The Long Road

The Long Road is a lively four-day country music and Americana festival held in the beautiful parkland of Stanford Hall near Lutterworth, Leicestershire. Held each late summer, it offers an enchanting blend of foot-stomping tunes and laid-back rural charm. Set in the scenic gardens and fields of a historic English estate, the festival creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where fans of all ages can come together. Whether you're a die-hard country fan or just looking for a fun weekend under the stars, The Long Road invites you to enjoy great music, good food, and genuine British hospitality in a unique setting.

The music lineup spans the breadth of the country and Americana spectrum. On the main stage you'll hear big-name headliners playing everything from steel guitars and fiddle ballads to country-rock anthems. Around the site, several smaller stages and intimate acoustic spots showcase rising stars, bluegrass pickers, folk singers, and even a Cajun dance-hall or two. There's a vibrant variety of acts, so you can wander from one stage to another and discover new favorites among the vintage and modern-country flavors. At sunset, park your lawn chair on the grass or join fellow fans at the front of the stage to sing along as the bands bring that soulful twang to life.

But The Long Road is much more than music. The festival grounds come alive with Western-style fun and crafts that celebrate Americana culture. You might browse stalls selling cowboy hats, boots, and handmade goods at a country craft village, or try your hand at hat decoration at a hat bar. Classic American cars and vintage motorcycles are often on display, adding a nostalgic sparkle to the scene. A mini-fairground keeps younger guests entertained with gentle rides, games and sometimes even pony rides. There are family-friendly activities like puppet shows, sing-alongs and a special kids' zone aptly named Lil' Possum County, so everyone from toddlers to grandparents can find something fun to do.

When it comes to food and drink, The Long Road leaves no one hungry or thirsty. Tuck into Southern-inspired barbecue and comfort food from roaming food trucks, sample fresh craft beers and local ales at beer tents, and relax with a mug of sweet tea or coffee. For those looking for something stronger, there are whiskey-tasting sessions and country music dance halls turned into saloon bars with live DJ sets. With plenty of picnic areas and seating spaces, you can sit back and enjoy a meal while new friends strike up a conversation. The air is filled with delicious smells of grilling meat and sweet treats, complementing the tunes as the evening sets in.

A camping village on site turns the festival into a friendly little community for the weekend. Many visitors bring tents or camper vans and gather around communal campfires to share stories and late-night jams. The spirit is as down-to-earth as country music itself - expect line dancing under the stars and impromptu singalongs with fellow fans. Even if you're not staying overnight, the local area has plenty of nearby accommodations. By the end of the long road, you'll have made memories of new friendships, starry nights by the fire, and a feeling of having taken a mini-vacation deep in countryside culture.