Forncett Festival
7th - 9th August 2026
A community-run micro-festival of music, art & steam power in the heart of the Tas Valley.
Weekend & day tickets available on a pay-what-you-can basis.Attendance is limited to just 150 people per day.
Welcome, friend
Hidden among the working steam engines of the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum is one of Norfolk's most unusual festivals.Three days of live music, workshops, open mics, films, campfires and steam-powered magic in an intimate setting unlike anywhere else.
WHAT'S ON
Live music
Headlining bands
Featured artists
Open mics
Late-night DJs
Workshops
Yoga for all abilities (Charlotte Twining)
Inclusive musical jams (Heather & Jason Burford)
Participatory progressive mural (Joey La Meche)
Free art & creative space (Gracious Creations)
Plus
Short films by emmerging filmmakers
Talks about wildlife & ecology
Epic working steam engines
Chats around the campfires
Beautiful valley garden surroundings
Delicious plant-based food
Unexpected encounters!
What will be your Forncett Festival story?
The Story
More than a music festival.Forncett Festival was born from a shared belief that creativity should be accessible to everyone, wherever they live, whatever their story.Created in partnership with Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, the festival brings together live music, art, film and community in one of Norfolk's most unexpected settings. This is a place where peace, nature and art dance in fusion with archaic steam power.We're passionate about supporting grassroots artists alongside established performers, creating opportunities for local musicians, filmmakers and all creatives to meet, get inspired, and celebrate. Throughout the weekend, you have the opportunity to become part of the festival - whether that's by joining an open mic, adding to our collective mural, taking part in a workshop or simply gathering around the campfire.Become part of something special this summer.
WHO'S PLAYING FORNCETT FESTIVAL THIS YEAR?
We've got artists travelling from London, Paris & beyond to join us in the Tas Valley! Get to know them by listening to our Forncett Festival playlist.
HEADLINERS
HEADLINER · Eliza Delf & The Wilderness · Friday 7th August
A dramatic new force in the music scene, joyfully tresspassing across genre boundaries of indie, gothic folk & art rock.
HEADLINER · Floral Image · Saturday 8th August
A shimmering wave of East Coast Psychedelia from Norwich.
HEADLINER · Green Gardens · Sunday 9th August
Exploratory lo-fi indie rock weaving delicate instrumentation, shifting textures and emotive songwriting.
OTHER CONFIRMED ARTISTS
SATURDAY
Goldheart Assembly (acclaimed indie-psych band from London)
Lyla Foy (Sub-Pop signed alt-indie singer-songwriter)
Josephworks (acoustic folk, pop and rock with a touch of hippy magic)
Wrong Number & Saving Felix (electro duo from Paris)
Joey Herzfeld & Gem Ash (off-the-wall storytelling tunes)
Kieran LH (cosmic lap guitar)
Naima (delicate acoustic folk)
SUNDAY
The Duke of Norfolk (deep, reflective & beautiful folk duo)
Shakkalo (electro indie-folk pop)
kirakira (alt-indie pop)
Luke Askew (soulful singer-songwriter)
Joe Durant (virtuosic original beats guitar)
Tom Hancock (heartfelt original songs with intricate picked guitar)
An Animated Music Experience (original animations with live classical guitar)
THE VENUE
Forncett Festival takes place within the grounds of Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, a charitable trust that's home to one of Britain's finest collections of working stationary steam engines.By day, wander through the museum, explore the historic engines, enjoy homemade food from the Steam Café and discover the beauty of the surrounding Tas Valley. As evening falls, the museum becomes something altogether different - an industrial nebula where music echoes between the engines, campfires glow and steam fills the night air.On Saturday evening, the museum's magnificent Hopwas Beam Engine takes centre stage as it comes to life during the headline performance from Floral Image, creating a truly unforgettable meeting of music and machinery.Whether you're visiting for the music, the history or simply to spend time somewhere extraordinary, there's nothing quite like the gravity of this place.
🎤 Open Mics
Become part of the Forncett Festival bill by signing up for the open mics.Hosted by local legend Peter Turrell, our Friday evening and Sunday afternoon sessions invite anyone to step onto the festival stage and share a song, a poem or a story. Whether you've been performing for years or you're trying it for the very first time, you'll find a warm audience and a welcoming atmosphere.Bring an instrument, gather some friends, or simply come along to discover your new favourite artist. Some of the weekend's most memorable moments happen here.Everyone is welcome.
