What's it all about?

Bracklesham Ukulele Weekends are hosted by George & Mandi from the award-winning Opera-lele and take place by the sea, three times a year. Over the past 10 or so festivals, the gatherings have gone from strength to strength and have featured many performers including Andy Eastwood, Phil Doleman, Peter Moss, Andrea Cooke, Dead Man's Uke, The Mother Ukers, Matthew Quilliam, Plastic Jeezus, Zoë Bestel, Samantha Muir, The Decibelles,Paul Mansell, Ukulele Simon, Marc Gallagher, Phillipa Leigh, Alex Beds, The Mersey Belles, The Hedge Inspectors, Opera-lele, Tin Roof Strollers, Elisabeth Pfeiffer, Southern Beauty, Percy Copley, LunaBarge and many more! The events move between Shanklin on the Isle of Wight in March,  Jersey in May and Eastbourne on the South East coast in October each year.

From £329 per person
17-20 May 2024
The Merton Hotel Resort, Belvedere Hill, Jersey JE4 9PG


Featuring: Elisabeth Pfeiffer, Percy Copley, Plastic Jeezus & Opera-lele.
BOOK NOW to avoid missing out!
Book online: www.iowtours.com
or call the team: 01983 405116
From £255 per person
25-28 October 2024
The Queen's Hotel, Marine Parade, Eastbourne BN21 3DY
Featuring: Mike Hind (all the way from Bermuda!), Tricity Vogue, Phil Doleman, The Hedge Inspectors, Emilie Lierre & Paul Mansell and Anarchy in the Ukulele! Now with added Jeff Japers!
BOOK NOW to avoid missing out!
Book online: www.iowtours.com
or call the team: 01983 405116

Price: £TBC
7th - 10th March 2025
The Shanklin Hotel, Shanklin, 
Isle of Wight PO37 6DP

Featuring: Andy Eastwood, Will Grove-White, Devil's Doorbell, Phillipa Leigh, The Ashen Keys & Opera-lele.
BOOK NOW to avoid missing out!
Book online: www.iowtours.com
or call the team: 01983 405116

Why people choose Bracklesham?

 Workshops

 Performances

 Open Mics

 Jam Sessions

 Ukulele Swap Shop

 Incredible Value for Money

Workshops

At our weekends, we offer around 10 workshops, roughly half of them are included in the cost of your ticket with the others available for just £6. We bring you some of the top ukulele players in the world who share their know-how with you in an intimate environment.

Performances

We invite performers from across the globe to come together to perform especially for you. Over three nights, you will get to hear support and headline acts for your entertainment. This includes our ever-popular Late Night Cabaret where you can expect some cheekiness and bawdiness!

Open Mics

We endeavour to give as many attendees the maximum number of opportunities to perform on this platform. With Open Mic slots spread across the weekend, there is no excuse not to dust off your fancy pants and play your heart out!

Strum-alongs

We use our bespoke Bracklesham Ukulele Weekends Songbook (downloadable at the bottom of this page)to sing and strum together. Led by Opera-lele or guest artists, these are fantastic opportunities for us all to perform together! The emphasis is on fun!

Our Spring Weekends take place at the Shanklin Hotel in Shanklin on the beautiful Isle of Wight. The hotel boasts a swimming pool, sauna and is a very short stroll to the sea (with many rooms benefitting from a sea view). There is a bar and lots of areas to relax when you're not busy in workshops, being entertained or eating!  Free off-street parking is available and your ticket includes carferry crossing from Portsmouth.
In the Autumn, we spend the weekend in the grand Queen's Hotel in Eastbourne. With views of the Eastbourne Pier and right on the sea front, the location is simply stunning. There is free parking on site. Performances take place in the grand ballroom with a bar, and dinners are in an equally grand dining room. There is also a conservatory and full-sized snooker table! We can also let you know where to get the best fish & chips in town!
The stunning Merton Hotel Resort in Jersey is "the hotel that has it all!". We have added a new May venue with something a little special! The weekends will be on a smaller scale, in a very smart hotel with an excellent restaurant, and indoor and outdoor swimming pool, FlowRider, beautiful rooms and some wonderful spaces for us to enjoy. Performances will take place in The Star Room and you can relax with a coffee, or enjoy the bar facilities. This is definitely one not to miss!

What attendees say...

Brilliant events, great workshops, friendly people and fabulous, talented acts!
"A great mix of established and newer performers. We don't know where George & Mandi find them all but the weekend was A-MA-ZING!!"
There is a reason why so many people book their next weekend before they leave! We'll be back again in October. Such a brilliant weekend.
"Great value for money. A weekend that was entertaining and relaxing. A very friendly, welcoming atmosphere.”
Fantastic weekend. Meeting up with friends and enjoying great ukulele playing and jams.
“Favourite parts of the weekend: Incredible live performances, Mandi's Closed Mic, informative and entertaining workshops and jamming. You provided a relaxed weekend and a fantastic opportunity to chat and make new friends.”
I have been fortunate enough to have attended 2 Bracklesham events with one more later this year. There is literally something for everyone from novice to experienced."
"I have attended many ukulele events and residential weekends. This is, by far, the best that I have attended. The acts performing were truly world-class and their workshops clear and informative. Congratulations to you all and we have already booked for the next weekend! Thank you."

Meet our award-winning team

Our weekends rely on many people. Your bookings, travel arrangements and accommodation are all sorted by the award-winning Isle of Wight Tours. Your MCs and hosts for the weekends are the award-winning duo Opera-lele.
Isle of Wight Tours
George & Mandi from Opera-lele

Downloads

Click the link above to download the programme for our                               March weekend in Shanklin. (SUBJECT TO CHANGES)

Click the link above to download all of the worksheets for the workshops in Shanklin 2024.

 

Frequently Asked Questions....

I am hard of hearing. Is there any provision for deaf people?

Although we can make no promises, there will be a PA system in place and on offer for all workshop leaders to use. Please let the workshop leader know that you need them to use a microphone and feel free to position yourself close to the speakers.

Will there be printed copies of the songbook available to buy for those who struggle with technology?

Yes. We will have a limited number of copies of the songbook available. They are available for a small charge to cover our printing costs but it would be better for the environment if you could download it to your tablet, or print your own at home. 

What do I have to wear on formal night?

You do not need to dress up for formal night, but if you would like to, feel free! You can dress to impress. Black tie, lounge suit, ball gown or little black dress, feel free to go to town!

Can you confirm the start and finish times for the weekends please?

Sure thing! On the Friday, check-in time is 4pm and checkout is 10am on Monday. The musical performances begin at 8pm on Friday night.

I'm a member of a ukulele club. Can we come to one of your weekends as a group?

Yes, of course. Get in touch with Oli to discuss available offers.

Dates for your diary: Bracklesham Ukulele Weekends in Jersey - May 17th-20th 2024                                                 Bracklesham Ukulele Weekends in Eastbourne - October 25-28 2024                                       Bracklesham Ukulele Weekends in Shanklin - March 7th-10th 2025

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