As a seasoned festival goer the ‘child friendly’ aspect of a festival really wasn’t on my radar before we had the boys. But nowadays, with my two little tinies in tow, family friendly festivals are something that I’ve been looking into more and more.
Especially as festivals are so much a part of our summer — and our lives — that they’re definitely something that we will continue to do, as the boys grow up.
Aged 1 and a bit, they went to their first 3 day festival last year (read all about that here) and we’ll be taking them to their 2nd this year.
I thought it would be nice to compile a little list of great family friendly festivals and give a few insights, as to why I think they’re a good option for both big — grown up kids — and little kids alike.
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My Top 5 Family Friendly Festivals
Just So Festival
Just So Festival is one of the (not so) best kept secrets in the festival calendar! This little family friendly festival is in it’s 7th year now. Held over a long weekend, it’s set in the grounds of the beautiful estate of Rode Hall in Cheshire.
Just So is supported by the Arts Council; there’s lots of lovely theatre and storytelling installations. Plus workshops, for kids to get involved with making and doing.
You probably won’t recognise any of the headline acts. But this kind of festival is all about the atmosphere and the experience.
If you’re wanting to introduce your kiddos to a festival — or just fancy a lovely camping weekend with benefits — this is the one for you.
It’s a lovely, magical way to spend a long weekend.
Shambala
An assault on the senses. This amazing little festival is an absolute winner for adults and children alike.
A huge group of us went last year and it was a sell out; disappointment for those that weren’t lucky enough to bag a ticket. We took the twins from the Thursday though to the Sunday and it was fab.
It feels as though you’ve just dropped into a weird dream — the calibre of fancy dress was incredible. I’m so looking forward to seeing what people come up with this year. The theme is ‘Cosmic Carnival’ so there’s bound to be some amazing costumes.
As a parent, a highlight for me was ‘Rub-A-Dub-Tub’. A simple and absolutely genius idea, that consisted of a tented area to bathe your babies. We were given a (free) trug full of hot soapy water. And the boys spent a lovely 40 minutes splashing about, whilst we sat and chatted to the other parents.
The other things I love about Shambala is it’s fab free eco-loos. Most festivals charge you the earth for the privilege of using these — and their genuine ‘leave no trace’ ethic.
When you buy a drink, you’re given a reusable cup, that you fill up again and again. I can say — hand on heart — I have never seen so little litter on a festival site. They should be applauded for it, it was lovely to see. Particularly as we had two little toddlers with us.
You don’t want your tiny revellers knee deep in cans or paper cups do you?
The Big Feastival
A relative newcomer to the festival scene, Feastival is the brainchild of Jamie Oliver. And Alex James from Blur (who’s turned from rock-star to cheesemaker).
Held on the James family farm in the Cotswolds, Feastival is a foodie’s dream. Lots of cheffy demonstrations and cookery workshops for the adults, tempered with music and things to do for littlies.
They have a decent music line up, with some well known headline acts. Plus markets selling lovely clobber — Joules and Mio Skincare to name a couple.
This event isn’t totally geared up for children, as some of the other festivals are, but it’s a lovely gentle introduction to the festival scene if you were thinking of dipping your toe in.
Wilderness
The name suggests ‘a natural environment that has not been significantly modified by civilised human activity’. This festival is set in the most beautiful location.
Nestled in the gorgeous surroundings of Cornbury park in Oxfordshire, I found Wilderness to be one of the most family orientated of the festivals I’ve been to; the pace was very relaxed and gentle.
It wasn’t as hectic as some of the others, it’s set on a much smaller scale and it felt very, very laid back. More like an enormous village fete, than a festival.
Highlights for me were the Wilderness cricket match, complete with a streaker (yes, totally naked), the Lakeside Spa (what’s not to love about sitting in a hot-tub overlooking a beautiful lake?) and the banquets.
These are fabulous — expensive but worth — it if you’re after something a little out of the ordinary. This year they’ve got none other than Raymond Blanc and Angela Hartnett!
Pretty special festival food, I’d say.
