I’ve seen videos on TikTok of ren faires and medieval festivals all over the US for a couple of years but never realised there was a UK fantasy festival until last year. Fantasy Forest is the UK’s answer to the ren faires across the pond! When I found out about it, I immediately messaged my sister asking her if she would come with me. I was all over it for the ACOTAR and fantasy lit vibes, whereas she’s into more fantasy TV shows like Supernatural. She agreed (very readily) and we set the date to buy Fantasy Forest tickets in our calendar for later in the year.
We were thrilled to get our hands on tickets – we ended up just going for Fantasy Forest day tickets for the Saturday only. You can camp at Fantasy Forest with weekend camping tickets, but that’s really not our kind of thing, and we weren’t sure whether we’d want more than 1 day or not. Fantasy Forest festival starts on the Friday when those with camping tickets arrive and get set up – I believe there are some stalls open then, plus some music and other entertainment. Saturday is the main day, and Sunday is the closing day, so we decided to go for Saturday.
My Experience at Fantasy Forest 2025
Here is my personal Fantasy Forest story!
As I mentioned, we chose not to camp at Fantasy Forest, instead we booked a little Airbnb in Wickhamford which was around a 20 minute drive from Sudeley Castle where Fantasy Forest is held. This was a cute little thatched guest house in a village location with one bedroom – perfect for us!
The car parks at Fantasy Forest opened at 9.30am, and the festival itself at 10am. We initially aimed to be there at opening time, but it took a little longer getting ready than expected, so we arrived about 10.30am. The car parking at Fantasy Forest was well organised and I didn’t feel we had a long walk at all from the car to the entrance, however I know others felt it was a long walk – I suppose if you were camping further away on the site, it probably does feel a long way with all your things in tow! Entry was quick and easy, however I recommend getting either downloading your tickets or getting a screenshot in advance as the internet and phone signal there is terrible – there were a few people wandering the car park trying to get their tickets to load!
From what I can see, everyone has a very different experience of Fantasy Forest depending on what they choose to do – it would be impossible to see and do absolutely everything! We spent a lot of the day exploring the traders and stalls, as well as the beautiful grounds of Sudeley Castle and trinket trading. We also watched a Jester fire show, parts of the music, painted some decorations and explored the Wastes.
The weather, of course, makes a big impact on your experience at UK festivals, and fortunately we were lucky that the Saturday wasn’t bad weather-wise at all. It was a bit drizzly when we arrived, but not so much that it would endanger any costumes. It quickly dried up and was just mild and cloudy most of the day. The only problem was the wasps – this year, people have joked that instead of Fantasy Forest Festival Year of the Owl, it should have been Year of the Wasp!
The staff at Fantasy Forest, recognisable by their purple shirts, were super friendly and helpful. We were approached by one with a camera who did a mini photoshoot of us! I’m not 100% sure where the photos will be or if they’ll even be used (maybe they’re just for potential marketing shots?), but if I find them, I’ll share them!
The biggest thing I can say about Fantasy Forest is that it’s such an inclusive festival. As someone who’s somewhat socially awkward and introverted, going to a big event is pretty intimidating to me – I worry about what it will be like, how long we’ll be there, how we get around and, especially for something like this, whether I’ll look weird! But not a single one of these things was an issue! Everyone was wearing the most stunning outfits, including a huge variety of hand-crafted costumes – I needn’t have worried that what I had would be over the top, in fact, I felt under-dressed compared to many! Next year, I’m planning for a far more intricate costume. I spent the entire time walking around saying “everyone looks so cool!”, despite the fact that this festival is considered a “nerd fest” – just goes to show that we all have different definitions of what “cool” means! There were people dressed in every type of costume you could imagine, and no one batted an eyelid at what anyone else was wearing – except to compliment each other. Everyone was just SO kind and friendly – and it didn’t even feel weird to approach people about trinket trading. It felt like a wholesome, safe space where you could be free to be yourself – so lovely!
