A Guide to Latitude Festival

Nestled within the rolling parklands of Henham Park along England's eastern coast lies the home of one of Britain's most magical annual gatherings - Latitude Festival. Since first bursting onto the UK festival scene in 2006, Latitude has cemented itself as an iconic summer highlight for lovers of music, arts, comedy and culture.

Latitude Festival takes place on the grounds of the stunning 4,200 acre Henham Park estate, located near the village of Southwold in the county of Suffolk. This sprawling countryside oasis - complete with ornamental gardens, ancient oak woods and meadows leading down to the sea - has proved the perfect pastoral setting for Latitude’s otherworldly atmospherics.

Its inception can be traced to Melvin Benn, a visionary promoter who sought to establish a new kind of festival celebrating diversity across the arts. Having helped launch the legendary Reading/Leeds festivals in his youth, Benn's Latitude concept combined this musical legacy with theatre, cabaret, poetry and literature in one creativity-filled weekend. Henham Park, owned by Old Etonian viscount Robin Rous, provided a spacious natural paradise for Benn’s ambitions.

That inaugural 2006 gathering attracted 10,000 people to the debut event which featured headline sets from Editors, Pet Shop Boys and Snow Patrol. Such was its immediate success that Latitude doubled in size the following year and has continued growing exponentially since. From 20,000 festival-goers in 2007 to an eventual peak capacity of over 60,000 people, demand for the festival reflects its reputation as a premier cultural event.

This popularity stems not only from the world-class musical lineups but also Latitude’s dedication to championing wider artistic talent. Now spanning 10 stages, arenas and tents, visitors can lose themselves wandering between the rhythms of the BBC Sound Stage to the laughter of the Comedy Arena, the spiels of Poetry Readings to interactive theatre shows and euphoric dance tent DJ sets. Over 250 performers grace Henham Park annually, establishing Latitude as a thrilling creative carnival for all tastes.

Much like the greatest gatherings, Latitude has fostered a devoted, community-like following. Lifelong friendships are forged with festival neighbours each year with many revellers faithfully returning annually. Such cherished musical memories include career-launching performances from burgeoning future superstars like Adele, Ed Sheeran and Amy Winehouse on some of their first festival appearances.

Similarly etched in Latitude legend are iconic headline showings from era-defining greats like New Order, Fleet Foxes, Lionel Richie and The Killers plus legendary Pyramid Stage DJ parties lasting until sunrise. Come rain or shine, Latitude's winning formula of showstopping shows, colourful characters and collective effervescence has made it an unmissable mainstay of the British summer.

Latitude Festival takes place in Henham Park near Southwold, Suffolk, on England's east coast. Specifically, the festival is held about one mile west of the small town of Southwold, with the nearest large town being Lowestoft, about 8 miles north.

Henham Park is a 1,000 acre private country estate owned by Old Etonian viscount Robin Rous. Its lush parklands and ancient woods provide a majestic natural setting for Latitude Festival every July. Beyond the main arenas and campsites, Henham Park boasts ornamental lakes, sweeping meadows and pine forests set against the scenic backdrop of the Suffolk countryside. Parts of the estate date back over 800 years whilst the Regency-era country house at its centre was rebuilt in the 1820s.

This serene rural location combines with Latitude's aesthetically unique stages and areas to create an otherworldly atmosphere, detached from the outside world. Decorated with fairy lights and rainbow-coloured sheep wool, signature venues like the Lavish Labyrinth, Little Wonderland and the Faraway Forest look like something from a magical dreamscape. Similarly, the boutique campsites with their twinkling bell tents make festival-goers feel like they’re at their own private summer solstice gathering.

This secluded countryside setting enhances the festival's friendly, community vibe. Far from the mud and mayhem of bigger, more intense festivals, the sunkissed gardens of Henham Park foster Latitude’s chilled-out, family-friendly atmosphere focused on enjoying the arts, surreal adventures and quality time with friends old and new.

Henham Park is located just 2 miles west of Suffolk's Heritage Coast and 5 miles from the sandy beaches of the North Sea at Southwold. This has made Latitude an increasingly popular vacation add-on, with people enjoying Suffolk’s coastal delights before or after the festival. Southwold’s quaint seaside charms, Adnams brewery and pier, along with constable country’s picturesque rural villages provide fun staycation activities that perfectly complement a weekend at Latitude.