Camp Bestival
Probably the most well known of the family friendly festivals. This is the daddy of them all.
A spin off of the ever-popular Bestival held on the Isle Of Wight; (and the biggest fancy dress party I’ve ever been to); Camp Bestival has been going since 2008.
Launched to appease all of the die-hard festival lovers; who now have children but couldn’t face the ferry journey across the channel with the kids in tow!
Hence, Camp Bestival was born!
Held in the amazing grounds of Lulworth castle, it’s a 4 day extravaganza with probably the best music line-up of all the child friendly festivals.
More kids entertainment than you can shake a stick at, Camp Bestival offers the likes of Dick and Dom and Mr Tumble.
Camp Bestival is really geared up for kids; but there’s so much other stuff going on too that the ‘big kids’ amongst us won’t get bored easily.
A wild weekend of revelry to be had, come rain or shine.
Are you going to any family friendly festivals this year? Are there any that you particularly like that I’ve not mentioned?
I’m always open to suggestions and it’s always lovely to have recommendations from people in ‘the know’!
Get in touch — caro@thelistedhome.co.uk — I’d love to hear from you!
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
I LOVE the thought of you going here, there and everywhere in your beloved Dolly <3
This is such a BRILLIANT post! And I wasn't aware of half of these. Thanks xxxx
Honestly Katie — Dolly has revolutionised our whole life! We used to rent motorhomes for festivals (SO expensive) but with Dolly we can go to more and more places. These festies are FAB for littlies — you should go. Festivals are such a lovely experience for kids (and adults) ;) X
Fab list. I’d have to add the Geronimo Festival after this weekend!
Aah I would have LOVED to have gone to that Karen. If my friend’s hadn’t been having their birthday camping party on that same weekend, we would have come along. I always love a new festival to try :) x
I’ve never thought to go – BUT looks great and what a super idea. Freedom to run around, dancing, singing, food…fab! Might look into what’s on by me. You’ve inspired me :) Jess x
I can’t recommend it enough. It’s the most lovely way to spend a few days. Totally magical — I LOVE festivals. So happy to be able to take my babies along too! X
We have been camping with kids but have yet to go to a festival. Thanks for sharing this list. While I probably won’t get to the UK for one, I will be on the look out for similar type of festivals in Germany, France (just a short spin down the road from us) and Ireland.
That mechanical horse is amazing. My boys would be fascinated. I must show them the photo.
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
I can’t recommend it enough! The littles think they’re in heaven! SO much to see and do — in a lovely safe environment. It’s a fab way to spend a long weekend xx
Great post, festivals with kids are brilliant. We have a new tipi to try out this year so can’t wait. Quite fancy The Green Man festival – have you been there? x
We’ve never been to Green Man because it invariably falls the week before Shambala!! I love festivals but I’m not sure I’d cope with doing two weekends back to back!! :) One year, maybe we’ll forego Shambala and trek to Wales to check it out. It’s supposed to be fabulous. Let me know if you go! Would love to hear your thoughts!! :)
Great post. Love the idea of family festivals and have looked into going to Wilderness a few times but seemed very expensive when I wasn’t sure how much there would be for preschoolers. Definitely going to give it a whirl when my eldest is a tiny bit older though. Glad to hear Wilderness is as good as it looks!
I loved Wilderness and have been a couple of times but it is fairly expensive for what you get. Camp Bestival is not a great deal more expensive and you get a LOT for your money. That said, Wilderness has given us a couple of lovely, happy weekends with lots of fab memories, and that’s well worth the money :)
I’m bookmarking this! What a fab post! I adore going to festivals & it’s really great to know there are so many family friendly ones :-D xxx
Aah thanks so much Chloe! There are loads more, smaller festivals, that are popping up here there and everywhere plus some bigger ones that I’ve not mentioned — Green Man, Latitude, Womad.
These 5 are ones that my friends or I go to regularly so can give a personal recommendation xx
A lovely round up and many I recognise from here from Country Kids features over the years. We’ve never tried a festival but do enjoy country fairs and shows so I’m sure we would enjoy festivals too. thank you for sharing your round up on Country Kids.