Trinket Trading at Fantasy Forest
Speaking of which – trinket trading! This was a big part of Fantasy Forest that I only heard about from the Fantasy Forest Community Facebook group a couple of months before the festival. In short, people create or take along little “trinkets” which they trade with other festival-goers for their trinkets. This could be everything from a handmade beaded bracelet to a painted rock, a tiny keyring to a hand-crafted wand – the creativity was endless! My favourite was the below where someone snapped a polaroid picture and gave it to you! My sister took along a load of tiny ducks in witches’ hats, and I filled tiny bottles from my seaglass collection.
Beforehand I wasn’t sure how many people would be doing this, but it was such a big part of the festival – almost everyone was carrying a sign signalling that they were trinket trading! My sister had chalked the symbol on her bag, but someone offered us a little extra sign they had later in the day. It was super easy to approach people with the sign, and some traders were also taking part so you could participate at their stalls. We ended up with quite the collection by the end of the day – I actually had to steal a handful of ducks from my sister as my 15 seaglass bottles didn’t go far! I collected up all my trinkets into two little treasure chests that I bought at the festival, divided them up between the two and gifted them to my kids when we got home – it was an excellent way to bring them a gift back as they adore little trinkets like that!
What to expect at Fantasy Forest
If you’re wondering what kind of festival Fantasy Forest really is, imagine stepping into the pages of your favourite fantasy novel or RPG, except it’s real, it’s in the UK, and you’re in it. Held at the stunning Sudeley Castle in the Cotswolds, this magical three-day festival is packed full of all things fantasy: from spellbinding costumes and immersive performances to incredible live music and market stalls brimming with handmade treasures.
Expect to see the return of some big crowd favourites in 2025, including the ever-popular Costume Show and Competition, which showcases everything from jaw-droppingly accurate character cosplays to completely original fantasy creations and the body paint show. The creativity and craftsmanship on display is next-level, I was genuinely in awe.
Another big moment is the Wicker Fire Ceremony, held on the Saturday night. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve seen it yourself, but the poignant ceremoney is a kind of closing ritual for the main day, where a giant wicker sculpture (this year it was an owl) is set alight. It’s dramatic, emotional, and gives the whole thing a kind of mythic, timeless feel.
Music-wise, there’s a real mix. We wandered past a few acts while trinket trading and exploring, but I’ve since found out that The Film Orchestra is returning for 2025 too, I’m sad we missed this one! Apparently it’s amazing live renditions of all your favourite fantasy and sci-fi scores: Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and more.
One thing that really sets Fantasy Forest apart is its commitment to covering the whole fantasy spectrum. Alongside the classic medieval and elven stuff, there’s also a Post-Apocalyptic Zone (The Wastes) where we saw everything from Mad Max vibes to carnival-style games with a dystopian twist. There’s also a full-on Medieval Village where you can try archery, watch battle reenactments, and chat with costumed villagers who really know their stuff. It’s like history and fantasy had a baby.
The Saturday is the main event day where the festival runs from 10am until 11pm, and this is the day where the wicker fire ceremony takes place. This is a very poignant ceremony where a huge wicker icon of the festival (this year it was an owl for Year of the Owl) is set alight.
And of course, the trader stalls are absolutely amazing. We basically spent the whole day browsing handmade jewellery, fantasy art, cloaks, corsets, wands, and so much more. You’ll also find authors and artists doing meet-and-greets and workshops – I was sad to miss meeting Sam Parks whose book Date Knight, literally set at Fantasy Forest, was on sale exclusively before publication there!
From pirates and plague doctors to druids and dryads, Fantasy Forest is a joyful, inclusive space where literally anything goes. Whether you’re there for the costumes, the community, the music, or just to soak up the vibes in a magical setting, you’ll find your people.
What to wear at Fantasy Forest
The answer to this question is honestly so open – the possibilities are endless! I’d say 95% of people are dressed in some form of fantasy inspired costume. There’s no reason you couldn’t turn up in your normal clothes, but the fun of it is that it’s like a giant costume party! There were people in the most intricate, inspiring hand-crafted costumes, those wearing shop-bought or high street fantasy inspired outfits, ballgowns, and those in very little clothes at all – just bodypaint!
