The pagan two-day festival of Litha is coming to Dalton Moor Farm from 20 to 22 June and here’s why you can’t miss it…

In ancient times, Litha festival – also Midsummer or the summer solstice – was there to mark the beginning of summer and the longest day of the year.

And from 20 – 22 June, Dalton Moor Farm, at Dalton-Le-Dale, Seaham, will once again be putting the focus firmly on nature, with a weekend packed with outdoor activities, workshops, music and crafts.

A renowned centre of sustainable practice with environmental regeneration and celebration at its heart, Dalton Moor Farm will be opening its meadows, woodland and orchard to visitors from across the region and further afield.

Litha at Dalton Moor Farm – what to expect?

And the fun will begin on Saturday with an emphasis on wellbeing. Visitors will be able to take part in yoga and reiki and explore the various properties of essential oils.

There will also be meditations, chanting, breathing exercises, forest bathing, tree hugging, and drumming for wellbeing, with live music and poetry well into the evening.

Sunday’s theme will be family fun with circus, dance, drumming, forest school and an adventure trail while, on both days of the festival, there will be craft workshops, craft traders and the chance to sample a variety of healthy food and drinks.

The festival is part of year-round programme of events at the farm, which Dr Jenny Connor has spent the past decade transforming into a leading centre of sustainable farming and food production; growing crops, rewilding and regenerating the land.

She said:

“As far back as Anglo Saxon times and probably earlier, people understood the importance of working in harmony with the land and the cycles of the seasons and that is the ethos of everything we do here at Dalton Moor Farm.

“I hope as many people as possible will join us for a celebration of this seasonal milestone as we acknowledge and show our gratitude for life on Earth and the precious gifts each season brings us,” she said.

Litha at Dalton Moor Farm – tickets and prices

A family ticket for the entire weekend costs £190, with individual adult tickets at £75, while those wishing to attend on Saturday only will pay £120 for a family ticket and £50 for individual adults,+3 with evening only tickets priced at £25.

On Sunday, the family festival tickets cost £99 with adult tickets at £40 and children’s tickets at £10 on each day, with car parking also available at a charge of £15 per day.

Overnight accommodation is available separately for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights and is limited to three two-person bell tents and three shared wooden tee pees.

Additional camping may be available nearer the time.

All tickets – which will incur booking charges – are available at daltonmoorfarm.co.uk