Tim Hughes looks forward to a weekend of boutique festival-going, at the first big bash of the British summer – Wychwood.

WHEN you hear the words “music festival”, what are the first things you think of?

Mud, queues, flooded tents, and toilets so pungent they should be condemned by the UN as a biohazard?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to go boutique.

The first major event of the year not only offers an eclectic choice of bands, but does so in one of the most stylish, comfortable, and family-friendly locations going – on the manicured acres of the home of national hunt racing.

Set up by a gang of music-lovers from Witney, Wychwood Festival has been rewriting the festival rulebook since pitching up at Cheltenham racecourse six years ago.

Named after the 19th-century Wychwood Forest Fairs – which took place deep in the eponymous west Oxfordshire woodlands – the bash is essentially an Oxford festival in its line-up, and with a healthy left-leaning, alternative vibe.

But, because it takes place in the civilised surroundings of a leading racecourse, it is also easy to get to, and lovely to stay at. The stages are just a couple of minutes’ walk from one another; the food is top-notch fare from all corners of the world, and the camping takes place on the same hallowed turf trodden by the hooves of Best Mate, Arkle and Kauto Star.

The line-up features a mix of big names (Levellers, Lightning Seeds, pictured top, Happy Mondays, pictured bottom, Seth Lakeman, Del Amitri’s Justin Currie), world music (Toumani Diabate, Baraka) and cult acts (The Travelling Band, Leisure Society, King Creosote, Beth Jeans Houghton, and Dreadzone).

Representing Oxford are Binsey alt-country charmers The Epstein, Wolvercote boaters The Geees, Witney kora player Jali Fily Cissokho, and, playing the BBC Introducing stage, Ute, We Are Aeronauts, Fixers, Spring Offensive, The Scholars, and Supergrass frontman Gaz’s brother’s band, Charley Coombes and The New Breed.

The man behind it all is festival director Graeme Merrifield, of Corn Street, Witney, who spends all year organising this logistical feat – which attracts 9,000 people each day.

“This year’s line-up is great and ticket sales are well up on past years. A lot of those people have been here for a day before and want to come for the whole weekend, or are coming on the recommendation of friends.”

And the festival’s secret? “We started off with a family focus, and have maintained that. We believe in keeping everyone entertained. The age range goes from under one to 90!

“The festival offers great music from the ’80s through to new bands, plus the best of folk and world music.”

Music is only half the story. The weekend also features workshops ranging from circus skills and cookery to samba and a dance class led by the English National Ballet.

There is also comedy, cinema, healing fields, a children’s literature festival and, of course, real ale.

It also has some of the best camping on the festival circuit, in the shadow of the Prestbury Hills, on the other side of the Cotswolds.

No wonder, then it continues to be nominated for major awards, including the best family festival.

“We’ve been blessed with a magical atmosphere,” says Graeme. “People come with a positive and enthusiastic frame of mind and high expectations.

“And just think: it all started off being run from a desk behind a washing machine in Witney!”

l WIN! We have a pair of weekend camping tickets for one lucky reader. To enter, simply tell us the name of the dancer and maraca shaker in headline band Happy Mondays?

Answers to tim.hughes@ oxfordmail.co.uk by midday on Sunday. Please include a contact telephone number. Usual rules apply and the Editor’s decision is final.

* Wychwood Festival, June 4-6, adult weekend tickets £110 (plus £20 for camping), day tickets £35-£50. Call 01993 772580 or visit wychwoodfestival.com (accompanied under-10s free)