If you’ve taken our advice on converting your van to a camper, and you’re hitting the road for a UK holiday this summer, here’s five fantastic micro-festivals that you could take in on your trip in our home county of Sussex. You could even pop in to get your drawer unit fitted with us in Hailsham on your way.
Chiddfest
22nd – 24th July 2022, Chiddingly
Our neighbours, just up the road, are staging three days of camping, music and beer, all in aid of a fantastic local charity, St Wilfrid’s Hospice. Some big names will be playing, including Five, Ian Broudie and The Lightning Seeds, Dario G and Sonique, alongside local talent, and on Tribute Sunday you can see tribute acts to the likes of Robbie Williams, Britney Spears, Adele and Elvis Presley. The Kiddie Corner gives a space for the little ones to enjoy the festival experience too. Come and visit our corner of East Sussex for a weekend to remember.
South Downs Summer Music
19th – 24th July 2022, Alfriston village
This annual festival always draws in a range of talented performers, and this year’s headliners include Benyounes Quartet, Alexander Sitkovetsky, Julian Bliss Quintet, Maggie Cole, Harriet Walter and Guy Paul. The festival celebrates the values of music and community, and takes place in the scenic village of Alfriston in the centre of the South Downs National Park. After 14 years, the festival has established itself as a cultural event drawing in locals and the wider area alike. A fusion of young promise and industry favourites, this festival is a hub for diverse musicians to form a community.
Into The Wild Summer Festival
26th – 29th August 2022, Chiddinglye Estate, East Grinstead
This festival combines fun with a focus on what we can do to look after our planet, support biodiversity, encourage rewilding and start a wild revolution that goes that step further than simply recycling. This festival celebrates diversity, both in world culture and in life on Earth. A weekend of camping, workshops, world music and cuisine, den making, blacksmiths, wild crafts, yoga, forest bathing, stargazing and healing therapies, this event transcends the usual festival activities crossing over into the domain of spiritual retreat. Something for everyone, and an opportunity to learn skills from the past and preserve skills for the future. This is an eclectic experience under the forest canopy, bringing us in touch with nature.
Eastbourne Vintage Festival
26th – 29th August 2022, Gildredge Park
Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend in the beautiful Gildredge Park, this vintage festival is designed to take you on a time-travelling journey from the 1970s through to the 1920s. Offering all things vintage and retro, the festival includes classic vehicles, vintage antiques, live music and dance, a Victorian funfair, open-air cinema and even a best-dressed competition. Event admission is free with a £5 fee for the open-air cinema, which will be showing Bohemian Rhapsody as well as Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia ‘Here We Go Again’ to celebrate Abba’s 50th anniversary. The event will have a selection of artisan food stores with craft breads, fruit preserves, cured meats, oils and vinegars made by hand using traditional methods by skilled artisans. For pet lovers, there will also be a doggy pageant with a range of great prizes, free to enter on one of the four days.
Pub In The Park
16th – 18th September 2022, Brighton
A festival for the foodies! Tom Kerridge and his chef friends are touring the UK, offering a curated line-up of award-winning Michelin-starred eateries. Some of the nation’s favourite chefs and trailblazers will be there to give demonstrations promising to “surprise and delight”, and the cuisine will be accompanied by chart-topping acts including Craig David, Rag’n’Bone Man, Kaiser Chiefs, Professor Green, Sister Sledge, Supergrass, General Levy, and many more. This is a glorious celebration of the Great British Pub, valuing delicious food and drink, great music and great times with family and friends. It hits Brighton on 16th September, after visiting Tunbridge Wells, Chiswick and St. Albans.
South Downs Folk Fest
22nd – 25th September 2022, Bognor Regis
Taking place in Bognor Regis, “officially the sunniest place in the UK mainland”, apparently, this festival boasts a variety of music, dance and workshops with differing folk roots and genres. Headlining the event are Lindisfarne, Spiers & Boden, The Leylines and The Men They Couldn’t Hang, alongside superb supporting acts. This mini-festival presents rather unique opportunities including shanty singing sessions, Ukelele lessons and various dance performances including Appalachian, Northern Clod and Cotswold Moris. There will be a wide variety of food and drink, including a ‘real ale’ bar in the Willian Hardwicke. A very family-friendly festival, with lots of children’s entertainment and opportunities to get creative with art events, face painting and clowns to entertain.
If you’re out and about in your van this summer, tag us in your holiday photos! We’re @getstowed.co.uk on Facebook and Instagram. Get in touch to find out how we can design the perfect drawer unit for your vehicle to fulfil your festival needs.