Here’s what I wore, and here’s what my sister wore:
Here’s a list that might inspire you for Fantasy Forest costume ideas:
Broad Costume Themes
These work great for group or individual cosplay and allow for creativity with DIY or thrifted outfits:
- Elves (woodland, high elves, night elves)
- Fairies/Faeries (flower fairies, dark fairies, elemental fairies)
- Druids
- Toadstools/Mushrooms
- Witches/Warlocks
- Vikings
- Steampunk Adventurers
- Mermaids/Sirens
- Zombies/Undead
- Forest Spirits/Dryads
- Fantasy Royalty (princesses, queens, kings, knights)
- Bards/Travelling Minstrels
- Wizards/Mages /Sorcerers
- Pirates (this was big this year!)
- Celestial Beings (sun, moon, stars)
- Plague Doctors
- Shape-shifters/Werewolves
- Elementals (air, fire, water, earth)
Specific Fantasy Characters
From books, games, and movies—great for recognisable cosplay:
From Popular Fantasy Series
- Feyre Archeron or Rhysand (A Court of Thorns and Roses)
- Geralt or Yennefer (The Witcher)
- Arwen, Legolas, or Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings)
- Daenerys Targaryen or Jon Snow (Game of Thrones)
- Tinker Bell or Captain Hook (Peter Pan)
- Maleficent or Aurora (Sleeping Beauty)
- Hades or Persephone (Greek myth / Lore Olympus)
- Howl or Sophie (Howl’s Moving Castle)
- Alice, Mad Hatter or Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland)
- Zelda or Link (The Legend of Zelda)
- Aloy (Horizon Zero Dawn)
From Gaming & Pop Culture
- Jester or Fjord (Critical Role)
- A DnD Tiefling or Dragonborn character
- Luna Lovegood or Bellatrix Lestrange (Harry Potter)
- Morrigan or Solas (Dragon Age)
- Aela the Huntress (Skyrim)
- Shadowheart or Lae’zel (Baldur’s Gate 3)
- Wednesday Addams
- Beetlejuice
- Jack Skellington or Sally (The Nightmare Before Christmas)
Whimsical/Nature-Inspired Costumes
Perfect for a magical woodland setting like Fantasy Forest – especially in the Faerie Forest and Mermaid Bay:
- Mushroom Pixie
- Tree Ent
- Stag Spirit
- Unicorn
- Moth Fairy
- Rain Cloud Spirit
- Crystal Witch
- Forest Nymph
- Goblin Merchant
- Star Witch / Astral Mage
Steampunk & Historical
Since Fantasy Forest has strong steampunk and medieval elements – you’ll find this particularly around the Medieval Village and Steam Nation:
- Clockwork Doll
- Time Traveller
- Airship Captain
- Steampunk Inventor
- Renaissance Lady / Noble
- Knight in Armour
- Alchemist
- Blacksmith
- Medieval Herbalist
Personally I went somewhere down the middle! I initially planned to go down the ACOTAR route (of course!), but I also wanted to stick with my best colours as a jewel winter. I made Pinterest boards, TikTok collections and moodboards – I was very close to designing and creating my own Feyre Starfall dress, but wasn’t sure how much people would dress up (I now know that everyone does whatever they want, so I will definitely try something like this next year! I did actually see someone wearing what I believe was a an ACOTAR costume – the Starfall dress – but I didn’t get a chance to speak to her!).
In the end, I decided to go with one special purchase that I would be able to rewear, along with other things I already owned. I picked out this gorgeous toadstool corset from French Meadows on Etsy. I’d followed the maker for a while – she makes every corset herself and they’re well worth the price (I should know after making my own corset previously!). I had a choice of wearing this over a red gingham dress (for a tavern barmaid kind of look) or the green linen dress you’ll see in the photos. I decided on the green linen one as it was more breathable for warm weather, but it has long sleeves with elasticated wrists so I could wear them rolled up and off the shoulder so they look like puff sleeves (as I am in most pictures) or up on the shoulders and down to the wrists when it got cooler in the evening (which I did!).
