Hampton Court Palace festival

Kylie, Jools Holland and Tears for Fears will all be performing in the stunning Tudor Courtyard of King Henry VIII’s former home this summer. While the Palace Gardens are open from 5:30pm for guests to mingle with a picnic or glass of Pimms, the show itself takes place in the seated auditorium of the Base Court – a thoroughly civilized festival experience if you ask us.
7th-19th June

Tower of London food festival

The warren-like fortress of the Tower of London is the backdrop to one of the most varied food festivals of the summer. The infamous prison plays host to artisan producers, street food stalls and a stellar line-up of chef demonstrations, including Melissa Hemsley, Emily Roux and José Pizarro. Take a lesson in patisserie, wine-pairing and more at Le Cordon Bleu’s pop-up, shop for local produce, the finest cheese and healthy treats, and enjoy performances at the Bandstand.
12th-15th September

Kew the Music

London’s most verdant outdoor concerts take place at Kew, with headline acts including Jess Glynne, Jools Holland, Craig David and Rick Astley set to perform. The evening concerts take place under the stars, with a picnic advised for in case you get peckish. There will be drinks available at the bar, too, so no excuse to not dance the night away…
9th-14th July

Hillsborough Castle and Gardens food festival

Getting in on the food festival action this year is Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland. The 100 acres of beautiful gardens will be transformed into a foodie paradise, with street food stalls and local artisans selling their wares. Celebrity chefs – including Great British Bake-Off winner Nadiya Hussain – will be on hand to pass on their expert knowledge in live cookery demos, while the Castle itself will be open for a tour.
5th-7th July

Windsor Castle autumn festival

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Windsor Castle festival, so expect an even more stellar line-up of music, talks, walks and tours than before. Taking place in the autumn, the aim of the soirée is to celebrate not only the world’s finest musicians, writers and artists, but also to spotlight local talent, with the aim of inspiring the next generation in the royal town.
Dates announced in June