New Forest Folk Festival
Venue: Plaitford
Town: New Forest
Date: 3rd-6th July 2025
Website: https://www.newforestfolkfestival.co.uk/
For many festival-goers, possibly the majority, the holistic 'festival experience' is as important as the music on offer. What follows is unashamedly an overview of the experience offered at this year's New Forest Folk Festival, not just the music.
Now in its 13th year, this year's event sold out for the first time in its short history, well in advance of the opening day, surely a testament to the unerring manner in which the festival has evolved, making improvements, refinements and enhancements year-on-year, and yes, also providing music of the highest quality, to ensure that those attending have the best of times, whilst being ever-mindful of maintaining its reputation as the friendliest of festivals.
This small, intimate, festival, is run by the genial, hard-working Nick, Keith & Helen Curtis, and their families, on their own farm in Plaitford, a beautiful village in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, on the A26 between Southampton and Salisbury. If needed, local supplies and a cash point are within walking distance of the site and the nearest town is Romsey, which is six miles away.
The festival provided facilities for on-site camping, motor homes and caravans, and, importantly, vehicles were allowed to park adjacent to tents and caravans. As the festival site is self-contained, there were no roads to cross to reach the arena. Parking for non-campers was free. The main thoroughfare back to the camping fields was well-lit at night.
There were portaloo toilets, urinals and disabled toilets in profusion, way more than the statutory number required, and they have to be some of the cleanest and best-maintained of any festival. Low-level disposal points for campers' toilet waste were also provided. Mains water taps could be found across the site and there were , free to use, mobile shower units available, which were initially part-funded, back in the day, by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
In terms of accessibility, there was a dedicated disabled camping area adjacent to the arena, with electric wheelchair charging points, and for those not camping there was a disabled parking area adjacent to the arena entrance. Given the nature of the arena no dedicated viewing platform was necessary.
Dogs are welcome at this festival, if well-behaved and kept on a lead, and evidence suggests that these requirements, along with the use of doggy bags to clean up after them, were very-well adhered to.
Local company OR Ambulances, orchestrated by Gavin Richards, along with Simon, Laura and Dylan, once again provided an assured and efficient First Aid and response service, indeed going above and beyond, for example helping to transport those with needs to the arena and even repairing mobility transportation.
Iain Holloway, and his team from Velocity Security Services, provided a friendly, approachable and most professional service in keeping those present safe and secure. Their obvious visual presence throughout was reassuring, whilst never appearing obtrusive. The fact that patrols were undertaken throughout the night was particularly reassuring.
With regards to catering, within the arena there were numerous food and drink outlets supplying a range of British and World Foods. Choices extended from fish and chips, burgers, cheese on toast, ice cream, pizzas, through to pakoras, churros, Thai street food and Wilf's Caribbean fare, .plus a raft of vegan and vegetarian dishes courtesy of Leon.
Helen's Breakfast Bar, 'The Chicken Coop', situated just outside the main arena gate, was once again serving up breakfasts from 8.00 to 11.30. Judging by the length of the queues, it is clear that this facility is now firmly entrenched in the Festival's folk-lore and tradition.
Also to be found inside the arena was a dedicated merchandise and artist-signing tent, which over the weekend appeared to be doing a roaring trade, together with a variety of traders' stalls, ranging from re-furbished tools, through to musical instruments, fudge and a vast array of craft and clothing options.
The bar, which took cash in addition to electronic "tapping", featured draft beers from local breweries, Wadworth's and Downton's, and a range of ciders from JJ's. Additionally, lager, wines, soft drinks and snacks were available. The considerable discount given on the purchase of four-pint containers, beer or cider, proved, once again, to be a hit, and saw them flying out.
With the gates opening for the public on the Wednesday morning, the festival got off to a leisurely start that evening with 'Helen's barbeque' and entertainment provided by the King John's Morris Men, and it was immediately apparent that re-acquaintances were very much the order of the day, with a high number of folk being 'regulars' or returning. Subsequent discussions over the next few days, however, revealed that those attending New Forest for the first time, without exception, felt the 'family' vibe that the festival prides itself on, and that there was no question of there being a 'cliquey' element that seems to be prevalent at other festivals.
The main arena itself provides the most perfect of settings. Imagine a green amphitheatre, very gently sloping downwards towards the stage, with perfect sight-lines, and a backdrop of trees and buzzards. Having only one stage, (plus a fringe), is not unique in the festival world, however, the fact that at New Forest it was not only built by the family and friends but is a permanent structure, used as storage between festivals, probably is.
