Polite, friendly and civilised, Cornbury's has portrayed itself as a fine weekend in the country - with bands.

But while it is well mannered, it is also a highly respected festival offering not just big-hitting mass market favourites, but some surprisingly gutsy rock, punk, blues and folk.

Indeed, for a small festival which just three stages, the line-up is not far from surreal.

Where else this size can you wander around the grounds of a stately home, listening to genuine reggae legends (Toots & the Maytals); a chart-topping retro girl band (The Bangles); a punk legend (Mick Jones's Carbon Silicon), sunny soul (Beverley Knight); (uplifting country-rock (The Epstein), and complex, multi-layered experimental rock (Smilex)?

This year marked the year when Cornbury came of age. Kicking off in perfect sunshine with ska heroes The Beat, the quality continued as the weather got worse, better... and worse again.

Saturday's highlights included Wirral post-punk satirists Half Man Half Biscuit; Nigel Blackwell delivering some of his funniest songs, culminating in a sing-along to the anthemic Trumpton Riots; and Oxford's The Epstein - who served up a bluegrass-favoured slice of Americana. As ever, their uplifting melodies and sublime slide guitar, once again had the crowd stomping and dancing among the haybales.

Toots & the Maytals made a gallant effort to get the crowd moving despite the rain, but the real attraction was taking place across the site, with The Clash's Mick Jones grinning his way through a wall of wrap-around punk rock alongside Carbon Silicon bandmate Tony James, formerly of generation X.

And while the big draw was songwriting legend Paul Simon, the diminutive guitar slinger could only muster a fraction of the atmosphere and good feeling which those two punks drummed up.

Despite arriving late, and being ushered off stage before his full complement of encores, Simon played a solid set, free of banter and virtually ignoring the soggy crowd. Along with gems from Graceland were flashes of brilliance with the likes of Slip Slidin' Away, Mrs Robinson, and Sound of Silence - which left the entire site in a state of hushed wistfulness. A magic moment.

Sunday saw more rain which, frankly, turned the event into a bit of a trial. Though crowds displayed true blitz spirit by gathering for a knees-up to a slick and impressively improvisational KT Tunstall; a breathtakingly beautiful set of kinetic country-rock by the unsung Tift Merritt; 70s pop from 10cc; and for headliners Crowded House - who held most of the audience until the bitter, rain-drenched end - with great sing-along pop, and by doing what Simon had so conspicuously failed to do: engaging and sympathising with the festival's plucky and spirited crowd.

Pictures: Tim Hughes