West Dean Festival 2011

The first ever family-friendly West Dean Festival runs from Friday 26th August (from Midday) to Monday 29th August 2011, up to midday on bank Holiday Monday. The festival is set in the grounds of West Dean House within the heart of the South Downs near Chichester.

The new event bills itself as a cross-generational celebration of the best in music, performance, storytelling and creative making.

Line-up

Adam Ant with his band The Good The Bad and The Lovely Posse will headline on Saturday. James Hunter will be closing the festival on Sunday. Robin Jones and King Salsa, The Third Degree, Max Pashm, Katy Prado and the Mamboleros, The Polecats, The Royal Organ Duo, The Topcats, Ray Burley, Michael Campari, John Moore Rock 'n' Roll Trio, Bess Cavendish, Lowland Runners, Tom and the Tides, Slim Lightfoot, Nick Jonah Davis, Dulwich Ukulele Orchestra, The Aros Quartet, Cellophany, The Cuckoo Clocks, Under the Laurels, 6 Day Riot, as well as 'Up and Coming' Young Band Showcase and Workshops.

Note: amplified music in the main Big Top until 11.30pm with acoustic music until the early hours in the late night café bar.

The music line up in the Big Top will be interspersed with performance poets and comedians. The Orangery Stage will present a more relaxed programme of writers and talkers, thinkers and jokers, some smaller music groups, funny interactive poets and film.

Amongst the performers programmed are Judge the Poet, Mik Artistik's Ego Trip, Murray Lachlan Young, Herbie Treehead, The Idler's Academy, Matt Harvey, and more.

Tickets

An early bird offer has ended. A weekend adult ticket (inc. camping) is priced at £110. A weekend child aged 5-15 years ticket (inc. camping) is priced at £55. Children under 5 can attend for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Friday day tickets are priced at £30 for adults and £15 for children. Saturday or Sunday day tickets are priced at £40 for adults and £20 for children.
To buy tickets, click here.

Camping

Numbers will be limited to ensure the event retains an intimate feel; and for the first time ever visitors to the Festival will be able to camp in the grounds of West Dean House. Accommodation options are as follows:
Camping (own tent/camper van) Free
Camping (yurts/tipis) Tipis and Yurts can be booked through Hearthworks
West Dean House £525 (£600 after 31 May)

Performance and Storytelling

As well as music the festival will offer performance and storytelling with poetry, film, dance, theatre, the art of storytelling will be explored with performances, readings, workshops and slams.

Creative Making

Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities to participate in a variety of creative making workshops under the direction of Alison Baxter, Head of Short Courses at West Dean. The sessions will be run by leading craft practitioners, and all materials are included in the Festival ticket price).

Explore

Festival goers have full access to West Dean Gardens, Parkland and Arboretum situated in the rolling folds of the South Downs National Park. The Gardens offer a settings for artists, comedians, musicians and performers.

Children' Area

The festival will have a family friendly place to engage the focused attention of children and teenagers, and keep them occupied and inspired throughout the weekend.

Food and drink

The site will offer cafes and bistros offering locally produced and organic food as well as cooking demonstrations too. Licensed bars will serve a full range of drinks and a late night café-bar will be open into the small hours featuring intimate cabaret and music.

Additional info

Please note that all activities and materials are included in the entry fee with no additional charges except for food and shopping. Only assistance dogs are allowed into events.

Event times

Friday 26 August - Campsite opens 8am
Programmed activities from midday to 1.30am

Saturday 27 August
Programmed activities from 10am - 2am

Sunday 28 August
Programmed activities from 10am - 11.30pm

Monday 29 August
Breakfast and Shopping open until midday
Vacate campsite by 3pm

More information will be here when available.

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