13th - 16th June 2024
Hopton Court
Nr. Cleobury Mortimer
Shropshire
WHAT'S ON IN 2024 - click for programme
Our impressive Main Stage is hidden inside the secret walled garden. It's the perfect setting for live music with incredible sound and production.
Much bigger in 2024! Our Acoustic Stage is hidden inside a marquee at the top of the walled garden (perfect for all weathers!) Artists appearing here are scheduled around the main stage timings so you won't miss a performance.
A beautiful space outside the walled garden. The Orangery & traditional tent are on the lawn outside the main house at Hopton Court. Here you'll find plenty of music, workshops & fabulous performances.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning there'll be an opportunity to perform on our Pallet Stage. The chalkboard goes up at 9am and you can book your 15 minute open mic slot between 10am and midday. First come first served with 8 slots available each day.
On Friday - Sophie Garner is a singer songwriter, vocal coach, choir leader and published author. Join her in the ‘Enchanted Woods’ to sing traditional songs. On Saturday and Sunday - Join Andy Connolly and Clare ‘Fluff’ Smith in the Enchanted Woods to sing a variety of sea shanties and other folk songs.
Ceilidh (kay-lee). Dancing, music and great company! The beauty of a ceilidh is that everyone can take part, young or old. No experience is necessary! You'll be under the watchful eye of our caller who’ll be with you every step of the way, walking you through the moves before each dance and continuing to call out helpful hints throughout. .
The brilliant Jitterbug Circus will be offering heaps of family festival fun all weekend with shows, workshops and woodland crafts. Visit their big top to find out what's on.
Dan has performed all over the world for the last 20 years, working on stages, streets and festivals. Loads of audience interaction with serious skills, crazy stunts and frenzied ‘Off the Wall’ improv comedy. This is a family show that’s not to be missed!
Mark uses puppets, props and costumes to present amazing stories for all ages from his beautiful tent. It's a great space with rugs, cushions and decorations, perfect for listening to tales of witches, wizards, dragons, fairies, heroes and villains. At sunset, a different character appears with his tombstone. Jacob Cracker (decd), a teller of dark, slightly spooky tales is a favourite with all ages.
Grab your instruments and join Andy and Fluff to play some folk tunes. These workshops will be run for tune-playing at ‘beginner’ and ‘intermediate’ speeds and abilities. A relaxed and friendly way to play! Saturday - Beginner level. Time TBC Sunday - Intermediate level.
Join the amazing Sandra Barnes for a beautiful morning yoga session. All abilities welcome. Bring along your mat. Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8am on the Orangery Lawn
It's Saturday morning, it's 9am and it's time for the Beardy Folk “unofficial” Park Run! Join us for a social 5K (3 miles) bimble around the beautiful Hopton Court Estate. A fairly challenging trail across fields, through woodland and over streams. It's not a race so we won't be timing. Run or walk, it's up to you! We'll have a lead runner and a tail runner/walker to look after you all along the way. Participants must be in good health, used to running or walking at least 5K and be over 11 years
Browse our brilliant trade village for beautiful handmade items, gifts, clothing, jewellery & musical items etc..
We have an onsite mobile shop selling a range of festival food, drinks and camping essentials.
We have a lovely range of official Beardy Folk merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies & tote bags.
Up to 4 nights camping or glamping in one of four areas. Why not treat yourself to a glamping package. Nestle into your own white canvas, boutique 5m bell tent and enjoy a VIP camping experience with extras such as a cosy queen bed with fresh white linen, atmospheric fairy lights, Moroccan rugs, plants, mirrors and furniture. Book direct with our exclusive suppliers - see link below.
Giggling since the 1970s, Hannah is a trained laughter leader. All bodies and ages are welcome and no prior yoga experience is necessary as this is not an asana (posture) yoga practice but is an inclusive breath work and playful laughter exercise. Bring a mat or blanket to The Orangery Lawn. There will be different sessions on each day.
Mindfulness Through Music. Join Becky for a calming meditative workshop in the Orangery where she will be performing a live music session whilst guiding you through a relaxed and serene experience. Nothing is needed but an open mind and a yoga mat or blanket to make yourself super cosy. Take this time for yourself to relax.
Morris Dancing for beginners with Bev and Ray Langton. Have you ever wanted to try a bit of stick wielding Morris Dancing? An fun introduction to a simple dance with no experience necessary.
To mark the beginning of spring, people would cut down young trees and stick them into the ground of their village. To celebrate the arrival of better weather, that would allow crops to grow, people decided to dance around the pole. They attached colourful ribbons and each person would wrap one around as they danced. The end result is a beautiful, multi-coloured tree that symbolized the colours of summer.
On Saturday we're delighted to welcome The Clun Green Man and Ice Queen to Beardy Folk Festival. At Shropshire's Clun Green Man festival, people flock to watch the Green Man battle it out with the Ice Queen to ensure that winter is banished. Spectators cheer on the Green Man because, if he loses, it is said that summer will not come to the Clun Valley.
Bodhran playing with Steve Bentley from Greenman Rising. If you have one, bring along your own bodhran although Steve will have half a dozen spare ones available.
Join Bev and Ray Langton for a beginners mini Melodeon session. Suitable for all ages, young or old! Have a go and learn a tune or two on a mini squeezebox.
On Friday morning an entertaining and inspiring hour of chat and Q&A from 'Beardy Dave' (Dave Spier), the founder of Beardy Folk Festival. Lots of insights into how the festival started, the difficult few last years and securing it's future.
The Orangery Stage. As a singer-songwriter, Andy's passion is to write original material and produce music in his own style, playing a variety of instruments such as flute, whistles and guitar. He has many influences and is a member of the traditional Irish roots band 'Wet The Tea' whose performances are packed with traditional tune sets.
The Orangery Stage. Thorpe and Morrison are an innovative and energetic folk duo formed out of Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble. “The energy of their Anglo-Scottish musicianship is palpable. Fiddle and guitar notes float around each other, creating a spellbinding mix of old and modern, both traditional and forward looking” Bright Young Folk.
The Orangery Stage. If you could imagine the love child of Bill Bailey and Victoria Wood that would be Polly Morris. Performing hilarious observational comedy, parody and also heartbreakingly poignant songs she has written numbers that have become firm favourites in the folk music scene. “The Flanders and Swan of our day - a cultural commentator with her tongue firmly in her cheek" Daily Mail
The Orangery Stage. Improv Wolves! A fabulous, short form comedy improvisation group featuring some of the best improvisers in the Midlands. They create completely new comedy sketches on the spot, based entirely on audience suggestions. You might see a film noir detective pastiche, hear surprising confessions from some of the most famous names in history or have the dubious honour of being present for the debut of a brand new improvised song.
Sophie Garner is a singer songwriter, vocal coach, choir leader and published author. Join her for a singing workshop in the woods on Friday.
After the Main Stage has finished, join us in the Acoustic Tent for an hour of your favourite dance tracks. Finish your night with a boogie to an eclectic mix of world music, folk house electronica and 80's chart toppers. Guest DJ's Friday - Ford Dimensional (Ford Collier from Mishra and The Drystones) Saturday - Sean Morrison (from Thorpe & Morrison)
After the Main Stage has finished, join us for some late night tune playing in the Orangery and Lawn Tent. Friday and Saturday until 1am The festival bar will close at 1am on Friday and Saturday night (Last orders at 12.45am).