Category Archives: Festivals

Guy Fawkes Night in England. Celebrate Bonfire Night and Enjoy Firework Displays in the UK this November

Bonfire and Firework DisplaysWe love a good bonfire and spectacular fireworks displays which is why we love the British tradition of Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, each November.

Traditionally held on the 5th November each year, Bonfire Night is an annual commemoration of way back in 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding the explosives that the Plotters had put beneath the British Government’s House of Lords. The failure of the Plot to kill the King James I was initially celebrated with the lighting of bonfires each year and even became an enforced day of thanksgiving!  In these early years the day had many religious overtones but towards the end of the 18th Century Guy Fawkes Day had become an established date in the diary, as had the customer of children collecting (begging) for money for the Guy – an effigy of Guy that was usually put on top of the bonfire.

In recent times, Bonfire and Guy Fawkes Night are less about its history and more about a Winter’s night of celebration. It remains a hugely popular night across the UK and you will find many well organised family focussed bonfire and extravagant firework displays taking place across the UK.

Bonfire and Firework Displays 2012

If you would like to add your display to our list, please let us know.

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Add a Festival or Event to our Guide on Find Cottage Holidays

Festivals and EventsBRAND NEW: We have added a new Festival and Event page to our website and it’s free to list.

Britain and Ireland has an eclectic mix of Festivals covering everything from films, books and music  to science and art and we want to celebrate this diversity in our listings. They are an excellent day out whether you are on a weekend break, short break or holiday.

Over the coming months we plan to add hundreds of Festivals and Events across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland but if you want to add your Festival or Event to this page NOW simply contact us via Facebook, twitter or this blog.  It’s completely free, we just require a photo or two, a description and contact/web details.

We also promote Country Shows, Gardens to Visit and Holiday Attractions, see website for further information.

Source:  Find Cottage Holidays

Top Music Festivals in the UK

If you have a tent or a campervan and you can deal with the unpredictability of the British weather, then the UK has some of the best music festivals on offer anywhere. Predominantly running throughout the summer months from June until September, UK music festivals provide a huge variety of acts to suit every taste.

Glastonbury

 Since 1970, the Glastonbury Festival has been held in Glastonbury, Somerset. Probably one of the UK’s most famous festivals, Glastonbury will be returning to the festival calendar in 2013 and will take place from 26 June until 30 June 2013.

The festival provides a showcase for new acts as well as attracting big names to headline on the main Pyramid stage each evening. Previous acts have included Coldplay, Beyoncé and U2. This festival caters for every taste and as well as music, you can also find comedy, poetry and even an outdoor cinema.

Isle of Wight

Also dating back to the 1970s, the Isle of Wight Festival takes place on the Isle of Wight in Hampshire in mid June. Boasting three stages, you can be sure there is something for everyone.

While the main stage tends to boast acts that most people will have heard of, such as Bruce Springsteen, The Foofighters and Jay-Z, on the other two stages, you can see the famous and not so famous perform on the same stage. There are also plenty of bars and cafes and other entertainment areas, such as the dance tent.

T in the Park

T in the Park is Scotland’s premier music festival and takes place in early July in Balado, Kinross-shire. As with other festivals, T in the Park boasts a main stage where headliners have included Snow Patrol, Kasabian and the Stone Roses. In addition, there are a further six stages where you can see other well-known acts, but which also provide a showcase for unknown and unsigned acts.

The festival provides the usual mix of bars and food sellers as well as a fairground, a cinema and even a cabaret club for those who want a break from the music.

V Festival

V Festival takes place on two sites over one weekend at the end of August. The 2012 V Festival takes place on 18 and 19 August at Hylands Park near Chelmsford in Essex and Weston Park just outside Birmingham. The same acts play each festival but on different days.

This year’s line-up includes The Stone Roses, The Killers and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds and both venues consist of four stages boasting a variety of music. In addition, there is a comedy tent and the usual mix of bars and cafes for relaxing.

Lovebox

If you love your dance music then Lovebox, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary, is the festival for you. This festival showcases the latest DJs and dance music, mixing established artists with new talent.

The festival takes place in mid June in Victoria Park, which is in the East End of London. Although it runs throughout a weekend, as it is located in London there is no camping. Due to this, most people look to see who is playing and pick a particular day to visit or stay in an apartment or hotel in London.

Bestival

This festival runs from 6-9 September in 2012 and takes place at Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight. It provides a variety of music to suit all tastes and this year’s headline acts include Stevie Wonder and New Order.

As well as the music, there is much more on offer for the festival goer. Entertainment includes street performers, cabaret acts and cinemas. In addition, visitors can have a boutique camping experience and there is even a roller disco.

Reading

If you enjoy rock music then the Reading Festival is the one for you. Being held on 24-26 August 2012, the festival is accompanied by a festival in Leeds on the same weekend. The main stage features mainstream rock acts such as Florence and the Machine and the Foo Fighters, as well as some lesser known acts. There are also at least five other stages where you can see your favourite acts perform.

In addition to the music, the Reading Festival also attracts some well-known comedy performers and provides the usual mix of bars and food stalls.

Whatever your taste in music, there will be a festival where you will be catered for. Due to rising transport costs and ticket prices, music festivals are having to work much harder to attract people, so whichever festival takes your fancy, you are bound to have great time and a fantastic experience.