North Norfolk churches to host classical festival

The five churches of the Glaven Valley on the North Norfolk Coast – Blakeney, Cley, Glandford, Letheringsett and Wiveton – will be hosting a week of varied and exciting programme of classical music in July.

The festival will provide five days of high-level concerts and events featuring musicians of international acclaim alongside established professionals from across Norfolk, in five different churches, each with their own unique architecture, history and atmosphere.
 
Featured artist for 2026 is international cellist Guy Johnston, right, bringing to Norfolk his current UK tour of Bach and Britten Cello Suites as well as appearing in recital with Festival Artistic Director Brenda Blewett and resident string quartet, Chaos Collective.
 
The big Festival highlight promises to be a spectacular evening given by Classical Brit Award winners, Blake, pictured top. This will be in the magical setting of Bayfield Hall. Expect rousing music, popping corks and all in the setting of one of Norfolk’s most beautiful estates.
 
Also hear award-winning young musicians in concert, and acclaimed duo ‘Flutes and Frets’ in atmospheric Glandford Church. Witness a family concert with live illustration by James Mayhew or hear Schubert’s haunting tale of The Fair Maid of the Mill, sung by Julian Godlee, in collaboration with Letheringsett Mill. Chaos Collective give a Cocktail Concert, and Cley Church becomes a jazz café for a night.  A celebratory Festival Finale features  Norwich Baroqueand trumpeter Simon Munday in a feast of Baroque concertos.
 
Five Churches Festival is thrilled to announce its first patron is celebrated countertenor Michael Chance, CBE. In the 2026 Festival Michael will talk about his distinguished operatic career and give a public vocal masterclass.
 
The festival will run from Wednesday 8 July to Sunday 12 July 2026. Priority booking for Friends opens on 30 March, with tickets on general release from 6 April.
 
For more information and booking details, visit: fivechurchesfestival.com

The photos of Blake and Guy Johnston are courtesy of Five Churches Festival.

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