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Now don’t get us wrong, here at TinMan London, we think that the capital is where ALL the fun is at, but every now and then we all need to venture out of town to get a taste of what we’re missing. Because road trips are fun, we’ve come up with 5 reasons to leave the capital this summer and beyond (during 2014). We’ve created a smart selection that caters to food lovers, fashionistas and music adorers. Take a look…
1. Creamfields
Image © Marc De Groot
Kicking off the fun for music fanatics is the annual Creamfields festival which is held in Daresbury, Liverpool over the August bank holiday weekend (22-24 August). The British festival which features some of the UK’s most favoured live dance acts has grown to be extremely popular in recent times.
The festival is only a train ride away from Liverpool city centre where the night life is rife and the shopping is even better. The options for great food and fun things to do are endless in this lively city – added bonus! If you do visit the city make sure to plan a trip to the Cavern club where the Beatles once played during their early days or visit the Liver Bird statue for a slice of Liverpudlian culture.
This years Creamfields will again be featuring some huge acts including the likes of Avicii, Afrojack, Deadmau5, Steve Angello, Hardwell, George Fitzgerald, Skream, Hannah Wants and Pete Tong – to name a few! Tickets are selling out super quick, so step on it if you’re interested in having the time of your life and start the search for a wicked pair of wellies.
Tickets for Creamfields are still available at www.creamfields.com/tickets
2. Clothes Show Live
If all-nighters aren’t really your thing then take a look at the Clothes Show Live, held in the bustling city of Birmingham. The fashion exhibition is held a little while after the summer has ended (5th-9th December), but it’s worth scheduling in your diaries now if you plan to maintain a stylish wardrobe all year round.
The Clothes Show Live event allows visitors to purchase one off pieces that won’t be available on the high-street, as well as watch designer catwalk shows displaying creations all the way from America. You’ll also get a chance to hear some expert advice from various bloggers and world-renowned designers to ignite your passion.
Birmingham also has some great attractions, giving you more reason to visit the city – such as the Sea Life Centre or the Thinktank centre. For something a little bit more wacky, try the Dome Club which immerses viewers in a 360 degree viewing experience whilst lying under the dome – you have to see it to really understand it. Like Liverpool, Birmingham has a spark of magic that explodes once you find the right place. Visit Hotel Direct for a complete list of affordable accommodation options in the Birmingham areas.
For Clothes Show Live tickets visit: www.clothesshowlive.com
3. Reading Festival
Not straying too far from the capital, Reading music festival is a summer must-do for avid music fans. Held from the 22nd-24th of August, it’s a great introductory festival if you’re yet to spend the weekend in your wellies.
Reading originated as a festival that focused on the rock genre and today it still gravitates back towards rock music with acts like Blink 182 headlining this summer. However, an advantage of the festival would be its ability to attract a wide range of music fans thanks to acts like Macklemore, Clean Bandit, The Kooks, Disclosure, SBTRKT and Schoolboy Q.
Reading town also boasts a wide array of clubs and bars if you fancy a night out – Purple Turtle and Lola Lo seem to be very popular with the locals. Although Reading is much smaller than Liverpool or Birmingham, its city links make travelling around easy as pie. If the weather picks up then make sure you take a trip down the river Thames for some chilled out vibes.
Get your Reading Festival tickets at www.readingfestival.com
4. Great British Food Festival
Calling all food lovers (most of us right?) to the Great British Food Festival held at Stoneyhurst College, Lancashire on the 23rd and 25th of August. The food fuelled day boasts tasty local produce, great live music and crafty chef demos to keep you drooling all day long.
The Great British Food Festival is a great day out providing Man V Food challenges, cake-offs and cookery classes. If all that is just too much, then you can kick back, enjoy the fresh food and take in the beautiful surroundings.
The area of Lancashire offers a much more chilled out vibe when compared to the larger cities. Visitors can embark on relaxing bike rides down the canal (work off that belly filled with food) or head over to Lancashire’s most popular holiday destination – Blackpool seaside resort for some old school beach fun.
Grab your Food Festival tickets at www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com/stonyhurst.asp
5. Bestival
Saving the best till last (literally) is Bestival. Held in Robin Hill in the Isle of Wight from the 4-7 September, the aim of this festival beauty is to conclude the summer season with some of the very best music acts in town.
The Bestival line-up boasts an incredible collection of performers such as Outcast, Busta Rhymes, Major Lazer, Basement Jaxx, London Grammar, Bonobo, MK and many, many more. This year’s theme is Desert Island Disco, so start rooting through your fancy dress wardrobe if you intend to dress and impress.
In order to get to this remote location, a ferry ride is a must, but once you’ve arrived you’ll be over the moon to see the attractive coast lines and endless stretches of beach that lay out before you. If the weather is on its best behaviour, then you’ll feel like you’re on a mini-break once you set foot in the Isle of Wight.
Grab your bestival tickets at 2014.bestival.net/tickets
Wherever you’re heading this Summer, be sure to tweet us your pictures @TinManLondon