Visiting Southwell

The 2019 Festival takes place from 21 to 26 August.

For comprehensive, up-to-date information about the town and its facilities please go to the Visit Southwell website.

To find out more about Festival Venues please go here.

Alternatively, have a look at current accommodation in Southwell on the map below, provided by our partners Closer2Event.com

What people are saying

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

2016-08-23T12:36:29+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/a-community-event-of-an-astoundingly-high-standard/

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

2016-08-23T12:37:18+01:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/the-eyes-of-the-musical-world-now-need-to-be-directed-towards-southwell-in-august/

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

2016-08-23T12:37:56+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/southwell-can-already-equal-even-surpass-more-established-festivals/

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

2016-08-23T12:49:49+01:00

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1650/

I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning.

2016-08-23T12:54:46+01:00

I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning.

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1658/

Latest News

Making the most of the MinsterJuly 15, 2019 - 8:58 am
Southwell Minster is at the heart of the Festival and over the years we have learned how to make the most of its wonderful spaces. The relative intimacy of the Quire and Crossing make them perfect spaces in which to showcase the individual skills of the Festival’s unique ensemble of around 100 visiting professional singers…
Enjoy our largest performancesJuly 2, 2019 - 11:14 am
One way to ensure there are enough tickets to meet public demand is to put on more concerts in the Nave of the Minster – our largest auditorium. The Nave is ideal for concerts involving many musicians and/or attracting the largest audiences. This year we have two opportunities to show off our wonderful ensemble of…
Lottery Funding for FestivalJune 24, 2019 - 9:07 am
A message from Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth: “I’m delighted to announce that the 2019 Festival will be supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. “This is the first time we have received such support and is a huge step forward for the Festival, and one that we have been building…
Encouraging the youngest audiences and performersJune 15, 2019 - 9:51 am
We want the Southwell Music Festival to be inclusive, and to be accessible to as wide a public as possible – whether or not they have previous experience of so-called classical music. Indeed we are particularly keen to excite newcomers with their first experience of this wonderful repertoire, which is why around half the events…
Something for Everyone!June 3, 2019 - 9:09 am
Public booking opens today for the 2019 Southwell Music Festival. This year’s Festival takes place for six days over the August Bank Holiday – from Wednesday 21 to Monday 26 August – and comprises 35 events, of which around half are free. Founder and Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth says: “We hope that this year’s Festival…

What people are saying

"Friday in the Old Theatre Deli stage area was a very special night. Thanks for arranging this extra concert."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:06:53+01:00

"Friday in the Old Theatre Deli stage area was a very special night. Thanks for arranging this extra concert."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1667/

"The Minster is an ideal base for the Festival. Great atmosphere and imaginative use of the space. State Chamber ideal for smaller scale recitals. Old Theatre has an enjoyable intimacy."

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:27:40+01:00

"The Minster is an ideal base for the Festival. Great atmosphere and imaginative use of the space. State Chamber ideal for smaller scale recitals. Old Theatre has an enjoyable intimacy."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1692/

"We have been privileged to hear an outstanding quality of music. The musicians, singers and soloists have given great pleasure to those who heard them. The whole weekend has been an opportunity to experience a variety of music performance. The standard has been first class."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:07:16+01:00

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1668/

“Anyone who doubted that conductor and Artistic Director Marcus Farnsworth could possibly work such magic again must now feel certain that his supremely high standards of music-making are to be the hallmark of the Southwell Music Festival for the foreseeable future."

southwell music festival

2016-08-29T18:14:55+01:00

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/2016/

"The performances were all outstanding. I doubt if you could hear anything any better anywhere. The programmes were varied and interesting."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:07:41+01:00

"The performances were all outstanding. I doubt if you could hear anything any better anywhere. The programmes were varied and interesting."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1669/

"A good choice of excellent but unusual music in both concerts attended, and excellent standards of performance by both musicians and singers."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:10:41+01:00

"A good choice of excellent but unusual music in both concerts attended, and excellent standards of performance by both musicians and singers."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1671/

"Old Theatre Deli was absolutely spellbinding, intimate and of international quality. Haydn Creation in the Minster was amazing and of such high quality."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:11:06+01:00

"Old Theatre Deli was absolutely spellbinding, intimate and of international quality. Haydn Creation in the Minster was amazing and of such high quality."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1672/

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:36:29+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"... a community event of an astoundingly high standard"

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/a-community-event-of-an-astoundingly-high-standard/

"Excellent choice of programmes. It was very good to hear live performances from such talented young musicians. Particularly impressed by the way the Sung Eucharist was not so much a 'performance' as an integral part of the liturgy."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:11:27+01:00

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1673/

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:37:18+01:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

"The eyes of the musical world now need to be directed towards Southwell in August."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/the-eyes-of-the-musical-world-now-need-to-be-directed-towards-southwell-in-august/

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:12:21+01:00

"Excellent contributions from relatively young, energetic committed professionals. Good choice theme(s) - worked well. State Chamber has intimacy and impact."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1674/

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:37:56+01:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

"...Southwell can already equal, even surpass, more established festivals."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/southwell-can-already-equal-even-surpass-more-established-festivals/

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well done to Marcus, the artistes and to the organising committee."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:12:47+01:00

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well done to Marcus, the artistes and to the organising committee."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1675/

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:49:49+01:00

"The choir and orchestra were excellent. The soloists were inspirational and the interpretation of the music was masterful."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1650/

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:14:11+01:00

"Energetic! Good choice of madrigals and music generally. Young performers who enjoyed it as much as the audiences"

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1677/

"I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning. I wish we'd been free to attend more events and will do so next year and all future years. Well done indeed!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:54:46+01:00

I must congratulate you on a faultless programme of events and of apparently seamless planning.

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1658/

"A very special and memorable weekend"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:46:27+01:00

"A very special and memorable weekend"

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1683/

"Some of the best chamber performances I've ever heard - I speak as an experienced classical recording engineer. Wonderfully varied programmes, avoiding some of the 'usual suspects'."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:55:20+01:00

Some of the best chamber performances I've ever heard

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1659/

"The standard is extraordinarily high; the enthusiasm of the musicians completely infectious."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:50:49+01:00

"The standard is extraordinarily high; the enthusiasm of the musicians completely infectious."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1684/

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:56:41+01:00

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

https://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1660/

Visiting Southwell

What people are saying

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