Woman found dead in tent at Houghton techno festival in Norfolk

A woman was found dead in a tent at the Houghton festival in Norfolk, England, on Sunday, August 9, the final day of the event. The festival is known for house and techno music and draws around 10,000 attendees to a 405-hectare site.

The woman, whose identity has not been made public, was found unconscious in the camping area of the festival grounds. The event takes place at Houghton Hall, a Norfolk estate owned by David Cholmondeley, the 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley, and his wife Rose Hanbury, a couple known for their ties to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Despite efforts by an on-site medical team to save her, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation ongoing

Police are currently treating the death as unexplained while awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination. Authorities have said there is no indication at this stage that the death involved suspicious circumstances. The woman's next of kin have been informed.

Festival organisers said in a statement that they were deeply saddened to confirm a death at Houghton 2026, extending their thoughts to the woman's family and loved ones. They also thanked the medical team, the event's response team and Norfolk Police for their swift action, and said they would continue working closely with authorities to assist the investigation.