A historic first! – The 2026 Purbeck Guitar Festival at the Walled Garden
Moving away from its roots as a multi-venue concert series, the 2026 Purbeck Guitar Festival debuts as a singular, immersive two-day festival experience. This year, the music, the food, and the festival spirit are all gathered into one spectacular, exclusive location: The Walled Garden at Upton Country Park.
This marks the first time a guitar festival of this scope has been staged at the estate. While the 160 acres of Upton Country Park provide a grand backdrop, the festival itself takes place entirely within the historic brick boundaries of the Walled Garden. This creates an intimate atmosphere where world-class talent can be experienced in an exclusive self-contained musical hub, tucked away from the rest of the busy parkland.
Here’s our guide to the Purbeck Guitar Festival…
The Purbeck Guitar Festival lineup: Two days of mastery and music!
The new festival format allows for a seamless flow of music from morning until night, split into two distinct thematic days.
Rock-It Saturday (23 May: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM)
Saturday celebrates the evolution of the guitar in folk, blues, and rock. It’s a day of high-voltage energy and legendary songwriting.
- Donovan: The “Sunshine Superman” himself headlines with ‘The Tale of the Gael Concert’. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Donovan’s performance is a rare chance to see a living legend in such an intimate garden setting.
- The Story of Guitar Heroes: An exhilarating live journey through 50 years of the riffs that defined generations.
- Gary Cain & Chris Corcoran Trio: Bringing world-class blues and jaw-dropping virtuosity to the Walled Garden stage.
- Laura Snowden, Galaxy Thief, and Callum Buckley: From classical-future fusion to indie-rock energy, showcasing the incredible breadth of the instrument.
Spanish Sunday (24 May: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
Sunday transforms the Walled Garden into a Mediterranean escape, filled with the percussive rhythms of Flamenco and the soul of Andalucia.
- Juan Martín: A true global icon of the Flamenco guitar. To hear a master of his stature within the natural acoustics of the Walled Garden is the centerpiece of the weekend.
- Flamenco from Spain: Authentic, fiery dance and guitar that brings the spirit of Seville directly to Poole.
- Carlos Bonell: A titan of the classical world and one of the most decorated guitarists of our time.
- Flamenco Meets Maqam & Miki Cruz: Exploring the Arabic roots of Spanish music and the high-energy rumba of the Gipsy Kings.
The “In-Garden” festival experience
Because the event is now a self-contained festival within the walls, the food and drink offerings have been curated to match the setting:
- The Rock-It Saturday BBQ: Serving locally sourced, award-winning Jurassic Coast meats and premium vegan options. From just £8.00
- Spanish Sunday Tapas: Authentic flavours designed to complement the music, with 3 plates starting from just £12.
- The Pop-Up Bar: Serving local ales, lagers, and wines throughout the event.
- Purbeck Ice Cream: Delicious locally made ice cream.
- A Natural Partnership: We are proud to support the Dorset Wildlife Trust, highlighting our commitment to the beautiful local environment that makes this venue possible.
Essential information for your visit
- Seating by Tier: VIP and Premium tickets include a provided deck chair for a front-row or mid-garden experience. Standard ticket holders should bring their own blankets, seats or cushions for a relaxed, festival-on-the-lawn feel.
- Accessibility: The Walled Garden is fully accessible. Ticket holders with mobility needs are welcome to bring their own patio chairs or wheelchairs.
- Parking: Advance parking tickets (£5) are essential and should be purchased online when booking your tickets to ensure smooth entry to the Upton Country Park estate.
Be part of history as we launch the first-ever full-scale festival at the Walled Garden. Tickets are limited for this exclusive event—book now to secure your place.
Book tickets today to secure your spot! There’s only a limited amount of tickets available for this event!
