We all need space, sometimes personal and sometimes in our homes – but there are ways you can create both.
Fed up of picking clothes up from the floordrobe and trying to force things into spaces they’re just not meant to go? Perhaps it’s time to declutter and make more of the space in your home.
Ruthlessly decluttering is the perfect place to start and when you can see the wood for the trees, you’ll have a much clearer way of maximising the space available.
Vertical storage such as ladder shelves and multifunctional furniture such as sofa beds and storage ottomans often offer quick wins. Use mirrors to increase light, and adopt a neutral colour palette to make rooms feel larger.
Look around your home with a critical eye to assess where you could make space or at least create the illusion of it.
For example, could you add a slimline cabinet or wall-mounted hooks in the hall rather than the free-standing coat stand? What about the under-the-stairs space – is there room for corner shelving or drawers for extra storage? A few simple tricks can make all the difference there without the need for the assistance of a boy wizard.
Install a media wall with shelving and drawers for additional storage, it will create a focal point in the living room drawing eyes to that and away from a lack of space.
Letting more light in will instantly create the impression of space, skylights, bi-fold doors and even just simple spotlights or stand out light fittings will help brighten up a room. If space is a squeeze in your home, how about swapping traditional opening doors with sliding ones.
Look upwards, perhaps a loft conversion is the answer, specialists can talk you through your options and carry out the work. Putting boards down and simply using the area for storage will at the least keep your clutter out of sight but could your loft become another room, perhaps a play room or den for teenagers? A properly insulated loft will also help keep your energy costs down.
Is there room to expand with an extension? Always check whether planning permission is needed first, and you may need to consult an architect to confirm your scheme is actually viable. Could you knock two smaller rooms into one to create a large living/dining room? Be prepared for some upheaval along the way, but with the help of a reliable local builder, you can make space for your place to grow.
Liz Nicholls invites you to get stuck into our festivals guide, packed with local highlights, powered by people power for real feel-good vibes.
MAY
Surrey Hills International Music Festival (6th–17th May) offers performances from VOCES8, Alim Beisembayev & more in picturesque local venues; shimf.co.uk
Check out the buzzing grassroots line-up for Are You Listening? on 9th & 10th May across Reading venues at areyoulistening.org.uk
Back to food (again!). We’re hungry for Pub in the Park Marlow, 14th–17th May, serving up a fresh feast of celebrity chefs and live music. From McFly to Razorlight, Craig David to Gabrielle, enjoy foodie stars including our cover star Raymond Blanc, Matt Tebutt, Atul Kochhar, James Martin & more. A new ingredient for 2026 is the The Author’s Table, featuring Michelin-starred storytellers. pubintheparkuk.com
Green & gorgeous Wood returns to Braziers Park, 15th-17th May, with The Dreaming Spires, Falle Nioke & more; woodhq.org
RamsFest returns to Ramsbury Brewery & Distillery in Wiltshire on 15th & 16th May, with beer and live music from the likes of RPJ Band (fronted by Rick Parfitt Jnr) & The Zoots; ramsbury.com
Also tuck into the wonderful Witney Festival of Food & Drink on 16th May with treats galore for charity; wfofad.co.uk. And don’t miss the delightful Dorchester Festival at Dorchester Abbey near Abingdon, 1st-10th May; dorchesterfestival.com
Shindig Festival, set in the arboretum at Charlton Park Estate (former home of WOMAD, more of which in a mo…) has been dubbed a “pint-sized Glastonbury” by Emily Eavis, and for good reason. Now in its 12th year, this independent favourite, 21st- 24th May, blends music, art & family-friendly fun with late nights, creative corners and plenty of space to explore. Leading the 2026 Shindig line-up are Bob Vylan, Fat Dog, WAR and Chali 2NA; visit shindigfestival.co.uk
