A food and music festival on the doorstep where the bangers are guaranteed and the menu to ‘scoff and quaff’ is out of this world – where better to get in the mood for summer festivals just a few days before Glastonbury gets underway?

Upton House Food & Music Festival, from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 June, promises a more-ish mix of great tunes and top tastes in a three-day bonanza of live music and mouth-watering food that won’t break the bank.

Against the stunning backdrop of Upton House and the surrounding parkland, families from near and far are ready to get into the groove and try out some tasty treats from around the world.

“Brilliant music, fantastic family company and great food, it’s all the fun of the fare – both gastronomic and musical!” says festival organiser Serena Wren.

“Upton House Food & Music Festival has its own special atmosphere, laid back but never quiet, lively but not hectic. The whole idea is to bring the flavour of much bigger events to what we see as Poole’s communal back garden – so it feels like you’re joining some mates for a nicely chilled party.”

From Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, the gardens and grounds of the award-winning Upton Country Park will be alive with a bill of top UK tributes, the cream of local bands and the finest fare from the region’s food and drink producers.

Friday’s music bill features tributes to Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian with local rocker Chris Payn and his new band opening. They’re followed on Saturday by incredible tributes to Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Kings of Leon and U2, with ace rockers Saints Of Sin, powerhouse vocalist Jordan Watts, cover masters Wonky Donkey and red hot All Funked Up. Sunday’s line up is topped by Police Academy’s acclaimed tribute to The Police with banjo-wielding good time merchants Sixteen String Jack, Chris Payn and the Mother Ukers earlier in the day.

Taste buds will be tempted with flavours from around the world that range from fresh local seafood to The Bao Bao Beast’s traditional Asian cuisine with a western twist and regular festival favourites from Bournemouth Ice Cream. 

To drink there’s a variety of local craft beers and ciders and the distinctive flavours of Shanty, Poole’s very own seaside vodka distilled using five types of hand-foraged organic seaweed.

First Release tickets start from just £18 for families, £7 for adults and only £3.50 for kids; with full three-day weekend tickets from £50 for families, £20 adults and £9 children.

The site opens from 5pm on Friday and 11am on Saturday and Sunday with pre-paid on-site parking available and well-behaved dogs on leads welcome.

Full details and ticket booking at www.uptonhousefoodandmusicfestival.com.

Upton House Food & Music Festival

Friday 20, Saturday 21, Sunday 22 June

Upton Country Park

Fri 5-11pm

Sat 11am-11pm

Sun 11am-8pm

https://uptonhousefoodandmusicfestival.com/

https://www.facebook.com/uptonhousefoodandmusicfestival/