Pub in the Park to Switch to New Syon Park Venue
Ditches Gunnersbury Park after poor sales at this year's festival
The Clementine events venue in Syon Park. Picture: Instagram
November 13, 2025
After a challenging year marked by sluggish ticket sales and underwhelming reviews, Pub in the Park will not return to Gunnersbury Park next year. Instead, the long-running food and music festival is undergoing a rebrand and venue switch, emerging as Sound Bites—a new event set to take place at The Clementine in Syon Park from 8–10 May 2026.
The decision follows a difficult 2025 season for Pub in the Park, which saw disappointing attendance figures at its Gunnersbury Park edition. Organisers were forced to rely on ticket resellers to boost numbers, a move that highlighted the event’s struggle to gain traction since its relocation from Chiswick House Gardens. The switch from Chiswick to a venue with a larger capacity, apparently had not delivered the hoped-for results.
There was a widespread perception that the event was offering underpowered line-up of performers with many comparing it unfavourably to a similar event held last year in the grounds of Syon Park. That festival, which featured lower ticket prices and a stronger roster of acts, was widely seen as offering better value and atmosphere.
Now under new ownership, Pub in the Park is being reimagined as Sound Bites, promising a more immersive and varied experience. According to organisers, the new format will feature “live fire cookouts, retro dining parties, global flavours, craft cocktails and multiple music stages,” alongside chef demos and hands-on food experiences. The emphasis is on creating a “food-first party atmosphere” that blends eating out with going out.
The new venue, The Clementine, is a purpose-built event space within the historic grounds of Syon Park. Opened in 2023, it has quickly become a sought-after location for weddings, festivals and corporate events, offering a blend of landscaped gardens and modern facilities.
Pub in the Park itself has had a turbulent history. Founded by chef Tom Kerridge in 2017, the festival expanded rapidly across the UK, combining Michelin-starred food with live music. However, financial pressures mounted during the pandemic, and the brand underwent restructuring in 2023. While some regional editions continued to thrive, others struggled to maintain momentum, prompting a rethink of the London offering.
The launch of Sound Bites signals a fresh chapter, with organisers promising “more to taste, more to explore, and more ways to enjoy great food, great drinks and great company.” Presale access to discounted tickets is expected to open soon.
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