In this article, you'll learn the following:
There’s nothing quite like festival season in the UK. From fields filled with glitter and guitars to coastal celebrations of literature and local food, festivals across the South West are a highlight of the British summer. With their growing popularity and diversity, music, food and literature festivals continue to evolve, attracting millions of visitors each year.
Whether you're dancing to headline acts, tasting regional flavours, or hearing your favourite authors speak, there’s something for everyone in 2025. Better still, many of these iconic events are directly accessible by train with South Western Railway – making your journey smoother, greener, and more convenient.
Festival Guide for 2025
This year’s guide features a curated selection of must-visit festivals, from globally famous events like Glastonbury and Reading to smaller local gems like Taste Salisbury and Love It Local. Find your perfect weekend away and start planning your summer today.
Isle of Wight Festival
Thursday 19th June – Sunday 22nd June 2025
Newport Seaclose Park, Isle of Wight PO30 2EL
London to Ryde Pier Head: 2 hours 7 minutes
Created in 1968, the Isle of Wight Festival was the UK’s first music festival. It became known as the ‘Woodstock of Europe’ in 1970 after drawing over 600,000 attendees. The festival’s been getting better (but, thankfully, not bigger) every year since. This year’s headliners include Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: Weekend tickets from £289.95 and day tickets from £125.
How to get there: South Western Railway has trains to the Isle of Wight Festival via stations like Woking, Guildford and Basingstoke. Those living near London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Surbiton and Wimbledon can also enjoy trains to several Isle of Wight ferry ports. Catch the shuttle bus from any of the ferry ports to the festival.
Glastonbury
Wednesday 25th June – Sunday 29th June 2025
Worthy Farm, Worthy Lane, Pilton, Somerset BA4 4BY
London to Castle Cary by train: 2 hours 40 minutes
Glastonbury is the UK’s biggest music festival. Despite inviting over 200,000 attendees, tickets sell out in under an hour – because 2.5 million hopefuls queue to buy them.
For one weekend in June, Somerset’s Worthy Farm becomes the fourth-largest South West city (only Bournemouth, Bristol and Plymouth have bigger populations). The site covers over 1,000 acres (about 500 football pitches, or 8 times the size of Vatican City). Surrounded by elaborate 50-foot psychedelic set designs, you feel like you’ve landed on another, better planet, never mind another city.
There are hundreds of stages, but the world’s biggest artists pray to headline the Pyramid Stage. This year’s headliners are The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: £375.50 but tickets are sold out.
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Glastonbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking, Salisbury, Yeovil and Basingstoke via Castle Cary. It’s a 30-minute taxi or free shuttle to the festival from there.
Let’s Rock Southampton
Saturday 2nd August 2025
Beckenham Place Park, London
London to Southampton Central by train: 1 hour 20 minutes
Let’s Rock Southampton is a family-friendly celebration of the best of the ‘80s, featuring artists like Soft Cell, Heaven 17 and Adam Ant. There are free kids’ activities, like face painting and inflatables, and ‘80s-inspired fancy dress for the adults.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £43.45
How to get there: Travel into London Waterloo, catch the tube to Elephant and Castle, and then the train to Beckenham Hill from there.
Camp Bestival Dorset
.jpg)
Thursday 31st July – Sunday 3rd August 2025
East Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5QS
London to Wool by train: 2 hours 30 minutes
Designed by families for families, Camp Bestival guarantees fun for youngsters and oldies alike. Keep the little ones entertained all day with various activities, from self-portrait painting to silent discos and skateboarding lessons. After dark, dance to performances from headliners Suga Babes, Tom Jones and Basement Jaxx. There are baby facilities, quiet spaces, clean toilets and plentiful bins – it’s any parent’s dream!
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £254 for Weekend Tickets & £91 for Day Tickets. Cheaper rates for children and family group discounts available.
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Camp Bestival. Trains run from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Winchester, Southampton Central and Bournemouth to Wool and Wareham. It’s a 15-minute taxi to the festival from there.
Boomtown
.png)
Wednesday 7 August – Sunday 11 August 2024
Matterley Estate, Hampshire SO21 1HW
London to Winchester by train: 1 hour
Which festival best suits listeners with bold music tastes? The clue’s in the name: Boomtown. Following in Glastonbury’s footsteps, Boomtown values experience. It has eight surreal stages in themed ‘districts’. You could pass drum ‘n’ bass blasting from an ancient ruin en route to see reggae at a brutalist building. You can hear drum ‘n’ bass blasting from an ancient ruin or dance to reggae at a brutalist building. Boomtown’s main stage will host Maribou State, Sex Pistols and Sean Paul.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £300 but 2025’s event is sold out.
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Boomtown from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Southampton Central, Bournemouth and Portsmouth stations. Alighting at Winchester, take a £10 shuttle bus to the festival.
We Out Here
Thursday 14th August – Sunday 17th August 2025
St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset BH21 5NA
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Founded by DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson in 2019, We Out Here has become one of the UK’s best-loved festivals among performers and attendees. Jazz, soul, funk and hip-hop soundtrack the days, with electronic music after dark. Between chilled afternoons and lively nights, there’s something for everyone at We Out Here. This year’s headliners include Michael Kinwanuka and Rotary Connection 222: An Orchestral Celebration of Charles Stepney.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: Weekend tickets from £275 & Day tickets from £85
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke. You can take a Train Station Shuttle Bus to the festival from there.
