Lakefest 2026: Where the Cotswolds Know How to Have Fun
If, like me, the thought of being squashed in crowds, basic festival facilities and being knee deep in mud has always put you off, Lakefest might just change your mind.
Set in the beautiful West Cotswolds, Lakefest is the sort of festival that makes you wonder why you waited so long. Laid-back, gloriously colourful, family-friendly and packed with music, rides, food, entertainment and enough eccentricity to keep things interesting. It feels less like surviving a festival and more like joining a very large, very happy summer party.
And there is plenty of history behind it. Lakefest began in 2011 as a small cider-and-music gathering at Croft Farm Waterpark near Tewkesbury. The “Lake” in Lakefest is therefore entirely appropriate. The founders reportedly hatched the idea over breakfast as a way of bringing people to a local lakeside bar, with a farmer’s trailer serving as the stage and a wedding marquee providing the shelter.
Fast forward a few years and that modest gathering had grown considerably, eventually moving to the magnificent grounds of Eastnor Castle in 2016. Now firmly established as one of the Cotswolds’ much-loved family festivals, Lakefest is already passing the baton to a new generation of Lakefesters.
For a festival virgin, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Lakefest, however, was a revelation.
Lakefest – the feel good family festival
Despite its popularity, Lakefest never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Even in front of the main stage there was plenty of space to move around, dance or simply stand or even sit down. You could enjoy the music without being squeezed into a human sandwich. With capacity around 20,000 at any one time and many festivalgoers camping for the full five days, Lakefest has become as much a summer holiday as a music festival.
The musical line-up certainly delivered on the nostalgia front. Madness, Bananarama, Chesney Hawkes, The Undertones and East 17 brought a hefty dose of musical memories, while The Lightning Seeds and Scouting for Girls added some familiar favourites. I even got to interview Chesney Hawkes on his honest to goodness tour bus! He was perfectly charming and in great shape for 54!
But it wasn’t all about the established names. Among the newer acts, The Entitled Sons particularly caught my attention, they really stole the show. With some seriously good songs and plenty of energy and charisma, they struck me as a band with considerably more to come. Remember where you heard their name.
Over at the Cheshire Cat Club, the party continued with DJ sets, including one from Bez of Happy Mondays fame. And in a moment that could only really happen at a festival, Paul Chuckle of the legendary Chuckle Brothers was also there spinning his musical selections. ChuckleVision meets club night?
Lakefest – not just for the music
Then there was the fairground.
Because what is a festival without the opportunity to make yourself feel slightly queasy on a ride while consuming something you probably shouldn’t? Lakefest had all the favourites, from dodgems and the Waltzer to enormous rides that appeared designed to catapult willing participants towards the heavens.
My personal favourite was the giant Ferris wheel, which offered a spectacular view across the bustling festival site. From above, the colourful tents, stages, stalls and thousands of people created a wonderful summer panorama. The BMX and skateborad show was thrilling – these are world class performers doing incredible tricks – I loved it!
There was plenty for grown-ups too. The cocktail tent was great fun, while cider lovers could try something new and even have the chance to win a prize. The Jamshed Van and Limo Bar serving champagne added to the festival’s flamboyant drinking scene.
Alcohol was certainly in evidence, but prices were surprisingly reasonable for a festival, including soft drinks, and although there were plenty of merry faces, I saw remarkably little evidence of anyone taking things too far.
If shopping is your festival thing, Lakefest is a treasure trove. Forget sensible holiday attire: this is the place for outrageous outfits, neon fur, cowboy hats, hippie chic, flower power and anything covered in sequins. You could even get a tattoo.
I couldn’t resist the cowboy hats and came away with a very cool black one. It has already been earmarked for my forthcoming riding holiday in Mexico. Every good festival purchase needs a future adventure.
Lakesfest for fantastic fun
Children are extremely well catered for, too. There were opportunities to create street art, build robots from discarded metal components, try beatboxing and have a go at circus skills. I discovered that I was much more skilled at plate spinning than unicycling – although, on reflection, I do have rather more experience with the former.
For those needing a break from the noise, the Wellness Way offered a welcome change of pace. Massages, sound baths, yoga, Zumba and belly dancing were all on offer. This was a really cool space where festivalgoers could recharge before heading back into the action.
There was even a doggy playpark. Dogs were very much part of the Lakefest family, although the glorious hot weather of summer 2026 was proving challenging for some of our four-legged festivalgoers.
The Greatest Showman tent provided another eclectic mix, from Ibiza Anthem Bingo and a small but popular foam party, to tribute acts. We went to see an Amy Winehouse tribute. She disappeared for a while – possibly part of the act – and, while she looked the part, her vocals were less convincing. Festival entertainment is nothing if not unpredictable.
Lakefest 2026 – awesome organisation
The weather during our visit was spectacularly hot, so some traditional festival activities had to be sacrificed. Barbecues, fireworks, and the fire show were banned because of the prolonged hot spell and associated fire risk. Given the conditions, it was a sensible decision.
What really impressed me, though, was how well organised the whole event was. Traffic management was excellent, with very little queuing getting in or out, perhaps helped by the fact that so many people were camping on site for the duration.
Local volunteers were everywhere, friendly and helpful, and despite the number of people attending, I saw remarkably little litter. That takes some doing at a major festival.
And then there is the location. Eastnor and the surrounding West Cotswolds provide an idyllic backdrop, while the nearby quintessentially English town of Tewkesbury is well worth extending your stay for.
Time for Tewkesbury
This charming, historic town has a magnificent Abbey and fascinating connection to the Wars of the Roses. Look closely and you’ll find colourful coats of arms associated with real individual knights who fought in the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, adorning businesses around the town.
It gives the streets their own slightly theatrical atmosphere – almost as if the festival has spilled beyond the gates.
So, would I go back?
Absolutely.
Lakefest for fabulous fun
If you measure a festival by how much fun you have, Lakefest scores a very easy ten from me. It has music for several generations, plenty to keep children occupied, enough nostalgia to keep parents happy, wellness when you need it, rides when you don’t. It has a wonderfully inclusive atmosphere that manages to feel energetic without becoming overwhelming. 21000 people attended this year with a whopping fifty percent repeat ticket sales.
Lakefest may have started with a farmer’s trailer, and a lakeside bar, but 14 years on it has grown into something rather special.
Long may the Lakefesters continue to dance, sing, spin plates, ride Ferris wheels, wear ridiculous hats and enjoy one of the great pleasures of an English summer.
Congratulations to the organisers – and see you next year.
