Making Hay — A Folk Gathering, 12

12–15 August 2027 · Baskerville Hall · near Hay-on-Wye

Making Hay is a new, intimate folk gathering in the beautiful grounds of the historic hotel, Baskerville Hall, bringing around 500 people together for four summer days of music, creativity, conversation, wellbeing and celebration. Rooted in the spirit of folk culture — singing, playing, making, sharing ideas and spending good time together.

The first Making Hay will also mark a very personal moment: Pete Lawrence's 70th year, the publication of his memoirs and the release of his new album This Is The Fire. At the heart of the weekend, Pete and Lizi Sage will celebrate their marriage with a handfasting ceremony, surrounded by friends, family, musicians and the wider gathering.

Across Baskerville Hall and its grounds there will be live music and dancing, open jam sessions, community singing and campfires, alongside a creative space for writers and artists. An immersive listening space will explore This Is The Fire, including a conversation with Pete and his co-producer about the making of the record.

Rooms throughout the Hall will host talks, ceilidhs, workshops and storytelling, while a dedicated wellbeing area will offer yoga, embodiment, gong baths, massage and other restorative practices.

At the heart of the festival

We tie the knot

Pete Lawrence is turning 70. He's written a book. He's made an album, This Is The Fire, with co-producer Oskar Vizan. And he's asked his beloved Lizi Sage to marry him. Rather than squeeze all of that into a single afternoon, we're taking four days at Baskerville Hall — 130 acres of Welsh countryside on the edge of Hay-on-Wye — and creating an intimate gathering: part festival, part creative retreat, part family celebration.

The wedding sits at the emotional heart of the weekend. It's an invitation to spend four days inside Pete and Lizi's world — the music, the writing, the wellbeing, the friendships — and to be there, in whatever way feels right, as we all come together in celebration.

The Full Story

Pete Lawrence and Lizi Sage smiling together at dusk, under a floral and ribbon-strung arch at Baskerville Hall

Six spaces, one gathering

The Spaces

Rather than one big programme grid, Making Hay is organised into distinct spaces around the grounds — each with its own rhythm, from the pulse of the main stage to the hush of The Well.

The Garden

Main Stage

Folk bands, late-night sessions and the wedding party.

The Word

Creative Space

Writers, poets and storytellers, up close.

The Fire Within

Immersive Album

Step inside This Is The Fire, track by track.

The Well

Wellbeing

Gong baths, yoga and quiet in the shade.

The Jam Jar

Sessions

Bring an instrument. Everyone's welcome.

The Barn

Dancing

Ceilidh tradition by day, DJ sessions by night.

Thursday to Sunday

Four days, one arc

Thursday

Arrival & Opening

Camping opens, welcome music and an opening ceremony to set the fire alight.

Friday

Creative Fire

Music, writing, the album experience and the first ceilidh of the weekend.

Saturday

Celebration

Pete & Lizi's handfasting, the wedding feast, and a party that runs to dawn.

Sunday

The Fire Goes On

A slow brunch, a final concert, a closing circle, and farewells.

See the Full Programme

Under the same stars

This gathering is co-created

Much of Making Hay is built by the people who come to it — as performers, volunteers, contributors and campfire storytellers. If you'd like to help make it happen, we'd love to hear from you.

Crew & Performers Join the Mailing List