Chesham Fringe Festival returns 22nd–24th May with theatre, comedy and music across 14 venues. From intimate spoken word to soaring vocals and kids’ fun, a third of shows are free, the rest pay-as-you-go. This year’s highlight supports Chesham Youth Centre, The Hospice of St Francis, and Creative Bucks. The Fringe Makers volunteers help make the magic happen; cheshamfringe.com
The 53rd edition of Chippenham Folk Festival, 22nd-25th May, will offer folk, dance, workshops and more across 13 stages throughout the town; chippfolk.co.uk
For a laid-back, family-friendly vibe with glamping options, Shynefest, 29th & 30th May, has just been announced as a finalist in the Muddy Stilettos Awards The line-up includes Abba tribute Mania, Mardy Bums, The Fanzines, The Upbeat Beatles, The Mustard, The Sound of ACDC, Miss America (a tribute to Taylor Swift), Dick Mavis, Doubting Thomas and Coco La Funk. Visit shynefest.uk
Imagine a summer music festival – but designed entirely for dogs. That’s exactly what Dogstival delivers, promising to be the greatest party for dogs. Returning to the New Forest on 30th & 31st May, it features the UK’s original dog-only beach, a giant foam party, pup-tails at the Pop & Bark Bar, Lady & The Tramp styled doggy afternoon tea, doggy skateboarding, sausage making, The Muddy Paws Tavern, the Pup Art Cafe and lots more; dogstival.co.uk
JUNE
Find more family fun (including circus skills and music) at ffennell Festival in Cumnor, Oxford, on 6th June; hill-end.org
Forest Live at Westonbirt Arboretum has various bobby dazzlers in June, including Becky Hill, Billy Ocean, Fatboy Slim & the Kooks; forestlive.com/westonbirtarboretum
Jazz lovers, book in for stellar performances on Saturday, 6th June, for Wycombe Jazz Festival; wycombejazzfestival.com
Marlow Town Regatta returns on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June. Expect exciting side-by-side rowing, food stalls, live music and a lively, social atmosphere. Community favourite Marlow Rock Bottom Festival returns on 20th June; marlowrockbottom.com
Raising cheer, and funds for Hampshire Medical Fund, Good Festival at Dummer Down Farm on Sunday, 14th June, offers live music, family fun and wellness; goodfestival.co.uk
With its ancient woodland and wild meadows, Wasing near Aldermaston is the most wonderful place to relax. Prue Leith & more will star at the Well Read literary festival on 14th June, plus On The Mount at Wasing, 26th June to 4th July, will star MIKA, Self Esteem, Pixies, Belle & Sebastian & more; wasing.co.uk
The iconic Isle of Wight Festival, 18th–21st June, stars Calvin Harris, The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Rita Ora and more over the Solent; isleofwightfestival.com. And TOTFest at Kempton Park on 20th June promises lots of fun including Bounceland! totfestfestival.com
Don’t miss the fifth Iford Manor Jazz Festival, 18th-21st June near Bath, curated by legendary jazz singer Claire Martin OBE; ifordmanor.co.uk
The elegant Tilford Bach Festival near Farnham, 19th–21st June, now in its 74th year, celebrates the timeless music of JS Bach in an intimate and atmospheric setting; tilfordbachfestival.com
At the other end of the spectrum, Southampton Summer Sessions brings a stellar line-up to the south coast, including Paul Weller, The Beach Boys, Skunk Anansie and more; smmrsessions.com
The mighty Sigala will hit the decks at Electric Hills (formerly Rowachella) at Aston Rowant Cricket Club on 20th June, plus Kelli-Leigh, Bloc Off The Wall & more; electrichills.co.uk
Mindset Unlimited Festival on 21st June in Wokingham offers wellness, talks, movement and music; mindsetunlimited.co.uk
There’s no Glastonbury this year, folks… But who cares when you’ve got Astonbury?! The family-friendly beauty at Astons Rec near Didcot offers live music 2-11.30pm on 27th June, including fabulous five-piece covers band Big Cheese; tickettailor.com (search for “Astonbury”). And cheers to Charlbury Beer Festival on 27th June; charlburybeerfestival.org while the new Blenheim Palace Festival, 27th June to 4th July, stars (wait for it) Alanis Morissette, Katy Perry, Skin, Pete Tong, Michael Bublé and more; blenheimpalace.com
JULY
Loyle Carner, De La Soul, Sister Sledge and The Temptations & The Four Tops (yes, really!) will star at Love Supreme Jazz Festival, 3rd–5th July, at Glynde Place in East Sussex; lovesupremefestival.com.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor is bringing her pure disco joy to award-winning Guilfest (4th & 5th July). Expect glittering anthems and sing-along moments, plus she’s sharing the bill with The Proclaimers and a Rudimental DJ set; guilfest.co.uk. You can also catch Sophie at Hampton Court Palace Festival in June, as well as David Gray, Pete Tong and Nile Rodgers; hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com
