Lakefest

Lakefest 2026 runs from Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th August at Eastnor Deer Park near Ledbury, Herefordshire — the same setting framed by Eastnor Castle that the festival has called home for over a decade.

The Lineup

This year's bill spans five days and more than 90 acts. Saturday's headline slot belongs to Madness, one of British music's most reliably brilliant live bands, with a supporting bill that includes Reef, Gentleman's Dub Club, East 17, and Jaguar Skills. Sunday brings Bananarama and The Lightning Seeds to the main stage alongside Elvana — the Elvis-fronts-Nirvana tribute act that has become a genuine cult hit on the UK festival circuit.

Thursday features The Charlatans, four decades into a career and still capable of commanding a main stage crowd, alongside Ferocious Dog, The Bluetones, Dub Pistols, and Tinchy Stryder. Friday's programme includes Example, Soul II Soul, Newton Faulkner, David Rodigan, Utah Saints, and Bez from the Happy Mondays.

A dedicated highlight is the House Music Retrospective, gathering Todd Terry, Judge Jules, Lisa Lashes, Seb Fontaine, Slipmatt, and Smokin Jo for what amounts to a rare reunion of the people who defined British club culture in the 1990s.

Wednesday evening opens the festival with Flash: A Tribute to Queen, The Jam UK, and FreeFall — a relatively gentle introduction before the full programme kicks in Thursday.

For Families

Lakefest has always been a genuinely family-friendly event. The Adventure Zone runs throughout the weekend with circus workshops, art activities, and vintage fairground rides including a ferris wheel and carousel. BMX stunt shows, comedy, and storytelling fill the gaps between sets on the music stages.

Camping and Staying Over

Standard camping is included with weekend tickets. Glamping upgrades in bell tents and yurts are available separately. Site facilities include showers, toilets, a camp shop, and on-site cafés. A new addition for 2026 is a VVIP partnership with The House of George W Davies, offering a premium glamping experience with exclusive on-site perks.

Tickets

Weekend passes start from £169. Day tickets are available for each of the five days individually — Wednesday 5th through Sunday 9th August — making it straightforward to attend for a single day without committing to the full festival. Book directly at buytickets.lakefest.co.uk or through Skiddle.

Getting There

By train: Ledbury station is under two miles from Eastnor Deer Park. Direct services run from London Paddington (approximately 2.5 hours) with connections via Worcester from Birmingham and Hereford.

By road: From the M5 take junction 8 onto the M50 eastbound, exit at junction 2, then follow the A417 into Ledbury. Brown tourist signs to Eastnor Castle take you the rest of the way.