As mentioned above, the site's infrastructure has improved and developed over the years, including some financial support from the Government's post-Covid Cultural Recovery Fund, and a shout-out must be given to the Festival's main sponsor, S&G Management, who have been powering NFFF since 2012, together with SES Auto Parts, the Festival's Environmental sponsor. The organisers are proud of the fact that NFFF was the first green field festival site to run its power entirely from the National Grid without the use of generators..
The remaining four days provided for at least 8 hours of main-stage, high-quality music each day, making the ticket-cost incredible value for money. Whilst it is not possible to comment upon each and every act, any omissions are not intended as a sleight on any particular artist or band, indeed I was not able to catch some of my own personal favourites for a reason outlined below.
The first full day, the traditional Thursday 'Local Artist Showcase', this year sponsored by Hobgoblin Music, provided for a varied and eclectic mix. Mortlake kicked proceedings off with their sinister blend of folk horror and Tudor & Medieval influences, and were followed by Graham Bushell & Mo Thomas who delivered a fine set of blues/roots music. If indeed, as announced, this was to be Mo's final gig, due to ill health, then the absence of his tremendous original 1931 steel national playing will be a great loss to the local Southampton, and indeed wider, music scene.
Three acts in and the first dancing in the field was noted, courtesy of Lost Post and their mix of old-time American and traditional English folk music, which was woven into a blend of foot-stomping country/swampy blues.
Things were then taken a notch higher, energy-wise, with the appearance of Ribble, the dapper duo from Salisbury, via Burnley & Preston. Violin, guitar and 90's drum-synth combined to produce blistering sounds which alternated with the most thoughtful and melodic of tunes. Katie Grace Harris, making a return visit to the Festival like the previous act, brought a complete contrast. Accompanied by Andy Nice on cello, she delivered a fine, well-appreciated set, echoing what has been written about her previously in FATEA, "Beautifully written…tightly observed songs and stories about real people and places."
Friday saw the first of what was prove to be three blockbuster days of phenomenal, varied music. Mid-afternoon, in full sunshine, Mad Dog McCrae did what they do best, filling the unseated area in front of the stage, is there a proper term for this at a folk festival, mosh-pit sounds rather incongruous? Following the break Phil Beer gave a master-class in contemporary music, receiving a thoroughly warranted, extended, standing ovation. The Ruth Angel Trio were well-received, and festival favourites TRADarr, complete with Teletubbies' support from the field, were on mighty-fine form and evidenced why their reputation, as one of the finest folk-rock bands plying their trade today, is so fully justified. As the darkness was beginning to descend, it was left to the day's headline act, Skippinnish to bring this fantastic Friday to an end. They did not disappoint. Evoking the spirit of Scotland through their music their magnificent sound reverberated long into the night, a wonderful experience.
Despite an early torrential downpour, first act on Saturday, Southampton Ukelele Jam, opened to a healthy sized crowd, and blew away any overnight cobwebs. Chris Leslie's perfectly paced set was an absolute delight. 'Geronimo's Cadillac' was an absolute showstopper. If New Forest required a designated house-band then Banter would probably be at the front of the queue. Once again they displayed their credentials to full effect and elicited great plaudits for their performance.
The final three acts of the day did more than just entertain, they lifted spirits and enabled those present to forget, for a brief period, the current, perilous, state of the world. Have the The Young 'uns ever played an under-par set? Most unlikely, and certainly not the case tonight. Entertainment of the highest calibre, with my highlight, 'The Day We Drank The Nazis Out Of Town'. The Longest Johns enthralled with their unique take on shanty singing, whilst headline act Lindisfarne ensured that those in the arena were given a nostalgic memory or two.
Sunday afternoon saw an inspired piece of programming as the Deborah Bonham Band, fresh from supporting the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band in Europe, took to the NFFF stage. Their blues/rock/soul set certainly lit up the festival, and prefaced the three final acts of the weekend.
Ralph McTell, undoubtedly a legend in his own lifetime, gave an exemplary performance, new songs featured in his set, along with the finest live rendition of 'Streets of London' that I have ever witnessed. Such was the acclaim that he had no option but to return to the stage for an encore, following which he received a tumultuous, and lengthy, second standing ovation. Following this, Track Dogs rose to the occasion, proving why they have risen to the heady heights as one of contemporary live-music's 'go-to' acts. Siesta to fiesta indeed. With Joe Broughton making his second appearance of the weekend, this time with his Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, another highly successful, and enjoyable New Forest Folk Festival was drawn to a conclusion.
