Visiting Southwell

The 2018 Festival takes place from 22 to 27 August.

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

The site details a range of accommodation options however our own research of accommodation and availability may also be useful.

To find out more about Festival Venues please go here.

What people are saying

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

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

http://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...

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

"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."

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

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

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

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

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

"Exceptional! Many of the performances were beyond words. It was a privilege to be part of this inaugural festival. Well...

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

"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."

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

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

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

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

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

Latest News

2018 Performer Profiles: Russell GilmourAugust 16, 2018 - 7:30 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming trumpeter Russell Gilmour to the Southwell Music Festival for the first time. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? My name is Russell Gilmour.…
2018 Performer Profiles: Zoë BrookshawAugust 15, 2018 - 7:29 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming soprano Zoë Brookshaw back to the Southwell Music Festival. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? My name is Zoë Brookshaw and I’m based…
2018 Performer Profiles: Karel BredenhorstAugust 14, 2018 - 7:15 am
Associate Artistic Director Jamie Campbell introduces some of the outstanding performers taking part in the 2018 Southwell Music Festival. “We’re looking forward to welcoming cellist Karel Bredenhorst back to the Southwell Music Festival. 1) Who are you, where are you based, and what work do you do? Hi! My name is Karel, I’m Dutch and…
… Less Than Four Weeks To Go!July 29, 2018 - 12:12 pm
TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! In only four weeks time Southwell will once again be taken over by the Music Festival’s inspiring ensemble of singers and players bringing their talent, energy and enthusiasm to the town. More than eighty of the best professional musicians from across the UK and further afield will take part in our…
Southwell Music Festival 2018 VideoJune 1, 2018 - 7:30 am
Public booking for the 2018 Southwell Music Festival opens on Monday 4 June (tickets via our Tickets webpage). Ahead of this we’d love to share this new video, recorded and produced by Simon Platts, which gives us a chance to tell everyone about the Festival of which we’re so proud.

What people are saying

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

southwell music festival

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

"Very polished, well performed and most enjoyable."

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

"Amazing, astounding, truly fabulous."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:51:16+00:00

"Amazing, astounding, truly fabulous."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1685/

"The professionalism, energy and delight in playing together in a very well thought out programme, was evident. As sponsors we regard it as worth every penny - we are still in Seventh Heaven!!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T12:57:55+00:00

"The professionalism, energy and delight in playing together in a very well thought out programme, was evident. As sponsors we regard it as worth every penny - we are still in Seventh Heaven!!"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/we-are-still-in-seventh-heaven/

"Best festival ever attended. Joyful atmosphere."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:51:51+00:00

"Best festival ever attended. Joyful atmosphere."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1686/

"The whole festival was simply outstanding and I enjoyed every minute of it! The programmes were so well thought out and the performers' enthusiasm and wonderful playing and singing were SUPERB."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:05:05+00:00

"The whole festival was simply outstanding and I enjoyed every minute of it! The programmes were so well thought out and the performers' enthusiasm and wonderful playing and singing were SUPERB."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1664/

"Imaginative, beautiful, creative and performed to utter perfection."

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T15:52:56+00:00

"Imaginative, beautiful, creative and performed to utter perfection."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1687/

"Outstanding choice of music - a rich variety. The quality of the performances was amazing - what a treat for little Southwell!"

southwell music festival

2016-08-23T13:05:35+00:00

"Outstanding choice of music - a rich variety. The quality of the performances was amazing - what a treat for little Southwell!"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1665/

"So good to have different venues which all seemed so well kept and run."

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:26:24+00:00

"So good to have different venues which all seemed so well kept and run."

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1690/

"It was lovely to hear fresh young voices in the choir. I thought the quality of the performance was exceptionally good from the orchestra to soloists. The dynamics and interpretation of the Creation was excellent."

southwell music festival

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

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1666/

"Aren't we lucky to have such great venues within easy reach of each other?"

southwell music festival

2016-08-24T08:26:49+00:00

"Aren't we lucky to have such great venues within easy reach of each other?"

http://www.southwellmusicfestival.com/testimonials/1691/

"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+00:00

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

http://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+00:00

"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."

http://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+00:00

http://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+00:00

http://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+00:00

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

http://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+00:00

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

http://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+00:00

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

http://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+00:00

Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times

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

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

southwell music festival

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

http://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+00:00

William Ruff

Nottingham Post

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

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