Reading
Thursday 21st August – Sunday 24th August 2025
Richfield Avenue, Reading RG1 8EQ
London to Reading by train: 1 hour 20 minutes
Reading Festival has had various phases since its 1961 founding, but many know it as the UK’s premier rock festival. It attracts over 100,000 attendees annually with world-renowned headliners Chappell Roan, Hozier and Travis scott on the bill for 2025.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: Weekend tickets from £325 & Day tickets from £125.
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Reading from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Richmond, Feltham, Bracknell, Wokingham and Winnersh. The festival is a 15-minute walk or shuttle bus from Reading station.
Victorious Festival
Friday 23 August – Sunday 25 August 2024
Lakeside North Harbour, Western Road, Portsmouth PO6 3EN
London to Portsmouth by train: 1 hour 50 minutes
Over 60,000 people flock to the Southsea coast in August for Victorious Festival. The stunning seaside setting is reason enough to book your ticket. Queens of the Stone Age, Vampire Weekend and Kings of Leon headline this year. Add to that a family-friendly kids' arena, comedy tent, and literary talks, and it’s a must-visit.
Age: All ages (under 16s with an adult)
Prices from: Weekend tickets from £225 & Day tickets from £85
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Victorious Festival from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Surbiton, Woking, Winchester, Havant, Fareham and Cosham. Trains will take you to Portsmouth & Southsea, Portsmouth Harbour or Fratton. It’s a 25-30 minute walk to the festival from all three stations. Or, catch the Xelabus X27 bus from Clarence Pier to the campsite.
End of the Road
Thursday 29 August – Sunday 1 September 2024
Larmer Tree, Tollard Royal, Salisbury SP5 5PY
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Since starting in 2005, End of the Road has become the UK’s premier independent rock and folk music festival. Set in Dorset’s stunning Larmer Tree Gardens, it’s an intimate affair attended by 15,000 revellers. Expect woodland walks with intriguing art installations and headline sets from headline sets from Caribou, Father John Misty and Self Esteem.
Age: All ages (under 18s with an adult)
Prices from: £275
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke. You can take a National Shuttle Bus to the festival from there.
Food and drink festivals
Love It Local, Corfe Castle
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th July 2025
The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham, Dorset BH20 5EZ
London to Wareham by train: 2 hours 30 minutes
As the name suggests, Love It Local celebrates the best local food and drink produce. Its inaugural event at Corfe Castle will showcase the finest ingredients from across the Isle of Purbeck. Expect coastal classics like ice cream, shellfish and ale.
Age: All ages
Prices from: Event is free while normal admission charges apply for the venue from £15.
How to get there: South Western Railway has trains to Corfe Castle via Wareham. It’s a 15-minute ride on the Purbeck Breezer 40 from Wareham.
Foodies Festival, Winchester
Friday 18th July – Sunday 20th July
North Walls Recreation Ground, Nuns Road, Winchester SO23 8DL
London to Winchester by train: 1 hour
Foodies Festival features Michelin-starred chefs, Masterchef champions and Great British Bake Off stars, so you know you’re in for a treat! Watch chefs demonstrating their signature recipes and visit stalls showcasing the world’s best street food. There’s also live music, a kids’ cookery theatre and chilli eating competitions.
Age: All ages
Prices from: Free
How to get there: Foodies Festival Winchester is a 14-minute walk from Winchester.
Taste Salisbury
Thursday 26th September – Saturday 25th October
The Market Place, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1JH
London to Salisbury by train: 1 hour 30 minutes
Taste Salisbury is a four-day festival in the heart of Salisbury celebrating the best that the city has to offer. Attendees enjoy a diverse line-up of activities, from workshops and recipe demos to walking trails.
Age: All ages
Prices from: Free
How to get there: South Western Railway has direct trains to Salisbury from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Woking and Basingstoke.
Literature festivals
London Literature Festival
Tuesday 21st October – Sunday 2nd November 2025
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX
The Southbank Centre’s annual literary festival attracts some of literature’s most famous faces to celebrate the written and spoken word. Its diverse line-up features literary legends like Jacqueline Wilson and Teju Cole alongside A-listers like Sir Patrick Stewart and Jada Pinkett Smith. Writers discuss their texts in relation to themes like friendship and identity.
Age: All ages
Prices vary
How to get there: South Western Railway has regular trains to South Bank from Woking, Basingstoke, Guildford, Winchester, Haslemere, and Southampton via London Waterloo.
Bridport Literary Festival
Sunday 2nd November – Saturday 8th November 2025
Various locations
London to Dorchester South by train: 2 hours 50 minutes
2024 will mark the 20th annual Bridport Literary Festival. As usual, expect various talks on diverse subjects like political activism and rewilding. Previous speakers have included Clive Myrie and Alastair Campbell.
Age: All ages
Prices vary
How to get there: Catch the train from London Waterloo to Dorchester South. It’s a 40-minute ride on the X51 Jurassic Coaster from there.
Whether to your local festival or further afield, South Western Railway can help you reach your destination. Find cheap train tickets to London by travelling off-peak. Passengers with a Railcard could save more, while those travelling in a group could benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard. Travel at any time with Sunday Out tickets.
While you’re here,sign up to our newsletter for monthly travel inspiration, exclusive offers, competitions and more.