Enjoy music, sensory spaces, comedy, animals, inclusive sport, street food & more at Parallel Windsor on 5th July; parallellifestyle.com
FiFest on 10th & 11th July near Maidenhead promises great vibes and Liberty X, The Fratellis, Pixie Lott, Woody Cook, Ministry of Youth & more;fifest.co.uk
The wellness-focused gem Oh Shala Festival returns to Penn in Buckinghamshire, 10th–12th July, with music, workshops, healing & oodles of community spirit; ohshalafestival.com
Families will find street food, children’s fun, community bands and more in Flackwell Heath with Heath Fest on Saturday, 11th July; fhra.co.uk/heath-fest
On various dates in July, Heritage Live at Englefield offers Faithless, Richard Ashcroft, Ministry of Sound & more; heritagelive.net and we’re excited to don our glad rags for the bouji riverside Henley Festival, 8th to 12th July, starring acts including Boy George, Lulu, Björn Again, Ezra Collective & more plus Julian Clary & other comedy greats; henley-festival.co.uk
Classic Ibiza at Bowood House near Calne in Wiltshire on 17th & 18th July is an open-air celebration of Ibiza-inspired house music, reinvented by a 45-piece orchestra, headline DJs and live vocalists; classicibiza.co.uk
The Party in the Paddock race days at Newbury offer Gipsy Kings on 17th July, Ronan Keating on 19th July, Tinie Tempah on 14th August and Jessie J on 15th August; newburyracecourse.co.uk.
With 14 incredible tribute acts including Typically Tina, two stages, a silent disco and fun fair, Marvellous Festival is back to rock Wokingham on 18th & 19th July; marvellousfestivals.com. And the free Charlbury Riverside Festival returns to west Oxfordshire on 18th & 19th July; charlburyriverside.org
WOMAD, AKA “the world’s festival” lands at Neston Park near Corsham, 23rd-26th July. Leading the NTS-curated charge are a hand-picked selection of DJs whose sets traverse continents and genres. Enjoy music from the likes Cami Layé Oyún, Cheb Mimo, Coco María, Ruby Khaira, Shannen SP and more. One of the world’s most colourful celebrations of music, culture and community, expect an irresistible mix of global artists, family fun, food, workshops and wellbeing where every corner brings a new sound, flavour or experience; womad.co.uk
“The UK’s most warped village fête”, Truck Festival returns to Steventon, 23rd-26th July, with a banging line-up including Cmat, The Libertines, Primal Scream, Kaiser Chiefs & more; truckfestival.com
We love Camp Bestival in Dorset, 30th July–2nd August, with Slomo Wellbeing, family fun and a line-up including Fatboy Slim & Friends, Self Esteem & Leftfield; dorset.campbestival.net
Stowaway Festival returns to the wondrous Stowe woodland (where that glitterball will shine), 31st July–2nd August. This year’s line-up includes cutting-edge electronic and drum’n’bass acts including Nightmares on Wax, Say She She, London Elektricity, and DJ Zinc; stowawayfestival.co.uk
AUGUST
Are you, like our cover star Raymond Blanc OBE, hungry for a sunny summer of connection, live entertainment and delicious food? Over at Blenheim Palace Food Festival, 23rd -25th May, foodies are in for a treat with top chefs including our cover star Raymond Blanc & Matt Tebbutt; blenheimpalace.com
Ready for a blast from the past? Retro Festival celebrates six decades of music at Newbury Showground, 7th–9th August. Enjoy vintage vehicles, fashion and timeless hits across three stages. You can go for the day or camp for four nights; dressing up is fun! retrofestival.co.uk
Boomtown Festival will transform Matterley Estate near Winchester into a radically redesigned world of music, theatre & storytelling, 12th-16th August; boomtownfair.co.uk
Royal Windsor Live, 13th-15th August, stars ska legends Madness after the racing (watch this space for my interview with Suggs), Five and more; yoursummerlive.co.uk/windsor
Check out Raver Tots at Reading’s Prospect Park on 16th August; ravertots.co.uk, great local bands at Wokingham Festival, 22nd-24th August; wokinghamfestival.co.uk and Rock the Rec in Windsor on 30th August; rocktherec.co.uk.
