Purbeck Folk Festival opens in the traditional bank holiday rain

Our journey to Purbeck started last month at a festival in the north of Dorset, where we found ourselves camped next to Catherine Burke; singer, musician, and one of Purbeck Folk Festival's organisers. After introductions and a chat about the line-up, we were invited along to see for ourselves. It didn't take much persuasion, and so we took up the offer to head down for the August Bank Holiday, and check out Catherine singing and playing in at least three separate bands, amongst a host of other folk, roots and acoustic acts.

Easily accessible via a quick boat trip from Poole, or the overland route via Corfe Castle, lies the Wilkswood Farm, with its listed cottages and open barns. Just outside Swanage, and nestled in the Purbeck Hills with fantastic views over Swanage Bay, this is the venue for the fourth year of the Purbeck Folk Festival.

Travelling out of Swanage into farming country, festival goers are directed into a small field at the top of a hill with the most amazing views, and into a welcoming gazebo where e-tickets are exchanged for wristbands by friendly stewards.

And now a choice. Down a steep track towards some woodland, and the field on the left is for camper vans and those that wish to park next to their tent, and the field on the right for those that want a 'quieter' tent-only field where cars are parked separately from tents. Arriving at lunchtime, there was loads of lush space to choose from, and with the walk from tent to car only as long as one chooses, we chose the quieter site; closer to the festival and with nicer views of the bay.

Unfortunately, the traditional bank holiday rain made putting our tent up a rather damp experience, but we're well practised, and with a cup of tea soon on the go, we could gaze out of the tent and take in the rolling Dorset countryside. Definitely the most beautifully located festival we've been to, and we've done a lot!

Just reading through the programme was exciting; the festival didn't start until 6pm, but with so much music and entertainment lined up we couldn't wait to get in there. This year saw a slight change to previous years, with under 12s no longer being free, but £5; however all of this was being directed to more, and better, entertainment for the kids.

We were entertained at our tent by jets flying low over the cliffs and watching the steam from the Swanage Railway steam trains rolling through the valley, but we eventually got too impatient and walked down to see what was going on inside the festival. We were allowed to have a look around, but with only a few hours until opening it was a busy place, with finishing touches still being added. What really hit us was that we were on an actual working farm. The stages and bar were in the barns, the stalls were dotted around the dirt tracks, there was a farm shop that would remain open all weekend, and there were ducks waddling around wondering what was going on.

It all looked totally different at 6pm, with people buzzing around, wood fires burning, shops open, food stalls up and running. The theme to the weekend was Pirates, and it was evident everywhere, from the decorations to the names of the buildings and roads: 'Rum Cove' bar, 'Poop Deck' Children's Stage (next to the vegetable patch) and 'Black Beards Crack'. I missed the notice about the fancy dress theme though, as I hadn't spotted it on the main website, which is a big shame as I have a great pirate hat I was saving for just such an occasion!

Music was spread across 3 main stages: the High Barn, the Long Barn and the open air Fire Stage; with two bars across the site. The larger of the bars was stocked with more than 40 local ales, 20 ciders, a 'Special Festival Wine', and masses of comfy sofas from which the bands could still be heard. Friday night was spent meandering around taking everything in, getting our bearings, and then settling down with a beer, strawberry cider and some music.

Trembling Bells were on in the Long Barn, opening with a folk ballad, but next door in the High Barn, we were captivated by Jason Hinchey whom was filling in a gap in the schedule, creating a folk-reggae raucous with a fabulous cover of 'Gimme Hope, Jo'anna'.

After cider levels were topped up, we returned to the Long Barn to get settled for the evening. Although settling wasn't quite possible with the onslaught of folk/rock craziness from Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson. Think of White Stripes on stage with Rolf Harris and Sea Sick Steve, and you'd be halfway to what these two can muster from only two instruments.

Our stamina wavered as it got darker and the rain kept coming; so we found a great spot for a cuppa. Next to the Open Mic Stage and the 'Travels With My Aunt' café, under a gazebo with some extra garlicky houmous and vine leaves, listening to whomever had booked their Open Mic slot. We were a bit damp, but still warm and happy to watch the world go by before our bed finally called us.

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