Victoria Hattersley takes a look at the line-ups at this summer's music festivals, plus the events that are happening closer to home. Just don't forget your wellies…t The headlining acts at the Isle of Wight festival, which starts this Friday, June 12, include the Prodigy, Stereophonics, Razorlight and the legendary Neil Young.

VICTORIA HATTERSLEY takes a look at the line-ups at this summer's music festivals, plus the events that are happening closer to home. Just don't forget your wellies…

t The headlining acts at the Isle of Wight festival, which starts this Friday, June 12, include the Prodigy, Stereophonics, Razorlight and the legendary Neil Young. Alternative favourites the Pixies, Basement Jaxx, the View and the Ting Tings will also be appearing. Originally held from 1968-1970, the event is now in its eighth year since its highly successful rebirth in 2002. Visit www. isleofwightfestival .com

t After 2008's controversial headliner, rapper Jay-Z, and slow ticket sales, the Glastonbury festival has gone back to its roots with a line-up of greats including Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and the newly re-formed Blur playing on the main stages.

But the event will have something for everyone, playing host to a dizzying array of acts, such as spoof band Spinal Tap, Fleet Foxes and Dizzee Rascal. As always, there will also be many other weird and varied entertainments at the Green Fields and Shangri-La areas. The event, which is held from June 26-28 at Worthy Farm in Somerset, is sold out.

t This year's V festival, as we have come to expect, will offer a number of crowd-pleasing, high profile acts such as Oasis, the Killers, Fatboy Slim, Lily Allen, Razorlight, Keane and Elbow. The festival takes place over the weekend of August 22-23 at two different locations - Hyland Park, Chelmsford and Weston Park, Staffordshire - with the bill swapping between the two days. www. vfestival.com

t The biggest acts at the Reading and Leeds festival 2009 are Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead and Kings of Leon. Reading is arguably the world's oldest music festival still in existence, having started as a jazz event and moved on to cover mainly rock music but also indie and pop. Reading and Leeds will take place from August 28-30 at Little John's Farm, Reading, and Bramham Park, Leeds. Tickets for Reading are now sold out but some day tickets for Leeds are available from www.leedsfestival.com

t Bestival is the last major event of the summer festival season and is one of the smallest with a crowd of around 17,000 expected this year. With its diverse mix of performers including Elbow, eighties electro-poppers Kraftwerk, Massive Attack and Lily Allen, and a particular focus on catering for those with young children, Bestival has an atmosphere which sets it apart. The event will take place from September 11-13 at Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight. www. bestival.net

CLOSER TO HOME

t The countdown is on to Elton John's outdoor summer show on Sunday, June 14, at Holkham Hall. Fans can bring a picnic blanket to the cricket ground adjacent to the hall, relax and enjoy the music of the global superstar with a career reaching back over four decades. For classical music fans, other summer events at the hall include the Diva Opera performing La Boh�me on Friday July 3 and Orpheus in the Underworld on Saturday July 4. For details visit www.holkham.co.uk

t This summer, High Lodge at Thetford Forest is once again playing host to a number of high-profile acts as part of the Forestry Commission's Live Music tour, which has been bringing music to unique outdoor locations throughout the UK since 2001. The first weekend of the 2009 tour saw performances by singer-songwriter James Morrison, veteran rocker Paul Weller and Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. The second weekend of the tour will begin on Thursday, July 9, with 80s favourites The Human League, followed by David Gray on the Friday and rounded off with pop sensations the Sugababes on the Saturday.

t The annual music events at historic Blickling Hall have an 80s theme this year. Simple Minds, one of the decade's most popular groups, will be playing on Friday, July 17, as part of a tour to support their new album Graffiti Soul. This will be followed by the Greatest 80s Party on the Saturday night, where nostalgia lovers will be treated to a line-up including Rick Astley, ABC, Go West, Bananarama and Visage.

t Classical diva Katherine Jenkins will be at Sandringham on August 8.

Tickets for the Thetford Forest, Blickling and Sandringham shows are available via www.edp24 .co.uk/shop and EDP branch offices.

t Read Money Matters in the EDP this Saturday, June 13, for great ideas on how to make sure you have the right insurance when you head off to your chosen festival!