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Latitude secures Henham Park home for next 25 years

Katy Prickett
News imageAlice Rothwell/BBC A close-up of the Latitude Festival sign on the top of a stage at the event. The letters are in block capitals, edged in black and coloured yellow fading to cream. Above it is sky.Alice Rothwell/BBC
Latitude Festival takes place at Henham Park, near Southwold, Suffolk, every July

One of the UK's biggest festivals will remain at its current home for another 25 years, its organiser has revealed.

Latitude Festival is marking its 20th anniversary this year and from small beginnings has become a four-day music and culture event attracting a total crowd of about 135,000 people.

Founder and organiser Melvin Benn told festival-goers on Sunday he had signed a new 25-year lease to keep it based at Henham Park near Southwold, Suffolk.

In the build-up to this year's event, Hektor Rous, whose family own the estate, told the BBC he was "really proud" to have hosted it since 2006.

News imageLaura Foster/BBC Melvin Benn smiles at the camera on the site of the Latitude Festival. He has white hair and wears glasses and a dark jacket. It is just his face in the shot. Behind him, there is a lake and some trees. The background is out of focus.Laura Foster/BBC
Organiser Melvin Benn set up the Latitude Festival 20 years ago

Benn was discussing the festival's 20-year history on stage with Prof George McKay of the University of East Anglia when he revealed he had signed the 25-year lease.

The festival was launched in 2006 as a modest affair, with a peak daily attendance of just 4,500.

But right from the start, it showcased literature, poetry, dance and theatre performances, as well as science.

News imageGetty Images A colourful sign with words such as COMEDY and THEATRE written on it at Latitude Festival. Behind it are trees. Getty Images
Latitude Festival is as much about comedy and theatre as it is music

Latitude is renowned for its eclectic mix of bands and artists and headliners this year included David Byrne, Teddy Swims, and Lewis Capaldi.

Singer-songwriter Tom Odell was one of the highlights on Saturday, making his Latitude debut.

But perhaps the most amazing moment this year came when Craig Brown, 33, and Tara Sweeting, 29, chose the 20th anniversary event to tie the knot.

News imageGeorge King/BBC Craig Brown and Tara Sweeting are smiling and laughing as they get married in front of a taller man wearing a white shirt with a script in his hand. In the background are two other men, who are casually dressed.George King/BBC
Craig Brown and Tara Sweeting exchanged their wedding vows at Latitude Festival

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