A small town in Cheshire comes to life every June with the Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival (FAB)! This three day festival started in 1990 and has been getting bigger ever since! Artists come from worldwide to play at the Middlewich Folk and Boat and market traders and floating markets open up. Most of the entertainment is free, from acts in pubs, the Rose Fete and street entertainment.
Middlewich
Middlewich is a small town with three canals. The canals were used to transport raw materials to the town for salt production and for moving salt out of the town. It’s main industry has been salt for about 2000 years, which has shaped the town. There is a strong industrial and Roman heritage in the town. The town gives you a real feel of Cheshire and the beautiful landscape that surrounds the town. The Folk and Boat is one of a number of events held in this town.
Middlewich
The Folk And Boat Festival
For three days in June Middlewich hosts a Folk And Boat Festival. With a live stage that has performances throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday and headliners not to be missed! Many of the pubs in Middlewich host a ‘fringe’ where they have acts playing throughout the day and night. The music is mainly folk and roots. There is also a street festival where you can see Morris dancing and jugglers, to name just a few acts.
Main Field Middlewich Folk And Boat
If you want to see the main act on the live stage, there is a charge. Other acts where tickets are needed have included an English Ceilidh band.
The field with the live stage is also host to a number of stalls and a beer tent. There are craft stalls and gifts available. Head down to the Trent and Mersey Canal for the floating market – where canal boat stalls hawk their wares. The Big Lock and Kings Lock are the main ‘fringe’ venues, as both of these pubs are on the Trent and Mersey Canal, so can be accessed just as easily by boat as on foot!
The Big Lock During Middlewich Folk And Boat
If you want to see the main act on the live stage, there is a charge. Other acts where tickets are needed have included an English Ceilidh band.
Staying At The Folk And Boat
Camping is also available during FAB. The campsite is on Harbutts Field, which is in a great location. It is near to the town centre, floating markets and fringe venues – perfect for the event. You do not have to stay for the whole festival if you camp, you can stay for one, two or three nights. The campsite opens the thursday before the Folk And Boat begins, but must be cleared on the day that it finishes. Camping must be booked and paid for in advance.
If camping isn’t your thing, there is plenty of accommodation in the town. However, the Folk And Boat is a popular event, so book early! There are also other towns and villages a short bus ride away.
Floating Stalls Middlewich FAB
The Middlewich Folk And Boat Festival is becoming more and more popular every year. People from all over the UK come to listen to live music from all over the world. With plenty of activities and entertainment throughout the town it’s no wonder that it has been abbreviated to ‘FAB’!