Burley Festival - a tasty treat, 27-29 May, New Forest

With the best food, art, drink and music that the New Forest can offer the revitalised Burley Festival returns next month, fully refreshed after a two-year lay-off, bigger and better than ever, with a host of new attractions, family camping in the O'Deer Campsite and free entry for under-10s.

The Festival attracted more than 12,500 visitors in its first year, but has remained under wraps for the last two summers making organisers all the more determined to make sure the three-day event from 27-29 May is the perfect way to gear up for the first weekend of the summer holidays.

“As ever, our aim is the same - to celebrate the very best in local food, art, drink and music,” says festival organiser Marianne Brown of Mojo Events. 

“For locals and visitors alike, Burley Festival a jam-packed weekend of artisan produce, artistic expression and some fantastic local music talent, whether it's a day out the whole family can enjoy or an affordable weekend away in the beautiful New Forest.”

With the New Forest's best artisan food and drink producers showcasing their mouth watering wares on Deer Street, there’s the brand-new organic, vegan and veggie corner - the Roots Veg Patch - that’s home to an even wider range of tasty treats and fulsome flavours the way nature intended them to be.

As well as a full menu of locally crafted ales, ciders, wines, gins and cocktails in the festival bars, the OUTside INN or the Burley local bar are home to a cheeky tipple for those lazy, hazy moments when nothing else will do - the perfect aperitif perhaps to pre-empt a visit to Va Va Vintage with its classic cars, retro clothing and Lindy Hop lessons.

The main Haystack Stage hosts some of the area's finest jazz, blues, soul and funk bands with more acoustic sounds from the In’Tree’Ducing Stage with its beautiful old oak tree backdrop. Behind the tree, visitors can discover the magical Mystic Tree area where moments of peace are guaranteed along with a sprinkle of fairy dust.

Younger visitors will find the Lil Scrumpers designated kids’ zone is the place to be for free workshops, storytelling and face painting, as well as trampolines and castles. Meanwhile, the Forest Craft Emporium is home to local makers offering free workshops for children and adults. 

Burley Festival's chosen charity this year is MyTime Young Carers (www.mytimeyoungcarers.org), the Poole-based charity that aims to provide support for young carers wherever there is a need.

Tickets are available now at www.burleyfestival.com.