New Forest Folk Festival

New Forest Folk Festival 2026

Taking place in June 2026 at a peaceful farm on Salisbury Road near Romsey, Hampshire, the New Forest Folk Festival offers an intimate celebration of folk music and dance in a woodland setting.

Music & Dance

Enjoy performances on multiple stages featuring traditional folk, blues, world music, Morris dancing, ceilidhs, and communal sing-alongs that welcome all ages.

Workshops & Participation

Join workshops in traditional dance, storytelling, fiddle playing, and step-dancing, plus music and craft sessions for children. Visitors can participate in informal jam sessions and dance circles.

Food & Drink

• Local real ales and ciders from Hampshire orchards
• Wood-fired pizza, curries, stews, and sweet treats
• Breakfast with fried dishes and fresh pastries

Atmosphere

The festival's relaxed, family-friendly vibe is set beneath towering oaks and pines, with a market of handcrafted instruments and folk art, campfire sing-alongs, and woodland walks nearby.

For those arriving without a car, the nearest mainline station is Romsey (South Western Railway) just a few miles from the site. Regular trains run from Southampton, Salisbury and London (Waterloo) to Romsey. Visitors from London often travel via Southampton to catch a connection at Romsey, or take a direct route if available. From Romsey station, a short taxi ride or local bus (and sometimes festival shuttle services) will bring you to Salisbury Road. If train schedules are limited, consider traveling via Southampton or Winchester stations, where more frequent services can shorten your journey. National coach services from London or other cities can reach Southampton or Winchester, from where a train or local bus continues to Romsey.

The nearest airport is Southampton Airport (about 15-20 minutes by car), offering flights from across the UK and Europe. Bournemouth Airport is roughly an hour away by car, and London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be reached in about 1.5–2 hours by train or car. From Heathrow, take the Heathrow Express or Elizabeth Line to Reading, then a southbound train via Southampton or Winchester to Romsey. From Gatwick, use the Gatwick Express or Southern network to London (Victoria or Waterloo), then change at Clapham Junction or another London station for a westbound train. Rental cars and taxis are available at all airports for the final leg of the journey.

By car, the festival site is easily reached via the M27 and local A-roads. From the west (Bournemouth/Poole) or east (Portsmouth/Southampton), follow the M27 and take the exit for Romsey (for example M271 South at Junction 2). From the north (London/Winchester), drive down the M3 then join the A34/M27 toward Southampton, leaving at the Romsey exit. Enter Powells Farm, Salisbury Road, Romsey SO51 6EF into your GPS or map for exact directions. Ample parking is provided on site, but roads can be busy on festival weekend evenings, so consider car-sharing and allow extra travel time. Follow any local parking guidance or festival signs on the day to reach the site smoothly.

Accommodation options nearby include on-site camping (tents, campervans, caravans) which is very convenient (camping spots and basic facilities are provided for ticket holders). Alternatively, the nearby town of Romsey has many hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs just a short drive away. Booking early is recommended, as summer weekends are busy. The city of Southampton (about a 20-minute drive) and Winchester (30 minutes) offer larger hotel choices and are well connected by road or train. Additionally, regional campsites and holiday parks in the New Forest (for example near Beaulieu or Lyndhurst) can provide a nature-based stay. In all cases, traveling to the festival is straightforward via the local roads or public transport.