Big Names Confirmed for Heligan Homecoming Festival: Why Cornwall’s Latest Event Is Set to Inspire

A star-studded lineup of musicians, comedians and leading thinkers has been confirmed for the very first Heligan Homecoming Festival, set to take place at the Lost Gardens of Heligan this summer.

Running from 13th to 22nd June 2025, the ten-day festival will explore themes of home and belonging, offering a packed schedule of daytime activities and evening headline performances.

📷Poet Laureate Simon Armitage

Music, Laughter and Big Conversations

Among the musical highlights are Seth Lakeman, the Mercury Prize-nominated folk star behind “Kitty Jay,” and Gwenno, the Welsh-Cornish singer-songwriter celebrated for her Cornish-language album Tresor. Gwenno is due to release her fourth studio album, Utopia, on 11th July 2025.

Comedy fans will be treated to performances from Dawn French, beloved star of The Vicar of Dibley and French and Saunders, and Edward Rowe, known across Cornwall as “Kernow King” and for his roles in Bait, Enys Men and TV series including House of the Dragon and The Witcher.

The festival also promises thought-provoking conversations with celebrated guests including Simon Armitage, the UK Poet Laureate; Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, the renowned chef and environmental campaigner; and Merlin Sheldrake, bestselling author of Entangled Life.

📷Edward Rowe (well known in Cornwall as Kernow King)

A Full Experience at Heligan

Each day will offer a mix of daytime activities like beaver tours, ocean-view yoga, foraging walks and farm tours, followed by an evening performance. Tickets are available separately for each day’s events.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy Heligan’s famous Lost Suppers on most festival days. These special meals, usually hosted monthly, will offer an adventurous menu packed with ingredients sourced directly from Heligan’s gardens.

Laura Chesterfield, managing director of the Lost Gardens of Heligan, said: “We are incredibly excited to be unveiling the full lineup for our first Heligan Homecoming Festival and privileged that so many big names will be gathering at our gardens to celebrate the theme of home and belonging.”

Laura added: “Homecoming will be an enriching and lively experience that will inspire thought, laughter and dancing throughout.”

How to Get Tickets

Tickets for the Heligan Homecoming Festival are now available. To see the full programme and book, visit www.heliganhomecoming.co.uk.

📷Gwenno

📷Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

📷Merlin Sheldrake

📷Seth Lakeman

📷Dawn French