The Great Estate Festival 2025: Mischief, music, and mystery at Scorrier Estate
Image Credit: The Great Estate Festival 2025_Matthew Hawkey
Cornwall’s wildly eccentric weekend of music, world food, family adventure, and mystery at Scorrier Estate brings exceptional acts and a fantastic atmosphere once again.
Cornwall’s most eccentric garden fête returned in style this year, as The Great Estate Festival once again transformed the historic Scorrier Estate into a vibrant playground of music, mischief, and immersive experiences. From Friday, May 30th to Sunday, June 1st, festivalgoers of all ages were treated to a weekend that perfectly blended big-name acts, family-friendly adventures, and culinary delights in one of the UK’s most picturesque settings.
The historic Scorrier Estate sets a unique lush backdrop for the weekend
Nestled within 400 acres of private parkland and historic gardens, Scorrier Estate is the beating heart of The Great Estate Festival. The estate, dating back to 1780, offers a unique backdrop of wild meadows, woodland glades, and secret walled gardens, creating a magical environment for festival adventures. Its combination of open spaces and enchanting corners makes it ideal for families and music lovers alike, ensuring everyone finds their own slice of festival heaven.
From missing moustaches to Victorian sports, original entertainment for all families is guaranteed
The Great Estate has built a reputation as one of the South West’s most family-friendly festivals, and 2025 was no exception. By day, the grounds buzzed with laughter and curiosity as children and parents took on the “curious case of the missing moustache”—an interactive quest that sent young detectives on a trail of riddles and stories, culminating in a prize for those who cracked the case. Traditional fairground rides, a helter-skelter, and a dedicated crafting area kept little ones entertained, while the Victorian Sports Day revived classic games like the egg and spoon race for all ages.
Workshops, dance classes, and circus skills sessions dotted the programme, ensuring there was never a dull moment. As dusk fell, families could explore the Whispering Woods for storytelling and den building, or don headphones for the ever-popular silent disco beneath the trees.
Britpop, Madchester, and electronic legends to spark up the night
Music is at the core of The Great Estate, and this year’s lineup delivered on every front. Friday night kicked off with Madchester icons Happy Mondays, with Shaun Ryder and Bez energizing the crowd. Saturday’s main stage belonged to Supergrass, who celebrated their debut album “I Should Coco” with a set full of Britpop anthems and a moving guest appearance by Shane Hawkins, son of the late Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins.
Sunday night saw electronic pioneers Leftfield close the festival with a powerful performance, cementing their status as one of the UK’s most influential live acts. The weekend also featured standout sets from The Alive (including a thrilling drum battle featuring Foo Fighters’ drummer Taylor Hawkins’ son Shane Hawkins), Charlie Boon, Jaguar Skills, and a host of emerging local talent.
A feast for all senses with a worldwide selection of food
Foodies were spoiled for choice, with a handpicked selection of food stalls offering everything from classic British fare to Greek, Italian, and Thai cuisine. The highlight was the exclusive Feast Nights, curated by ELIXR, where guests enjoyed communal dining on local, seasonal, and foraged produce, paired with fine wines in front of Scorrier House. With only 100 seats per feast, these intimate gatherings were a hot ticket for those seeking a culinary adventure.
After dark brings drag, cabaret, and disco delights
As the sun set, the festival’s wilder side emerged. Madame Wong’s House of Wrong served up a riot of drag, burlesque, and late-night cabaret, while the Supersized Silent Disco and Orbital Gatherings kept dancers moving well into the night. Every corner of the estate buzzed with surprises, from pop-up pubs to roaming drummers in glowing costumes.
With its blend of world-class music, immersive theatre, family fun, and gourmet food—all set against the stunning backdrop of Scorrier Estate—The Great Estate Festival 2025 proved once again why it’s a must-visit on the UK festival calendar. Mischief, music, and mystery: this is Cornwall’s most unforgettable garden party