England's Music Festivals - Summer 2009

Find out where the music is in Great Britain this summer, and count on an outdoors family weekend that's guaranteed to be full of fun and mud.

Summer is the season to get out and rock at some of Britain's top music festivals, many of which are happily family-friendly. Although admission prices may seem high in these trying times, the dollar-to-pound exchange rate has improved recently, and you won't need to pay for a hotel, as most guests never leave the concert grounds.  Pack a cooler, bring your Wellies and some sleeping bags, dress the kids in tie-dye and you're all set. Take this opportunity to introduce the kids to camping a la Woodstock, with our pick of the Uinted Kingdom's favorite festivals.

June 24 - 28 - "Glastonbury" 
Worthy Farm, Glastonbury 
www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk
England's most famous annual rock festival is great for families too!  The 2009 lineup includes Neil Young, Franz Ferdinand, Blur, Bruce Springsteen, and many many more.

Tickets originally went on sale October 5^th and sold out, but a second release of tickets will go on sale on Sunday, April 5, 2009.  Day tickets are not available, weekend tickets cost £175, and children under 12 are admitted free.  

July 10-12 - "Guilfest" 
Stoke Park, Guildford 
0871 4240050; www.guilfest.co.uk
This small countryside festival with a capacity of 10,000 is Time Out''s pick for "Londoners looking for a family day/weekend out." This year's lineup includes Motorhead, Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, Happy Mondays and others performing rock, funk, rhythm and blues, hip hop, techno and reggae.  Additionally there are comedy performances, street theatre, arts and crafts exhibitions and children's entertainment. Audience talent is encouraged to visit the Unsung Heroes Stage to try out for their own 15 minutes of fame. 

Tickets £40-45/day/adult, £30/day/child under 16.

July 30- August 2 - "Cambridge Folk Festival" 
Cherry Hinton Hall Grounds, Cambridge
012 2345 7245; www.cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk
In its 42nd year, this council-run, well-established and very organized folk and roots music festival has entertained European families since 1964, and is one of the longest running and most famous folk festivals in the world.  Lucinda Williams, Los Lobos, Paul Brady, Lau, Sunday Driver, Bellowhead, the Saw Doctors, Diana Jones, and others are amongst the lineup appearing on three stages, with newcomers to be featured in a special Club Tent. 

Full Festival Ticket prices - £104/Adults, £73/Youths (14-16 years) , £29/Children (5-13 years), Free for Under 5.Camping tickets are also available.  

August 13-15 - "Cropredy Festival" 
Cropredy, Oxfordshire
http://www.fairportconvention.com/cropredy.php

For years, the folk group Fairport Convention has organized this pastoral festival in a traditional village near Oxford University.  This year's perfomers include, of course, The Fairport Convention and Friends, as well as Steve Winwood, Buzzcocks, Harlequinn, the Dodge Brothers, Dreadzone, Churchfitters, among others.

Full Weekend tickets cost £78-86, and children under 12 attend free if their tickets are ordered with an adult ticket.  Daily rates and camping rates are also available.

August 22-23 - "V 2009" 
Weston Park, Stafford, and Hylands Park, Chelmsford. 
011 5912 9115; www.vfestival.com

Dance and party tents, several outdoor stages, and a variety of stalls and vendors catering to a mixed young couples and family crowd are some of the attractions you'll find at this famous festival established in 1996.  There will be non-stop music and activity, and this year performers include Oasis, the Killers, Lily Allen, Lady Gaga, the Wombats, MGMT, the Ting Tings, and many more. 

Tickets are £132.50/weekend, £152.50/weekend with camping, £73.50/day.