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The best festivals in August, including Creamfields, Reading and Leeds, and V2007.

What's on where

UK festivals in August

TheSite.org guides you through the best of the August festivals.

The Big Chill

What: If you're the sort that hates big festivals and has little interest in media-hyped big bands, Eastnor Castle may be what you're looking for. It aims to be less crusty than Glastonbury, and more intimate, selling fewer tickets for a very friendly, manageable vibe.
Where: Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Malvern Hills, Herefordshire.
When: 3rd - 5th August.
Line-up: Hexstatic, Norman Jay, Tunng and Mika.
Cost: £125 including camping.
Camping: Price includes camping.
Transport: Drive, it is only minutes away from the M5/M50 junction just north of Cheltenham/Gloucester.
Parking: Free.

Summer Sundae Weekender

What: Five stages, four bars, three days, two campsites and over 100 acts.
Where: De Montfort Hall, Leicester. This is Leicester's premier concert venue, boasting four acres of beautiful grounds and a natural ampitheatre suitable for an outdoor stage.
When: 10th - 12th August.
Line-up: The Divine Comedy, The Magic Numbers, Spiritualized, The Rumble Strips, Duke Special, Gruff Rhys, and John Cooper Clarke.
Cost: £85.
Camping: There is a campsite in the grounds of Regent College, 100 yards from the main site and a second campsite on the edge of Victoria Park. Camping is £5 per tent for weekend ticket holders and must be pre-booked through the box office.
Transport: Train or drive to Leicester.
Parking: Free, but limited so arrive early or travel by public transport. 

The Beautiful Days Festival

What: Festival organised by The Levellers. They also headline their own show. You're guaranteed lots of left-wing types talking about anarchy, with their dreadlocked kids. This is more about the ambience than who's playing. Music and friendship, man, as long as you pay for the ticket.
Where: Escot Park Estate, Devon.
When: 17th - 19th August.
Line-up: The Levellers,  Banco de Gaia, Afro Celt Sound System, and Bellowhead.
Cost: £90 for weekend and camping.
Camping: With weekend tickets only.
Transport: By car, or festival buses from Exeter to Escot.
Parking: Plenty onsite.

Green Man Festival

What: Heavenly. This chilled fest is set in the stunning Brecon Beacons. Expect plenty of Welsh acts like Gruff Rhys and Euros Childs on stage, and milling about eating pie and mash. Kid-friendly.
Where: Brecon Beacons, Powys, Wales.
When: 17th - 19th August.
Line-up: Robert Plant, Joanna Newsom and Gruff Rhys.
Cost: £98 for weekend with camping.

V Festival

What: Strict rules and big commercial presence ruin the atmosphere somewhat, however this pays off in the excellent line-up.
Where: At two locations (you pick one): Weston Park, Staffordshire and Hylands Park, Chelmsford.
When: 18th - 19th August.
Line-up: Basement Jaxx, Foo Fighters, Primal Scream, The Killers, The Kooks, Amy Winehouse and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Cost: £130 with camping, £110 without.
Camping: You can buy tickets with or without camping. The camping sites open at midday Friday and close by midday Monday. Camping is only allowed if you have purchased a camping ticket.

Reading/Leeds Festival aka The Carling Weekender

What: Britain's longest-running rock festival attracts a young (15-25 year-olds) crowd. Expect to see beer-swigging jesters a-plenty. Famed for exploding toilets as well as their diverse mix of rock and alternative music, comedy and film.
Where: Bramham Park, Bramham, Wetherby (Leeds), and Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berks.
When: 24th - 26th August.
Line-up: Arcade Fire, Brand New, Kings of Leon, LCD Soundsystem and Smashing Pumpkins.
Cost: £145 including camping.
Camping: Price includes camping.

Creamfields

What: Spacious dance event with top DJs and a fairly chilled vibe. Cream has long since closed but its legacy lives on through the bank holiday hedonism that is Creamfields! Wander around loads of arenas, plus two outdoor stages.
Where: Daresbury Estate, Halton, Cheshire.
When: 25th August.
Line-up: 2 Many DJs, Carl Cox, the Chemical Brothers, and Erol Alkan.
Cost: £57.
Camping: You won't be sleeping.


TheSite.org also recommends:

The Big Green Gathering (1st - 5th August)
Croissant Neuf Summer Party (17th - 19th August)