There’s no Glasto this year so the mighty Reading Festival will hit even harder, 27th-30th August, with Charli XCX, Chase & Status, Dave, RAYE and more; readingfestival.com
Ibiza vibes in Windsor? Summertime Live on Saturday, 15th August will shine bright with MistaJam, Wilkinson, Ms Dynamite and more, a silent disco & shisha bar and much more; summertimelive.co.uk
Rewind Festival in Henley, 21st-23rd August, will help you party like the good old days, starring The Proclaimers, Peter Andre, Louise, Soul II Soul & many more; rewindfestival.com
From huge headline DJ sets to dazzling light shows and immersive stages, Creamfields is the ultimate pilgrimage for dance music fans. The iconic August bank holiday festival transforms the Cheshire countryside into a high-energy playground of electronic beats and unforgettable experiences. The legendary Shy FX & MC Rage, Koven and Swedish House Mafia are among this year’s headliners. creamfields.com
The Big Feastival returns to Alex James’ farm in Kingham (watch this space for our chat), 28th–30th August. This popular family-friendly shindig serves up chef demos and top food with an equally tasty line-up including one of the most exciting bookings of the year, The Streets. Also enjoy music from Basement Jaxx, Bastille, Rudimental, Fabio & Grooverider & others, food stars including Anna Haugh and comedy from Joel Dommett, Suzi Rufell & more; thebigfeastival.com
The UK’s largest family fundraising festival CarFest at Silverstone, 28th–30th August, stars Jessie J, Tom Jones, Rick Astley, Nile Rodgers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor & more; carfest.org
A delightful micro-festival blending music, wellness, creativity and joy, Found Festival on the Claydon Estate in Buckingham, 28th–30th August, offers intimate performances, local artisans and feelgood vibes; foundfestival.uk
The Wake is an intimate one-day festival on Saturday, 29th August, in the beautiful West Sussex woodlands & meadows. For the third year, Badly Drawn Boy will headline and DJ Justin Robertson and more will star, with talks, a children’s area, great food and bars. £40pp, £15pp for seven to 14-year-olds and under-7s free, with free car parking. Camping is available & breakfast the next morning! thewake.uk
SEPTEMBER
Everyone lovesBunkfest don’t they?! The free-access family-friendly community fave returns to Wallingford, 4th-6th September, bunkfest.co.uk.
I’m ending on a high, with my favourite, Mucky Weekender in Micheldever near Winchester. The perfect last hurrah to the end of the season, this year’s adults-only funfest, 10th-12th September has a Circus Freaks-theme (dressing up is so much fun). Headliners for 2026 include Goldie (Live), David Rodigan, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Dutty Moonshine Big Band, Roni Size, Leftfield (DJ Set), Pop Will Eat Itself, Goldie Lookin Chain, Children of Zeus, Norman Jay MBE, and special guests The Sabres of Paradise (Live) hosted by Dub Pistols, raising spirits & funds for charity; mucky-weekender.co.uk
Gareth Williams invites you to gear up for a great day out at the volunteer-run Hart Classics Transport Show on Sunday 21 June 2026.
After raising more than £7,000 for the Hants and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in 2024 and 2025, The Hart Classics Transport Show returns at a new venue – the grounds of the Elvetham Hotel, between Fleet and Hartley Wintney.
The spacious site features a firm, riverside field with plenty of room for classic cars, motorcycles, trade stands and food vendors.
On the day, visitors can enjoy live music, a variety of food and drink options and a licensed bar, while little ones can have fun in the children’s play area, featuring small fairground-style attractions.
The main attraction is the display of classic vehicles – and with more than 250 cars and motorcycles attending last year, a similarly strong turnout is expected for the 2026 event.
Vehicles are grouped into age-based classes, while clubs are accommodated so that members can display together where possible.
On the day, judges award trophies for the best car and motorcycle in each class, alongside special prizes including Best in Show, Ladies’ Choice and Spirit of Motoring.
