10 Folk Music Places to Visit in England

If you’re a fan of folk music, then you’ll want to check out these 10 places to visit in England. From the Cotswolds to Cornwall, there’s something for everyone.

Introduction

Folk music is an important part of English heritage, and there are many great places to visit in England that have a strong folk music tradition. From small, intimate venues to large festivals, there is something for everyone who loves this genre of music.

Here are ten of the best places to enjoy folk music in England:

1. The Cropredy Festival – Northamptonshire

2. The Green Man Festival – Wales

3. The Shambala Festival – Northamptonshire

4. The Sidmouth Folk Week – Devon

5. The Whitby Folk Week – Yorkshire
6. Towersey Village Festival – Oxfordshire
7.prickleball Music and Dance Festival– Herefordshire 8 . Folk by the Oak– Hertfordshire 9 . Cambridge Folk Festival – Cambridgeshire 10 . Shrewsbury Folk Festival – Shropshire

The Cotswolds

Nestled in the southwest of England, in the midst of stunning countryside, The Cotswolds is one of the top places to visit for any music lover. This beautiful region is home to a wealth of traditional pubs and clubs, hosting regular folk music nights. Visitors can enjoy a pint of real ale whilst listening to some great live music – what could be better? Here are just a few of the great places to enjoy folk music in The Cotswolds:

The Hare and Hounds – Northleach
Set in the pretty village of Northleach, The Hare and Hounds is a 17th century coaching inn which has been welcoming guests for centuries. As well as being a great place to enjoy some delicious food and drink, the inn also hosts regular folk music events, making it the perfect place to spend an evening.

The Plough Arts Centre – Torrington
The Plough Arts Centre is a popular venue for all kinds of live music, from jazz and blues to classical and, of course, folk. With a 300-seat auditorium, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the live performances on offer.

The Royal Oak – Tetbury
The Royal Oak is a traditional English pub which has been serving locals and visitors alike for many years. As well as being a great place to enjoy a pint or two, The Royal Oak also has its own folk club which meets on Wednesday evenings. Visitors can expect to enjoy a variety of traditional and contemporary folk music at this popular club.

So if you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy some live folk music during your stay in The Cotswolds, be sure to check out one of these great venues.

Cornwall

Cornwall is a county in southwest England, bordering Devon to the east, Somerset to the northeast, and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is known for its coastline, as well as its rugged moorland and countryside.Cornwall is also home to a number of folk music festivals, including the Cornwall Folk Festival, which takes place in October.

The Lake District

Situated in the northwest of England, in the county of Cumbria, the Lake District is famous for its beautiful scenery and is home to a number of folk music venues. Among these are the house concerts at White Moss Common, near Grasmere, and the annual Blue Skies Music Festival, held in Keswick. If you’re a fan of folk music, a visit to the Lake District is a must!

Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a historic county in England with a rich culture and heritage. It is also home to a wealth of folk music traditions. From the Yorkshire Dales to the North York Moors, there are plenty of places to enjoy folk music in Yorkshire. Here are just 10 of the best:

1. Hebden Bridge
2. Haworth
3. Whitby
4. Scarborough
5. Pickering
6. Malton
7. Skipton
8. Settle
9. Thirsk
10. York

Lancashire

Lancashire is a historic county in north west England. Its name is derived from the River Lancaster which flows through the county. The irony of Lancashire’s name is that Lancashire people are commonly known as “Tykes” – a name given to them by the people of Yorkshire.

Lancashire is a largely rural county with much of its landscape being designated as National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The county is also home to some of England’s most stunning coastline including the world-famous Morecambe Bay.

Lancashire is well known for its traditional music and dance. The region has a long history of folk music and was an important part of the development of both English folk and Lancashire clog dancing.

There are many great places to visit in Lancashire if you’re interested in folk music and dance. Here are just 10 of the best:

1) The Lancaster Folk Festival – This annual festival takes place in mid-August and features a wide range of traditional music and dance acts from across the UK.

2) Mawdesley Folk Festival – This festival takes place in late May and showcases the very best in Lancashire folk music and dance.

3) Lancaster Music Festival – This popular festival takes place in early September and usually features a strong focus on traditional Lancashire music and dance.

4) Morecambe Bay Folk Festival – This annual festival takes place in late August/early September and celebrates the very best in Cumbrian, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Northumbrian folk music and dance.

5) Carnforth Railway Station Heritage Centre – This heritage centre hosts regular folk music events throughout the year, making it a great place to visit if you’re interested in Lancashire’s rich musical heritage.

