2017, marks the fourth year of the award winning weekend returning to The Peak District which is world famous for a 3-day showcase of the Best of British which in 2016 attracted 40,000 weekend visitors. The family Festival reaches its pinnacle on the third day with the globally renowned mass participation event, known as 'The World's Most Handsome Bike Ride' which saw 4,500 Riders on pre-1987 road bikes taking part in 2016. 

Legendary platinum selling 80's icons ABC will be taking to the Main Stage as top billing headliners on Saturday Night. ABC will be performing smash hits from The Lexicon of Love and The Lexicon of Love II. Martin Fry, a keen cyclist has also confirmed that he will be making a weekend of it and enjoying the Festival over the weekend, before taking up the challenge of The Ride on Sunday with his family.

ABC frontman Martin Fry comments, 'Really looking forward to Eroica Britannia. Vintage sounds with vintage wheels. Dusting down my pre '87 kit as we speak'

Norman Jay MBE one of the most respected and popular DJs in the World who has been awarded an MBE for services to deejaying and music will be hosting a special era specific Funk, Soul, Rare Groove, Disco & Motown DJ set on the Main Stage on Friday Night and there are rumours that Norman Jay MBE will also be taking to the trails and white roads of The Peak District on Sunday 18th June for The Ride as well!

Eroica Britannia says 'It will be 35 years, almost to day since the platinum selling album 'The Lexicon of Love' entered the UK album charts at number 1, we can't think of a more exciting or relevant Headliner for the Saturday night, especially with Martin Fry's love of flamboyant outfitting and sartorial style which is the perfect match for the 3-day glamour of Eroica Britannia. The stars truly aligned when Martin and his family confirmed they would be joining us on The Ride. Eroica Britannia is truly going to be an all-star line-up in 2017 with Festival Headliners, famous faces and legendary sportsmen and women joining us over the 3-days.' 

 

The fourth year of the event has brought UK headline grabbing changes with the relocation of the Festival camp to the expansive farmlands surrounding Friden Grange in the Peak District National Park.  Chosen for its connectivity to the White Peak arterial travel route, the High Peak Trail, the former Cromford and High Peak Railway now has a starring role in the event. The ease of access onto the Trail and the adventure beyond sees Sunday's startline to the Headline Ride  leaving the Festival camp for the very first time and also allows for two free events to take place - a Twilight Adventure Ride on Friday and the Islabikes Family Ride on the Saturday. 

The new location allows Eroica Britannia to expand on the family friendly Festival line-up with era specific Headliners and more space to house on-site camping, glamping and parking but also to focus a keen eye on The Ride. 

 

In 2017 The Ride journeys even deeper into the British countryside exploring new parts of the midsummer wilderness and lesser known parts National Park to experience new villages, sights, communities and incredible landscapes as they take part in The Great British Adventure. 

The 3 routes which are famed for covering tough but beautiful landscapes sees some all important changes as the new location opens up to explore new villages and adventures through new lands. The shortest ride route  (originally 30) has had a 5 mile snip leaving a 25 mile route, making it a great choice for families and riders of all levels of fitness. The 55 mile and the 100 mile demand serious training preparation, as the route tackles some of the toughest climbs and the most challenging terrain in the area. As ever, the same rules apply; riders can only participate with pre-1987 road bikes and be dressed to the nines in flamboyant traditional and vintage threads!

Eroica Britannia comments '2017 is shaping up to be a most handsome year. We are going to be presenting a world class, 5 star family festival weekend in the 100 acres of our new location which includes beautiful woodlands and great expanses of lush green countryside. Our Headliners, Norman Jay MBE on the Friday, ABC on Saturday and on the Sunday, the 4,500 Riders wowing us with their steely style and determination on their restored pre-1987 cycles in incredible outfitting heading towards our festival finish line to crowds of cheering thousands is the stuff that dreams are made of.'

Festival Tickets. £20 1 day pass, £30 3-day pass. Kids under 12yrs go free

Ride Places: £65/£45

1 Night's Free Camping on Thursday 15th June