A long-standing tag-line describing the Festival has been "small festival with big names", when on considers that acts performing this year, but not mentioned above, (again, see below), include Ken Nicol & Wendy Ross, Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies, Jim Cregan Acoustic, Joshua Burnell Band, Reg Meuross, Honey & The Bear and The Urban Folk Quartet, it is clearly an apposite label.
In addition to the main stage, the Woodland Fringe, consisting of two additional performance areas, hosted dancing, song-writing, shanty-singing and choir workshops, a Church service, ceilidh, (courtesy of Banter), yoga and well-being sessions.
It would be invidious not to mention the sound and stage crew. Ian's front-of-house PA design meant that sound reached every part of the arena field, and beyond. And what a sound it was, crystal clear, superbly balanced and a credit to Paul Smith, who once again did an amazing job twiddling knobs and turning dials. As for the stage crew, a brief trawl through artist and band social media comments reveal the highest regard in which they are held. Efficient, professional and unflappable, turn-arounds were completed with military precision.
A word too for the Festival volunteers, without whom the event could not take place. (Important DOI, I volunteer in the bar, hence the inability to review all of the acts performing). The set-up and take-down crew worked tirelessly for many weeks prior to the Festival and after the event will return the fields to their agricultural use. The cheerful stewards remained friendly and ever-helpful, whilst the bar staff, hopefully, ensured that alcoholic liquid refreshment needs were satisfied.
In conclusion, the Curtis family have succeeded in creating something very special indeed in the New Forest Folk Festival. It can be highly recommended, and is fully deserving of the plaudits that it has received. To paraphrase Chris Leslie, with words from his Saturday set, "events like this are life-enhancing, vital and important"
With the 2026 Festival line-up now made public, you don't need the insight of Nostradamus to work out that next year's New Forest Folk Festival, July 1st-5th, will sell-out, a fitting and rich reward for the Curtis family and all involved.
David Pratt - Words, Mal Thomas - Pics
Additional pictures from the festival can be found here
New Forest Folk FestivalFor many festival-goers, possibly the majority, the holistic 'festival experience' is as important as the music on offer. What follows is unashamedly an overview of the experience offered at this year's New Forest Folk Festival, not just the music.
Now in its 13th year, this year's event sold out for the first time in its short history, well in advance of the opening day, surely a testament to the unerring manner in which the festival has evolved, making improvements, refinements and enhancements year-on-year, and yes, also providing music of the highest quality, to ensure that those attending have the best of times, whilst being ever-mindful of maintaining its reputation as the friendliest of festivals.
This small, intimate, festival, is run by the genial, hard-working Nick, Keith & Helen Curtis, and their families, on their own farm in Plaitford, a beautiful village in the Test Valley district of Hampshire, on the A26 between Southampton and Salisbury. If needed, local supplies and a cash point are within walking distance of the site and the nearest town is Romsey, which is six miles away.
The festival provided facilities for on-site camping, motor homes and caravans, and, importantly, vehicles were allowed to park adjacent to tents and caravans. As the festival site is self-contained, there were no roads to cross to reach the arena. Parking for non-campers was free. The main thoroughfare back to the camping fields was well-lit at night.
There were portaloo toilets, urinals and disabled toilets in profusion, way more than the statutory number required, and they have to be some of the cleanest and best-maintained of any festival. Low-level disposal points for campers' toilet waste were also provided. Mains water taps could be found across the site and there were , free to use, mobile shower units available, which were initially part-funded, back in the day, by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
In terms of accessibility, there was a dedicated disabled camping area adjacent to the arena, with electric wheelchair charging points, and for those not camping there was a disabled parking area adjacent to the arena entrance. Given the nature of the arena no dedicated viewing platform was necessary.
Dogs are welcome at this festival, if well-behaved and kept on a lead, and evidence suggests that these requirements, along with the use of doggy bags to clean up after them, were very-well adhered to.
Local company OR Ambulances, orchestrated by Gavin Richards, along with Simon, Laura and Dylan, once again provided an assured and efficient First Aid and response service, indeed going above and beyond, for example helping to transport those with needs to the arena and even repairing mobility transportation.
