Also Festival UK: A Unique Weekend Of Ideas, Music, Wellness And Nature
Also Festival, in Warwickshire, England is the definition of a boutique cultural festival. The small-scale event (capacity is capped at around 2,000) has an intimate vibe with an emphasis on quality content over quantity. And there is plenty of space on Park Farm at Compton Verney, Warwickshire, so it never feels crowded. The 12th edition of Also, which ran for three days, July 11-13, 2025, was so popular that tickets for next year's festival are already on sale.
The lake at Also Festival, Warwickshire, England Christian Banfield
The festival offers music, art, science and psychology talks, food events, yoga, workshops and more and it's extremely family friendly. The festival aims to inspire experimentation, free-thinking and connection so it's no surprise that it has a groovy, chilled out vibe. It is set in landscape shaped by the famous 18th-century landscape architect, Capability Brown who also designed the grounds at Compton Verney Manor nearby.
Lunch and wine tasting at Also festival, Warwickshire, England Christian Banfield
Among the highlights of this year's festival were various feasts prepared by Chef James Whetlor of River Cottage in Devon; a bloody mary bar from Fortnum & Mason; a 'scented walk' where it was revealed that smelling lots of things each day may help ward off dementia; and talks by Robin Ince of BBC Radio's popular science show 'Infinite Monkey Cage' and James Payne of YouTube's top art channel, Great Art Explained in 15 Minutes. James Payne's book, based on the art channel, will be published this October. Many of the speakers had new books already out and these were on sale in a well-stocked bookshop on site.
Also festival bar, Warwickshire, England Christian Banfield
Writer and broadcaster Miranda Sawyer talked about the 'Soundtrack Of My Life,' highlighting her eclectic tastes based on her clubbing and festival days and her first job at the legendary Smash Hit s magazine.
Prize-winning author Nick Couldry revealed the horror of Big Tech's data land-grab - exploiting our labor and connections and repackaging our information to control our views, track our movements, record our conversations and discriminate against us. Kit de Waal discussed her unforgettable and redemptive new book The Best Of Everything, a novel about how love can steal into our lives when we least expect it.
Music was a big part of this edition of Also, with a crowd-pleasing gig from multi-instrumentalists Molotov Jukebox; pop songs from singer songwriter Madeleine MINX Dunbar and one of Denmark's wildest live bands, Smag På Dig Selv (SPDS) showcasing experimental drums and saxophones.
Early morning yoga, a running club, paddle boarding and swimming in the lake is always popular and kept fitness fiends happy.
The stately home Compton Verney, converted to house the Compton Verney Art Gallery. In Pictures via Getty Images
And for an art fix, next door to the festival site is Compton Verney art gallery, in a former 18th-century Grade I listed manor house, built in 1714 by Richard Verney, 11th Baron Willoughby de Broke. The current exhibition How We Learn to Love (on until 5 October 2025) by Emma Talbot features sculpture, painting, animation, drawing and large-scale paintings on silk. The show includes Talbot's new installation ' The Tragedies' (2024), which draws on examples of tragedies, including the story of Medea – who killed her two sons as an act of revenge. The work is a reflection on the extent of unbelievable acts of aggression that exist in times of confrontation, such as the compulsion to kill to retain control. And in the main floor galleries, don't miss a recent acquisition for the permanent collection, 'Two Women Wearing Cosmetic Patches' (c.1655), an intriguing portrait of two unknown noble women, one white, one black, by an unknown artist. Where to Stay
Walton Hall hotel, former home of Danny LaRue Walton Hall hotel
If camping or glamping on the Also Festival site does not appeal, a fun alternative nearby is Walton Hall Hotel and Spa, part of which is the former home of legendary drag queen Danny LaRue. He famously said 'I've made a million, I've lost a million' and this house apparently did bankrupt him. Stay in the historic manor house which although slightly worn and faded, has plenty of character and vast rooms and suites overlooking lovely countryside. Also Festival 2026
Next year's Also Festival is July 10-12, 2026, Park Farm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire. Early bird tickets are already on sale, starting from £140 for adults.
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