80,000 annual Rock fans cannot be wrong: Download Festival is the most popular British Rock and Heavy Metal festival. Always hosting the real big players in the scene including Saxon, Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Kiss, Judas Priest, and Guns N' Roses. Download is held at Donington Park in Leicestershire, England, since 2003. Normally, Donington Park is a motorsport circuit. Also hosting Formula One races in former days. For details, head to the festival webpage.
The festival was conceived as a follow up to the Monsters of Rock festivals which had been held at the Donington Park circuit between 1980 and 1996. Download first took place on the circuit infield just like Monsters of Rock. In 2008, Formula One developments meant the infield was no longer suitable as festival site. In 2009 finally, the festival moved to a much more suitable location to the south of the circuit and has remained there every year since.
Download Festival offers 3 or 5 days camping passes. There are also options with hotel, camper van or arena ticket only. If you got some more spare money and wanna have a fancier festival experience, try one of the pre-pitched accommodation options which range from Tipis to Airstreams. Enjoy superior amenities including proper toilets and warm showers, car parking, as well as a convenience shop.
If you need to get back home the next day, your best option is East Midlands Airport just next to the festival site. Otherwise, we recommend one or two more nights in Birmingham which is 1 hour drive by car. Also Leicester, Manchester, or Sheffield are near options. More time left? Then head to Leeds or Liverpool.
Download visitors not necessarily love camping on mud for the time of the festival. Especially when you are around with your wifey or girlfriend The Priest House will offer you a stunning and most enjoyable stay.
Some of you may know the place from an The Rolling Stones album cover deeply hidden in their shelves. Take your chance and visit a true hidden gem in the history of Rock.
Up for some idyllic green surroundings and an impressive house with rich history dating back to the 13th century? You need to stop at Melbourne Hall with its marvellous green garden scenery.
This nice little cafe is really worth a stop if you are in the neighbourhood. Try one of the locally sourced dishes or freshly brewed coffee and enjoy your break in a really relaxing and super-cozy atmosphere.
Rock im Park is a rock music festival held annually in Nuremberg, Germany. Combined with its sister festival Rock am Ring, figures are some of the biggest in the world in terms of attendance. Every year, Rock im Park is bringing the best in world’s Rock and Metal genre to Southern Germany. Over the years, headliners includes big names such as Oasis, Metallica, Green Day, and Black Sabbath.
Within a beautiful facade, cultural meeting place Vooruit in Belgian city of Ghent is host to live gigs from Indie and Alternative to Rock, Punk, and Metal. There is a major Belgian underground Rock scene so the event calendar is fully packed.
Kinky Star is an alternative music hotspot and bar in Ghent, notorious for its Irish coffees. Also homeport to a record label of the same name.
Elpee isn’t as accessible as many other pubs and venues due to its heavy music. Definitely worth a visit for any Metal fan around Ghent.
The Edwardian building has been hosting live music for decades now. O2 Academy Oxford hosted some impressive live performances in the past such as Editors, Foals, Elbow, Stereophonics, Ozzy Osbourne, Babyshambles, and Royal Blood. A Radiohead show even went on to become the video for their debut single Creep. Other highlight performances include Supergrass, Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Robert Plant, The Killers, The Strokes, and Muse.
One of Oxford's leading independent live music venue: The Bullingdon showcases local as well as national and international touring acts along DJs. Topped with a great cocktail bar.
This small and intimate venue in the Belgian city of Ghent is all about Metal and Rock music. If your are in town and into the heavier tunes, check out their fine event calendar offering live music as well as party club nights.
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)
Download Festival (Photo by Bachmeier / Ramsthaler)