Alfstock 2025: Underbelly’s Charity Festival Returns This Weekend

On 27 September 2025, the grounds of Ardington House in Oxfordshire will be transformed into a family festival site for the third edition of Alfstock. Run by entertainment company Underbelly, the event brings together live music, theatre, circus performances and workshops, West End musicals, fairground rides, street food and more – but most importantly, it’s raising money for a good cause. 

The festival was created by C&TH’s Deputy Editor Lucinda Baring and her husband, Underbelly founder Ed Bartlam, to raise money for Angel Child, a fund held at The Brain Tumour Charity. Angel Child was set up to fund pioneering research into treatment for paediatric brain tumours, and in honour of Lucinda and Ed’s son, Alfie, who died in summer 2019, aged seven. ‘He grew up playing in the grounds of Ardington, so we have created Alfstock to reflect his joyful and fun-loving nature,’ say Lucinda and Ed.

What To Expect At Alfstock 2025

The day kicks off at 2pm with music from DJ Brett Vincent, ahead of an eclectic line-up of live music, theatre and fun for all the family. Throughout the day, circus workshops will take place in The Family Tent, where you can learn how to hula hoop, juggle and more, while the Disco Island will host roving silent discos that move through the beautiful grounds.

On The Main Stage, there will be performances from the likes of Irish freestyle rapper and comedian Abandoman and West End musicals The Choir of Man and Six, and from 7pm DJ Merlin will keep things lively with an evening set for Alfstock After Dark. Look out, too, for the Spark! Led Drummers, the performance group who this year launched the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury with their blend of drumming, dynamic choreography and lighting.

There will be plenty of street food on offer, as well as bars serving fizz, beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, and festival extras, like glitter artists and face painting and fairground rides. 

Angel Child

Angel Child is raising money to fund a research project in paediatric brain tumours at the Cambridge Cancer Centre, called Curing the Underserved. Led by Professor Richard Gilbertson, a paediatric oncology clinician, researcher and director of the Cambridge Cancer Centre at Cambridge University, Angel Child has committed to raising £1.5m by 2026. ‘Porfessor Gilbertson’s ambition is a world without cancer, and his passion, and the passion and expertise we witnessed in his team of researchers in Cambridge, is what we need if we’re going to make progress against this horrific disease,’ says Lucinda.

Alfie Bartlam

Curing the Underserved is focused on two paediatric brain tumours, but the findings could impact many other cancers too, including pancreatic cancer, which is one of the toughest to treat.

Alongside Alfstock, Underbelly raises money for the cause through a comedy event at the Edinburgh Fringe called the Big Brain Tumour Benefit. Plus, friends and family have fundraised through individual efforts, from a 50-mile trail run in California to an ultra-marathon in the Scottish Highlands and a boxing evening. Alfie’s young friends and cousins have also got involved, starting their own initiatives including a class 5K run, a mini marathon, and countless cake and jewellery sales.

‘We hope Alfie’s legacy will have an impact not only in the UK but globally as we build Angel Child into an international fund bringing real medical progress and advancement to many, so that others like our angel child will live,’ says Ed.

You can read more about Alfie’s story and donate to the cause here.

Where?

Alfstock takes place at Ardington House, Church St, Ardington, Oxon OX12 8QA. Parking is available on site, or the nearest train station is Didcot Parkway, which is a 15-minute drive away.

When?

27 September 2025, 2pm – 9.30pm

How To Book Tickets:

Tickets are available to buy online from £55 at underbellyboulevard.com