Which festival would you recommend next year for a festival virgin?

[chicaguapa]

I'd like to take DC (12 & 9 next year) to a festival for a 'life experience'. Glastonbury caught my interest but as it's not in the school holidays, we'll never be able to go. Then all this talk of Carfest made me think about it again.

DH is not keen. He thinks it'll be like being in hell, but I have a romanticised view of it. I'm imagining happy people, activities for the DC, a laissez faire attitude where you don't have to wash your hair.

We camp in a folding camper so would want to take that. Any recommendations or suggestions please? Or am I being unrealistic and DH is right?

We're the opposite, I feel we ought to try it (but think it will be hell), DH likes the idea. My DCs are 7 and 9 - we love camping. It seems to me that a lot of the family friendly, smaller ones are in term time, so watching with interest!

I took the DC to Camp Bestival a couple of years ago and they adored it! They were quite a bit younger than yours though (5 and 2). We're hoping to go again next year

We did Latitude a couple of years ago and it was lovely!

Green Man festival in Wales. Went last weekend. Was great, smallish and super-relaxed. Specific area filled with loads of fun stuff for kids, same for teenagers......although kids were having fun everywhere around the festival.

More ideas here: www.theguardian.com/music/2013/may/11/family-festival-listings-2013

I would look into a cheaper smaller local one for your first go - weve been to a few 5-10, 000 capacity ones - and you still get the 'proper' festival vibe and you'll be comfortable to let the kids roam a bit more..... Galtres highly recommend in North Yorkshire - tho might be miles away from you......
Do a search on efestivals youll be surprised how many festivals there are - well I was!!! :)

WOMAD? I'm planning to take DCs next year. They've never been camping or to a festival. They're 6 and 2.

Larmer Tree is a wonderful festival for a festival virgin all flush toilets and loveliness.

your description sounds like WOMAD. Even the security guards said it was the most chilled out festival, there was no trouble.

You'd probably end up in the campervan bit which you pay a bit extra for, but you have a marked space.

I second the recommendation of Green Man - we went too with DDs 12 and 15. Was their first festival and they loved it!

It's small enough that they can't get lost and there's loads for them to do. Such a lovely relaxed atmosphere and beautiful setting in the Brecon Beacons. Can't wait to go again next year and will take DD 6 next time too

Some good suggestions on here, I will have a look into some of them for next year. I just have this horrible image in my head of traffic jams, crowds, portaloos, tents all up against one another, loud music (I know, that's the whole point, but I like peace and quiet when camping).

Shambala or starry skies

We loved Cambridge Folk Festival this year, I would recommend if you like that sort of music.

I was a festival virgin until this year when I decided I really needed to go to Glastonbury before I get too old
I loved it as I think you can't beat seeing a live band for excitement BUT every other aspect of it was pretty hideous - all the things you describe, like the heaving crowds everywhere, the stinking toilets and the masses of litter...
Green Man was SO much nicer in those respects - and I still got to see some music I loved ( Edwyn Collins in particular )

Deer shed in North Yorkshire is quite small and very family friendly

Also done Glastonbury many times (pre-kids though) and it is more hassle - crowds, long distances, queues. Toilets never bothered me there. Now the V festival......shudder.....wouldn't go back there ever. Needed brain bleach to get over some of the sights in (and out) of toilets there! Of course V is not billed as child friendly so doubt you'd be thinking of it.

We're definitely returning to Green Man next year! The backdrop of the mountains behind was stunning. We might do the holiday camping option and go for a week.

Rewind Henley.

This year was amazing and it isn't as big as other festivals, 20,000 on each day I think.

The camping sells out fast, so book as soon as tickets become available.

Thanks. Green Man looks promising as we love Wales (there now in fact!). Much food for thought.