The Wail is a celebration of folksong and some of the finest singers in the land come to Verwood once a year to sit and sing all day and night. The site is compact and nothing is more than a couple of minutes walk away. We are a family friendly festival and welcome people of all ages, we have a kids area with a bouncy castle and plenty of activities to keep them busy.
We have camping and caravans on site and there’s plenty of accommodation nearby if you fancy somewhere indoors. Some of the highlights of the weekend are the Mediaeval Banquet, the Cream Tea Concert and the Music Session.
We have a large food tent serving home cooked food for the weekend for just £20 per person plus on Saturday evening there's a fancy dress Mediaeval Banquet (included in the ticket price). Vegetarian/Vegan and Allergies catered for.
The Wail has 2 bar tents plus a bar in the food tent, each serving a range of local ales and ciders plus lager, spirits and soft drinks.
What the weekend is about. From Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon the bars and food marquee are filled with people singing. Quiet songs, loud songs, fast, slow and silly songs, all songs are welcome.
10.00 Campsite Opens
12.00 The Fox and Ferret Opens – Ad Hoc Singing
18.30 - 20.00 Friday Evening Meal
19.30 Singing in The Festival Arms and The Fox and Ferret
2.00 Bars Close
09.00 - 10.30 Breakfast
11.00 Mediaeval Costume Workshop
12.00 The Festival Arms and The Fox and Ferret Open For Singing
13.00 - 14.00 Buffet Lunch Served
14.30 - 15.30 Music Session in The Festival Arms
15.30 - 17.30 Ballad Session in The Festival Arms
19.30 Mediaeval Banquet
09.30 - 11.00 Breakfast
12.00 - Bars Open
13.00 - Cream Tea Showcase
15.00 - Final Sing
16.00 - Bars Close
Mediaeval Banquet – Fancy dress is the order of the day. There is an opportunity to make a costume in the morning with the help of our expert seamstresses. Join us in your finery at 8pm in the food tent for a night like no other. We roast a pig over an open fire throughout the day and then feast like its 1399.
Our Lord and Lady lead the celebrations with each table singing for their supper, usually with a specially written pig related song. We serve a 4 course meal direct to the tables with a fully licenced bar serving through the night.
Homemade scones are served with jam and cream at lunchtime, Sunday. This is a chance for some of our guests to showcase any songs they want to perform to a welcoming audience. Feel free to bring merchandise to sell and/or perform with instruments.
Led by Jon Heslop this is a chance to bring your instruments and play some music. All instruments welcome, even banjos.
Weekend Tickets |
|
Earlybird Weekend Ticket Adult - Includes camping / caravans and the Mediaeval Banquet |
£30 |
Child / Youth Weekend Ticket (children under 16) |
Free |
Meal TicketsMeal tickets include Friday evening meal, Saturday breakfast and lunch and Sunday breakfast. Please note that meals can only be guaranteed if you book at least 7 days before the start of the festival. |
|
Adult Meal Ticket |
£20 |
Child Meal Ticket (children under 14) |
£10 |