Brighton–Hastings line) are the closest stations. Both have frequent trains from London, Brighton and the South Coast. From either Lewes or Polegate, catch the local No. 26 bus (Eastbourne–Polegate–Alfriston–Seaford) which stops in Alfriston village. The bus ride from Polegate to Alfriston takes about 10–15 minutes. If you arrive at Eastbourne station, you can also transfer to the No. 26 bus. Taxis are available from Lewes, Polegate or Eastbourne if you prefer a direct trip.
Airports: The nearest major airport is London Gatwick, about a 50-mile drive north. From Gatwick you can rent a car or take a direct train to Lewes or Eastbourne, then continue by bus or taxi to Alfriston. Heathrow is farther away (roughly 2–3 hours by road), so Gatwick is usually more convenient. Long-distance coaches (National Express) serve Eastbourne and Brighton from London – from those towns you can transfer to local buses or trains for the last leg. Remember to allow plenty of travel time, as the final stretch to the countryside can be slower during event weekends.
Accommodation: Options near Alfriston are limited, so book early. Onsite camping (tents, caravans and glamping pods) is very popular and convenient. If you prefer a room, Alfriston has a few charming B&Bs and inns, but they book up fast (reserve months ahead). Otherwise consider nearby towns like Eastbourne, Seaford or Lewes (all about 20–30 minutes by car) where hotels and guesthouses are more plentiful. Many visitors arrive on Thursday or early Friday to settle in before the festivities begin. Wherever you choose to stay, check that you can easily get back to the festival site after evening events
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crossways Hotel | 1.0 ml | £85.00 | Book | |
| Deans Place Hotel | 3.0 ml | £100.00 | Book | |
| The Corn Exchange | 3.4 ml | £39.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Eastbourne Willingdon Drove | 3.4 ml | £199.00 | Book | |
| Lions Boship Farm Hotel | 4.1 ml | £45.00 | Book | |
| Bo s Holiday Cottage | 4.3 ml | £120.00 | Book | |
| The Limes | 4.4 ml | £75.00 | Book | |
| Langham Hotel | 4.7 ml | £39.50 | Book | |
| Eastbourne Reymar | 4.7 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| Atlanta Guest House | 4.7 ml | £29.00 | Book | |
| Gyves House Guesthouse | 4.7 ml | £2000.00 | Book | |
| The Majestic Hotel | 4.7 ml | £33.00 | Book | |
| Ravilious | 4.7 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| EAST BEACH HOTEL | 4.8 ml | £40.00 | Book | |
| The Pier Hotel | 4.8 ml | £70.00 | Book |
Alfriston, Alfriston, BN265TN
