Gate To Southwell Festival

Gate To Southwell Festival 2026

From 2nd to 5th July 2026, Gate to Southwell Festival returns to a scenic lakeside site in Kirklington, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire. This four-day roots and acoustic music festival offers a welcoming countryside setting by the water’s edge.

Music

Experience over 60 international artists across multiple stages, featuring traditional folk, Appalachian, blues, Celtic ceilidh, jazz, world fusion, and Americana. Evening headliners perform in large tents, while intimate pavilions host quieter daytime sessions and jam circles.

Food & Drink

Enjoy a variety of local produce from craft stalls and a food market, including cheeses, pies, and street food. Real ales and ciders are available, along with street performances between stages.

Family Activities

The festival is family-friendly with children’s workshops, puppet shows, and a dedicated kids’ zone to keep younger visitors entertained.

Atmosphere

Set in rolling meadows and shady trees beside a tranquil lake, the festival combines natural beauty with community spirit. Late-night campfire singalongs and impromptu ceilidh dances create memorable moments for all attendees.

For those arriving by car, Kirklington is easily reached via the A617 road connecting Newark-on-Trent and Mansfield. Festival signs mark the entrance on Eakring Lane just west of Kirklington (postcode NG22 8NX). If using GPS, entering NG22 8NX (for Archway House) will guide you to the site - the festival entrance is the next turn on your right. There is ample parking at the venue, including a free day car park for those not camping. The site is roughly a 25-minute drive from Nottingham and about 30 minutes from Newark (via local A-roads; from the M1 northbound, take junction 26 to the A617 east toward Southwell).

If you prefer public transport, the nearest major train stations are Mansfield and Newark (both around 10-12 miles from the site). Frequent trains run from Nottingham, Leicester and London to these stations. Local buses to Kirklington are very limited, so most visitors take a taxi from the station (taxi ranks are available at both Mansfield and Newark). The festival also offers a shuttle bus from Southwell on certain days (check the website for details) or you can arrange a shared ride or local taxi service for the short trip into the village.

For air travel, the closest airport is East Midlands (EMA), about an hour’s drive to the east. Birmingham Airport is roughly 1.5-2 hours by road. Both airports offer car hire and have rail or coach links to the region: from either one you can reach Nottingham or Derby and then continue by train or taxi. Most visitors will find it easiest to fly into EMA or Birmingham and then travel overland; any London airport is also an option with a train journey via Nottingham or Leicester.

Regarding accommodation, many festival-goers choose to camp on site or even stay in a supplied glamping tent if they prefer. If you want other options, the historic town of Southwell (just a few miles away) has charming inns, B&Bs and guesthouses. Other nearby towns like Mansfield and Newark offer hotels and larger B&Bs within a 30-40 minute drive. Since places fill up fast on festival weekends, it’s best to book lodgings in advance. Visiting the Southwell tourist website or searching major booking sites can help you find and reserve rooms in the area.