Organisers expect a wide range of exhibits, from pre-World War Two models to modern classics and supercars, as well as commercial and agricultural vehicles.
All profits go to charity, supporting the Hants and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which provides a vital emergency service across the region.
Cars and their passengers can enter the site from 8am, with the public admitted from 10am. The event ends after judging at 4pm.
Cars, motorbikes and commercial vehicles with driver and one passenger are charged £10 plus a £1.20 booking fee. Other visitors £5, children under 12 free. Visitor parking is free.
For more information and online entry, visit hartclassics.co.uk.
The Jordans Music Club team invite you to enjoy globally acclaimed musicians close to home between 31 May & 12 July 2026.
Here’s something special to add to your summer diary, close to home. The Jordans Music Club’s 83rd Summer Festival – and yes, at 83 years old, it might just be older than you (and certainly older than most festivals around here!).
There’s something wonderfully reassuring about that longevity. For more than eight decades, this much-loved series has brought world-class classical music to the heart of Bucks, proving you don’t need to dash into London – or pay London prices – to enjoy exceptional performances.
Concerts take place in the welcoming surroundings of Jubilee Hall in Seer Green, where the atmosphere is intimate, friendly and refreshingly unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where you can simply sit back and let the music do its thing.
Who’s performing?
The season opens on Sunday 31 May with the Consone Quartet, a brilliant young ensemble already making waves internationally. As BBC New Generation Artists, they bring a fresh, vibrant energy to classics by Haydn, Mozart and Schubert – the perfect way to start the festival.
On Sunday 14 June, pianist Ryan Wang, who shot to fame after winning BBC Young Musician in 2024, will star. Still early in his career but already captivating audiences worldwide, he’ll perform pieces by Schubert, Mozart, Mussorgsky and more.
While things take a slightly different turn on Sunday 28 June, with an evening of clarinet and piano. Internationally renowned clarinettist Michael Collins joins acclaimed Irish pianist Michael McHale for a rich and varied programme featuring Debussy, Saint-Saëns and Poulenc. Expect both flair and feeling!
And finally, The Jordans Music Club Summer Festival closes on Sunday 12 July with the London Handel Players, bringing a joyful celebration of Baroque favourites by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi. It’s a fittingly uplifting finale to a festival that has stood the test of time. All concerts begin at 7.30pm, making them perfect for a relaxed summer evening out.
Whether you’re a lifelong classical fan or just fancy trying something a little different, this is a lovely way to slow down, soak up some culture and enjoy truly beautiful music – right on your doorstep.
Don’t miss your chance to see beautiful blooms and flourishing florets at East Meon Flower Festival, when it returns this May 2026.
For four days, the beautiful Grade I-listed All Saints’ Church will be dressed to the nines with stunning floral displays for the East Meon Flower Festival – transforming the historic 11th-century building into a celebration of creativity, nature and community.
Taking place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 May, this year’s festival will feature more than 20 floral-themed displays, each created by and representing the groups and societies that make up village life in East Meon.
From farming communities and the cricket team to cold-water swimmers, allotment holders, beekeepers and the local history society, the displays will reflect the village’s rich character and diversity.
Wherever possible, arrangements will use locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials.
While celebrating creativity and community, the festival also highlights a serious purpose. As a unique and very old building, All Saints’ requires constant care, and urgent repair and renovation work is needed; and proceeds from the Flower Festival will directly support some vital projects.
Alongside the floral displays, visitors can enjoy delicious teas, a local artists’ exhibition in the church hall, live jazz, daily history tours, and the melodic bells pealing over the weekend, too. Tickets from ticketsourced.co.uk/eastmeonflowerfestival2026.
And, as a special one-off event, the Octavus Choir will perform on Saturday 23 May at 7pm in the church, with a floral-themed programme of music and poetry.
Tickets sold separately and include a glass of wine! Tickets at tinyurl.com/bdekfrz9.
Fired Legacies: The Ceramic World of Rich Miller explores British colonial history at Watts Gallery until Sunday 28 June 2026.
From crowns to lampposts, piggybanks to rum bottles, ceramicist Rich Miller uses familiar objects and symbols to ask questions that spark conversations.