🎟️ TICKETS - OUR PHILOSOPHY (PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN)
We want everyone to be able to come to our events, which is why we have a tiered pay-what-you-can system; supporter, standard and supported. Please choose your tier mindfully.Supporter - A higher-price ticket for those who can contribute a little extra to help keep the festival accessible and support future events.Standard - The regular ticket price, covering the cost of your attendance.Supported - A reduced-price ticket for those who need it.Every ticket includes the same entry; your choice of tier does not affect your festival experience.Please purchase one ticket per person for each day you plan to attend. For example, if two people are attending for one day, you'll need two tickets. If one person is attending for two festival days, they'll need one ticket for each day.
Food & Drink
We like sharing mealtimes together as a festival - there will be an hour for a collective lunch and dinner each day (all meals deliciously plant-based). You’re also welcome to bring your own food.🍻 ☕ Our bar will be open; tea, barista coffee & some light refreshments will also be available all day from The Steam Café.*Please note that we do not permit drinks purchased offsite (alcoholic or otherwise) to be consumed on the premises. Our bar stocks a lovely selection of locally-produced beers, ciders & soft drinks, as well as familiar classics.Your purchases support the ongoing work of the CIC and Forncett Industrial Steam Museum.If you have any specific dietary requirements, please send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll do our best to help.
⛺ ACCOMMODATION / CAMPING
🚨 VERY IMPORTANT!!! 🚨We have very limited camping available for public. Tickets do not secure a camping spot.If you’re interested in pitching up a tent or bringing a campervan, please get in touch with us at [email protected]We’re also happy to recommend local accommodation offers. This is our second year running and we’re still expanding our camping options and facilities.
ACCESSIBILITY
We regret that our main venue, The Steam Café, is accessed by a flight of steep stairs and may not be suitable for some people with reduced mobility.There will, however, be performances outside and we're also investigating streaming the upstairs concerts to the video room downstairs in the museum.If you would like to come to the festival and are concerned about accessibility, please get in touch at [email protected]The museum is in the process of raising funds to install a lift.
🗺️ HOW TO GET HERE
Forncett Industrial Steam Museum, Kingsmuir, Forncett St Mary, NR16 1JJWe are 10 miles south of Norwich in the village of Forncett St Mary. Brown tourist signs will direct you from the A140 at Long Stratton (3 miles) or the B1113 at Tacolneston (2 miles).BY BUS: a limited bus service (the number 1) runs from Norwich to Forncett on Fridays and Saturdays. Hop off at Hapton Turn and the museum is only a 15 minute walk away. https://www.konectbus.co.uk/services/KCTB/1The closest town is Long Stratton with a more regular bus service (the 36), and then it’s a 10-minute taxi ride to the museum.Long Stratton based taxi service K&J cars quoted these prices: £12 (car seating 4 people) / £15 (minibus seating 8 people). https://www.kandjcars.co.uk/ // 07464 736667We encourage car sharing wherever possible - please bring your mates and get in touch with us if you have a spare seat to offer a fellow festival-goer!
🌿 Community
Forncett Festival is just one part of a growing year-round community.Throughout the year you'll also find:🎤 Monthly Open Mics
Relaxed evenings celebrating local musicians, new songs and friendly faces.🎬 Starlight Cinema
Outdoor and indoor film screenings in the unique surroundings of the museum.☕ Steam Café Events
Live music, creative workshops and community gatherings throughout the summer.🙌 Volunteer With Us
Whether it's welcoming visitors, helping behind the scenes or cooking meals, our volunteers make everything we do possible. We'd love to have you involved.
❤️ Supporting Something Bigger
Every ticket purchased helps support two causes close to our hearts.Part of the proceeds from the festival are donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, supporting research and improving the lives of people living with cystic fibrosis.The remainder is reinvested into Forncett Festival CIC, allowing us to support emerging artists, create opportunities for local creatives and bring more arts and culture to rural Norfolk throughout the year.By joining us, you're helping build something that lasts long after the campfires go out.
✉️ Stay in Touch
Want to hear about new artists, community events and next year's festival?Sign up to our newsletter for occasional updates, behind-the-scenes stories and early access to festival announcements.
See you in the Tas Valley!
