Harlington Manor from the Harlington Manor website

Peter Bacon reports:

They’re claiming it will be the UK’s first fully vegan jazz festival. It’s called the Jazzeco Boutique Jazz Festival and it’s all happening in the pastoral idyll (with a dark past – see the Bunyan connection below) that is Harlington Manor in Bedfordshire on 7 July 2018.

According to the festival’s press release:

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“Sharing centre stage with the accomplished musicians, who include Tina May, Frank Griffith, Marco Marconi, Melanie May and Hezron Springer, will be spectacular vegan food, influenced by international flavours.

“‘We believe we are holding the UK’s first fully vegan Jazz festival. Through the event we hope to raise awareness of vegan food and eco credentials in a celebratory atmosphere,’ said event organiser Keith Brown. ‘We will also be showcasing local crafts and playing host to a number of charitable stalls. We have had a lot of interest from people wanting to attend or participate, which is really encouraging. We hope to grow the event and make it a highlight of the vegan year.’

“The venue is to be the beautiful gardens of the 14th century Manor, recently named by The Times as one of the top three boutique bed-and-breakfasts in the UK and which possesses spectacular Tudor and Jacobean interiors. The main stage stands in front of the principal facade of the house. We will be projecting, as night falls, a light show onto the white, rendered garden front of the house, famous as being the venue for the interrogation and imprisonment of John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrims Progress, in 1660.”

Tickets can be purchased direct from (text 07976 283689) or on Eventbrite at £30.

In line with the festival’s eco-friendly credentials, car parking will be limited, but Harlington mainline station (45 minutes journey time from St Pancras International) is just a three minute walk away. There is parking at the station and a small amount of parking at the venue.

For more information please visit manorjazz.com.