One of the best folk festivals I know is the Holmfirth festival of Folk,near Huddersfield,west Yorkshire. Held on 11-13 May this year.
It is held in a beautiful Yorkshire village (centre of "Last of the summer wine" (TV series) country).
It is a small,friendly and self-contained community of pubs,clubs,hotels,restaurants,take-aways,shops and concert venues.
Much in its favour is the fact that it fully satisfies concert goers and the 'fringe' element alike. You can do one or the other or both, it doesn't matter. Everything is close to hand,including the camping, and most of the pubs etc are buzzing with sing-arounds and play-arounds for musicians throughout the whole weekend.
It also hosts one of the biggest gatherings of Morris sides in the country so the streets are alive with entertainment and colour.
There are also many workshops and lots of events for children.
This is one of the best examples I have found where the whole community is involved and supports it and where everyone is made to feel accepted and welcome.
I have been to very many festivals,both small and large and it is hard to put your finger on what makes a really good festival work.
But if you want to attend a festival that ticks all of the boxes my personal opinion is that The Holmfirth Festival of Folk is a true gem and stands up as a true example of how smaller, community based festivals, are probably the best.