CORNWALL’s most rambunctious garden fête made its grand return over the weekend.

The Great Estate event at Scorrier House delivered a mash-up of the wild and the whimsical, which included everything from drag queens to futuristic drummers, pop-up pubs to woodland raves.

It was a weekend where floor filling tunes floated from the forest, impersonating police officers roamed the grounds, marvellous moustaches went missing, and the annual Victorian Sports Day revived the egg and spoon race.

By day, families explored trails, took part in workshops, and soaked up talks, crafts, and wellness sessions. By night, the estate came alive with headline artists, theatrical splendour, and plenty of after-dark mischievous moments.

Saturday night belonged to Supergrass, who lit up the main stage with a celebration of their chart-topping and Mercury-nominated debut album I Should Coco which was recorded at Sawmills Studio in Fowey back in 1994. Blending nostalgia, swagger and unmistakable Britpop energy, the flawless performance kicked off with ‘I’d Like to Know’ and included anthems like ‘Alright’ and ‘Pumping on Your Stereo’ which had the crowd singing back every word. In an unexpected moment, Shane Hawkins, son of the late Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins, joined the band on stage to play drums for ‘Caught by the Fuzz’, delivering a moving tribute to his father and a standout moment of the weekend.

Bringing the spirit of the Madchester era to Scorrier Estate, Friday evening saw Happy Mondays deliver an electrifying headline set with frontman Shaun Ryder’s unmistakable vocals and Bez’s lively dancing holding the crowd. Leftfield delivered a powerful ending to The Great Estate Festival 2025 closing out Sunday night with a performance that proved why they remain one of the UK’s most influential live electronic acts.

Festival directors, Ben Hall and Ian Whittaker said: “This year’s Great Estate Festival exceeded all expectations. From unforgettable headline performances to the immersive theatre and carefully crafted happenings, we’re incredibly proud of the entire team for bringing together another truly remarkable edition.”

Revellers were treated to a weekend of high-energy rock and drumming brilliance as Shane Hawkins joined forces with Miles Elze, The Alive’s powerhouse drummer, for an exclusive drum clinic inside the grand hall of Scorrier House. Offering an intimate glimpse into their techniques and musical influences, the session set the tone for what followed — an explosive main stage performance from The Alive featuring a thrilling drum battle between Miles and guest drummer Shane.

From risqué cabaret to lip-sync battles and circus thrills, Madame Wong’s House of Wrong served up a heady mix of drag, burlesque, and late-night debauchery. This anything-goes corner of the festival welcomed a string of comedians, circus acts, the much-loved Hip Hop Karaoke, a celebration of Dolly Parton, Shell Suit Cher-Believe in Bingo, and none other than Elvis Lesley. The Great Estate Drag Race brought glitz, sky-high heels and diva energy to the catwalk as a fierce line-up of queens from across the UK delivered sass-filled singalongs at one of the weekend’s most anticipated shows. And keeping the most unpredictable stage alive until well after the watershed was Charlie Boon, Jaguar Skills, and Tallulah Blue’s cabaret disco.

As the headline acts brought the main stage to a close, the moonlit madness rolled on. The Supersized Silent Disco took the reins for the after-hours antics drawing dancers together for a disco-drenched finale. Orbital Gatherings dropped forest-floor beats beneath the trees throughout the weekend, while The Octopus Arms refused to call last orders until deep into the night.

Away from the stages, festivalgoers of all ages spun, stepped and swayed their way through the weekend thanks to a programme of free dance workshops from swing dance in the Secret Gin Garden to the vibrant rhythms of Bollywood dancing on the lawn of the manor house. Blending family entertainment with a healthy dose of competition, the Victorian Sports Day brought a spot of good old-fashioned fun to the estate’s rolling hills as children and grown-ups went head-to-head in a series of timeless games. Meanwhile, young detectives embarked on an immersive quest to solve the curious case of the missing moustache. After following a hidden trail filled with curious characters sharing stories and riddles, young festival goers returned to ‘The Great Estate Police Farce’ to crack the case and claim their prize.

One of the weekend’s most mesmerising displays came after dark as Spark lit up the festival with a roaming performance of choreographed drumming, movement, and synchronised light. Dressed in glowing futuristic costumes, the troupe paraded through the estate gathering crowds of onlookers as they went.

Offering a moment of calm amid the weekend’s wildness, a hidden corner of indulgence awaited as guests swapped their glittery festival attire for swimsuits at The Great Estate’s swimming pool. Between dips in the water and lounging in the sun, guests embraced wood-fired sauna sessions and ice-cold showers.