Iain Holloway, and his team from Velocity Security Services, provided a friendly, approachable and most professional service in keeping those present safe and secure. Their obvious visual presence throughout was reassuring, whilst never appearing obtrusive. The fact that patrols were undertaken throughout the night was particularly reassuring.
With regards to catering, within the arena there were numerous food and drink outlets supplying a range of British and World Foods. Choices extended from fish and chips, burgers, cheese on toast, ice cream, pizzas, through to pakoras, churros, Thai street food and Wilf's Caribbean fare, .plus a raft of vegan and vegetarian dishes courtesy of Leon.
Helen's Breakfast Bar, 'The Chicken Coop', situated just outside the main arena gate, was once again serving up breakfasts from 8.00 to 11.30. Judging by the length of the queues, it is clear that this facility is now firmly entrenched in the Festival's folk-lore and tradition.
Also to be found inside the arena was a dedicated merchandise and artist-signing tent, which over the weekend appeared to be doing a roaring trade, together with a variety of traders' stalls, ranging from re-furbished tools, through to musical instruments, fudge and a vast array of craft and clothing options.
The bar, which took cash in addition to electronic "tapping", featured draft beers from local breweries, Wadworth's and Downton's, and a range of ciders from JJ's. Additionally, lager, wines, soft drinks and snacks were available. The considerable discount given on the purchase of four-pint containers, beer or cider, proved, once again, to be a hit, and saw them flying out.
With the gates opening for the public on the Wednesday morning, the festival got off to a leisurely start that evening with 'Helen's barbeque' and entertainment provided by the King John's Morris Men, and it was immediately apparent that re-acquaintances were very much the order of the day, with a high number of folk being 'regulars' or returning. Subsequent discussions over the next few days, however, revealed that those attending New Forest for the first time, without exception, felt the 'family' vibe that the festival prides itself on, and that there was no question of there being a 'cliquey' element that seems to be prevalent at other festivals.
The main arena itself provides the most perfect of settings. Imagine a green amphitheatre, very gently sloping downwards towards the stage, with perfect sight-lines, and a backdrop of trees and buzzards. Having only one stage, (plus a fringe), is not unique in the festival world, however, the fact that at New Forest it was not only built by the family and friends but is a permanent structure, used as storage between festivals, probably is.
As mentioned above, the site's infrastructure has improved and developed over the years, including some financial support from the Government's post-Covid Cultural Recovery Fund, and a shout-out must be given to the Festival's main sponsor, S&G Management, who have been powering NFFF since 2012, together with SES Auto Parts, the Festival's Environmental sponsor. The organisers are proud of the fact that NFFF was the first green field festival site to run its power entirely from the National Grid without the use of generators..
The remaining four days provided for at least 8 hours of main-stage, high-quality music each day, making the ticket-cost incredible value for money. Whilst it is not possible to comment upon each and every act, any omissions are not intended as a sleight on any particular artist or band, indeed I was not able to catch some of my own personal favourites for a reason outlined below.
The first full day, the traditional Thursday 'Local Artist Showcase', this year sponsored by Hobgoblin Music, provided for a varied and eclectic mix. Mortlake kicked proceedings off with their sinister blend of folk horror and Tudor & Medieval influences, and were followed by Graham Bushell & Mo Thomas who delivered a fine set of blues/roots music. If indeed, as announced, this was to be Mo's final gig, due to ill health, then the absence of his tremendous original 1931 steel national playing will be a great loss to the local Southampton, and indeed wider, music scene.
Three acts in and the first dancing in the field was noted, courtesy of Lost Post and their mix of old-time American and traditional English folk music, which was woven into a blend of foot-stomping country/swampy blues.
Things were then taken a notch higher, energy-wise, with the appearance of Ribble, the dapper duo from Salisbury, via Burnley & Preston. Violin, guitar and 90's drum-synth combined to produce blistering sounds which alternated with the most thoughtful and melodic of tunes. Katie Grace Harris, making a return visit to the Festival like the previous act, brought a complete contrast. Accompanied by Andy Nice on cello, she delivered a fine, well-appreciated set, echoing what has been written about her previously in FATEA, "Beautifully written…tightly observed songs and stories about real people and places."
