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Original poster

Family festivals - which one?

44 replies

TFSRM · 21/08/2018 20:30

We've just got back from Just So and really enjoyed it. Now I'm thinking about which one to go to next year.

It's tempting to go to Just So again as it's the tenth anniversary. We've done Deershed and Elderflower Fields before too. DH found EF too disorganised. We liked Deershed but it would depend on line-up as it's a long way to go.

Are there any other family festivals people would recommend?

OP posts:
CraftyGin · 25/08/2018 19:41

..or rather New Wine

(Soul Survivor is for teens on their own)

whattimeislove · 25/08/2018 19:47

Blue dot?

anniehm · 25/08/2018 20:40

Camp bestival is good (mean a couple of years since we've been admittedly) biggish, around 30k people but really good for the under 10 crowd. More recently we've been to tiny ones that allow my youngest baby in (he's canine) and cars next to the tent as I prefer to sleep in the car on account of my tent always leaking!

Beeblot · 27/08/2018 22:16

I think it depends on what you want from a festival. We went to Elderflower Fields once and I agree it felt a bit disorganised, although it was good value. DD was 4 at the time and I felt as though too many of the activities were geared towards slightly older kids.

DD is 5.5 now and has just been to her 10th festival so I guess she is a bit of a festival veteran. My absolute favourite is Green Man. I have been to Camp Bestival (oddly enough, this was before DD was born and without kids - definitely felt in the minority), but I much prefer Green Man because it's a bit smaller and also less commercial.

Green Man has a kids' field that's geared towards age 12 and under and there really is something for everyone - from the really little ones to the bigger ones (this year, the older kids built a boat, with nails and power tools - supervised, obviously, but they loved it). There is also an area for teenagers and family-friendly stuff throughout the festival. The music, beer, cider and food are all great as well so it feels like a festival for everyone, which Elderflower Fields didn't (we wouldn't have gone if we didn't have DD - but we have been going to Green Man for years).

End of the Road is also good...very family friendly, although there's not quite as much laid on for children as at Green Man. DD absolutely loves it, though.

Original poster
TFSRM · 28/08/2018 08:02

Thanks @Beeblot. I definitely want a festival where children are the main focus rather than a tacked on addition which makes me question Latitude. I'd like to go to Camp Bestival but I'm worried it will feel to big and crowded for me - we're used to going to festivals with 3,000 to 5,000 people.

Does anyone know when the line ups are typically announced for festivals?

OP posts:
Original poster
TFSRM · 31/08/2018 22:19

Bumping because I heard really positive things about Latitude today so that's jumped to top of the list

OP posts:
perfectpanda · 31/08/2018 22:32

It really depends on music taste for me. We absolutely love beautiful days. Fab for kids, fab organisation, non commercial. And perfect if you like 90s indie bands / folk / ska / world music and the rest. I thought green man was lovely but music bored me. I can't imagine picking a festival without the music being the main thing, closely followed by family friendly!

imtired1butmykidsarent · 01/09/2018 18:10

Merkari was really good.

imtired1butmykidsarent · 01/09/2018 18:12

whoops! Sentmy last post without finishing. merkari was good, and i can link the activities below. it had stuff for all ages.

merakifestival.com/activities/

jjemimapuddleduck · 01/09/2018 18:14

Belladrum!!!

Ellapaella · 02/09/2018 10:27

Is Greenman festival in Wales? It's not obvious on the website, like the sound of that one.
Has anyone ever been to Kendal calling with kids?

Ellapaella · 02/09/2018 10:29

Oh and I've never been but Wilderness festival is held in the village where I grew up and my parents still live. Lots of my friends go every year with their children and love it, kids are a massive focus of the event. There is music/bands but I don't think that's the main focus of the festival.

Fenellapitstop · 02/09/2018 10:34

I love camp Bestival, been going years as it's been growing, it is big, but, there's so many different bits that it doesn't feel too big. It also has quiet time on one afternoon for a church service which gives a little respite. I'm already booked for next year. Can't wait

ohnothanks · 02/09/2018 10:39

Yes Green Man is held near Crickhowell in the Brecon Beacons
Very good fast access from southern england and the SW.

shallen · 02/09/2018 10:44

Truck festival ...... and no it's nothing to do with lorries.

sleepismysuperpower · 02/09/2018 11:09

i definitely would recommend the merkari festival. seems to fit all of what you are looking for, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

NameChange30 · 02/09/2018 11:19

I’ve been to Latitude a couple of times and the comedy was excellent. One of the highlights actually.
No direct experience of taking kids but there did seem to be a lot for them and it’s a very family-friendly vibe. It’s one of the things we liked about it actually, even though we didn’t have kids at that point.

Summersunandflowers · 08/09/2018 10:47

We went to Deershed last year. The kids (7 and 9) loved it! Science tent, music, campfire cooking, fairground and good food! Was great Smile

Fenellapitstop · 23/09/2018 13:50

A worrying statement has been issued for camp Bestival this year www.thetimes.co.uk/article/loans-tycoon-james-benamor-pulls-plug-on-bestival-j5dnjh2jp

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