Smaller music festivals for your diary

Held in various locations in Brighton every May, The Great Escape prides itself on being Europe’s leading festival for new music, so if you like to find new tunes before everyone else, definitely consider booking.

Liverpool’s Bank Holiday weekend festival has hosted big acts such as The Vaccines, Belle and Sebastian and The Flaming Lips, but it remains a relatively hidden gem on the festival scene.

South Derbyshire might not be the most obvious place to hold an award-winning festival, but Bearded Theory is just that. What’s more, around 90% of its line-up is taken from suggestions from festival goers themselves!

Launched as a one day event to publicise his Pig on the Hill pub, Matt Samuel wasn’t expecting the festival to become a packed alternative to the traditional country fayre. It has, of course, and it’s a must-see if you’re in North Devon.

Held in Oxford, Truck festival has been called ‘the godfather’ of small festivals, and attracts big names including Basement Jaxx and Clean Bandit.

Held across three days on the Cornish coast, 3 Wishes is an alternative to loud, riotous festivals and includes a Mermaids and Pirates Ball!

The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island in the Outer Hebrides, but that doesn’t mean it can’t hold a music festival to rival the rest. Music meets tranquillity on this remote spot, and it’s a perfect getaway destination.

Named for the horror film, a wicker man is of course set ablaze at the end of every year at this Dumfries and Galloway festival. Having attracted acts such as Dizzee Rascal and Del Amitri, though, you can guarantee that there’s nothing sinister about the event at all.

This mixture of music, food and sport celebrates heritage and culture, and is held in the village of Glenarm. Expect the Highland Games!

Nestled in Draperstown in the Sperrin Mountains, Glasgowbury is considered Northern Ireland’s largest independent outdoor music festival. Don’t let that put you off, though, especially as it’s in such a picturesque part of Northern Ireland.

An electronic music and arts festival held in Anglesey, Gottwood is somewhat hidden in the woods, which by all accounts is an integral part of its charm and fun.

Wales hosts one of the world’s largest literary festivals, Hay Festival, every year in the picturesque town of Hay-on-Wye. But fewer people know about Troyfest, held in Hay’s Baskerville Hall, every May. 

An independent and charitable festival, Green Man is held in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, and is a favourite with families.