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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Family Friendly Festivals

28 replies

baiyu · 22/01/2009 20:49

It's cold and miserable so I'm starting to think about Summer, and festivals in particular! Two I went to last year which I'd really recommend are

The Big Tent Festival here 25-26th July and Traquair Fair here (sadly having a year off).

Both were very family friendly amd everyone from my DS (at the time only 2 months old - ok so he didn't get much out of it but loved camping!) upto my friends 12 year old had a brill time. Both had so much to do for kids and small enough that they could run wild without getting lost. Great for adults too of course.

Does anyone else know of any other brilliant small festivals around the country?

OP posts:
sfxmum · 22/01/2009 20:51

we have been to Latitude in Suffolk two years running and plan to again this year

liahgen · 22/01/2009 20:53

we went to the food festival in 2007, they had last year off and i believe they are back this year.

here

DragonLowFatSpread · 22/01/2009 20:53

Shambala

mynaughtylittlesister · 22/01/2009 20:55

Some friends of mine went to the Big Chill. Its a music festival, they enjoyed it so much they have booked to go again this year.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 22/01/2009 20:55

Camp Bestival

mynaughtylittlesister · 22/01/2009 20:56

Some friends of mine went to the Big Chill. Its a music festival, they enjoyed it so much they have booked to go again this year.

HaggisFlippin · 22/01/2009 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FiveGoMadInDorset · 22/01/2009 20:56

Lamer Tree

Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 20:59

Ooh, that looks great! Is it really big? Will give it some serious thought when there's more tickets. How's the camping?

One other thing I'd recommend about Big Tent festival (if anyone fancies it) is a weekend ticket is only £40 with camping, bargain! Didn't camp there last year as we just went for the day from Edinburgh but definitely will this year.

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mazzystartled · 22/01/2009 20:59

I think we'll try Latitude this year
The Big Chill we have found is too big and not chilled enough for us any more
We've done the Green Man a few times, the music is wonderful, beautiful setting, the whole set up is great, but it has been knee deep mud each year and it's all a bit gruelling.

ILoveBrucie · 22/01/2009 21:00

Why?

I don't get festivals, why would you want to go and camp with your kids at these places? What am I missing? I really don't get it at all

Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:00

Wow, loads more ideas while I was replying! Better get researching... Now I can't wait for Summer!

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Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:03

Because it's amazing waking up in a tent and cooking your breakfast then wandering to find endless entertainment. The older kids we went with to Traquair fair (between 5 and 12) just went feral for the weekend, were covered in mud and just had the time of their lives! Because it's great outdoors

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Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:04

That food festival looks great, maybe when DS is a little older to get more out of it.

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mazzystartled · 22/01/2009 21:04

brucie
the best festivals are gatherings of like-minded souls, with great music and other entertainments -that you can see with your kids, without needing a babysitter
and we all love camping
and they are usually somewhere really beautiful
what's not to like

Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:08

I'm intrigued by Shambala, never heard of it but it sounds quite special. Just need to work on DP and get planning our Summer!

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Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:09

I'd choose a tent somewhere beautiful over a hotel anyday

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sfxmum · 22/01/2009 21:10

baiyo if you were asking about Latitude no it is not big it is quite diverse and accessible with small children they have a good and safe family area plus a children camp with lots activities from early till late afternoon
this of course with parents

ra29 · 22/01/2009 21:10

the big green gathering is the best festival for families in the world ever. Can you tell I love it?! In fact I don't really know why I'm telling anybody else about it!

Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:15

Thanks sfxmum yes I was. Cool that sounds great. Very very tempted.

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Original poster
baiyu · 22/01/2009 21:20

Oooh ra29 that one looks great too! I wish I had lots of money just to trundle round the country with tent and family going to festivals!

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DragonLowFatSpread · 22/01/2009 22:47

Shambala is great and the new website should be up soon. You've got me thinking about getting some tickets now too.
They are really family friendly with baby cafe's and loads of activities for the kids. The year i went it was located nr plymouth, they had trampolines, swingboats, gardening, cooking sushi, painting, african drumming, circus skills all for the kids. The music is great too, no dance/trance so doesn't attract the ravers, everyone gets in fancy dress for the last night.
We've been with the kids and found it really safe. We went in a group too which helps as cooking becomes communal and my friend babysat my sleeping children while we went for a wander at night etc.
I totally recommend it.
hey, we could have a mumsnet meetup at shambala?!

Original poster
baiyu · 24/01/2009 11:08

OOh Dragon that's a great idea! We live in Scotland so it could be a bit of a hike but I'm derfinitely giving it a lot of thought

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Lemontart · 24/01/2009 11:11

Oooh can I recommend the Ragged Hedge Festival near Cirencester.

Very green and organic, small friendly festival deliberately family orientated. It is based on an organic farm and is fantastic. We have gone for several years now.
Small enough to feel safe but big enough to have plenty to do - loads of arts craft, music, dancing, nature walks, bat walks in the evening, circus training tents etc etc. Fantastic weekend end of August - good way to end the summer hols and not expensive

Lemontart · 24/01/2009 11:14

Does anyone know of a website that actually lists all the planned festivals for the year in one place? Would be great to have an overview of them all, locations, family friendly status, size, cost etc..