6) Leyland Public Hall – Leyland Public Hall regularly hosts folk music events, making it another great place to visit if you want to experience Lancashire’s traditional music scene.
7) Elswick Village Hall – Elswick Village Hall is another great venue for experiencing traditional Lancashire music and dance, with regular events taking place throughout the year. 8) St Michael’s Church, Garstang – St Michael’s Church is a beautiful 13th century building which hosts regular folk music events, making it a must-visit for any fan of Lancashire’s musical heritage. 9) The Fylde Folklore Society Museum – This museum, located in Lytham St Annes, houses an impressive collection of items relating to Lancashire’s rich folklore heritage. 10) Blackpool Tower Ballroom – Blackpool Tower Ballroom regularly hosts folk music events, making it one of the best places to go if you want to experience some traditional Lancashire culture.

Northumberland

Northumberland is a county in the north east of England. It is borders Scotland to the north and County Durham to the south. Northumberland is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in England, as well as a rich history and culture. Northumberland is also a great place to experience traditional English folk music. Here are 10 of the best places to visit in Northumberland for folk music lovers:

1. Alnwick Castle

Alnwick Castle is a historic castle located in the town of Alnwick in Northumberland. The castle has a long association with folk music and has hosted a number of folk music events over the years.

2. Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle is another historic castle located in Northumberland. The castle has stunning views out over the North Sea and is a great place to enjoy some traditional English folk music.

3. The Crookham Inn

The Crookham Inn is a traditional English pub located in the village of Crookham, just outside of Hexham. The pub has live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and is a great place to enjoy some country-style folk music.

4. Embleton Hall Gardens & Tea Room

Embleton Hall Gardens & Tea Room is located in Embleton, near Alnwick. As well as being a great place to enjoy some tea and cake, Embleton Hall also hosts regular folk music concerts throughout the year. 5. Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall is one of Britain’s most famous historical landmarks. The wall runs for 73 miles across northern England, from coast-to-coast, and makes for a stunning setting for any number of outdoor gigs and concerts during the summer months. 6-10) The following five places are all located within easy reach of each other along Hadrian’s Wall: Vindolanda Roman Fort (Hexham), Chesters Roman Fort (Hexham), Housesteads Roman Fort (Bellingham), Corbridge Roman Town (Corbridge) and Carlisle Castle (Carlisle). These historic sites make for an extraordinary backdrop to any outdoor concert or performance, and there are often events taking place here throughout the year that showcase local talent as well as more well-known acts from further afield

Durham

Situated in the North East of England, Durham is home to a number of excellent folk music venues. The Town Hall is a particularly popular spot, hosting regular folk nights as well as occasional larger gigs. The Cocktail Bar is another great venue, with a relaxed atmosphere and a varied musical programme. If you’re looking for something a little different, the Empty Shop is well worth a visit – this community-run venue hosts all kinds of events, including an excellent folk music night.

Cumbria

Cumbria is home to the Lake District, one of the most popular tourist destinations in England. But it’s also a great place to enjoy some traditional folk music. If you’re a fan of folk music, here are 10 places you should visit in Cumbria:

1. Keswick – Keswick is a town in the Lake District with a strong musical tradition. The town has a number of live music venues, including the historic Theatre by the Lake.

2. Windermere – Another town in the Lake District, Windermere is home to the annual Windermere Folk Festival. The festival takes place on the shores of Lake Windermere and features a range of folk musicians from all over the world.

3. Carlisle – Carlisle is the largest city in Cumbria and is home to a number of live music venues, including The Brickyard and The Old Fire Station. Carlisle also hosts an annual folk festival, which takes place in May.

4. Ulverston – Ulverston is a small town located near Cumbria’s South Lakes region. The town hosts an annual folk festival called ‘La’al Ratty’, which features live music and dancing.

5. Kendal – Kendal is another small town located in Cumbria’s South Lakes region. The town has a number of live music venues, including Kendal Town Hall and The Mint Warehouse. Kendal also hosts an annual folk festival called ‘Kendal Calling’, which takes place in July.

6Penrith – Penrith is located just outside of Cumbria’s Lake District region and is home to a number of live music venues, including The Venue andThe George Hotel & Brasserie Bar & Grill. Penrith also hosts an annual folk festival called ‘The Festival at the Edge’, which takes place in September.
7Grasmere – Grasmere is yet another beautiful town located within Cumbria’s Lake District region. Grasmere hosts an annual 11-day music festival called ‘The Lakesiders’, which features a range of musical genres including folk, jazz and world music.
8Barrow-in-Furness – Barrow-in-Furness is located on Cumbria’s coast and is home to a number of live music venues, including The Haverigg Playhouse and Vickerstown Cricket Club & Sports Pavilion . Barrow-in-Furness also hosts an annual ‘Barrow Folk Fest’, which takes place in September/October.. https://cumbriafolkfestivalguide

Conclusion

So there you have it, our 10 folk music places to visit in England. We hope you enjoyed reading about them and that maybe you’ll even get to visit some of them yourself one day. If you do, please let us know how you got on.