Fired Legacies: The Ceramic World of Rich Miller is the first solo exhibition by the artist, who is also well-known as a judge on Channel 4’s Great Pottery Throw Down.
More than 100 works feature in the exhibition which delves into his own mixed-race heritage and explores British colonial history, examining the complexities of migration and lasting cultural influences that have, for many years, inspired the artist’s practice.
While respecting their beauty, Rich considers other resonances: the crown and its links with empire, the lamppost and the recent ‘Raise the Colours’ campaign. His work asks questions that are intended to spark conversations around these issues, while promising no answers.
Rich said: “Much of my work explores British colonial history and my place in it. I have a real fascination with social history and the way we interact with objects, and the hierarchical structures that exist. All of the individual pieces I make ask the questions that I’ve always been thinking myself, such as how was British society formed, how was the wealth created and why am I, as a mixed-race person, here in Britain?”
“I’m delighted to be presenting this work at Watts Gallery, a place I’ve known for years. As a student in Farnham, we visited Watts Chapel and the Gallery, and when Watts Gallery was restored in 2010, Froyle Tiles was commissioned to create tiles for several spaces.”
A graduate of Surrey Institute of Art and Design (now UCA), he spent 20 years of his career at the helm of Froyle Tiles, the bespoke Surrey-based stoneware tile company.
All work is for sale with profits supporting the Art for All community learning programme.
A raw and intimate drama exploring identity, illness and resilience comes to the Old Fire Station from 27 to 31 May 2026.
What happens when the thing that defines you disappears? That question lies at the heart of Duet for One, arriving at the Old Fire Station this May.
This intimate and psychologically charged play follows Stephanie, a celebrated violinist forced to confront life after a life-altering diagnosis.
As her world begins to shift, Stephanie enters therapy. What unfolds is a series of intense, probing conversations that blur the boundaries between control, truth and self-discovery.
Set entirely within a consulting room, the production strips everything back to language, emotion and the subtle power dynamics between patient and therapist.
In a compelling twist, the role of Dr Feldmann is shared across the run by two actors – one younger, one older – creating nuanced shifts in authority and tone. The result is a production in which no two performances feel quite the same.
At its core is a deeply personal performance. The actor playing Stephanie, who lives in Watlington, draws on her own experience of chronic illness and past mental health struggles. That lived experience lends powerful authenticity to a story that explores loss, identity and resilience with honesty and care.
Thought-provoking, raw and quietly intense, Duet for One is theatre that asks difficult questions – and lingers long after the final line.
Performances run from 27 to 31 May 2026, with both evening and matinee shows available.
To book, visit the Old Fire Station website or call 01865 263990.
Cathy Holden from Fleet Pond Society shares the history of and love for the nature reserve as the society celebrates its 50th anniversary.
This year, Fleet Pond Society celebrates 50 years of caring for Fleet Pond Nature Reserve – an important local SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and Hampshire’s largest freshwater lake.
Over these 50 years, hundreds of volunteers have repaired footpaths, installed bridges, jetties, dipping platforms and look-out points. They have dredged silt and managed islands, along with a myriad of other conservation tasks, to keep this beautiful community asset accessible to both wildlife and people.
In 2003, recognition of the volunteers’ outstanding work led to the Society receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (‘Unsung Heroes’).
And in 2008, University College London carried out a depth survey as part of the OPAL (Open Air Laboratories) project. It showed the pond measured no more than 0.8 metres deep.
As a result, in 2010 the Society launched the ‘Clearwater Campaign’, a partnership between themselves, Hart District Council, Natural England, the Environment Agency, MoD and other interested parties.
Following successful fundraising throughout the community, along with grants and major awards from statutory bodies, dredging began in 2012.
Volunteers then created reed-covered islands from the removed silt. A small group continues to encourage reed growth on these islands, keeping them free from saplings.
The reedbeds and heathland areas form priority habitat, and volunteers work tirelessly to keep them viable – and for the first time, volunteers have recorded Nightjars on the Dry Heath.
Over the summer, the Society organises a range of education and conservation-related activities for local youth groups, including Scouts, Cubs, Beavers, Rainbows and the Boys’ Brigade.
FPS Chairman Jim Storey said: “The past fifty years have shown that there is no limit to the enthusiasm, skill and tireless work of our fantastic volunteers. We could not do it without them. Onwards to the next fifty!”
