The festival edit: From boutique to big name, discover the best British music fests you can hop on a train to

So you missed out on Glastonbury? Or you’ve got the post-festival blues? Not to worry – there are still loads of amazing festivals to enjoy this summer, all easily accessible by rail. You can watch big name acts in big cities, rock out at legendary events, go off-grid in secret locations or enjoy splendid music against stunning scenery.

Here we’ve picked out ten of the best events around the country to enjoy this summer – and you can reach them all by train. This means you don’t have to stress about traffic jams or parking, plus it’s a greener way to travel, too.

Better still, you can rock (or dance or Indie) out for less this summer. Railcard offers a third off rail travel around Britain. With nine Railcards to choose from, giving a third off most train journeys and saving customers an average of £172 a year, it pays for itself in no time. Find the one for you at railcard.co.uk.

Read on for our guide to this year’s must-experience fests…

Trnsmt, Glasgow, 11-13 July

The line up for this inner city festival includes Biffy Clyro, Gracie Abrams, 50 Cent, Snow Patrol and Fontaines D.C, with Underworld, Shed Seven and Confidence Man heading the second stage. While over on the BBC Introducing Stage you can discover exciting new names in music, including local rising stars. One of the easiest to access music fests, Trnsmt takes place on Glasgow Green, within walking distance from all the city’s major train stations, so it’s perfect if you’re not keen on camping. In between acts, there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the Hangout, from Bongo’s Bingo to high energy ceilidhs and Drag-aoke, plus plenty of street food options to fuel your festival-ing.

Nearest stations: Glasgow Central, Queen Street, High Street, and Bridgeton

Camp Bestival, Dorset, 31 July - 3 August

Set in the grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset, Camp Bestival has become the ultimate family friendly music festival. This year you can catch The Sugababes, Basement Jaxx, Tom Jones and ‘Tay Tay’ herself (well, a Taylor Swift tribute act called Miss Americana). Little ones will love the CBeebies Bedtime story tent, Rock School, Roller Disco and circus shows, while grown ups can unwind in the Slomo Wellness Field, which features hot tubs, sauna sessions and ice baths for those who have overdone it on the dance floor.

Nearest stations: Wool and Wareham (15 minute taxi ride to festival)

Boardmasters, Newquay, 6-10 August

Can’t decide between a festival or a trip to the coast? Combine both at Boardmasters. This beachside festival at Watergate Bay in north Cornwall combines big names in music (this year’s headliners are Raye, Central Cee and The Prodigy) with a celebration of surf culture – featuring the country’s biggest surf competition. Not a surfer? Don’t worry, there’s the chance to take lessons over the weekend. You can also enjoy skating, BMX and comedy, silent discos and after parties at iconic venues around Newquay following the main sets.

Nearest station: Newquay (shuttle bus to festival site)

Boomtown, Hampshire, 6-10 August

Taking place on a working dairy farm in the South Downs national park, BoomTown describes itself as a “parallel world divided into themed districts, each with a unique design, stages, characters and experiences.” Attendees are referred to as “citizens” for the duration of the weekend, encouraged to explore different worlds and ways of living. There’s music – including Maribou State and The Sex Pistols – but this is about having an experience rather than just catching bands. While the event is officially sold out, you can by ‘Citizen-to-citizen’ resale tickets via the website from those no longer able to make it.

Nearest station: Winchester (three miles away, shuttle buses run from station)

All Points East, London, Aug 15, 16, 22, 23, 24

If camping isn’t your vibe, or you just want to dip in and out, a day festival lets you catch loads of great music while still going home to a warm, comfy bed (and clean toilets). Over two weekends, All Points East in London’s Victoria Park offers five different enticing bills of live music with headliners Cleo Sol, Chase & Status, Raye, Barry Can’t Swim and The Maccabees, each with a brilliant supporting line-up. There’s also plenty of street food and bars, free drinking water and a funfair.

Nearest stations: Cambridge Heath and Bethnal Green overground stations

Creamfields, Cheshire, 21-24 August

The long running, legendary dance festival returns to the Daresbury estate in Cheshire for another thumping bank holiday weekend. Acts including ANYMA, Chase and Status, David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia are all playing this year. The festival is also introducing a host of new experiences including a new sports and entertainment village called Downtown, featuring five-a-side football, basketball, a DJ Academy, Rave Aerobics, an on-site spa and more. There’s also a new stage called Halo, promising a unique, immersive experience.

Nearest stations: Runcorn Station, Warrington Central, Warrington Bank Quay and Liverpool Lime Street (shuttle bus to festival site).

Reading Festival, 21-24 August

Even as dozens of other festivals have sprung up in recent years, this classic indie and rock festival is still going strong. This year Chappell Roan is playing the main stage, along with Hozier, Travis Scott, Bring Me The Horizon and Limp Bizkit — but, as always, there’s loads to discover on the other stages. It’s all about the music here – though the comedy tent always attracts big names too. Plus with a range of camping options to choose from - including the calm environs of The Garden, solo camp The Valley, and glamping options in the Pink Moon Boutique village, you can find the perfect place to crash. The festival is just a 15 minute walk from the rail station, making it super convenient to arrive by train.

Nearest station: Reading

Shambala, Northamptonshire, 21-24 Aug

This totally independent music and arts festival at a secret countryside estate in Northamptonshire has been going for 25 years and is sometimes dubbed a “mini Glastonbury” for its emphasis on creativity, diversity and sustainability. Music wise, you’ll find everything from drum & bass, techno and house, to soul, reggae and Afrobeat to hip hop, punk and folk. There’s also poetry, dance, fancy dress, literature, politics and lots more. You can get discounted tickets if you arrive by train, too.

Nearest stations: Long Buckby and Market Harborough (festival shuttle bus from station).

Krakenhaus, Lake District, 22-24 August

Curated by the band Sea Power (formerly British Sea Power), this indie focused festival takes place in stunning surroundings on the grounds of Muncaster Castle in the Lake District. Sea Power themselves headline one night, with Arab Strap and Throwing Muses also on the bill. Besides lots of music, you can immerse yourself in the incredible local nature, via birds of prey displays, fell walks, wildlife watching and talks. The nearest mainline station is within walking distance of the festival and there’s also The Ravenglass & Eskdale steam railway nearby.

Nearest station: Ravenglass

Forwards, Bristol, 23-24 August

Forwards, which takes place in the heart of Bristol, has a unique ethos: present big name acts alongside emerging artists, so as well as enjoying today’s best music, you can discover tomorrow’s, too. On Saturday the line up includes Ezra Collective, Orbital, English Teacher and the Happy Mondays, while on Sunday there’s Doechii, Jorja Smith and The Last Dinner Party – all supported by some of the most exciting new musicians from Bristol and beyond. It’s also family-friendly, with a dedicated kids area, featuring immersive shows and exciting workshops, theatre, ball pool, skate ramp, arts and crafts, music and more.

Nearest stations: Clifton Downs and Bristol Temple Meads.

Enjoy great value British adventures by train

From stunning nature and the Great Outdoors, to culture, cuisine and incredible scenery, there’s no doubt Britain has it all in spades, and these unmissable adventures are just a simple, enjoyable train ride away. So there’s never been a better time to start planning some Great British getaways, from day trips to weekends away or a longer staycation.

With Railcard, whether you’re travelling solo or with a friend, on a couples weekend or off on holiday with the family, you can save on all sorts of train journeys around Great Britain. Railcard helps you save a third off rail travel and for just £35 for the year, it pays for itself in no time. With 9 different Railcards available, find the one for you at railcard.co.uk