food&travel
hay-on-wye
Althorp
PORT ELIOT
amongst nearby locals as well as amongst those who are simply eager to learn in a picturesque setting. This year, the Althorp organisers – sponsored by Christie’s auction house – have gone one better than their previous timetable, lining up, among others, former Chancellor Alistair Darling, author Louis de Bernières and broadcasters Jeremy Vine and Brian Sewell, while a special bicentenary surprise is to be held in honour of British hero, Charles Dickens. It is firmly under wraps for now, but the advice from Newsnight’s Gavin Esler? Simply: ‘don’t miss it’. And judging by the past nine years, you really shouldn’t. The Stables, Althorp, Northampton, NN7 4HQ; 01604 770107 Adult day tickets are £12.50, children’s tickets cost £6, but are free for the under-fives. althorp.com/literaryfestival
PORT ELIOT
19 – 22 July Cornwall is always an idyllic place to spend one’s British summer. In July, however, a little spot near Saltash becomes just that little bit more alluring when the Port Eliot Festival comes to town. It all started when the legendary Elephant Fayre came to an end in 1986, and Lord St Germans and his wife Catherine launched Port Eliot Fesitval (previously the Port Eliot Literary Festival). Their aim? To bring together a group of journalists, authors, poets and performers who would deliver a creative and spontaneous set of acts, all of whom were asked to ‘do something different with words.’ And that they did, for in its ninth year, Port Eliot enthusiasts are once again gearing up for an eclectic timetable. Among the flower shows, cabaret tents, stationed dressing up boxes and late-night dancing, its fans will be flocking for its schedule of unplanned,
impromptu talks, lectures and theatrical and musical performances given by some muchrespected talent. Learn to cook with Rose Prince, laugh along with Miles Jupp, be read to by Kate Summerscale and dance along to Stornoway’s indie tunes. And if you still want more, Port Eliot has various fringe events in place to keep even the over-energetic sated. Head to the all-new odditorium, where guests learn about all things ‘odd’, while various children’s camps will keep all the young ones occupied and happy all weekend long. Jarvis Cocker once branded Port Eliot as ‘the festival of ideas’. And who are we to argue with that? Port Eliot Estate Office, Port Eliot Estate, St Germans, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 5ND; 01503 230211; adult weekend tickets £150; £75 for a child, while children under 8 go free; porteliotfestival.com 89
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30/05/2012 17:28