I went boring with footwear as I knew it would be a long day on my feet, so I wore my old trusty Croc sandals. These are great as they go with the outfit, even though they’re nothing special, but they’re also rubber, so if it rained or was very muddy, they just rinse off! They’re very comfy but are starting to wear smooth on the bottom from so much wear over the years! I added a blue wire-wrapped seaglass necklace that my sister bought me last year, a pair of fairy wing earrings, again a gift from my sister, and a toadstool bag that I found in a shop in York – I’ve spotted the same style of toadstool wicker bags on Etsy here too. I planned to buy more at the festival to add to my outfit, and I got a dragon hair pin but not until later in the day so I have no photos of it!
I stole my sister’s make up and face paints to do the toadstool make up too for some added detail to my outfit! I was surprised it lasted well all day, and pretty impressed with my skills here if I do say so myself, considering that I so rarely wear make up!
Fantasy Forest FAQs
Is Fantasy Forest Festival family-friendly?
Yes, Fantasy Forest is definitely family-friendly! I went without kids this year for my first time, but we saw quite a lot of kids of all ages at the festival (including a tiny baby who was being breastfed by a mum walking around in costume – I am SO impressed by those skills!). It’s such a magical and joyful experience for people of all ages, kids and grown ups included. We noticed kids getting especially involved in trinket trading as well as enjoying the music. I plan to bring my daughter next year, who will be 7 then, as she’s very into magic, fairies and fantasy worlds – she takes after me! I don’t think I’ll take my little boy who will be 4 then as it’s a long day and he’s not as interested in things like this yet – I think another year and he will be, but that’s a personal decision! It’s a long day and there are parts that may not be child-friendly, such as some of the music lyrics later in the day, and some of the characters could be a little scary-looking for younger children.
Where is Fantasy Forest Festival held?
Fantasy Forest takes place at Sudeley Castle, which is a breathtakingly beautiful historic site in the Cotswolds. The castle grounds make the perfect fantasy backdrop, with plenty of space for stalls, performances, parades, and picnics, all framed by rolling green hills and castle ruins. It’s also a Father Brown filming location (though not one that we visited on our Cotswold minimoon – we did visit others though!). Normally you have to pay to visit the castle, but you get to explore the gorgeous gardens as well as the chapel and some parts of the castle when you buy tickets to Fantasy Forest.
When is Fantasy Forest Festival 2026?
Fantasy Forest 2026 will be held from Friday 18th July to Sunday 20th July, once again at the stunning grounds of Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire. This year tickets go on sale on Thursday 30th October at 12pm – there’s a countdown to Fantasy Forest on their website here! Make sure to pop a reminder in your calendar now like we did as they can sell out quickly, especially the camping tickets!
There is another Fantasy Forest festival coming up in 2026 too though, read on…
What is Libertalia Festival 2026?
This is brand new! Libertalia is a second festival being launched by the Fantasy Forest team in 2026. It was announced during Fantasy Festival 2025, and this one will be taking place at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire on 4th-6th September 2026.
Tickets for Libertalia go on sale here on Thursday 1st August 2025 – get ready to get yours booked!
I’m seriously considering going to Libertalia in 2026 instead of (or in addition to?!) Fantasy Forest! It’s a little bit further away from where I live, but transport links are better there. Guests to Libertalia are being encouraged to use public transport as there is a train station just a 10 minute walk from Hatfield House. To help encourage this, they have introduced a car parking fee at Libertalia – the information I found in the Fantasy Forest Facebook group explains it better:
At Hatfield there will be a charge for parking. It’s £5 for the Friday and £7.50 per day for the Saturday and Sunday. The Hatfield estate is very environmentally concious and with the train station right in front of the festival doors we hope that paid parking is an additional incentive to arrive by train (though we also realize this is not an option for everyone).
For camping guests it is a fixed amount of 12.50 per car for the entire weekend with parking close to the campsite.
Do you have to wear costume to Fantasy Forest?
Not at all, you’ll still be welcome in regular clothes, but I highly recommend joining in! Costumes are such a big part of the atmosphere and fun, and trust me, anything goes. Whether it’s a simple flower crown and floaty dress or a full-blown handmade fantasy creature cosplay, you’ll be in great company. There’s no judgment and no wrong way to do it. There were even people in full body paint – it was incredible!
What kind of music is at Fantasy Forest?
