Summer Festival Highlights

At last the summer has arrived, and with it comes the British festival season. So whether you like curling up with a good book, or ramping up the volume on your record player we think we’ve compiled the perfect list of summer events to match your taste. All you need do is pack your wellies.

The Lap of Luxury - Festival No.6 takes place in Portmeirion – an Italian style village nestled in the Welsh hillside, built by renowned architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the mid-Twentieth Century. Explore inspiring architecture and wander down winding narrow streets to see pastel painted buildings, Rococo flourishes and the odd Fresco which become the backdrop to a festival that promises to cater to the most luxurious of tastes. Festival-goers have the option of checking into one of the villages’ cottages or Portmeirion’s four star hotel for the duration. You can dine on champagne and oysters, and check out a music line-up that spans folk, dance and rock and roll.

Festival No.6 takes place 14-16 September 2012.

(festivalnumber6.com)

Modern Bohemians - Set in the stunning Cornish estate Port Elliot - an 18th century pile that boasts a Grade 1 listing - the festival is boutique in size and bohemian in scope. Styled as a unorthodox literary event which steps to the beat of a music festival, explore the lavish stately rooms and garden for readings, discussions, theatre, cinema, fashion and even a flower show. Don’t miss the specially curated space from Dalani favourite Anthropologie. The beautifully decorated tent will house several workshops hosted by three of the brand’s top designers so visitors can create their own piece of art to take home with them. If you want to do it all in style and comfort, retro airstreams and beautiful gypsy bowtop caravans are available to hire.

Port Elliot takes place 19-22 July 2012.

(porteliotfestival.com)

Vintage Vanguard - Devised for the retrophile by British designer Wayne Hemingway, Vintage Festival takes place in the grounds of Boughton House in Northamptonshire. Offering more than the usual festival fare, go for tapestry making, the furniture and vintage china upcycling workshop and of course, browsing the marketplace for quality vintage fashion and interiors, amongst the stallholders you’ll find Cath Kidston and an entire area dedicated to mid-century modern homewares. Artist Sir Peter Blake will even be celebrating his 80th birthday on site with a dedicated exhibition of his work and a special Sunday night headliner show with performers invited by the man himself.

Vintage Festival takes place 13-15 July 2012.

(vintagefestival.co.uk)

For the Art Aficionado - New to the scene is Nova, nestled in the West Sussex countryside, it promises a carefully curated mix of contemporary music and art, with the opportunity to pick up some unique works for your home. Find cocktails care of Bompass & Parr, a Sunday afternoon session from DJ Norman Jay, and specially commissioned art works by the cream of the British art scene including Damien Hirst and legendary snapper Rankin. Splurge with a luxury, boutique camping experience in one of the Bell Tents or quaint Wendy house-like Podpads on site.

Nova takes place 5-8 July 2012.

(novafestival.co.uk, hotelbelltent.co.uk, podpads.com)

© 2012 Dalani Home & Living - written by Claire Walsh
Photos courtesy of Festival No.6 at Portmeirion, Port Eliot, Vintage Festival, and The Hurly Burly