Shindig Festival
| 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 |
| Days | Hours | Mins | Secs |
Get ready for a magical weekend in the Wiltshire countryside from 21–24 May 2026. Shindig Festival returns to Charlton Park Estate near historic Malmesbury for a joyful celebration of music, art and community. Nestled under ancient oak trees with open fields all around, this intimate festival feels like a playful escape. Live music fills the air on multiple stages, art installations pop up in the glades, and the aroma of tasty street food drifts everywhere. Imagine dancing barefoot on the dew-covered grass one moment and watching a sunrise yoga class the next. The vibe is friendly and free-spirited – you’ll find yourself laughing with strangers, making new friends, and creating memories beneath the stars.
Shindig’s lineup spans genres from funky dance grooves and soulful acoustics to world rhythms like reggae and afrobeat. Every hour brings something new: maybe a folk band serenading the sunset, or an electric DJ spinning an all-out party under the open sky. Beyond music, the festival is full of curious treasures: explore a bustling artisan market, sample global cuisine from street food stalls, or stumble upon impromptu theatre and circus acts among the trees. Join a lively drum circle, find a storytelling session, or try your hand at a creative workshop – this is a festival where Shindig’s ethos of love and creative expression invites everyone to jump in and play.
It’s truly a family-friendly adventure, where even the littlest festival-goers can roam free and wild. From sunrise sing-alongs to bedtime stories by the campfire, the weekend is packed with moments to delight all ages. Children build fairy houses in the woods, paint colourful banners, and dance in the magical kids’ zone; puppet shows, face painting and friendly theatre performances ensure little imaginations run wild. Parents can relax knowing there’s a program for everyone: share a morning yoga session together, or simply enjoy gentle live music while the kids play nearby. Shindig creates a warm, whimsical space where every generation finds joy and wonder together.
When night falls, head back to camp and sleep under the stars. Shindig’s camping area is like its own bohemian village of bell tents, tipis and yurts decorated with fairy lights and lanterns. Wake to birdsong, brew coffee by a campfire, and swap stories with friends by morning light – it’s as cozy as it sounds. Prefer a touch of comfort? The festival offers boutique camping options too: pre-erected bell tents or glamping yurts furnished with soft linens let you drift off in style while still breathing fresh country air. Mornings here are pure magic, greeting you with golden sunrises and cheerful campers milling about. Even seasoned festival-goers say Shindig’s atmosphere is something truly special.
Whether you come with family, friends, or all on your own, Shindig Festival welcomes you to dance, laugh and connect under the open sky. Pack your favourite outfit and your sense of adventure – Shindig’s enchanting gardens and creative community will do the rest. Join us for an unforgettable weekend of music and wonder in the heart of Wiltshire. See you at Shindig 2026!
Bristol Airport (BRS) is the nearest regional airport, about 45 miles away (roughly an hour’s drive). It offers many domestic and European flights. London Heathrow (LHR) is around 90 miles east (about 1.5–2 hours by car); from Heathrow you can take a train (“HX Express” to Paddington and then Great Western Railway to Chippenham or Swindon) to get closer. Cardiff (CWL, ~1.5 hours by road) and Birmingham (BHX, ~2–2.5 hours) airports are also options, but Bristol and Heathrow are generally easiest. Renting a car or taking a combination of train and taxi from the airport will get you to Malmesbury efficiently.
The closest mainline train station is Chippenham (about 7 miles south of Malmesbury) on the GWR line. Trains run frequently here from London (Paddington), Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. Typically, visitors take the train to Chippenham, then switch to a local bus or taxi into Malmesbury or directly to Charlton Park Estate. Shindig often provides a shuttle bus from Chippenham station to the festival grounds on event days (check the festival website for schedules). Another nearby station is Kemble (on the Golden Valley line), slightly closer but with fewer services. From either station, Stagecoach buses (for example route 55 via Malmesbury) or local taxis can complete your journey.
Driving is straightforward: Charlton Park is reached via the M4/M5 network. From London or the west, exit M4 at junction 17 (Chippenham) and head north on the A350 to Malmesbury. From the Midlands or north, use M5 to junction 14 (near Almondsbury) and then the A417/A433 through Cirencester to Malmesbury. For precise directions, plug the postcode SN16 9LL (Charlton Park Estate) into your satnav. The festival provides on-site parking for attendees (often signposted to color-coded areas) but spaces can fill up on busy days, so car-sharing is recommended. Plan for extra travel time as local roads can be busy. Malmesbury also has a small public car park if you need it for town visits.
Malmesbury is a charming market town with only a few hotels, inns and B&Bs, so accommodations book up early during festival weekends. Nearby Chippenham (a 10-minute drive) has larger hotel chains and a supermarket for supplies. Many visitors opt to camp either on-site or at local campsites; Shindig offers camping and glamping packages (from basic tent pitches to furnished bell tents and yurts) that can be booked in advance. Off-site, local buses (such as Stagecoach 55 which stops in Malmesbury) and taxis provide connections to Charlton Park. If you arrive early, take time to enjoy Malmesbury’s shops, restaurants and famous abbey before the music begins.
| Name | Star | Distance | Prices From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Bell Hotel | 0.5 ml | £89.50 | Book | |
| BEST WESTERN Mayfield House Hotel | 3.2 ml | £43.00 | Book | |
| The Great Tythe Barn Accommodation | 4.3 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| Snooty Fox | 4.4 ml | £55.00 | Book | |
| The Close Hotel | 4.4 ml | £90.00 | Book | |
| The Ormond At Tetbury | 4.5 ml | £61.95 | Book | |
| Priory Inn | 4.6 ml | £79.00 | Book | |
| Hare and Hounds Hotel | 5.2 ml | £89.00 | Book | |
| Stanton Manor Hotel | 5.4 ml | £58.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Chippenham Leigh Delamere M4 Eastbound | 6.1 ml | £41.00 | Book | |
| The Holford Arms | 6.3 ml | £120.00 | Book | |
| Travelodge Chippenham Leigh Delamere M4 Westbound | 6.4 ml | £42.00 | Book | |
| Neeld Arms | 6.9 ml | £75.00 | Book | |
| The Jolly Huntsman | 6.9 ml | £65.00 | Book | |
| The Garden House | 7.0 ml | £55.00 | Book |
Malmesbury, Malmesbury, SN169LL
Similar festivals
