WOMAD brings world music festival to new home near Atworth

Thousands of music lovers gathered just outside Atworth over the weekend as WOMAD made its debut at its new home at Neston Park.

The World of Music, Arts and Dance festival, founded in 1980 by Box-based musician Peter Gabriel, brought together artists from across the globe for four days of live performances, workshops, talks, food and family activities from 23rd to 26th July.

The internationally renowned festival moved to Neston Park after leaving its previous home at Charlton Park, near Malmesbury, where it had been held since 2007.

Festivalgoers enjoyed music from every continent alongside more than 200 workshops led by musicians and dancers from around the world. Visitors also explored the festival’s arts programme, sampled international cuisine and relaxed in the parkland setting.

In a message shared after the event, organisers thanked those who attended, saying, “This weekend, thousands of you turned a field in Wiltshire into a meeting point for the world, dancing to sounds from every continent, whilst sharing food, stories, and thoughts.

“Four days that proved, once again, why this festival exists.”

Molly, 13, who was attending WOMAD for the first time, said, “I had such a fun weekend camping at WOMAD. There were so many different types of music from all over the world and it was amazing to experience.”