Womad Festival reveals new home for 2026 return

A popular arts festival has revealed its new home for the event's return in 2026, after a year's hiatus.

World of Music, Arts and Dance Festival (WOMAD) has been running for more than four decades and had been held Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, since 2007.

The festival - co-founded by musician Peter Gabriel - announced on Thursday that next year's event would take place at the Neston Park Estate, near Corsham.

WOMAD attracts about 40,000 visitors a year and organisers said the event would be returning "truly independent" after not being staged in 2025 and that it had an "exciting future."

It will be the first time the Neston Park Estate has been opened to any type of event.

Its owners, Sir James and Lady Venetia Fuller, said they were "very excited to welcome the WOMAD community".

Gabriel said the site "immediately felt to us like a warm and welcoming home".

"While we've been away, all the team have been working away regenerating our beloved festival and poring over your extensive feedback - and finding so many great suggestions," the former member of Genesis added.

Festival director, Chris Smith, said WOMAD's "commitment to discovering and sharing the richness of global culture is stronger than ever".

"We are building on our incredible legacy with a clear vision for the next 40 years," he added.

WOMAD Festival will be held between 23-26 July 2026. Tickets go on sale on 13 November.