top of page
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

THE GATE TO SOUTHWELL FESTIVAL

19th International Roots & Acoustic Music Festival

D6D_5793.jpg
grey.png

NEW LAKE STAGE COVER

SmallFestival.jpg

​Shortlisted in the 2024 UK Festival Awards.

 

"I'd say it rivals Cambridge Folk Festival, albeit on a smaller scale, in terms of the diversity of the acts, the ambition of the programming, and the wide definition of folk it encompasses" Left Lion Magazine 2024 

An independent, brilliantly curated, genuinely friendly, perfectly sized festival with a rich mix of UK and international roots music in a beautiful lakeside setting. 

 

GTSF is "quite possibly the best small folk and roots festival in the UK" according to ticket-buyers, who return year after year to prove it. Join us at our beautiful lakeside home, over 4-days with 60+ acts performing on 3 main stages (now all with audience covers). On-site camping and glamping (park by your tent), fantastic genre-busting roots artists from folk, Americana, Celtic, blues, world music and beyond, and the friendliest atmosphere you'll find anywhere. Plus family and children's events, street theatre, ceilidhs, workshops, dance and late night sessions - under 12s go free, and there are big discounts for under 18s. 

By the way, GTSF is a not-for-profit organisation, run by enthusiastic and experienced volunteers, and we love putting on this festival. Any surplus income goes straight back into future events.

NEWS...

Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date, and join our mailing list via the link at the bottom of the page. Our latest news posts are below.

LINE-UP 2026
 Most of our 60+ artists for GTSF 2026 are now here...
(see previous line-ups here)

CAMPBELL & JOHNSTON

A captivating blend of vintage blues-rock, roots, and folk—with a modern edge. Part of the ECMA Canada Showcase

SATURDAY

AMELIA COBURN

Since playing GTSF solo in 2021, Amelia Coburn has made massive strides in her career. She returns with her band to play the main stage on Friday.

FRIDAY

EDWINA HAYES

Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singer/songwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own.

THURSDAY

HOLLY HOLDEN

Coming with her band, a singer and songwriter from London whose love affair with Latin America and the Caribbean, make her one of Britain's most compelling cross-cultural voices, whose heart has found its proper home between languages

SATURDAY

THE FUGITVES

A Canadian folk staple, The Fugitives last played GTSF in 2024, and "despite their all-acoustic lineup, the Fugitives bring enough energy to the stage to light up a small city"

SUNDAY

MATTHEW BYRNE & SHERMAN DOWNEY

The traditional and modern worlds of folk music merge seamlessly blending styles and repertoires in a way that audiences have really come to love. Part of ECMA Canada Showcase.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

MAN THE LIFEBOATS

High-octane shanty-punk folk band ploughing their full-throttle folked-up furrow like Led Zeppelin arm-wrestling Shane McGowan in a Birmingham brewery, like The Albion Band turned up to 11 with their fiddles on fire. Tonic for these troubled times.

SUNDAY

RACHEL DAVIS & DARREN McMULLEN

Igniting the stage with a bold, fiery blend of Celtic tradition and contemporary folk energy with haunting melodies, and masterful instrumentation. Part of ECMA Showcase.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

EMILEA MAY

Joining our ECMA showcase from Prince Edward Island is emerging singer-songwriter Emilea May. Poignant storytelling, evocative lyrics and memorable melodies .

THURSDAY TO SUNDAY

COUNTER'S CREEK

Four musicians from different backgrounds, united by a love of acoustic folk music, great tunes and earthy dance grooves.

SUNDAY

sunflower8 good reflected.png

2ND - 5TH JULY 2026

top of page

web foot pic.png

Join our mailing list.

Never miss an update

Member of the Association Independent Festivals.

Copyright, The Gate to Southwell Folk Festival Ltd. Gate to Southwell Festival | Nottinghamshire, England. Reg 06242562 

  • Facebook
  • Youtube
Spotify_Logo_CMYK_White.png

Photo credits here

See our privacy policy here

Contact us here

Various images via vecteezy.com

shortlisted square.png
bottom of page