Welcome, me luvers! This part of the UK is famous for so many wonderful things, from Captain Blackbeard and Stonehenge to Cheddar cheese. I’ve probably written quite a lot about my homeland, so without further ado, let’s dive in, shall we?

Glastonbury
Let’s start with the largest music festival in the world! Glastonbury Festival in Somerset needs little introduction for many, but imagine, if you will, a field. A really big field. A field so big that tens of thousands of people gather by their computers in November and April, refreshing the page, awaiting the glory of being selected to enter this field. For the lucky ones, it offers a multi-cultural showcase of contemporary arts suitable and accessible for everyone, regardless of age or musical taste. Trust me when I say, it has everything you could ever want from a music festival. Oh, and also, have you heard of Stonehenge? Based in Salisbury, less than an hour southeast of Glastonbury, it provides a celebration of the summer and winter solstices, marking the change of seasons and the beginning of new dawns.

Padstow May Day ‘Obby ‘Oss
A community that puts community at the heart of everything. A proud folk. The town of Padstow’s May Day celebration is quite unlike any other. The ‘Obby ‘Oss is an ancient festival steeped in mystery! An accordion band plays through the night and through the town to celebrate the fast approach of summer in one of Britain’s oldest festivals, dating back to the 18th century. I’ll cut to the chase here: it involves chasing a couple of ‘Obby ‘Osses (hobby horses, I think; be nice, Cornwallians, if mistaken) around Padstow with live music all day, and the roads are entirely closed! It’s a day integral to Padstow, so the locals do not hold back on their celebrations. Date? 1st May. What year? Every year.

Ashton Gate
The heartbeat of many cities is based around their grounds. They bring more than sporting fixtures and music events. I’ve always believed that they bring joy, despair, and connection—a rollercoaster of emotion for friends and family to enjoy in the baking sunshine or the torrential downpour. Does it matter? Not one bit. Take That, the Killers, Kings of Leon, Bristol Bears, women’s and men’s Bristol City FC—all these great professionals at the top of their games bless this community with entertainment that will knock your socks off. Pair that with a walk up North Street for some top pub grub with your mates, and it makes weekends and weeknights extra special, creating memories that might last a long time.

Cornwall
Now, I have been racking my brain thinking of one place in Cornwall to visit, but I found it weirdly troubling. Not because I can’t think of anything, but because it’s hard to choose. Whether it’s surfing down in St Ives or a beach trip to Durdle Door (OK, technically Devon, but it’s more of a two-hour drive than an overnight bus from Melbourne to Sydney, with a cosy night in a tent or a fancy Airbnb with a hot tub—ooooo mama). I’m a sucker for Cornwall with mates who enjoy the free, rich country air that simply tastes of England, with nothing but a game of kubb (look it up, it’s like croquet but for really cool people who aren’t living in the 1920s), bangers on the BBQ, and some local ales and bitters from a keg.

 

 

Bristol Festivals

Ahhhh, my favourite topic. I don’t have enough time in the day to speak on this for as long as I could, but festivals don’t mean standing in one field from 3pm for a six-hour wait for the headliner at 9pm. Festivals offer so, so, so much more….

Upfest! (Bristol) 18th May – 2nd June
Oh, so you’re the arty type, huh? Love it. A whole month immersed in the greatest street art in Europe, right on your doorstep in BS3. Murals that celebrate and depict modern times and local businesses through workshops and talks that are 100%… entirely… free. That’s right, no typo. No accidental Bristolian rhotic “r”. It is a fantastic and unique lens through which to see Bristol.

Diaspora! (Bristol) 3rd May – 6th May
A celebration of people, music, film, poetry, and storytelling (also difficult to say). A far cry from the noise and hustle many festivals are known for, this one provides contemplation and tranquillity. Words bring power through many mediums of art. So much so, it’s inspired me to write a little fancier than usual when describing it.

Forwards Festival 31st Aug – 1st May
Now we’re really cooking. Have you ever heard of Loyle Carner? A wonderfully gifted spoken rapper whose beautiful range of lo-fi and hard-hitting hip-hop makes him, for me, a perfect role model for young men and women dealing with individual struggles. He is one of the great British artists of our time, and he is headlining this wonderful festival taking place, as we would say, up the Downs (Clifton Downs, right by that famous Isambard Kingdom Brunel bridge). Quite a new festival on the Bristol circuit, looking to challenge our heavyweight title holders of “Love Saves The Day” and “Tokyo World.”

Bristol Craft Beer Festival 7th June – 8th June
51 independent brewers from in and around the city, music, and local food from The Jolly Hog, Bone Daddies, and Dead Wingers. This is a proper local favourite. The best bit of advice I can offer for this is to go on an “almost” empty stomach, ready to be filled, as your five-hour ticket slot will be an unlimited buffet! There’s nothing better than knowing you can sit with your feet dangling over the harbourside promenade, enjoying the beautiful sun with your mates, who are desperately trying to prove they’ve “known this brewer for ages” and they “can’t believe you’re so late in discovering them.” If you’re reading this, Jack, just know I know every brewer this year, so bring it.

Bristol Pride 29th June – 13th July
A celebration of love. A celebration of all identities. A celebration of individuality! I don’t know about you, but I want to live in a world where everyone’s unique and beautiful qualities shine through our community. Love your community as you would your child, unwaveringly (if that’s a word?). Starting in the heart of our city, this march spreads love through the whole of our city by displaying a positive stance against discrimination towards LGBTQ+ people. And of course, it finishes up with a great big party up the Downs (and an afterparty too ????).

I could go on and on; I haven’t even mentioned Cheddar Gorge! But I have reached a natural conclusion here. Up next, we delve into the land of daffodils, formidable voices, and many, many… many castles. Croeso i Gymru.