Charlton Park Estate, just outside Malmesbury, hosts music events across the summer. If you’re planning a trip to this part of the Cotswolds, it’s worth knowing what’s on and when. From a Sri Lankan live music debut in July to a long-running festival in May and a worship gathering in late August, the estate’s summer calendar is more varied than you might expect. Pettifers Hotel is in Crudwell, a short drive away, and makes a practical base for any of the events.
NaadaGama Festival — 11 July 2026
The standout July event at Charlton Park this summer is NaadaGama, a live outdoor concert marking Sri Lankan collective Naadha Gama’s UK debut. It’s presented by SENTIL Events and brings together seven artists — Ridma Weerawardena, Dhanith Sri, Methun SK, Kanchana Anuradhi, Dinesh Gamage, Manuranga Wijesekara, and Supun Perera — for an open-air evening set against the estate’s open landscapes and wide skies.
It’s the kind of event that suits the setting: music that travels well outdoors, a countryside backdrop, and an audience that’s likely coming specifically for the artists rather than a general festival atmosphere. Availability is limited, so tickets are worth sorting in advance through the official ticketing page at naadhagama.lk.
If you’re not familiar with Naadha Gama, the SENTIL Events Instagram is the best place to get a feel for what to expect before you go.
Shindig Festival — 21–24 May 2026
If your summer plans stretch to May, Shindig runs across the bank holiday weekend at Charlton Park and has built a loyal following over its ten years at the estate. It’s a four-day camping festival across multiple stages, with a lineup that spans funk, electronic, reggae, folk and afrobeat alongside DJs, circus, workshops and a family programme. It draws around 10,000 people across the weekend, which keeps it at a scale where the site still feels manageable and the crowd stays good-humoured.
Worth noting: 2026 is Shindig’s tenth and final year at Charlton Park, so if you’ve been meaning to go, this is the last chance to do it at this venue.
David’s Tent — 28–31 August 2026
For something entirely different, David’s Tent takes place at Charlton Park over the August bank holiday weekend. It’s a continuous worship gathering which is music-led, but centred on faith and community rather than a conventional festival lineup. There are no headliners and no set agenda; the format runs day and night across the weekend, with prayer spaces, teachings and workshops alongside the main worship tent. Camping is part of the experience, with options ranging from pitching your own tent to boutique camping on site.
It won’t be for everyone, but for those it is for, it’s a significant event and the Charlton Park setting suits the open-air, unhurried character of the weekend.
Making a stay of it
Whether you’re coming for NaadaGama in July or Shindig in May, staying at Pettifers means you’ve got somewhere comfortable to come back to after the event rather than a long drive home. The hotel has a range of rooms in the main building and courtyard, including family rooms and ground floor options with accessibility features. Mayfield Cottage next door works well if you’d prefer more space and your own front door. It’s a two-bedroom self-catering cottage with private parking and a courtyard garden.
Dogs are welcome in selected rooms, which is useful if you’re combining the trip with some countryside walking around Crudwell and Malmesbury.
Have a look at the full accommodation options at pettifershotel.co.uk/accommodation, or get in touch with any questions before you book. Book direct for the best available rates.
