Poltimore House is hosting a two-day festival featuring live music, film screenings, workshops, food stalls and more on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May.
Following a major fire at the house in early April, Poltimore Festival will be held entirely in the grounds with workshops, activities, chill-out spaces, a secret cinema and craft market all now taking place outdoors.
The live music line-up, with DJs between acts, includes Datura Roots Collective, The Scribes and Pattern Pusher on the main stage and Soot Sprite, Kid Hyena and 3 Days of Wonder on the second stage.
Other activities include slam poetry, African drumming and well-being workshops. There will also be food stalls and two bars.
Organised by Music in Devon Initiative (MIDI), Poltimore House Trust and Friends of Poltimore House, the festival will help raise renovation funds.
The history of Poltimore House dates back to the 16th century. It was the seat of the Bampfylde family until 1920, when the estate was sold. The house and grounds were retained and leased to a school before being used as an NHS hospital until 1974.
The house suffered an arson attack in 1987, followed by a series of thefts and acts of vandalism, and lay empty until Poltimore House Trust, a charity established in 2000, began restoration.
The most recent fire, which began on 9 April in the early morning, is also thought to be the result of arson. It caused extensive damage but left the structure of the house intact.
Before this event the main hallway, library, surgery and other parts of the house had been brought back into use and had hosted performances, arts and craft fairs and previous festivals.
The main building has since been cordoned off and Poltimore House Trust has launched a crowdfunder to make the site safe and continue restoration work.
A cafe and farm shop in the grounds will re-open in early May.
This year’s Poltimore Festival takes place from 12pm on Saturday 25 May to 11pm on Sunday 26 May.
Tickets cost £60 for the weekend or £35 for each day plus a £3.50 booking fee. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available here.
