Destination: Britain

A Fashionista’s Farm Festival

Danielle Wright
09 March 2011



The strange thing about growing up, settling down and starting a family, is that most people your age are also growing up, settling down and starting a family too – you just don’t notice because you’re too busy staying in looking after bouncing babies.

Case in point: Alex James, ex-wild man of London Town and bassist with English indie band Blur. So what does a rockstar do when he’s had kids? He makes cheese, and wins awards for them too.

This year, he mixes both his loves to create Alex James Present Harvest: A Festival of Food and Music. (http://alexjamespresentsharvest.com/)

It’s a celebration of the very best of the British food scene alongside a soundtrack of the finest bands around, set on Alex’s Oxfordshire farm.

First to confirm this year are KT Tunstall, Richard Corrigan, Mark Hix, Rachel Allen, Yotam Ottolenghi, Jay Rayner, Monty & Sarah Don, Stevie Parle, Tom Kerridge and for the kids: Charlie and Lola.

There are also cookery master classes, exclusive pop up restaurants, gardening workshops, farmers markets and an inspired children’s field.

And it all takes place from the 9th – 12th September while it’s no doubt grey and drizzly at home.

If you have the time and money to spare, The Cotswolds (http://www.cotswolds.com/) at the end of a British Summer is one of England’s favourite destinations.

Famous for hundreds of honey-colour limestone villages in a beautiful rural setting, it’s the quintessential British old-worldly town. Just don’t forget to pack your Hunter wellies: expect the hip Brits to dress up for this farm festival.

For more information on visiting Britain go to: http://www.visitbritain.com/en/NZ/