Lifestyle

Behind the Cycling Scenes of Eroica Britannia Festival

There's plenty more than just vintage cycling to entertain you at the 3 day extravaganza

The Eroica Britannia festival is certainly a highlight of the year where cycling, music, culture and passion for times gone by culminates in a three-day summer extravaganza. Although there’s a lot more to the festival than just riding bicycles…

This near sell-out event is expected to be their biggest turn out yet with cycling enthusiasts attending from all over the world. For those that are interested in riding bikes, the challenging routes will have you cycling on pre-1987 bikes, but if you’ve not got an appropriate bike, you can hire one and have it ready and waiting for you at the festival.

What makes Eroica Britannia stand out from other cycling festivals isn’t just the focus on heritage cycling and all things vintage, but the tremendous offering of entertainment, music, delicious food and activities for non-cycling folk.

Live Music

A festival wouldn’t be complete without entertainment and Eroica Britannia is no exception with their jam-packed schedule of musical talent to energise the crowd and keep spirits high throughout the weekend. Here are a few of the live acts confirmed thus far…

Norman Jay MBE will be live on stage playing some of the best funk, soul and Motown tracks to get you off your feet and dancing the night away.

Steven Page will not only be riding his classic steel frame bicycle but he’ll also be on stage playing his Clawhammer style banjo and busting out some American classics.

Leanne & The Radix will be on the stage with their brilliant and award-winning UK reggae talent

The Indieannas will be playing their upbeat indie rock music to get you energised for the full festival experience.

ABC will be making a main stage appearance re-living their hits from the 80’s.

Laura Oakes will be taking to the stage on Sunday with her multi-award winning voice to sing out the end of the festival.

With many more acts on the line-up and still more to be confirmed…

Family Entertainment

While the cyclists are out pedalling the lanes on their vintage bicycles, there’s still plenty to do at headquarters. Whether you fancy lying around in the sunshine having a picnic, shopping at the local stalls of crafts and festival trinkets, or perhaps sampling some of the tasty delights that show has on offer: gin bars, high-tea cafés and cake sales to name a few.

Eroica Britannia will have a children’s adventure club running each day throughout the festival for under 12 yr olds. Venturing off into the woods to build camps, make crafts and enjoy the outdoors, the kids club is great if you fancy heading out for a pootle on the bikes.

Of course one of the most fabulous highlights of Eroica Britannia is the flare for all things vintage. Old-fashioned clothing is encouraged and if you don’t have any, you can play dress-up at the event with numerous costumes to try on to get you into the good time groove.

While there are a number of luxury camping packages on offer at Eroica Britannia, you can still take your own tent or camper to pitch up the perfect spot for a weekend of fresh air and outdoor fun from just £70 per pitch.

If you want to look and feel the part of vintage Eroica, then head over to the official online shop where you’ll find classic style cycling jerseys, bags and bottles to complete the look in preparation for the weekend’s festivities.

The Eroica Britannia festival is taking place from Friday, June 16th – Sunday, June 18th in the green and pleasant farmlands surrounding Friden Grange in the Peak District National Park.

Tickets are on sale here. You can choose the full weekend experience, or just attend on singular days for the ride, or just for the atmosphere.