Gate To Southwell Festival will again take place at a beautiful location in the nearby village of Kirklington (just outside Southwell).  

As always, the Gate To Southwell Festival promises to be a fantastic event for the whole family. Whilst English and Celtic music remain at the core, they embrace other roots music forms, with a strong International presence, Southwell has built a reputation for seeking out exciting new talent and providing something a little different. Quality remains the watchword so whether it’s country or gypsy jazz, ska or rockabilly, bluegrass or punk, traditional or contemporary, it’ll be good.

Dance remains a popular part of the festival with an emphasis on variety and entertainment. Ceilidhs or other social folk dances take place each day on site.

Southwell is a family friendly and fun festival with plenty of entertainment for the kids and youths alike.  Many children’s activities are aimed to be educative as well as fun with their own instrument workshops, and various other hands-on opportunities. Family entertainment always includes a liberal dose of Street Theatre and ‘walkabouts’ as well as storytellers and musicians.

After five years at Southwell Racecourse, the Kirklington festival site will again be on farmland to the North West of Southwell with lakes, trees and plenty of green spaces.  There’ll be a lot more room for camping and well-behaved dogs will be welcome (at no extra cost) in the main arena as well as on the campsite.  There are lovely rural walks nearby and there’s the scenic Robin Hood Way which links Kirklington to Southwell and the wider area. A bus service will also connect Southwell with the new site.