As confirmed by T In The Park a few years back, when they declared that their festival would have a 'more boutique feel', boutique is back. In fact, it never really went away.
Try as they might though, a huge pop beast like T In The Park can never quite capture the magic of a more intimate boutique festival like Wilderness - where you can swim in the lakes - or Secret Garden Party.
Here are the best, most beautiful boutique festivals in the UK.
Secret Garden Party: With a dance-off boxing ring, a science laboratory, an annual paint fight and er, badger shamans, Secret Garden Party is not your average festival. Set in beautiful, landscaped grounds in Cambridgeshire, Secret Garden Party is gaining a reputation as one of the wildest and greatest festivals in the UK. They say it's not about the line-up, but it's still looking great for 2016, with the likes of Caribou, Primal Scream, Shura and Rae Morris set to perform. [Photo: Danny North]
End Of the Road: This has one of the best atmospheres of any festival, and there's a stellar lineup this year too, in Dorset's stunning Victorian Larmer Tree Gardens. Joanna Newsom, Bat For Lashes, Savages, Shura and The Big Moon will all be performing, amongst others. There's also a cinema, woodland library, and a healing retreat. Lovely stuff.
Latitude: It may be slowly becoming one of the UK's biggest festivals, but Latitude will always be a boutique event at heart. It's certainly been an inspiration for the other festivals on this list. Boasting the best comedy tent in the UK, there's also a fantastic musical lineup, with The National, New Order, Chvrches, Grimes, Perfume Genius, Christine & The Queens, and many more all performing. All this cultural gloriousness is set against the beautiful backdrop of Suffolk. [Photo: Danny North]
BoomTown Fair: If reggae's your bag, the festival for you is BoomTown. Described as a vibrant "mini city", Hampshire's BoomTown is a reggae-lover's heaven. The festival even has its own "districts" (Chinatown, Downtown, Wild West etc) and villages.
Kendal Calling: Set in the beautiful Lake District, Kendal Calling promises and intimate, eclectic and fun experience for attendees. With Rudimental, Madness, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds and The Charlatans having been announced as headliners, there's also appearances from Kelis, Everything Everything, Blossoms and The Big Moon, as well as oodles of attractions [including a 3 day house party]. [Photo: Ian Taylor]
Wilderness: Set in Oxfordshire's exquisite Cornbury Estate, Wilderness is fast gaining a reputation for being one of the most stunning festivals in the UK. With the likes of Robert Plant , The Flaming Lips and Lianne La Havas performing, as well as a vast banquet of cultural attractions and late night adventures, there's something for everyone here.
Festival No 6: Why not end festival season with a weekend at a festival "that's like no other"? September's Festival No 6 indeed boasts the most spectacular festival setting we've ever seen - as well as a slew of 5 star reviews from national newspapers. It's based in a Mediterranean-style coastal village, with a background of mountains, forests and sea. Magical. There's also a stellar lineup featuring the likes of Noel Gallagher, Hot Chip, Bastille and Super Furry Animals. There's also plenty of cultural events to get your teeth into as well. We're tempted.
Nozstock: Taking place in a ‘hidden valley’ in Herefordshire, the festival’s theme this year is ‘wonders of the ancient world’. There’ll be arts and crafts activities, a cabaret, cinema and interactive theatre, as well as music from the likes of Jurassic 5, Imelda May and Gentleman’s Dub Club.
Caught By The River Thames: Two days of music, arts and nature, with ‘bands and brewers, authors and artists, thinkers and drinkers on the banks of the River Thames” all without having to leave the city? Sign us up. This year, Super Furry Animals, Low, Beth Orton, Gwenno and Temples are set to perform.
Forgotten Fields: Sadly, the Deer Lodge the festival boasts about on the website doesn't actually offer any deer, but there%u2019s plenty else to enjoy. There's a campsite cafe, a shisha lounge, yoga, workshops and a yet to be announced theme. The line-ups as eclectic as the activities on offer, and includes Suede, Dizzee Rascal, Kodaline and Kelis.
