A brief guide to the best in hard rock and metal festivals in Britain this summer, from Download and Bloodstock Open Air to the Damnation Festival, Ghostfest and more.

The Reading and Leeds Festivals might have their share of hard rocking acts but this guide looks at the festivals aimed exclusively at fans of metal and the heavier end of the rock music spectrum.

Download Festival: Line-up and Details

What: The spiritual successor to the Monsters Of Rock festivals held annually at the same venue between 1980 and 1996, Download is now the UK's premier metal and heavy music event.

When: 13th-15th June

Where: Donington Park, Leicestershire

Headliners: Kiss, The Offspring, Lostprophets

Best of the rest: Judas Priest, Incubus, Motorhead, HIM, Chris Cornell, Children Of Bodom, In Flames, Jonathan Davis, Biffy Clyro, Bullet For My Valentine, Rise Against.

Bloodstock Open Air: Line-up and Details

What: The UK's biggest independent metal festival takes place in the incongruous setting of the grounds of a grand stately home. Expect serious riffage, devil's horns signs and metal karaoke after the bands have finished. Oh yes.

When: 15th-17th August

Where: Catton Hall, Derbyshire

Headliners: Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, Nightwish

Best of the rest: Evile, Helloween, Mob Rules, Overkill, Alestorm, Communic, Moonsorrow, At The Gates

Damnation Festival: Line-up and Details

What: Now in its fourth year, Damnation might still be a toddler but it’s one capable of giving any passing ankles a seriously nasty bite. Designed to focus on the more extreme end of the metal spectrum and lesser known homegrown bands, this one-day festie took place in Leeds last year and featured Kreator and Anaal Nathrakh as headliners. All is to be confirmed; expect details to be announced soon.

Ghostfest 2008: Line-up and Details

What: It might have skipped a a year in 2007 but with more than 30 bands spread over two days, Ghostfest will once again be bringing together the best in metal and hardcore from the UK and beyond.

When: 28th-29th June

Where: Rio’s, Leeds

Headliners: Cult Of Luna, Johnny Truant

Best of the rest: Architects, Devil Sold His Soul, The Berzerker, Raging Speedhorn, Ghost Of A Thousand, Malefice, The Plight, Trigger The Bloodshed, Ted Maul

The British Rock And Metal Festival 2008: Line-up and Details

What: Headlined by former Iron Maiden frontman Blaze Bayley, this all-dayer does exactly what it says on the tin, with a line-up featuring a dozen Brit rock and metal acts.

When: June 28th

Where: JB’s, Dudley

Headliners: Blaze Bayley

Best of the rest: Rekuiem, Holy Rage, Spit Like This, Rattlesnake Remedy, Abigail’s Mercy, Get Vegas, Hostile, Hampton St, Orius, The Clairvoyants, Broken Faith

Click here for a guide to some of the UK’s less well known indie and alternative festivals or here for the best in mainland European metal fests.