In 2024, Latitude Festival takes place from Thursday July 25th to Sunday July 28th 2024. These four days and nights of music, arts and fun held annually since 2006 (excluding 2020 due to Covid-19) have become a cultural highlight of the British summer calendar.

Latitude Festival 2024 has a full capacity of 62,500 people per day, making it one of the UK's biggest dedicated music and arts festivals. Demand for tickets to Latitude is always incredibly high thanks to the outstanding line-up and spectacular atmosphere. Weekend camping tickets usually sell out months in advance following lineup announcements.

Booking Tickets for Latitude Festival 2024

With so much anticipation ahead of each year's event, booking tickets early for Latitude Festival 2024 is absolutely vital to avoid missing out. Weekend tickets with access to campsites normally go on general sale around 10 months before the festival following the first artist lineup announcement in October 2023. These initially start from £232.50 though prices tend to rise incrementally with each new wave of artists revealed.

Given Latitude routinely sells out completely at least a couple of months pre-event, we strongly recommend purchasing tickets at your earliest convenience after the initial lineup drop. Opting for instalment payment plans, where available, helps spread costs for the big spend. Day tickets offer a cheaper alternative for those not camping, allowing entry from 10am Friday through Sunday. These one day passes start around £82.50 a day. For the best chance of securing tickets upon release, be sure to register online advance of time for any artist pre-sales or special fan allotments. Additionally check for priority booking access when signing up to Latitude Festival's official mailing list and social media channels.

Where to Safely Purchase Latitude Festival 2024 Tickets

With so much demand chasing limited ticket availability, safety is paramount when purchasing Latitude Festival tickets from authorised official sellers. LatitudeFestival.com is the festival's designated primary ticket agent, with additional legitimate sales through multinational vendors like Ticketmaster and SeeTickets. Registered ticket resale platforms Twickets and FanFair Alliance also market genuine spare and unwanted Latitude tickets at face value prices.

Beware of unscrupulous unofficial third-party agencies and secondary resellers who frequently advertise fake, fraudulent or counterfeit Latitude festival tickets at inflated prices despite often voided barcodes. Stick to endorsed sellers for peace of mind. Similarly, some opportunistic online ticket scams and phishing attempts have arisen recently so exercise caution sharing personal financial details online. Scrutinise legitimacy of unfamiliar websites and ensure trusted padlock symbols confirm secure payments.

By booking Latitude festival 2024 tickets safely and promptly through authorised channels, fans guarantee entry to one of Britain's most magical and unmissable cultural events this summer.

Get set for a spectacular weekend of live music, comedy, arts and family-friendly adventures as Latitude Festival returns for another magical edition from July 25th to 28th 2024. Set amidst the natural wonderland of Henham Park's 1,000 acre Suffolk country estate, Latitude has cemented itself as an artistic highlight of the British summer calendar following its 2006 inception.

Named after its distinctly diverse artistic line-up spanning musical latitudes, this year's gathering features one of Latitude’s most exciting rosters to date. Genre-bending rockers Kasabian will headline Friday's opening festivities, with the Leicester lads sure to get Henham Park jumping to millennial indie disco staples like 'Fire', 'Empire' and 'Club Foot'.

They are joined by melancholic indie folksters London Grammar, fresh off their recent UK number one album ‘Californian Soil’, who will hypnotise crowds as Saturday’s Pyramid Stage headliners alongside acclaimed baroque pop auteur Rufus Wainwright. Meanwhile Sunday sees 80s icons Duran Duran close the festival with a euphoric finale full of era-defining hits like 'Rio', 'Ordinary World' and 'Save a Prayer'.

Beyond the headliners, the 2024 bill delivers an eclectic undercard blending hotly tipped newcomers like Irish country sensation CMAT with all-time greats Nile Rodgers & CHIC bringing their timeless disco classics to the Suffolk countryside. Former 80s pin-up star Rick Astley promises a feel-good blast from the past, indie favourites The Vaccines and Rag N Bone man guarantee anthemic singalongs whilst flamboyant rockers The Darkness and piano torchbearers Keane ensure the guitars and pianos are equally well represented over the weekend.

