Welshpool Country Music Festival – Welshpool, Wales 2026

Overview

The Welshpool Country Music Festival, a beloved annual gathering since 2008, transforms the market town of Welshpool in Powys into the UK’s premier country music destination, drawing thousands of fans for a weekend of twangy tunes, boot-scooting dances, and family-friendly fun in the idyllic Shropshire countryside. Founded by the Country Western Association of GB as a revival of the UK’s country music scene, it features a stellar lineup of international and homegrown artists, from American chart-toppers to British bluegrass bands, all set against the backdrop of Welshpool’s historic castle and rolling hills. As a not-for-profit event, it emphasizes accessibility with affordable tickets, free camping options, and community ties, fostering a warm, inclusive atmosphere where attendees can pitch tents, sample Welsh ales, and immerse in the genre’s heartfelt storytelling and high-energy hoedowns.

For 2026, the festival is poised to celebrate its 18th edition with an expanded program of live stages, workshops, and after-parties, promising a blend of timeless hits and emerging sounds that capture the enduring spirit of country. Expect a sunlit sprawl of stages, trade stalls brimming with cowboy hats and banjos, and evening campfires that turn strangers into sing-along partners, all while supporting local charities through proceeds and volunteer energy in this corner of Wales where the music flows as freely as the River Severn.

Event Highlights

• Main activities or performances: Multi-stage lineup of country, bluegrass, and Americana acts, including main stage headliners and intimate tent sessions; line dancing workshops and ceilidh-style dances; family-friendly open mics and busking areas.
• Special traditions or features: Annual “Welshpool Hoedown” closing party with fireworks; ties to the Country Western Association for authentic programming; free camping for ticket holders, blending festival frenzy with countryside calm.
• Unique attractions for visitors: Cowboy-themed trade village with artisan crafts and Welsh produce; petting zoo and kids’ rodeo games; evening barn dances in historic barns, offering a fusion of American roots and Welsh warmth.

About this event

• Founded in 2008 by the Country Western Association of GB to revive UK country music, quickly growing into the nation’s largest dedicated festival.
• Focuses on authentic country genres, attracting 5,000+ annually with a mix of international stars and local openers.
• Held in Welshpool’s countryside, with free camping and a family-friendly ethos supported by Powys County Council.
• Not-for-profit, with proceeds aiding music education and charities, emphasizing inclusivity for all ages.
• Features programming from bluegrass jams to honky-tonk nights, fostering a supportive scene for emerging artists.
• Hailed as the “Glastonbury of country” by BBC Radio Wales for its vibrant vibe and scenic setting.

Why attend

Attending the Welshpool Country Music Festival means surrendering to a twang-tinged reverie where a banjo’s pluck harmonizes with the hills’ hush, turning a family tent pitch into a boot-scoot bonanza as headliners belt out “Sweet Home Alabama” under starlit skies—it’s the heartfelt rush of discovering a bluegrass prodigy in a barn or joining a line dance that spans generations, blending the genre’s storytelling soul with the simple joy of Welshpool’s welcoming fields. With its affordable access and free camping, it’s a haven for country converts and families alike, sparking those campfire confessions and dawn choruses that feel like family.

Beyond the stages, you’re nurturing a post-2008 revival that spotlights UK talents and community causes, your cheers a boost for the festival’s charitable heart. Whether chasing honky-tonk highs with mates or easing into Americana with little ones, the event’s fusion of rootsy rapture and rustic relaxation delivers those horizon-hugging harmonies—perfect for summer sojourns where the country calls home.

Date & Duration

• Dates: August 14 – August 16, 2026
• Duration: 3 days

Venue / Location

• Main venue: Welshpool Country Park, a spacious greenfield site ideal for stages, camping, and dances with easy town access.
• Additional venues: Local barns and pubs for after-parties; castle grounds for special acoustic sets.
• Main event Google location address: Welshpool Country Park, Welshpool SY21 9JF, United Kingdom

Ticket Information

• Tickets are sold online via the official website (countrywestern.org.uk); advance purchase essential as weekends sell out.
• Admission is paid, with free camping for weekend tickets to encourage families.
• Ticket pricing in USD only: Weekend passes range from $80 to $100 USD.
• Minimum and maximum tickets pricing: Minimum $80 USD (early bird adult weekend with camping); maximum $100 USD (standard adult weekend pass).
• No lottery system; first-come, first-served with family bundles for 4+ via site.
• Special seating or VIP options: VIP at $150 USD includes priority entry, exclusive lounge, and meet-and-greets; standard general admission for flexibility.

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Contact Information

• Email: info@countrywestern.org.uk (general inquiries, tickets, and volunteer support).
• Phone: Not specified; use email or website form for responses within 48 hours.
• Website: https://www.countrywestern.org.uk (full program, bookings, and updates).
• Social Media: @CountryWesternUK (Facebook for lineups, photos, and announcements).
• Key Staff: Festival Committee (contact via email for programming queries).
• Press/Volunteers: Press to info@countrywestern.org.uk; volunteer opportunities via website (TBD for 2026, English support available).

Getting There

• Nearest airports: Birmingham Airport (BHX), 60 miles away (1-hour drive via A5); Liverpool (LPL) for more flights, about 80 miles (1.5-hour drive or train).
• Public transport: Trains from London Euston to Welshpool station (3 hours via Avanti West Coast); local buses connect station to park (10-minute ride).
• Driving: Access via A483 from M54, with free parking at Welshpool Country Park; SatNav postcode SY21 9JF.
• Cycling/walking: Welshpool’s paths are bike-friendly; racks at park; station to venue 15-minute walk.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-friendly grounds with ramps; taxis from station ($15 via apps); contact for priority camping.

Accommodation Options

• Budget stays: On-site camping included with tickets; nearby B&Bs from $70/night.
• Mid-range: The Royal Oak Hotel (town center, $90–120/night, family rooms); Sun Inn ($100/night, parking).
• Luxury: Lake Vyrnwy Hotel (20 miles, $150+/night, spa options); Powis Castle lodges ($140/night, historic).
• Festival packages: Bundled camping + tickets via site; glamping at park ($120/night yurts).
• Booking tips: Book early for August; check visitwelshpool.co.uk for deals.

Reviews

• Country cascade in countryside cradle—twangy tempest of tunes, family floats in festival fantasy.
• Hoedown heaven perfection; banjo bliss blended with Welsh whisper, a postlude of pure passion.
• Neon-free neonation—stages swelled with Severn serenity, an absolute Americana abbey.