Our story
How fantasy forest came to be
Dream with your eyes open
Becoming the UK fantasy festival
Fantasy Forest is the brainchild of a group of seasoned festival veterans whose dream it was to introduce a different kind of festival to the UK.
A festival that brings fans from all genres of fantasy together for the weekend, providing a feast of entertainment and spectacle. Whether you’re into sci-fi & fantasy films, books, video games, anime, cosplay, LARP, steampunk or historic re-enactment, all are welcome. A gathering of like-minded people!
A magical venue
For a fantasy experience
Located in the grounds of Sudeley Castle in view of the rolling Cotswold Hills, it’s a fairytale setting perfect for fantasy frolics.
Often referred to as one of the most idyllic wedding venues in the UK, this is a truly unique venue with award-winning gardens and a history that spans over 1,200 years.
2025 in numbers
The largest Fantasy Forest. So far
19.000
Fantasy Forest Dreamers
34
Bands & artists
105
Unique activities
142
Traders
Down memory lane
The history of Fantasy Forest
2024
Year of the Stag
It was the 5th anniversary and something special had to be done; the castle closed to the public and became part of the festival for the first time!
This expansion allowed for a 50% increase in capacity. But despite this, the festival sold out even quicker and 18.000 visitors passed through the gates.
With the expansion, tons of new areas were added, including The Wastes, a post-apocalyptic camp. Several entertainment stages were added and the first Fantasy Forest Bodypaint competition took place, with 20 professional bodypainters displaying their art.
2024 was the biggest year in every way. The Dream Stage saw an increase and bands such as Ye Banished Privateers, The Trouble Notes, Waldkauz and Sunfire entertained the masses.
2023
Year of the Bear
The first ever completely sold out edition! Camping tickets were gone in a record 40 hours and 2 months before the festival, Saturday tickets joined. Sunday tickets would follow a month later and 12.000 people were meant to walk through the gates of Fantasy Forest for an amazing experience.
Unfortunately, severe weather struck the country and many festivals, including Fantasy Forest, were affected. But despite all odds, Fantasy Forest managed to eventually open up to the public on Saturday evening and Sunday, bring in a full house!
Brand new to this edition was the Dragon Stage, hosting an impressive line up with bands such as PerKelt, Ye Banished Privateers and Harmony Glen
2022
Year of the Wolf
Fantasy Forest kept on growing in every aspect. Despite increasing the number of camping tickets, people would quickly find themselves without one as they sold out within 4 months. The pack grew as many new visitors joined the experienced.
The festival terrain was extended by nearly 30% and the new Steam Nation was introduced, adding a second stage to the festival. In addiotion to bands such as Sunfire, Pyrolysis and The Royal Spuds, 2022 saw the addition of the 65-piece Film Orchestra as a Sunday exclusive and a full Friday evening opening.
2021
Year of the Phoenix
Twice the time to prepare = twice as good.
After a difficult start in 2019, with just over 1.000 visitors, Fantasy Forest went all out and improved in every way. With result. The camping tickets sold out just 2 months before the festival started and the festival saw a 300% growth. It also saw the first edition of STOKED launch, the official Anne Stokes fan event.
Despite covid measures and an insane +30 degrees in the sun, several thousand visitors were able to enjoy bands such as PerKelt and The Dolmen. The future of Fantasy Forest was as bright as the sun.
2020
The Dark Age
The world is in lockdown and the Guardian Tree could not risk exposing the magical creatures of Fantasy Forest.
For the first time, Fantasy Forest enters the digital world. 16.000 people world wide get a glimpse of what Fantasy Forest is all about through a 4-hour long livestream. A grand success, which led to annual livestreams in a quality rarely seen within the fantasy scene.
The livestream saw multiple bands from across Europe perform live.
2019
Year of the Dragon
After years of preperation, festival veterans launched their own event at Sudeley Castle: Fantasy Forest Festival.
2019 can be considered a success, despite it’s lack of visitors. With bands such as The Dolmen, Greenrose Faire and Harmony Glen, combined with the experience from it’s team and the overall scale, the first festival was up there with established festivals.