Presteigne Festival 2026

The Presteigne Festival of Music and Arts runs from 27 to 31 August 2026, bringing five days of chamber music, recitals and talks to the small border town of Presteigne in Radnorshire. Founded in 1983 and now one of the most respected small festivals in Britain, it draws international soloists, string quartets and chamber ensembles to a programme built around a particular theme each year.

Concerts take place in venues across the town — St Andrew’s Parish Church, the Assembly Rooms, and other intimate spaces — creating an atmosphere in which musicians and audiences mix freely. The festival is known for combining well-known masterworks with newly commissioned pieces and rare repertoire, and the programme typically includes pre-concert talks, composer conversations and family events alongside the main performances.

Presteigne itself is a quiet market town on the River Lugg, straddling the Wales–England border in the hills of Radnorshire. The surrounding countryside — part of the wider Powys uplands — is excellent walking territory, with the Radnor Forest, Offa’s Dyke Path and Hay-on-Wye all within easy reach.

Accommodation in Presteigne is limited, so visitors to the festival are advised to book early. Knighton (10 miles), Hay-on-Wye (16 miles) and Llandrindod Wells (20 miles) all offer wider accommodation options within a reasonable drive of the festival venues.