Liz Nicholls chats food, festivals & more with Raymond Blanc OBE who stars at Blenheim Palace Food Festival in May…
Bonjour! What’s your first festival memory?
A beautiful festival du vin in the Jura in France. It was about community, no excess, no ego, just people enjoying food, culture and each other. Festivals are about people coming together. At Blenheim and Pub In the Park, I’ll demonstrate simple food – beautiful, tasty, delicious, with heart!
Who are your favourite musicians?
Jacques Belle was my first love, Francis Cabrera, Carla Bruni… French music from the soul! I also love British music, blues and rock. I love Amy Winehouse, such a beautiful soul.
You’ve said being ‘exiled’ here in England in the 1970s was awful, with terrible food! Any Brit food faves you’ve grown to love?
Brown sauce! I used to hate it but I fell in love with it on a fishing trip… HP even awarded me a silver bottle as I do so much to promote it, haha!
Anything you don’t eat..? Andouillette perhaps?
I’m a Frenchman, Liz, I eat everything! When we grew up you ate or went straight to bed! British food is much better nowadays but overcooked food is the worst. And sliced white bread?! Dis-gus-TING! It’s nutritionally rubbish, do not eat it!
Le Manoir reopens next year – what can we all expect?
Magic! Modernity, creativity and memorable experiences
Hospitality is a high-stress industry. How do you look after your mental health?
As a young man, I faced setbacks – losing my job, being in a foreign country. But I never let that break my pursuit of excellence. I wanted to be part of a team that created a positive, creative kitchen environment.
Later on, during my battle with Covid, I spent a month and a half in hospital on the brink of death. I focused on survival, meditation and positive thinking.
Despite being surrounded by suffering, people dying, I concentrated on breathing, light and gratitude.
The experience taught me surrender and the importance of mental and physical care. I exercise every morning, breathing, stretching, and swimming once or twice a week.
Mental health requires personal work and support from trusted people, friends, mentors, and parents. Speaking out is the first step. I have created a safe, kind space for my team.
If you had a magic wand what would you wish for?
For France to win the World Cup! Also, that we can learn from the past, enjoy more empathy, and grow a world that’s more harmonious. I’m a romantic dreamer.
Are we going to have a great summer?
My grandfather taught me to read the signs in nature… And the red berries on the holly tree show that the weather will be extraordinary.
From unmissable performances and elegant afternoon teas overlooking the iconic Wormsley Cricket Ground to leisurely walks through the beautiful walled garden and deer park, there’s so much to enjoy at Garsington Opera 2026 as it returns for a spectacular summer season.
Each summer, the rolling Chiltern Hills provide a spectacular backdrop for one of the country’s most enchanting cultural experiences: the annual festival at Garsington Opera.
Running from Wednesday 27 May to Thursday 23 July 2026, this year’s season promises drama, romance and razor-sharp wit in equal measure.
And opening the festival is a brand-new production of La traviata, Verdi’s devastating tale of love and sacrifice.
With its soaring arias and emotional intensity, it remains one of the most beloved operas in the repertoire – and in Garsington’s intimate setting, audiences can expect every glance and gesture to resonate.
Next comes the much-anticipated revival of Der Rosenkavalier, first seen here in 2021 and widely hailed as one of the finest interpretations of the opera in the past half-century. Richard Strauss’s sumptuous score and bittersweet storytelling are brought vividly to life, balancing opulence with aching humanity.
Baroque lovers are in for a treat with a new production of Il ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria (The Return of Ulysses), Monteverdi’s profound meditation on loyalty, identity and homecoming.
The acclaimed creative partnership of John Caird and Laurence Cummings reunites following their triumph with Orfeo in 2022, promising a staging that is both musically rich and theatrically compelling.
Bringing the season to a sparkling close is The Importance of Being Earnest, composer Gerald Barry’s gloriously irreverent take on Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy. Directed in a new production by Jack Furness, this modern masterpiece delivers dazzling wit, anarchic energy and musical brilliance.
With world-class casts, a stunning countryside setting and a reputation for artistic excellence, Garsington Opera’s 2026 season looks set to be unforgettable.
For more information or to book, visit garsingtonopera.org.