The music at Fantasy Forest is incredibly varied – from fantasy-inspired folk and medieval rock to full-on epic orchestral performances. We caught a few acts in passing, including a lively jester fire show and the final main act, The Sidh, who describe themselves as Celtic Electro music (and I discovered a new genre of music to enjoy!). We also overheard Ye Banished Privateers while we were doing a painting activity – these were a very popular sea shanty Pirate inspired folk rock band – very cool! There were a lot of parts of the entertainment we didn’t get to enjoy as we had so much to do, but you can dance, chill out, or just let it be your magical soundtrack as you explore.
Is camping available at Fantasy Forest Festival?
Yes! Weekend tickets include camping if you fancy immersing yourself fully in the fantasy world. You can bring your own tent or campervan, and there are also glamping options for a more comfortable stay. We skipped the camping this year and stayed nearby in an Airbnb, but if you’re into the community side of festivals, I’ve heard camping is a really special part of the experience.
Can I bring my own food to Fantasy Forest?
Yes – picnics are absolutely allowed! There are loads of great food stalls too (we had loaded mac and cheese and Jack Daniels pulled pork and pulled brisket sandwiches), but we saw plenty of people sitting in groups on blankets with packed lunches or snacks from home. Just be mindful of waste – the organisers are really good about keeping the site clean and eco-friendly.
Are pets allowed at Fantasy Forest Festival?
Well, this is an interesting one – yes, pets are allowed Fantasy Forest, however it would be up to your own discretion whether to bring them as it’s very busy and loud in areas. However, we saw a lot of dogs – some even dressed up! – among other pets, including one amazing person walking around with ferrets in a clear plastic backpack!!
How do I get tickets for Fantasy Forest or Libertalia?
Tickets for both events are available through the Fantasy Forest website. Fantasy Forest tickets tend to sell out quickly (especially for camping), so it’s worth signing up to their mailing list or joining the Facebook community for updates. This year tickets go on sale on Thursday 30th October at 12pm – there’s a countdown to Fantasy Forest on their website here! Make sure to pop a reminder in your calendar now like we did as they can sell out quickly, especially the camping tickets!
I haven’t yet seen ticket prices for Fantasy Forest 2026, but the ticket prices for Fantasy Forest 2025 were as below – this used a tier system, but it’s unclear as to whether that will be the case moving forward:
Camping Adult (festival access on Friday, Saturday and Sunday plus camping): £96.95
Camping Child 8-15: £39.95
Campervan (needed in addition to the camping ticket when you are sleeping in a vehicle: £40
Weekend plus adult (festival access on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – NO camping): £59.95
Weekend plus child 8-15: £29.95
Weekend adult (festival access on Saturday and Sunday – NO camping): £49.95
Weekend child 8-15: £24.95
Saturday Adult: £29.95
Saturday Child 8-15: £14.95
Sunday Adult: £24.95
Sunday Child 8-15: £11.95
Parking remains free, children aged 7 or under are free (but still require a ticket).
Child 8-15 prices remain the same as 2024 and so do the shuttlebus prices (£5 one way or £10 for a return).
The cost of the Friday evening (difference between weekend and weekend plus tickets) also remains the same (£10) as does the price for camping (£35)
The Libertalia ticket prices have been released on the Fantasy Forest Facebook group:
A Saturday adult ticket comes at £42.95 (child 8-15 :£17.95), a Sunday adult ticket at £36.95 (child 8-15: £14.95). An adult weekend ticket will cost £74.95 (child 8-15: £29.95) and an adult weekend plus comes at £89.95 (child 8-15: £34.95). Adult camping tickets will cost £139.95 (child 8-15: £59.95). A camping ticket includes festival access on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
You can buy Fantasy Forest Libertalia tickets here on 1st August 2025.
Will I go back to Fantasy Forest?
If you can’t already tell – I absolutely adored Fantasy Forest. It was wholesome, magical, creative, inclusive, and just completely unlike anything else I’ve done in the UK. Whether you’re there for the books, the music, the costumes, the people, or just the vibes, you’ll find your place. Next year I’ll be going back in full costume (watch out Starfall dress, I’m coming for you), and I might even try bringing my daughter along for the ride. If you’re on the fence – take this as your sign.