I’m sure you’d absolutely love them! Really it’s just camping — but with added entertainment! Thanks for hosting x
This is brilliant. I have been banging on about wanting to take the girls to a festival but I had NO idea where! Thanks beautiful, how exciting. I think next year will be my year for child friendly festivals. xxxx
I can’t recommend it enough. It’s the most lovely way to spend a weekend. Granted, it’s not so much fun if it’s tipping down with rain but often the kids fields — and entertainment — are mostly covered! We’ll have to all go together ;)
This is just what I would love to do with my boys when they are a little older (we aren’t quite brave enough for it yet) also I would love a Dolly to do it all in, such a great adventure for you and your boys! Just realised Just So isn’t too far from me too, love this post Caro, fantastic introduction to family festivals xx
It’s such a lovely environment for littlies — SO much to do and see. Although, I’m sure we wouldn’t have *quite* so much fun without Dolly!! I’m not really keen on camping under canvas!! ;) #cheating
I love the idea of taking the kids to a festival but thought it would be best to wait a few years. Clearly we need wait no longer! Totally agree that Cornbury Park is a great venue – we’ve just been there. Did you take Dolly to all of these festivals? X #CountryKids
Caravans are allowed to all of the festivals I mentioned! To be honest, I don’t think we’d enjoy our experience quite as much without Dolly as I’m not a fan of camping in tents!! ;) But we always go with a huge group of people and our friends camp in both tents and live-in vehicles.
If you take your van, as well as your weekend pass, you’ll need to purchase a ‘live-in vehicle ticket’ too. There is always an allocated area for campervans and caravans — but friends with a tent are generally allowed to camp next to you.
Festivals with Dolly are an absolute JOY. The boys still get to have their naps and we can sit outside — with a G&T — and soak up the atmosphere whilst they’re sleeping. It’s fabulous. Can’t recommend it enough :)
Good list, though my own opinion of Wilderness is that it’s better for older kids, and the after dark parties will be missed if you have littlies… And you need to check out Elderflower Fields :) it’s a super small festival totally aimed at kids with great food!
Aaah none of our friends have older kids! We always go to festivals in a huge group and rarely miss out on the after-dark parties! :) When we last went to Wilderness, we took turns to stay back at the camp. Whilst some are off partying in the forest, the others stay at the van and drink cocktails and have a gossip! :) It works so well!
Admittedly, it would be trickier if we were to go on our own ;)
We attended a child friendly festival last year at Chew Magna called Mini V Festival. I can say that its really kid friendly too and the vibe is so relax. I wish we can attend more this year. Thanks for sharing this list =) #countrykids
There are little festivals popping up all over the place aren’t there? It’s so lovely! :) My absolute favourite festival was one called Haselstock — which has sadly now finished — but that was the best family friendly festival I’ve ever been to!
Never really thought about festivals with the girls before but this has tempted me!
They’re so much fun Karen — for both kids and adults alike!!
Any excuse for me to wear fancy dress and glitter though!!! ;)
I’m pinning this post, its just what I’ve been looking for. Camp Bestival is on my hit list, we have The Beautiful Days one 20 minutes away but its always rained the weekend its on as long as I can remember which puts me off. #twinklytuesdays
It’s weird isn’t it? Some events always attract the rain! Glastonbury for one and we’re going there in a couple of weeks! Am praying for some sunshine x
looks like loads of great options and fun #Twinkly Tuesday
SO much fun Mac! :) There’s nothing I like more than dancing in a field with the ones I love!! Sounds silly but it’s true! ;)
It’s been year and years since I was in the UK during the festival period and I miss it deeply. My favourite was always T in the Park. I hope one day I can take the tot.
