Lakefest is one of the UK's most enduring family camping festivals, held each summer at Eastnor Deer Park in Herefordshire. Set against the dramatic backdrop of Eastnor Castle and its surrounding woodland, the festival has grown from a small community event in 2012 into a five-day celebration drawing thousands of music fans to the Ledbury countryside every August.


What distinguishes Lakefest from the crowded summer festival calendar is its atmosphere. Rather than chasing the biggest names at any cost, it curates a lineup that spans decades and genres — heritage acts with genuine festival pedigree alongside rising talent, all on the same site. Recent headliners have included Madness, Bananarama, The Charlatans, The Lightning Seeds, and Example, with the bill extending into folk, dub, dance, and comedy across multiple stages.


The setting does a lot of the work. Eastnor Deer Park provides space to breathe that most UK festivals can't offer — families camp alongside groups of friends, the pace is unhurried, and the castle backdrop gives the whole thing a character that purpose-built festival sites simply don't have. The Adventure Zone keeps younger festivalgoers occupied with circus workshops, art activities, and vintage fairground rides, while the "Road to Lakefest" unsigned artist competition gives emerging acts a genuine route onto the main stage.


Weekend camping is included with most ticket packages. For those who can't commit to the full run, day tickets are available for individual days. Glamping options in bell tents and yurts are bookable separately for those wanting a more comfortable stay.


The site is two miles from Ledbury town centre, served by direct trains from London Paddington (approximately 2.5 hours) and regular connections from Birmingham and Hereford. By road, the M5/M50 provides easy access from both north and south.


Lakefest has not run every year — there was no edition in 2020 (Covid), 2022, 2023, or 2025 — but the 2026 edition at Eastnor Deer Park from 5–9 August marks its return to a full five-day programme.