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Original poster

Boardmasters or Reading festivals for post GCSE next summer?

31 replies

Kentmumof4 · 24/11/2025 09:39

My Yr11 daughter and friends want to go to either Boardmasters or Reading next summer (2026).

I need advice please from those whose daughters went to either or both this year.

Which is safer in your opinion? What problems did they encounter? Any tips?

Thanks.

OP posts:
Thankyourose · 24/11/2025 14:01

Christ, the stories I’ve heard from Reading from friends whose older teens went…
My main considerations would be - who will she be with, how will she get home, can she leave early if she wants/needs to easily, which is easiest for YOU to get there if you need to do an emergency pick up.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 24/11/2025 13:59

DS1 went to Reading post GCSEs about 6 years ago but it didn’t seem popular with DS2’s year 2 years ago (we are in London so Reading is easy).
DS1 said to me previously Reading isn’t as teen friendly as it used to be.

Pharazon · 24/11/2025 13:59

Wait until the lineups are confirmed and go to the one with the bands she most want to see?

Or am I old-fashioned?

slumdogminulet · 24/11/2025 13:55

I would say that neither is ideal for a first time festival goer. Reading is okay but the acts end really early for noise level reasons, so the campsites go a bit wild after midnight. My teenagers didn't really enjoy it.

Boardmasters is much less accessible and if the weather is too hot/too windy/to rainy then it can be quite challenging.

Out of the two I would go for Reading, especially if you live within a couple of hours. But as @BestWay said, how sensible your daughter is will be the key feature.

BestWay · 24/11/2025 13:52

Which is easiest for her to get to and from? Reading is easy to get to by public transport so easy to escape from if needed. The biggest safety consideration is how sensible your daughter is?

KidsHaveAllTheFun · 24/11/2025 09:53

Whichever means she is able to leave after the last act of Sunday night.

The lineup is very different, worth looking at past year's to have an idea.

Both have the same risks, but not staying Sunday night avoids lots of issues.

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