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Imagine being in the most idyllic lush Victorian gardens this summer, surrounded by stunning panoramic views, listening to music from around the globe. Peacocks roaming freely around the Eastern pagodas, new discoveries around every corner and a truly unique atmosphere… this festival really is the perfect escape from it all!

This July be a part of a 5-day party, in the heart of the beautiful Cranborne Chase on the Wiltshire/Dorset border.  This award-winning independent festival (winner of the UK Best Family Festival Award 2008 and Best Toilets 2006), is now going into its 19th year and is one of the original boutique festivals.  You can enjoy over 80 bands across 6 stages, comedy from the international circuit, spectacular street theatre, over 150 FREE creative workshops for adults and children alike, plus much much more - all in a non-corporate family-friendly atmosphere.  Immerse in the magic Larmer Tree is renowned for with just 4,000 other festival-goers!

An amazingly eclectic music line-up…
On Wednesday 15th join Jools Holland for a boogie woogie start to the festival.  Joined this year by special guest Dave Edmunds, Jools never fails to get the party started in style!  Also on Wednesday catch rockabilly gal Imelda May and Australian troubadour Ash Grunwald.  On Thursday 16th seminal folk legend Richard Thompson headlines with Dreadzone, Teddy Thompson, Music from the Penguin Café plus many more joining Richard for a full days entertainment.  Get ready to dance on Friday to the sounds of Shantel & the Bucovina Club Orkestar, Kanda Bongo Man, Pama International to name a few.  Award-winning world music star Rokia Traoré, Transglobal Underground, Peatbog Faeries headline Saturday night.  On Sunday expect a phenomenal end to the festival with very special performances from Grammy award winning Simon Emmerson and his collective of top class musicians The Imagined Village and festival favourites Edward II, who make a welcome return as part of their ‘one year only’ tour.  Globe-trotting Western swing trio Hot Club of Cowtown and Oi Va Voi are amongst many others on the jam-packed line-up.

Fancy a laugh?
New for ’09, is a late night Comedy Club running from Thursday to Saturday featuring international and award-winning comedians Sean Hughes, The Comedy Store Players, Adam Hills, Craig Hill, Wilson Dixon, Danny Robins, Rex Boyd and Chris Martin.

Over 150 FREE workshops
Larmer Tree is renowned for its extensive programme of workshops for all ages, with everything from a Barn Dance with Cut A Shine, a one-off singing workshop with the London Bulgarian Choir to Graffiti Art, Bedouin Pitta Bread Workshops, Laughter Gym and Baby Yoga plus much more.  You can even create your own piece of Adornable Art to decorate the festival itself!

Roll up, roll up, there’s more entertainment …
This year Larmer Tree has gone totally mad on street theatre with loads more than last year to be amazed, amused and astounded by!  New for ’09… The Cockney Awkestra, Le Petite Discotheque, Strictly Dumb Prancing, and crazily eccentric artists Rupert & Arabella - who’ll be creating a unique portrait of Larmer Tree ’09!  There’s exclusive talks and Q&As… including Johnnie Walker & Jackie Leven, renowned quiffed film critic Mark Kermode with To Avoid Fainting, Keep Repeating “It's Only a Movie...” , Time Team’s Phil Harding amongst others.  There’s lots to keep kids entertained including exciting shows from the Emmy award winning Farmer Jason and former Monty Python Terry Jones’ tales performed by DNA.  Aside from all the shows and workshops for kids there’s a huge adventure playground plus 11 acres of gardens for them to explore too!

Huge Carnival Procession
The Larmer Lawns will become a Shangri-La this year, as five groups including more than 500 participants take part in carnival workshops culminating in an explosion of colour, sounds and movement to parade around the festival in this year’s spectacular Paradise Parade on Sunday afternoon.

Lostwood & LostArt
Nestled in amongst the trees is Lostwood… a place to lose yourself in a world of storytelling, poetry, spoken and written word.  After hours head there for late night stories, laurel tunnel illuminations and unexpected goings on… Festivalgoers can discover a new glen for ’09 and drop-in to one of the arty LostArt workshops over the weekend, and contribute to the fantastic installations that will grow over the festival for all to enjoy!

Like Dressing Up?
The much-loved Dress-Up Saturday returns for its fourth year with the theme Movie Mania… Come dressed as your favourite film star or character, there’s something for everyone… whether you’re a shy Edward Scissorhands or a hip pink lady, it’s your chance to be a star in our blockbuster fancy dress theme!

This is just the tip of the iceberg of what’s on offer at Larmer Tree ’09.  Don’t miss out on being part of the magic this summer, get your tickets for this unmissable party!

Ticket info
All-inclusive multiple and day tickets are available including free camping with stunning panoramic views, no extra charge for campervans or caravans, free parking and free hot showers! Ticket price ranges from £29-£177.  Youth and child concessions are available.  Day tickets for Saturday are now sold out!

For more info on the full 5-day festival line-up and to book tickets for Larmer Tree Festival 2009 go to www.larmertreefestival.co.uk or call the Box Office on 023 8071 1820.

“The line-up of artists, performing on six stages is so eclectic as to defy categorisation. One minute, you might be listening to drummers from Mali, the next an acoustic punk combo from Mexico. The facilities are excellent – clean toilets, drinking water, showers – and there is a Secret Garden, where you can kick back and get a Thai massage or a reflexology treatment.”
The Sunday Times

“The Larmer Tree event is one of the best kept secrets of the British world music scene, set in a green idyll on the Wiltshire-Dorset border that - were it not for the odd Eastern temple and Nepalese pagoda - could be straight out of Victorian England. There are even iridescent peacocks, which sit watching laid-back crowds laying back on well-tended lawns.”
Songlines

“The most beautiful festival venue in the UK… if you only go to one this year, it has to be the Larmer Tree!”
Whole Wide World Records

“There is an infectious feel to the place. Larmer Tree, which stops selling tickets once its 4,000 limit has been met, is on a manageable scale. Our children could make forays on their own and easily find us again.”
The Times

“The Larmer Tree is magical. There’s something about the trees - you can see them growing… the music gets their boogie muscles twitching.”
Jools Holland