With so many must-see performers cemented, not to mention hundreds of other comedians, poets, authors, dancers and theatre performers across Latitude’s myriad stages, trying to choose who to see can be overwhelming. Thankfully with comedy, arts and wellness activities plus kid-friendly adventures running from morning until night over four days, there’s no rush or FOMO amidst Latitude’s relaxed, community-driven vibe.

So gather your friends, pick your favourite tent or bell tent accommodation and get ready for long sunny days blissed out soaking up the music followed by star gazing at the silent disco until sunrise. With golden memories made and lifelong friendships formed, Latitude 2024 promises to be the perfect summer British staycation complemented by outstanding homegrown artistic talent.

The Latitude Festival is more than just music. It is a vibrant celebration of creativity across the arts and an opportunity to come together as a community. Beyond the musical performances, there are comedy shows, theatre, literature readings, podcast recordings and discussions, wellness activities, hands-on workshops, family entertainment, and culinary delights to explore.

Start off your visit with the UK's largest comedy lineup. Headliners like Jo Brand, Judi Love and Joanne McNally lead a deep roster of comedic talent including up and comers like Lucy Beamont, Grace Campbell, Laura Smyth, Mark Simmons, Sarah Keyworth and Sophie Duker. Don't miss hilarious improv from The Comedy Store and the always entertaining Horne Section band.

After filling up on laughs, lose yourself in the magical setting of Henham Park with outdoor theatre productions, eye-catching art installations and thought-provoking performances that pop up unexpectedly. Literature lovers can take in poetry readings, book discussions and author Q&A's. If podcasts are more your speed, engage with prominent hosts as they record live shows focused on culture, science and life's curiosities.

Take a breather from the excitement by kayaking across the serene lake, trying paddleboard yoga or joining wellness workshops tailored to mind and body. Get creative making screen prints, weaving textiles or wood carving. Test your balance on peculiar shoes, ride puzzling bikes and channel your inner artist. Kids can enjoy comedy shows just for them, face painting, music workshops and hours of amusement.

Fuel up on delicious food from the diverse array of vendors onsite. Cap off your evenings in one of two festival restaurants featuring their own creative culinary experiences.

The Latitude Festival is all about discovery, so let your curiosity guide you through comedy, arts, music and community over this enchanting summer weekend.

Families can look forward to a festival within a festival at Latitude's lively Kids Area. Engaging activities and entertainment options abound for children and parents alike. Teens aged 12+ also have their own space to explore music, media, arts and recharge in the scenic Inbetweeners Area tucked within a picturesque woodland setting.

The Family Campsite invites everyone to wander through the enchanting Enchanted Garden filled with oversized games, exciting stage shows, slackline challenges, yoga sessions, archery ranges and vintage fairground rides. Nearby, Camp Greenpeace promises action, adventure and surprises amidst nature.

Latitude Festival ensures the whole family is covered with designated family camping sites, complete with toilets, showers and food vendors. It's the perfect blend of musical performances, art installations and family fun.

To make the most of your Latitude Festival experience, planning and preparation are key. Start by thoroughly reviewing the event schedule, lineup and map weeks in advance. Plot out must-see acts and sketch a loose itinerary so you don't miss those can't miss moments. Pack light, but include clothing layers, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle since British weather can be unpredictable. Though some vendors accept cards, having cash on hand is wise as ATM lines tend to swell.

Once on site, staying hydrated with water is vital when dancing and walking between stages. The main stage draws big crowds, but make sure to explore smaller stages and art installations to discover new favourite artists and bands. Festivals are about community, so strike up conversations with fellow attendees, share memorable experiences and make new friends. Since Latitude pledges sustainability, properly dispose of rubbish and recycling to keep the beautiful grounds pristine.

Use the official Latitude Festival app for real-time updates, maps and key information. Arrive early to camp, scout the grounds and secure an excellent spot for performances, avoiding long queues. Most importantly, embrace the creative spirit by letting loose, dancing with abandon and soaking in the magical atmosphere. Latitude Festival is a one-of-a-kind blend of music, arts and family fun to savour.