America gave the world the biggest musical love-in with Woodstock; in Australia we had Sunbury in Victoria and Narara in NSW but one thing that summer brings in the United Kingdom is the best selection of music festivals in the world.

Now you might think that music festivals are only associated with rock music, rain and lots of mud – not always the case. There are a variety of festivals to choose from and once you have been to one you will want to go back for more. Never been to one? then now’s your time. Festival Planet has the complete guide to UK Music Festivals for this year. Of course the biggest one on everyone’s list is Glastonbury which offers music to suit all tastes and takes place on the last weekend of June.

But there’s more: consider Wavestock Blenheim at the magnificent Blenheim Palace in June; Latitude Festival in Suffolk featuring literature, poetry and theatre in July and the Reading Festival in August which will feature the band Metallica.

There is a very useful guide detailing what to take along with you to one of the festivals, and what to leave at home (they are huge events don’t forget). Also where and how to purchase tickets and, more importantly, how to get there. Don’t forget that the best way to travel is by public transport – the festivals are all well serviced by transport links in order to keep cars to a minimum as most of the festivals are held on private land and estates. It’s also the green way to do the festival thing.

So go on – spend a weekend in the open air and take in some culture.