#twinklytuesday
It’s odd isn’t it? Other countries do do festivals but they’re few and far between aren’t they? The UK has a festival practically every weekend these days! :)
Great post! We totally agree with JustSo and we reviewed it last year visiting and camping when I was one. :) we’ve just been to Funk the Family which was good too! Going to wait until I’m a bit older to go to Wildernesses xxThanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday
Aaah our whole family — and all our friends — LOVE festivals! They were good before, but bringing the littlies has added a whole new dimension! x
I am really interested in taking M to a festival but Hubby is not a fan! I will keep trying to persuade him, thanks for the post, I am going to get him to read it later!! :-) #twinklytuesday xx
Aaah keep on at him!!! It is the most fantastic way to spend a weekend — particularly if there’s a huge group of you going. It definitely helps if there are other friends with kids to camp with — hanging out at our camp is one of my favourite parts! ;)
What a fab list! Making me want to go to a festival now! #twinkletuesday
Ahh whenever I think of festivals it makes me want to go to one!!! I have Glastonbury in a couple of weeks so not long to wait! :)
I’ve been reading a lot about family festivals on various blogs this last month, but as far as I can see there aren’t any taking part in the North East yet. Maybe next year! x
#twinklytuesday
That’s really interesting — I’m sure someone must have put a little festie on up there?!! If not there’s a HUGE gap in the market isn’t there?! xx
Great list! We’ve been thinking about going to festivals but not quite sure where to start. This will definitely help! #twinklytuesday
I’d dip your toe in with a smaller one — or even go to one just for the day! Most of the festivals offer day passes. It’s not so much fun as camping for the whole weekend but enough to see if you like it or not! :)
Fab post! We have just come back from Wychwood in Cheltenham, which is wonderfully family friendly. #twinklytuesday
Yes — a couple of my friends went! It’s one that I’ve never been to — shall put it on my list! :)
Ooh this list is really useful. I’m not really a festival person, all that mud ugh – but the husband is. So maybe we should try one of these children’s festivals. You may just have inspired me :-) #twinklytuesday
Sabrina xx
To be honest, the only REALLY muddy festivals I’ve been to over the years have been Glastonbury and Bestival on the IOW. All of the others have been fairly lucky with the weather. We had a little bit of rain last year at Shambala but not enough to make the field all muddy. Get a day pass if you’re not feeling brave enough to go for the full weekend, Sabrina, you may just find you LOVE it!! :) x
I love the idea of going to a festival with the kids in principle but in reality it’s not likely to happen. I’ve always been camping averse and portable toilets are my idea of hell! #TwinklyTuesday
Don’t write it off Linda!! There are some amazing ‘glamping’ options — yurts, tee-pees and bell-tents — or you could always (as we did for the first few years) hire a motorhome!!! LOL! Expensive but oh so worth it!! ;)
That’s a brilliant idea! Where did you hire it from? I’d love a spin in a motorhome. x
Gosh you can hire them from all over the country! It’s best to search for one local to you, so you can literally pop over — pick it up and leave your car there — and then drive it home to stock up. We’ve picked them up near to the festival we’re going to too, which means we have to cart all our stuff with us from home!! Much easier to pack whilst it’s outside the house!!
I was talking with friends over half-term about us all taking our kids to a festival so perfect timing. Off to do some more research. Thank you. #TwinklyTuesday
DO it! You won’t regret it!! Unless (of course) it’s raining for the entire weekend. Although these days, even the rain hasn’t put us off! The babies don’t seem to mind it, thanks to the likes of Peppa Pig!! ;)
I didn’t even know there was such a thing as family friendly festivals! Great advice, thanks for sharing. Thanks for hosting #TwinklyTuesday
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
I think they were created for people just like me!! Big kids who can’t stop going, even though they have an entourage of littlies! At least now, the whole family can go and have a lovely time, as they’re totally geared up for children! :)
I love festivals but haven’t been since I’ve had kids. Shambala looks and sounds amazing. I might need to check it out x
If you used to go before kids then you’ll love them with kids!! It takes on a whole new dimension. Even MORE fun — if that’s at all possible!! :)
Ooh I’d love to go to a festival this summer, I’ll definitely refer back to this post if we do decide to! #twinklytuesday
Aaah Carolyn — it’s such a lovely way to spend a weekend! Well worth going!
