Download Festival - Donnington Park, Castle Donnington

I have come to the realisation that at the tender age of 25 it is unlikely I will go to Download Festival again. I've hung up my Rammstein hoody and packed away the black hair dye, for good. But I'll give you a retrospective look at the greatest rock festival in the UK as it is truly a unique Leicestershire experience.

I've been twice: once aged 17 and again at 22 and Download never failed to impress. The festival is set in the Donnington Park race track - yes the stage is right in the middle of the ring, stalls line the track and campers find a soggy spot somewhere in the mud. I've seen the likes of Slipknot, System of a Down, Korn, Prodigy, Whitesnake, Journey, Marilyn Manson, Feeder and Black Sabbath. Huge names have graced our humble Leicestershire ground in this world-famous festival. Rock-lovers far and wide travel to see the biggest, best and blackest-eyeliner perform (and have a jolly good weekend at the same time).

Ideally located so close to East Midlands Airport you can almost touch the planes as they fly over, right off the M1 and a stone's throw from East Midlands Parkway train station (which links to Leicester, Nottingham and London in a flash). There is no excuse for any self-respecting rocker to miss out.

Download has a great atmosphere, unparalleled with other festivals. Due to the range of music, from young punk to classic rock, you'll find that all ages are welcome. This festival doesn't try too hard to be cool so you won't be striving to keep up with 'festival fashion'. Instead, you'll find yourself relaxing on the hill over-looking the main stage, soaking up the sun while you listen to the dulcet tones of Ozzy Osborne!

The festival takes place in June every year. Look here for more information.