Set in the very same location as the legendary Elephant Fayre, back in the Seventies and Eighties, the festival started up as the Eliot Lit Fest early in the millennium and, in the seven years of its existence, it has come to be regarded as one of the most original, magical, Bohemian events of its kind anywhere in the country.
The festival offers a rich diversity of arts and entertainment encompassing music, literature, poetry, comedy, film and art.
Line-up
The full music and cabaret line-up is yet to be announced but early names include Matt Sewell, Marcus Coates, The Tailors, Music and Migration, Trevor Moss & Hannah Lou, Treecreeper, Tim Birkhead, Jeremy Mynott, Stephen Moss, Tim Dee, Ralfe Band plays Bunny and The Bull, Fionn Regan, The Leisure Society, Phil Daniels, Kathryn Williams, Chris Watson, Lulu and The Lampshades, Alabama 3, Cherry Ghost, Antony Elvin, Danny and The Champions of the World, The Tailors, Trevor Moss & Hannah Lou, Treecreeper, Wilko Johnson, Tom Baxter, Fisherman's Friends, Talvin Singh, Ralfe Band plays Bunny and The Bull, Luke Haines, Fionn Regan, Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara, Sam Carter, The Leisure Society, Louis Eliot & The Embers, The Boutique Book Club Band, A Beach Supreme, The Bucket Boys, Princes in the Tower, Braga Tanga, Jim Bob, Kathryn Williams, The Loose Salute, Mik Artistik, Glorious Chorus, Black Friday, and Chris Watson. The Boathouse will be dishing up more wild performances as well as the now legendary One Minute Disco. Caught By The River stage returns with Chris Watson's Nature Disco and Ceri Levy's Bird Effect, along with evening bonfires, readings, demonstrations, art, live music, DJs, sound installations, a Rough Trade record area and more surprises to be announced shortly.Other entertainment
Literary talent includes Rosie Boycott, Jez Butterworth, Margaret Drabble, Bill Drummond, Geoff Dyer, Hari Kunzru, Ian Jack, Nicky Haslam, Alexander Masters, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Toby Young and Luke Wright. Plus Edward Fox reading TS Eliot's The Wasteland.New this year is the Fashion Tent which will feature Stephen Jones, Anna Sui, Luella Bartley, Barbara Hulanicki, Sandy Powell and leading make-up artist Alex Box. Also new is the Port Eliot Flower Show 2010 a colourful new area added to the festival. The Wild Swim returns with Kate Rew, founder of The Outdoor Swimming Society.
The Idler's Academy of Philosophy, Husbandry and Merriment will be opening its doors for the first time. Students enrolling in the Academy will be able to study a varied and eccentric curriculum including 'How to Build a Bed' led by Bill Drummond and 'How to Start a School' with Toby Young. Deborah Curtis and Gavin Turk will once again open the gates to the magical House of Fairy Tales. Amongst the expanded literary line-up for the House of Fairy Tales this year is Angie Sage, and storyteller Rachel Rose Reid. Simon Costin's intriguing Museum of British Folklore will be in residence at the Port Eliot Gatehouse and the Big Kitchen will serve up a menu of renowned chefs including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Sci-fi and camping expert, author Matthew De Abaitua, will lead a 'We Are Camping' tour through Port Eliot's campsite and Martin Parr talks about his Parrworld exhibition.
Turner Prize winning artist Grayson Perry will unveil a custom built motorcycle that is a shrine to his teddy bear Alan Measles. Grayson will be dressed as his bodyguard and Alan Measles will be sitting on a special throne at the back. At the St Martin's College of Art tent festival goers will be able to join in a series of workshops and classes hosted by the art school. And St Martin's alumni Jarvis Cocker will host his award winning 6 Music show the Sunday Service live from the festival site.
Other artistic treats include: Magnum photographer Martin Parr, a fully functioning bird hide built by illustrator Matt Sewell, an exhibition inspired by elephants from Ged Wells, This year's Port Eliot Festival Artist-in-Residence Baudade, face painting from Pete Fowler and his Kingdom of Monsterism, digital artist Keith Albarn, performance art from shamen Marcus Coates, and a children's area The House of Fairy Tales run by artists Gavin Turk and Deborah Curtis.
Tickets
The early bird offer has now ended. Weekend tickets are priced at £130 for adults, £50 for children (4yrs to 12yrs inclusive), tickets for children of 3yrs and under are free. These discounted tickets are for sale on a strictly first come, first served basis and will only be available until the 31st January, when full price tickets go on sale. To register for early bird tickets, click here.Early entry Thursday
Full weekend ticket holders will be able to arrive from 12 midday on Thursday 22nd July, giving those festival-goers the chance to discover the most beautiful camping spots, explore the enchanting setting and take in special entertainment laid on in the festival bars dotted around the Estate. In addition, the main festival programme will commence at the earlier time of 12 midday on Friday 23rd July.Family friendly
Families are especially welcome at the festival and there's a special supervised kids' area featuring magic and puppet shows where youngsters can create their own stories and artwork while, for teenagers, the Mucking About With Words Tent incorporates slam poetry sessions with DJs, dance and much more besides.Camping
Festival-goers can pitch their tents in the stunning grounds of the Port Eliot Estate free included in the entry price or hang out in relative luxury by hiring a beautifully decorated yurt or teepee.On site
The festival will also offer the opportunity to take in a séance or a massage on the estuary, dance the night away, and sample the varied selection of food stalls.More information will be here when available.
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