Friday saw the first of what was prove to be three blockbuster days of phenomenal, varied music. Mid-afternoon, in full sunshine, Mad Dog McCrae did what they do best, filling the unseated area in front of the stage, is there a proper term for this at a folk festival, mosh-pit sounds rather incongruous? Following the break Phil Beer gave a master-class in contemporary music, receiving a thoroughly warranted, extended, standing ovation. The Ruth Angel Trio were well-received, and festival favourites TRADarr, complete with Teletubbies' support from the field, were on mighty-fine form and evidenced why their reputation, as one of the finest folk-rock bands plying their trade today, is so fully justified. As the darkness was beginning to descend, it was left to the day's headline act, Skippinnish to bring this fantastic Friday to an end. They did not disappoint. Evoking the spirit of Scotland through their music their magnificent sound reverberated long into the night, a wonderful experience.
Despite an early torrential downpour, first act on Saturday, Southampton Ukelele Jam, opened to a healthy sized crowd, and blew away any overnight cobwebs. Chris Leslie's perfectly paced set was an absolute delight. 'Geronimo's Cadillac' was an absolute showstopper. If New Forest required a designated house-band then Banter would probably be at the front of the queue. Once again they displayed their credentials to full effect and elicited great plaudits for their performance.
The final three acts of the day did more than just entertain, they lifted spirits and enabled those present to forget, for a brief period, the current, perilous, state of the world. Have the The Young 'uns ever played an under-par set? Most unlikely, and certainly not the case tonight. Entertainment of the highest calibre, with my highlight, 'The Day We Drank The Nazis Out Of Town'. The Longest Johns enthralled with their unique take on shanty singing, whilst headline act Lindisfarne ensured that those in the arena were given a nostalgic memory or two.
Sunday afternoon saw an inspired piece of programming as the Deborah Bonham Band, fresh from supporting the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band in Europe, took to the NFFF stage. Their blues/rock/soul set certainly lit up the festival, and prefaced the three final acts of the weekend.
Ralph McTell, undoubtedly a legend in his own lifetime, gave an exemplary performance, new songs featured in his set, along with the finest live rendition of 'Streets of London' that I have ever witnessed. Such was the acclaim that he had no option but to return to the stage for an encore, following which he received a tumultuous, and lengthy, second standing ovation. Following this, Track Dogs rose to the occasion, proving why they have risen to the heady heights as one of contemporary live-music's 'go-to' acts. Siesta to fiesta indeed. With Joe Broughton making his second appearance of the weekend, this time with his Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, another highly successful, and enjoyable New Forest Folk Festival was drawn to a conclusion.
A long-standing tag-line describing the Festival has been "small festival with big names", when on considers that acts performing this year, but not mentioned above, (again, see below), include Ken Nicol & Wendy Ross, Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies, Jim Cregan Acoustic, Joshua Burnell Band, Reg Meuross, Honey & The Bear and The Urban Folk Quartet, it is clearly an apposite label.
In addition to the main stage, the Woodland Fringe, consisting of two additional performance areas, hosted dancing, song-writing, shanty-singing and choir workshops, a Church service, ceilidh, (courtesy of Banter), yoga and well-being sessions.
It would be invidious not to mention the sound and stage crew. Ian's front-of-house PA design meant that sound reached every part of the arena field, and beyond. And what a sound it was, crystal clear, superbly balanced and a credit to Paul Smith, who once again did an amazing job twiddling knobs and turning dials. As for the stage crew, a brief trawl through artist and band social media comments reveal the highest regard in which they are held. Efficient, professional and unflappable, turn-arounds were completed with military precision.
A word too for the Festival volunteers, without whom the event could not take place. (Important DOI, I volunteer in the bar, hence the inability to review all of the acts performing). The set-up and take-down crew worked tirelessly for many weeks prior to the Festival and after the event will return the fields to their agricultural use. The cheerful stewards remained friendly and ever-helpful, whilst the bar staff, hopefully, ensured that alcoholic liquid refreshment needs were satisfied.
In conclusion, the Curtis family have succeeded in creating something very special indeed in the New Forest Folk Festival. It can be highly recommended, and is fully deserving of the plaudits that it has received. To paraphrase Chris Leslie, with words from his Saturday set, "events like this are life-enhancing, vital and important"
With the 2026 Festival line-up now made public, you don't need the insight of Nostradamus to work out that next year's New Forest Folk Festival, July 1st-5th, will sell-out, a fitting and rich reward for the Curtis family and all involved.
David Pratt - Words, Mal Thomas - Pics
Additional pictures from the festival can be found here
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