Ooo this is fab! I love festivals and I’ve never taken my son to one. I think he’d really enjoy it now as he’s 9. I think Bestival sounds brilliant. I love the Jamie Oliver one too. Great post and lovely to link up for the first time :) xx
Aaah thanks so much Tor — you should definitely take him — he’d absolutely love it!! It’s such a fab experience for the kids — I wish they’d had them when I was little!! x
Thank you for this post! In my past life (pre baby) I was quite the fan of a good summer festival. It’s not been something I’ve even thought about this summer but I am definitely going to look into these. K x #twinklytuesday
Aaah don’t let having babies stop you from going to festivals!! They’re brilliant for kids!! I hope you manage to go to one (or two!) x
These all look really great! We’ve never taken our two to a festival before. I should really look into it as they all looks great fun! :) x
I can’t recommend it enough Michelle!! It’s a fab way to spend the weekend — SO much entertainment in one place! x
Great post – I haven’t heard of most of these. We did Lollibop last year #TwinklyTuesday
Yes — I think Lollibop is having a fallow year, this year! There are some fab festivals up and down the country — it’s so lovely to have a choice!
Oh how I wish that we had such wonderful festival here in my small little town. There are so many things that I miss about living in Las Vegas, NV. However I don’t miss tons of people and traffic. Thanks for hosting the lovely #TwinklyTuesdays.
Thanks so much lovely! Yes — we travel up and down the country to go to festivals but the UK is tiny in comparison to the US!! You’d have to fly to get to some of your festivals!! :)
Caro such a great round up I love it, we have never been to a festival but they look fantastic I am sure we would love it xxx
Ah Sarah — your boys would LOVE it!!! It’s such a gorgeous, happy way to spend the weekend! :) x
I have NEVER been a festival goer, but I feel positively enthused by your list. The Shambala festival looks awesome. I love a bit of kooky.
It is a BRILLIANT way to spend a weekend!! SO much entrainment for adults and kids alike. It’s my favourite way to spend quality time with my friends and family — I love it! x
I love the idea of going to Camp Bestival but with Archie’s Autism I think it may just overload his senses. They all sound fab x #TwinklyTuesdays
You may be right Toni — festivals are a complete assault on the senses — even without autism. Not sure what Archie would make of it all. Possibly get a day pass and see how he gets on? It would be worth a go — he may absolutely love it! :)
I love festivals and went to V while breast feeding – felt a bit wide finding places to secretly express! I would love to take Monkey to one, this is a great list many of them I’ve not heard of before……now to try and convince Hubby!! #TwinklyTuesday x
V would be a hectic one with a baby! Well done you!! :)
Some of the kids festivals I’ve mentioned even have areas especially for breastfeeding mothers. They’re so geared up for families — on so many levels x
I wholly recommend these — it’s such an amazing environment to find yourself in! Like being thrown into a parallel universe! :)
I’ve only ever been to one family festival and that was Lollipop last year. It was amazing #TwinklyTuesday
They’re FAB aren’t they?! It’s such a lovely way to spend a weekend. And wall to wall entertainment for little ones (and big ones!)!
What a comprehensive run-down Caro! I went to a festival years ago, definitely pre-little bear and hubby and I have mentioned a few times that we’d love to ‘do’ a festival with her soonish. Shambala sounds and looks amazing. I’m a bit of a hippy at heart and would love to get down with the earth again :)
Aah DO IT Carol!!! It’s fantastic. There are glamping options — yurts, teepees and bell-tents if you don’t fancy pitching a tent (or cheat, like we do and take a caravan!) ;) X
Some of those sound such fun. I love the idea of festivals, but hate camping. I like day ones where you can go and go home. No tents. Hate tents.
Aah they’re SO much fun :) And, I’m not a fan of tents either! We’ve got a festival caravan called Dolly — a little hotel on wheels — and she means that we have no need for a tent!! ;)